Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

A History of School Psychology in Australia

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Handbook of Australian School Psychology

Abstract

To understand the state of school psychology in Australia at present and to be able to adapt to future trends, it is important to understand the origins and history of the profession which have been shaped by the special Australian context as well as international events. It is essential to critically analyse the current practice of school psychology in Australia to ascertain which activities are anarchistic, i.e. we do what we do because we have always done it that way, which can limit adaptation to current circumstances. Secondly, it is important to understand the origins of the profession and how it was shaped in order to plan effectively for change, as changing the practices of a profession is inherently difficult because of the unique role school psychologists have had in the past which Farrell argues has made the professional victims of that history (Farrell, 2010). In looking backwards, we therefore hope to be able to move forward in a proactive, planned way to respond effectively to the challenges ahead.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 309.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 399.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 549.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  • Anderson, D., Campbell, M., Gillies, R., McMahon, M., O’Brien, P., & Pagliano, P. (2010). The training of guidance officers in Queensland. Unpublished manuscript.

    Google Scholar 

  • Argus. (1925, 18 February). Misfits in life: How to avoid them. The Argus, p. 8.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ashman, A., & Elkins, J. (2005). Educating children with diverse abilities. Sydney: Pearson Education Australia.

    Google Scholar 

  • Australian Bureau of Statistics. (1997). Victorian year book 1997. Retrieved from http://www.ausstats.abs.gov.au/ausstats/free.nsf/0/408AA2D9DDF9C54DCA257AFD001596C9/$File/13012_1997.pdf

  • Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2012). Education and training—Primary and secondary education. Year book Australia 1301.0. Retrieved from http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/Lookup/by%20Subject/1301.0~2012~Main%20Features~Primary%20and%20secondary%20education~105

  • Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER). (1998). Schools in Australia: 1973–1998 The 25 years since the Karmel report. Conference Proceedings. Retrieved from http://research.acer.edu.au/research_conference_karmel/1

  • Australian Department of Health. (2010). National registration and accreditation scheme. Retrieved from http://www.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/Content/work-nras

  • Australian Psychological Society. (2013). Framework for the effective delivery of school psychological services. Public Sector and Non-Government Organisations Reference Group. Retrieved from https://www.psychology.org.au/Assets/Files/2013-APS-psychological-services-framework-for-public-sector-NGO%20.pdf

  • Australian Psychological Society. (2014). Psychologists in Schools Reference Group. Retrieved from http://www.psychology.org.au/practitioner/groups/PSRG

  • Australian Psychologists and Counsellors in Schools (APACS). (2013). An Australia wide comparison of school counsellor/psychologist guidance services. Australian Guidance and Counselling Association. Retrieved from http://www.agca.com.au/a_docs/An_Australian_Wide_Comparison_of_School_Counsellor_Psychologist_and_Guidance_Services_2008.pdf

  • Bardon, J. (1983). Psychology applied to education: A specialty in search of an identity. American Psychologist, 38, 185–196. doi:10.1037/0003-066X.38.2.185.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Barletta, J. (1996). Supervision for school counsellors: When will we get what we really need? Australian Journal of Guidance and Counselling, 6, 1–7.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Boston, K. (2014, March). Gonski: Re-imaging Australian education. Melbourne: Victorian Association of Secondary School Principals Conference.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bramston, P., & Rice, D. (2000). Generalists or specialists? Guidance officers in Queensland schools. Australian Journal of Guidance and Counselling, 10, 27–34.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Burden, R. L. (1988). Stress and the school psychologist. School Psychology International, 9, 55–59. doi:10.1177/0143034388091009.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Burnett, P. (1997). The face of guidance and counselling, what will it look like in 25 years? Australian Journal of Guidance and Counselling, 7, 23–34.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Burton, N. W. (1939). The child guidance clinic. Unpublished Ph.D. thesis, The University of Sydney, Sydney.

    Google Scholar 

  • Campbell, M. A., & Colmar, S. (2014). Current status and future trends of school counselling in Australia. Journal of Asia Pacific Counselling, 4, 181–197. doi:10.18401/2014.4.2.9.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Campbell, M. A., & Glasheen, K. J. (2012). The provision of online counselling for young people. In B. I. Popoola, & O. F. Adebowale (Eds.) Online guidance and counselling: Toward effectively applying technology (pp. 1–13). Information Science Reference (an imprint of IGI Global), Hershey, PA.

    Google Scholar 

  • Campbell, M. A., & Wackwitz, H. (2002). Supervision in an organization where counsellors are a minority profession. In M. McMahon & W. Patton (Eds.), Supervision in the helping professions: A practical guide (pp. 313–324). Sydney, Australia: Pearson Education Australia.

    Google Scholar 

  • Carroll, M. (2007). One more time: What is supervision? Psychotherapy in Australia, 13(3), 34–40.

    Google Scholar 

  • Commonwealth of Australia Constitution Act. (1900). s.5.107. Retrieved from http://www.aph.gov.au/About_Parliament/Senate/Powers_practice_n_procedures/~/link.aspx?_id=6ED2CAE61E7742A1B2C42F95D4C05252&_z=z

  • Cooke, R. A., & Lafferty, J. C. (2000). Exploring Education Queensland’s culture. Education Views, 9(22), 18–19.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dawson, E. (1949). Australian child guidance clinics. Understanding the Child, 18, 17–18.

    Google Scholar 

  • Department of Education Victoria. (1973). Report of the minister for education 1972–1973. Melbourne: Government Printer.

    Google Scholar 

  • Department of Health and Ageing. (2010). Mindmatters—Heading mental health and wellbeing. Canberra, Australia: Author.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dickinson, K. (1995). An investigation of perceptions of guidance officers and secondary principals as to present and preferred level of guidance officer practice in secondary school. Australian Journal of Guidance and Counselling, 5, 21–30.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Edgar, S., & Jones, H. (1986). Miethke, Adelaide Laetitia (1881–1962). Australian Dictionary of Biography, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University. Retrieved from http://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/miethke-adelaide-laetitia-7571/text13215

  • Education Queensland. (2012). Guidance officers. Retrieved from http://education.qld.gov.au/hr/recruitment/teaching/guidance-officers.html

  • Farrell, P. (2010). School psychology: Learning lessons from history and moving forward. School Psychology International, 31, 581–598. doi:10.1177/0143034310386533.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fasano, B., & Cavanagh, S. (2009) KidsMatter national expansion: A partnership between education and health. The Bulletin of the Australian Psychological Society Ltd, 31(3), 35. Retrieved from https://www.kidsmatter.edu.au/sites/default/files/public/kidsmatter-national-expansion.pdf

  • Faulkner, M. (1993, September). Paradigm and contestation in school psychology within the Victorian Education Department. Paper presented at the Fourth National Conference of the Australian Guidance and Counselling Association, Adelaide.

    Google Scholar 

  • Faulkner, M. (1999). Inside the vortex: School psychology and the dynamics of public sector transformation. Australian Journal of Guidance and Counselling, 9, 93–118.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Faulkner, M. (2000). J.R. McLeod: An innovating school psychologist in Victorian government schools. Melbourne Studies in Education, 41(1), 115–136. doi:10.1080/17508480009556346.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Faulkner, M. (2006). School psychology in Australia. In S. Jimerson, T. Oakland, & P. Farrell (Eds.), Handbook of international school psychology (pp. 15–28). London: Sage.

    Google Scholar 

  • Faulkner, M. (2007). School psychologists or psychologists in schools? InPsych, 9(4), 10–13.

    Google Scholar 

  • Faye, E. (1998). Growing up ‘Australian’ in the 1950’s: The dream of social science. Australian Historical Studies, 29(111), 344–365. doi:10.1080/10314619808596077.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Frisby, C., & Reynolds, C. (Eds.). (2005). The handbook of multi-cultural school psychology. Hoboken, NJ: Wiley.

    Google Scholar 

  • Giles, G. R. (1932). Vocational guidance in Australia. International Labour Review, 26, 530–543. doi:10.1080/00048403208540974.

    Google Scholar 

  • Graetz, B., Littlefield, L., Trinder, M., Dobia, B., Souter, M., Champion, C., … Cummins, R. (2008). KidsMatter: A population health model to support student mental health and wellbeing in primary schools. International Journal of Mental Health Promotion, 10(4), 13–20. doi:10.1080/14623730.2008.9721772

  • Hall, J. (1977). Educational psychology in public service. In M. Nixon & R. Taft (Eds.), Psychology in Australia: Achievements and prospects. Sydney: Pergamon Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hempenstall, K. (2012). Response to intervention: Accountability in action. Australian Journal of Learning Difficulties, 17(2), 101–131. doi:10.1080/19404158.2012.704879.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hughes, J. P. (2002). Harold Wyndham and educational reform in Australia 1925–1968. Education Research and Perspectives, 29(1), 1–268.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jacobs, A. (1986). A history of the psychology, guidance and welfare work of counselling, guidance and clinical services (formerly the Psychology Branch and the Psychology and Guidance Branch) 1947–1985. Unpublished Master of Education thesis, University of Melbourne, Melbourne.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jimerson, S. R., Oakland, T. D., & Farrell, P. T. (2007). The handbook of international school psychology. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.

    Google Scholar 

  • Korniszewski, P., & Mallet, J. (1948). A survey of educational psychology services in 41 countries. Paris: United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation.

    Google Scholar 

  • Magnuson, S., Norem, K., & Bradley, L. J. (2000). Supervising school counsellors. In L. J. Bradley & N. Ladany (Eds.), Counsellor supervision: Principles and process, and practice (pp. 207–221). Philadelphia, PA: Brunner-Routledge.

    Google Scholar 

  • Martino, W., & Kehler, M. (2006). Male teachers and the “boy problem”: An issue of recuperative masculinity politics. McGill Journal of Education, 41, 113–132.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mason, J. (2009). MindMatters, leadership and community partnerships. Independent Education, 39, 24–25.

    Google Scholar 

  • McCallum, D. (1990). The social production of merit: Education, psychology, and politics in Australia, 1900–1950. London: Falmer Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • McKie, W. D., & Colmar, S. (2013, July). Effective school psychological practice. Paper presented at the National Conference of the Australian Guidance and Counselling Association, Sydney.

    Google Scholar 

  • McLeod, J., & Wright, K. (2013). Education for citizenship: Transnational expertise, curriculum reforms and psychological knowledge in 1930s Australia. History of Education Review, 42, 170–184. doi:10.1108/HER-09-2012-0029.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McMahon, M. (1998). Perceptions of clinical supervision in school guidance and counselling. Unpublished doctoral dissertation, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia.

    Google Scholar 

  • McMahon, M. (2006). Career counselling in Australia. International Journal of Psychology, 41(3), 174–179. doi:10.1080/00207590544000167.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mills, M., Martino, W., & Lingard, B. (2004). Attracting, recruiting and retaining male teachers: Policy issues in the male teacher debate. British Journal of Sociology of Education, 25, 355–369. doi:10.1080/0142569042000216990.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mossenson, D. (1981, August). Legitimizing provision for gifted children: An Australian perspective. Paper presented at the Fourth World Congress on Gifted and Talented Children, Montreal, Canada.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nixon, M. (1977). Educational psychology in Australia. In C. Catterall (Ed.), Psychology in the schools in international perspectives (Vol. 2, pp. 15–23). Columbus, OH: International School Psychology Steering Committee.

    Google Scholar 

  • NSW Department of Education and Communities. (2011). Paper 1. The school counselling workforce in NSW Government Schools. School Counselling Services Review Taskforce. Retrieved from http://www.dec.nsw.gov.au/about-us/statistics-and-research/public-reviews-and-enquiries/school-counselling-services-review

  • NSW Department of Public Instruction. (1929). Report of the Minister of Public Instruction for the year 1928. Sydney: Government Printer.

    Google Scholar 

  • O’Neill, W. (1977). Teaching practice in psychology in Australia in the first phase. In M. Nixon & R. Taft (Eds.), Psychology in Australia: Achievements and prospects. Sydney: Pergamon Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Oakland, T., Faulkner, M., & Annan, J. (2005). School psychology in four English-speaking countries: Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the United States. In C. L. Frisby & C. R. Reynolds (Eds.), Comprehensive handbook of multicultural school psychology (pp. 1081–1106). Hoboken, NJ: Wiley.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pascoe, R. (1999). Admission to Australian Universities. Journal of Higher Education Policy and Management, 21(1), 17–31.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Porteus, S. (1969). A psychologist of sorts. Palo Alto, CA: Pacific Books.

    Google Scholar 

  • Prescott, K. (1995). History of the Australian Guidance and Counselling Association. Australian Guidance and Counselling Association Newsletter, 3, 9–12.

    Google Scholar 

  • Preston, B. (2013). The social make-up of schools: Family income, indigenous status, family type, religion and broadband access of students in government, Catholic and other non-government schools. Australian Capital Territory: Barbara Preston Research.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rice, D., & Bramston, P. (1999). The guidance role in Queensland. Australian Journal of Guidance and Counselling, 9, 25–37.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ritchie, M. (1985). School psychology in Australia. Journal of School Psychology, 23(1), 13–18. doi:10.1016/0022-4405(85)90030-5.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shearer, J., & Seliga, L. (1968). First psychology department: Developments in education in South Australia. Adelaide: South Australian College of External Studies.

    Google Scholar 

  • Shorten, A. R. (1996). The legal context of Australian education: An historical exploration. Australia New Zealand Journal of Law Education, 1(1), 2–32.

    Google Scholar 

  • Shute, A. (1995). Inaugural Constance Davey memorial lecture. Australian Journal of Guidance and Counselling, 5, 49–58.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Stafford, K. (2007). Mental health promotion in schools. Issues, 80, 4–6. Retrieved from http://search.informit.com.au.ezp01.library.qut.edu.au/documentSummary;dn=200710381;res=IELAPA

  • Sturtevant, S. (1937). Some questions regarding the developing guidance movement. The School Psychology Review, 45, 346–357.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Thielking, M. (2006). An investigation of attitudes towards the practice of school-based psychological services. Unpublished Professional Doctorate in Counselling Psychology, Swinburne University of Technology, Melbourne.

    Google Scholar 

  • Thomson, M. (1995). Mental hygiene as an international movement. In P. Weindling (Ed.), International health organisations and movements, 1918–1939 (pp. 283–304). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Turtle, A. M. (1988). Education, social science and the commonwealth. In R. M. MacLeod (Ed.), The commonwealth of science (pp. 222–246). Melbourne: Oxford University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Turtle, A. M. (1990). The first women psychologists in Australia. Australian Psychologist, 25, 239–255. doi:10.1080/00050069008260019.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Turtle, A. M., & Orr, M. (1990). The psyching of OZ. Melbourne: Australian Psychological Society.

    Google Scholar 

  • Verco, D. J. (1958). Psychological services in education departments. Australian Journal of Psychology, 10(1), 19–29. doi:10.1080/00049535808255951.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • White, M. (1997). Carnegie philanthropy in Australia in the nineteen thirties: A reassessment. History of Education Review, 26, 1–24.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Whitla, M., Walker, G., & Drent, A. (1992). School psychological and guidance services in Australia: Critical issues and implications for future directions. Australian Journal of Guidance and Counselling, 2, 1–16. doi:10.1017/S1037291100002223.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Williams, C. (1967). Child guidance and psychological services in Queensland. Applied Psychology, 16(1), 8–11. doi:10.1111/j.1464-0597.1967.tb00617.x.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wiltshire, K., & Donnelly, K. (2014). Review of the Australian curriculum. Canberra: Department of Education.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wissehr, C., Concannon, J., & Barrow, L. (2011). Looking back at the sputnik era and its impact on science education. School Science and Mathematics, 111, 368–375. doi:10.1111/j.1949-8594.2011.00099.x.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wright, K. (2012a). “Help for wayward children”: Child guidance in 1930s Australia. History of Education Review, 41, 4–19. doi:10.1108/08198691211235545.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wright, K. (2012b). ‘To see through Johnny and to see Johnny through’: The guidance movement in interwar Australia. Journal of Educational Administration and History, 44, 317–337. doi:10.1080/00220620.2012.713928.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Education, Queensland University of Technology, GPO Box 2434, Brisbane, QLD, 4001, Australia

    Marilyn Campbell & Kevin Glasheen

Authors
  1. Marilyn Campbell
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Kevin Glasheen
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Kevin Glasheen .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychological Sciences, Swinburne University of Technology, Hawthorn, Victoria, Australia

    Monica Thielking

  2. St. John’s University, Jamaica, New York, USA

    Mark D. Terjesen

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2017 Springer International Publishing Switzerland

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Campbell, M., Glasheen, K. (2017). A History of School Psychology in Australia. In: Thielking, M., Terjesen, M. (eds) Handbook of Australian School Psychology. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-45166-4_2

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation