The Australian Association for Psychological Type

The Australian Association for Psychological Type exists to promote knowledge and use of psychological type in Australian society, in particular, for professional users of type. Founded in 1992, AusAPT operates Australia-wide via five regions, and maintains strong links with the international type community.

Our Mission

The primary mission of the Australian Association of Psychological Type, AusAPT and all APTs, is two fold:

1. To expand knowledge of psychological type
2. To support the ethical use of psychological type and type instruments

As type practitioners we face an ethical challenge. The modern world of Internet technology has created general access for the public in obtaining information about type. At the same time organisations are very interested in instruments and tools for managing people. Over the last few years, the number of professionals administering and interpreting type has increased. These developments have created concerns for the appropriate use of type instruments and the accurate and positive interpretation of type scores.

AusAPT encourages all type practitioners to continue to develop their skills and knowledge in various applications of type theory. The ethical use of psychological type means that practitioners are committed to honour and enhance the dignity and individuality of people.

 

Fact Sheet

  • AusAPT is a not-for-profit incorporated body with the following objects:
  • fostering the understanding and acceptance of differences
  • constructive and ethical use of type
  • provision of a network for and quality service to members
  • initiation and support of activities
  • encouragement and support of research
  • provision of educational opportunities
  • promotion of membership diversity
  • development of international links

 

You can view and download AusAPT's Constitution here and By-Laws here 

 

Our history

Interest in Myers Briggs was flourishing in the USA during the 1970s. A number of Australians, generally mature and associated with churches, travelled to the States to learn about Myers Briggs and its uses to bring this knowledge back to their communities.

By the early 1980s, programs were being offered in Australia. Accredited, MBTI training started in 1986 and by the late 1980s MBTI had moved beyond its use in a church context to being used in both public and private sector organizations.

Interest in establishing an Australian professional association grew from late 1990 and by July 1991 The Australian Association For Psychological Type (AAPT) was formally recognised internationally. Regional committees were formed across Australia.

The aims of AAPT (later to be changed to AusAPT because of another AAPT) were set out as:

  1. To promote the constructive use of differences using psychological type theory and type application.
  2. To provide a network for those using psychological type, especially the MBTI.
  3. To initiate developmental activities for type practitioners.
  4. To provide information and identify resources of interest to type practitioners.
  5. To advocate the ethical use of psychological type and psychological type instruments.
  6. To encourage and support type research in Australia.

 

Our first conference was held in October 1991 and was organised jointly by the Institute for Type Development and the Australian Council for Educational Research. We have since held conferences regularly across Australia.

Our first Journal was printed in March 1992 and thanks to some dedicated editors and contributors, has been produced ever since.

Since our inauguration, our journey has been an eventful one typical of many small professional associations. We have had our periods of disintegration followed by periods of healing. Our membership has fluctuated but throughout our existence there has been a strong core of members supporting our aims and an Australia-wide association.

References

Peter Malone: “Type in Australia: an historical overview”; Australian journal of psychological type, vol 1, No 1, 1992 pp7-9
Anon: “News”; Australian journal of psychological type, vol 1, No 1, 1992 pp10-11