Registration Pathways - Psychologists

To practice as a psychologist you must hold current registration.

Psychologists are nationally registered through the Australian Health Practitioners Regulation Agency (AHPRA) via the Psychology Board of Australia.

The Australian Psychological Society (APS) is the national assessing authority for Psychologists in Australia. The APS assesses academic qualifications in psychology for the purpose of migration under the General Skilled Migration (GSM) Categories or who apply for registration or work as a Psychologist in Australia. They will require certified copies of relevant documentation (qualification certificates, thesis/research if relevant, membership certs IELTS etc) and an application form. (See RDN’s Registration Documentation for Psychologists for more detailed information)

Note that:

• There is mutual recognition with NZ.
• The General Skilled Migration Program requires: Completion of qualifications comparable to six years of study in psychology in Australia and satisfactory evidence of English language proficiency. OR Hold full and unconditional registration to practice as a psychologist in Australia.
• The same requirements apply for a Skilled Graduate (Temporary) Visa (Subclass 485).

Registration Requirements

• CPD is a continuing registration requirement of 30 hrs pa
• English Language Proficiency – a minimum score of 7 in the IELTS. You are exempted from the IELTS test if your tertiary education was taught and assessed in English in one of the following countries: Canada, NZ, Ireland, South Africa, UK, USA
  Otherwise, you will need evidence that you have completed your secondary education in English.
• Recency of practice – evidence of practice within last 5 yrs.
• Fitness to practice – criminal history check and of good standing
• An applicant will need to show they are fit to practice in Australia, via certificates of good standing and also demonstrate they have no criminal record history.

Examples of General Registration Standard
Minimum is a six year sequence of study, comprising a Master’s degree minimum qualification or equivalent.

a) an accredited master’s degree; or
b) a 5 yr accredited sequence of study followed by a 1 yr Board approved internship (5+1); or
c) a 4 yr accredited sequence of study followed by a 2 yr Board approved internship (4+2); or
d) a qualification that the Board deems is substantially equivalent to either a), b) or c) above.
e) In addition to an approved qualification, the Board may require the passing of an exam prior to accepting an application for general registration.

Provisional registration may be granted having completed a 4 yr sequence of psychology study, or a sequence that in the opinion of the Board is substantially equivalent. This registration is granted to enable the completion of years five and six of supervised practice as part of the minimum six yr sequence. This does not allow for the undertaking of dual pathways – i.e. mixing components of two different pathways to make up the six year sequence.

Areas of Practice Endorsement
May be granted in an approved area of psychology practice as follows:

• Clinical psychology
• Clinical neuropsychology
• Counselling
• Forensic
• Health
• Community
• Organisational
• Sport & Exercise
• Educational & Developmental.

Timeframe for Registration
Assessment of qualifications: approximately 8 weeks; then to AHPRA for around 90 days.

Assessment of Qualifications Cost

• $895 for migration within Australia
• $815 for migration outside Australia
• $895 for skilled graduate visa

Registration Cost
$450 per annum.

More Information
For further information and assistance please email the Nursing and Allied Health recruitment team.