Becoming a Registered Psychologist

Accreditation

Practising psychologists are required by law to register in whichever Australian State or Territory they work. The requirements for registering as a psychologist are prescribed by the State or Territory Acts. While the requirements differ slightly between each State and Territory, as a rule, the requirement is the completion of four full-time years of approved academic study in Psychology and two additional full-time years of postgraduate training or supervised experience. Details of each State's or Territory's requirements, as well as the contact details for the relevant Registration Board, can be found via the Australian Psychological Society.

Forms and information are available from the Psychologists Registration Board of Victoria.

Postgraduate Training:

The School of Behavioural Science offers accredited professional training in the following areas:

• Clinical Psychology
• Clinical Psychology (Child Specialization)
• Clinical Neuropsychology
• Health Psychology
• Organizational/Industrial Psychology

Registration

Psychologists Registration Board of Victoria

To register as a psychologist in Victoria, it is necessary to complete four full-time years of approved academic study in Psychology and two additional full-time years of postgraduate training or supervised experience. Probationary registration is required prior to the period of supervised training. Students enrolled in coursework higher degrees must register as probationary psychologists. Further information is available from the Registration Board:

• Phone: (+61 3) 9629 8722
• Fax: (+61 3) 9629 8744
• Email: registrar AT psychreg.vic.gov.au
• Website: www.psychreg.vic.gov.au

 

Australian Psychological Society

The aim of the Australian Psychological Society (APS) is to represent, promote and advance psychology and psychologists within the context of improving community well-being and scientific knowledge. The APS is the accrediting body for all psychology courses taught at Australian universities. It is also a forum for the exchange of information amongst academic and professional psychologists.

To be eligible for full membership of the Australian Psychological Society, it is necessary to have completed a minimum of six years of study in approved courses in psychology, including a postgraduate qualification of a minimum of two years. A major sequence in Psychology at the University of Melbourne is an accredited three-year sequence for the purposes of affiliate membership of the Australian Psychological Society.

Student subscriptions are also available to all students enrolled in an accredited course (both the Psychology Honours and Postgraduate Diploma in Psychology are APS accredited). Student subscribers receive the Society's two journals, the Australian Psychologist and the Australian Journal of Psychology, and the Victorian Branch Newsletter.

Application forms for student subscription are available from the Psychology Office or online at the Australian Psychology Society.