Psychology in Australia

Getting to the Bottom of
Psychology in Australia

The study of Psychology in Australia is one of the most popular university choices, with all tertiary institutions across the country offering undergraduate and/or postgraduate education opportunities. Dr Alison Garton, Executive Director of the Australian Psychological Society explains the relevance of the Psychology degrees in Australia and the benefits therein...

Entry to undergraduate courses is generally via acceptance into a BA or BSc degree, and within Australia entry requirements vary from State to State, and university to university. Some universities offer direct entry onto a Psychology degree (BPsych) and competition is inevitably greater, and entry requirements higher, for these places.

The basic three year major in Psychology should be followed by a fourth year of study, either an Honours year, as an integral part of a BA (Hons), BSc (Hons), or BPsych (Hons) degree, or an equivalent post-graduate diploma in Psychology.

Overseas applicants for undergraduate places need to demonstrate equivalence of education level for entry to the selected course. Contact should be made with the relevant International Students Office in the university, for assistance with entry requirements and course choice.

The Australian Psychological Society Limited
The Australian Psychological Society Ltd. (APS) is the premier body representing psychology and psychologists in Australia. It currently has a membership of around 12,500, and is recognised nationally and internationally. The APS promotes, represents and advances psychology and psychologists in the context of improving community well-being and scientific knowledge.

The APS started as the Overseas branch of the British Psychological Society in 1944, but by 1966 had established itself as a separate Society. The APS encourages learning and growth through setting high standards of entry to membership, through professional development and education, and through adherence of its members to the APS Code of Ethics.

Full members of the APS can use the postnominals MAPs; Fellowship of the APS, awarded in recognition of achievement in Psychology and contribution to the Society enables the use of postnominal FAPs. Hon FAPs is reserved for those eminent psychologists who have made a substantial contribution both to the profession and the discipline as well as the Society; only 15 Honorary Fellows are permitted at any one time.

Accreditation
Psychology education and training programs offered by universities are included in the accreditation system, developed and administered by the APS. All tertiary psychology courses are monitored to ensure they are providing suitable preparation for students wishing to gain membership of the Society, and to the profession generally. Every 5 years, universities submit details of their curriculum and resources devoted to training for evaluation by the APS. An institution meeting the standards contained in the guidelines developed by the APS is accredited, and the programs it offers also accredited. Provisional accreditation can also be offered if aspects of the course and/or the university require improvement.

Students completing an accredited 4 year Honours sequence in Psychology (for a 3 year plus an accredited 4th year) are eligible for Associate Membership of the APS. Full membership of the APS requires 6 years out of university training (current requirements of 4 years plus 2 years of supervision are being phased out and are no longer available as an option). The latter two years' education can be a coursework masters degree, a coursework doctoral degree (DPsych or equivalent), or a postgraduate research degree, such as a PhD.

Overseas Qualifications
Associate membership of the APS recognises qualifications from accredited programs. Overseas students wishing to gain entry to postgraduate programs in Australia often have to demonstrate their eligibility for Associate membership so that equivalence of their qualifications can be determined.

Overseas students wishing to obtain full membership of the APS need to demonstrate equivalence of university training, although discretion can be applied on a case-by-case basis.

When applying to have qualifications assessed, it is necessary to provide a copy of the transcript of the studies, together with evidence of completion of the degree (such as a copy of the degree certificate or testament). In addition, a fee is charged, which varies annually.

If applying for migration to Australia, there are additional requirements that must be completed. The APS conducts the assessment of psychology qualifications for migration purposes on behalf of the Government, a service that is conducted through the Australian Embassy or Consulate in the country of origin. Once again, a fee will be charged.

Registration
Psychology is a regulated profession in every State and Territory in Australia. In order to practise psychology, a psychologist must be registered. Requirements for registration are similar (but not identical) across Australia and currently are 4 years of university training (recognised by the board), plus a further two years, either of supervised experience (the suitability of which is determined by each Board) or of further university study. Mutual recognition legislation in Australia permits the registration in one State of a psychologist already registered in another, without the need for further demonstration of credentials.

Employment
Psychologists work in a variety of careers, some of which may require further specialised training and recognition. Areas in which psychologists currently work include public health, community and mental health and hospitals, schools and other educational institutions, organisations, sport, forensic, research and academic settings. Traditionally, psychologists work for State or Federal Government agencies, such as health, education, welfare and justice. Increasingly, however, psychologists are working in the private sector, either providing services directly to clients or being contracted by larger agencies to provide specific services.

Services offered by the
APS include: