APS-FAQ

Updated on 4 Nov 2019

What is the difference between APS membership and registration as a psychologist? Registration as a psychologist in Australia and membership of the APS are totally separate processes. The Psychology Board of Australia (PBA) and the APS are distinct organisations. * Registration To practise as a psychologist in Australia you must hold current registration. The PBA is the body responsible for the registration of psychologists in Australia. Currently, applicants with qualifications obtained overseas are required by the PBA to have an assessment of psychology qualifications conducted by the APS before applying for registration. * APS membership The APS is the largest professional association for psychologists in Australia. Once your APS assessment has been completed, you may consider joining the APS. 

I am registered as a psychologist overseas - do I need to apply for an APS assessment for registration as a psychologist? 
The only country with which Australia currently shares mutual recognition is New Zealand. Therefore, qualifications from any other country must be assessed by the APS for comparability to an APAC-accredited sequence of study for the purpose of registration. If you hold registration in New Zealand you may obtain registration in Australia through the Trans-Tasman Mutual Recognition Agreement. For further information, you should contact the PBA. Unless you require an assessment for migration purposes, it is unlikely that you will be required to undergo an APS assessment of psychology qualifications. 

I am currently completing psychology qualifications overseas and I wanted to complete my practical training in Australia. Can I complete an internship in Australia?
To complete a psychology internship in Australia you must hold current provisional registration. The PBA determines the requirements for provisional registration. This involves the completion of an APAC-accredited four year sequence of study in psychology in Australia or qualifications that are comparable to an APAC-accredited four year sequence of study in psychology. For further information you should contact the PBA about your intended internship. Currently, applicants with qualifications obtained overseas are required by the PBA to have an assessment of psychology qualifications conducted by the APS before applying for provisional registration. You will also need to check with the coordinator of your current course that an internship in Australia is accepted at the university where you are studying.

I want to study overseas - will the degree be recognised when I return to Australia?
All qualifications that are awarded by institutions outside Australia need to be assessed by the APS to determine comparability with an APAC-accredited sequence of study in psychology. There are no existing arrangements for mutual recognition of degrees from other countries. In the case of students who seek to undertake study in psychology outside Australia, but who also wish to have their overseas study accepted here, the APS recommends that students only undertake courses which are accredited for membership and registration by the membership and registration organisations in the country where they choose to study. 

My qualifications were completed more than 10 years ago - can the APS assess my overseas qualifications for the purpose of entry into an APAC-accredited university course?
The APS may assess your qualifications. However, before applying for an assessment, the APS advises that you contact the course coordinator of the program you wish to apply to. If your qualifications were awarded more than ten years ago, some universities may not accept your qualifications as sufficiently recent to enter an accredited postgraduate program in psychology  I have completed a bachelor degree with a major in psychology in Australia, can I apply for general skilled migration or a skilled graduate visa? No. In order to meet the requirements for general skilled migration as a psychologist or a skilled graduate visa, you must complete qualifications comparable to six years of study in psychology in Australia (or overseas qualifications which have been deemed comparable by the APS) or hold full, current and unconditional registration as a psychologist in Australia. Therefore you would need to complete an APAC-accredited fourth year, followed by either an APAC-accredited postgraduate psychology program (Masters level at least) or two years supervised experience as a psychologist resulting in full registration with the PBA.

Should I wait until I move to Australia before I apply to have my qualifications assessed?
No. You may send your application for your assessment from overseas. If the APS has any queries about your application, you will be contacted by email. 

I am in my last semester of study - can the APS assess the degree before it is completed?
No. The APS can only assess completed qualifications. 

What documents do I need to provide to show that I have completed my course?
You will need to provide either a certified copy of the degree certificate or a certified copy of the academic transcript which clearly states that the qualification has been completed or conferred. 

What if my PhD thesis has been completed but is under examination - can I have my qualifications assessed?
No. If your PhD thesis is currently under examination, the degree has not yet been formally completed. You may only apply for an assessment once you can provide either a certified copy of the degree certificate or a certified copy of the academic transcript which clearly states that the qualification has been completed or conferred. 

Can the APS consider my work experience as part of the assessment?
No. The APS can only consider completed qualifications as part of the assessment. Since work experience or employment history is not part of a formal university qualification, the APS may not consider them as part of its assessment of psychology qualifications. 

Can the APS tell me what subjects I am missing to complete a major in psychology at an Australian university?
The APS does not assess individual coursework units as part of its assessment. It is an Australian university's responsibility to determine the level of accepted credits within an APAC-accredited course. For further information about the APAC accreditation standards, please see www.apac.psychology.org.au. Alternatively, if you already have a degree, you may consider studying an accredited Graduate Diploma in Psychology at an Australian university.

I want to apply to multiple universities to study, how many assessments do I need?
You may use the same assessment to apply for entry into multiple universities, or for the purpose of registration or employment. It is your responsibility to make certified copies of the Statement of Comparability for multiple purposes. Please note additional copies made by the APS may incur a fee.

What if I am applying for an assessment for more than one reason such as migration and registration?
Which application form do I fill out? If you wish the APS to comment on migration for a skills assessment for the Department of Immigration and Citizenship, then you must use the application form for migration. You may use the same assessment outcome for more than one purpose. You only need to fill out one application form and pay one fee (the highest fee).

I completed a degree by research - do I have to submit a transcript?
Yes. The APS requires an official academic transcript that indicates the date on which the qualification was completed and the years you were enrolled in the course. The APS suggests that you contact the student records department of the university at which you studied to confirm whether transcripts are produced. In circumstances where the university does not routinely issue academic transcripts for research degrees, please contact the APS 

I don't have a bound copy of my thesis - do I need to submit certified copies of the required extracts?
Yes. The APS requires that you submit a certified copy of the title page, table of contents and abstract of your thesis/major research project. If you do not have a bound copy of your thesis, you may have an electronic copy. If you have an electronic copy, you can print the required pages and have those pages certified as a true copy of the original. You do not need to have the list of supervisor(s) and examiner(s) certified as a true copy of the original.

Which English exam do i need to take and what scores do i need?
To meet the English language proficiency requirements you must achieve the required minimum scores in one of the above English language tests and meet the requirements for test results specified:

a) the IELTS (academic module) with a minimum overall score of 7 and a minimum score of 7 in each of the four components (listening, reading, writing and speaking).
NOTE: We will only accept test results: from one test sitting, or a maximum of two test sittings in a six month period only if: you achieve a minimum overall score of 7 in each sitting, and you achieve a minimum score of 7 in each component across the two sittings, and no score in any component of the test is below 6.5.
b) the PTE Academic with a minimum overall score of 65 and a minimum score of 65 in each of the four communicative skills (listening, reading, writing and speaking).
NOTE: We will only accept test results: from one test sitting, or a maximum of two test sittings in a six month period only if: a minimum overall score of 65 is achieved in each sitting, and you achieve a minimum score of 65 in each of the communicative skills across the two sittings, and no score in any of the communicative skills is below 58
c) the TOEFL iBT with a minimum total score of 94 and the following minimum score in each section of the test:
24 for listening, 24 for reading, 27 for writing, and 23 for speaking.
NOTE: We will only accept test results: from one test sitting, or a maximum of two test sittings in a six month period only if: a minimum total score of 94 is achieved in each sitting, and you achieve a minimum score of 24 for listening, 24 for reading, 27 for writing and 23 for speaking across the two sittings, and no score in any of the sections is below, 20 for listening, 19 for reading, 24 for writing, and 20 for speaking.

What if i disagree with the Assessment outcome?

If you disagree with the Statement of Psychology Qualifications decision made by the APS you should contact the APS by phone, fax or email to discuss your assessment. If, after discussion with APS assessment staff you are still dissatisfied with the APS decision and are able to provide new material in support of a re-assessment, you should put your concerns in writing, request a re-assessment of your qualifications and attach the additional supporting documentation. Your letter should be addressed to the Coordinator, Assessments, APS, at the address listed on the back page. The APS will consider your application for re-assessment on the basis of your letter and the additional documentation supplied in support of your application, and respond to you in writing.