Media release

30 Apr 2013

The Board has released its new Guidelines for supervisors and supervisor training providers.

New psychology supervision guideline published, in effect from 1 July

Psychology Board - Media release - 30 April 2013 (326 KB,PDF)

New requirements for psychology supervisors and supervisor training providers, detailed in new Psychology Board of Australia supervision guidelines, will take effect on 1 July 2013. The guidelines are being introduced after extensive consultation.

The guidelines aim to provide a consistent framework and method of supervision practice across Australia, supporting and guiding Australia’s 6,700 Board-approved psychology supervisors. In Australia, nearly one in four psychologists with general registration are Board-approved supervisors who are prepared to give back their expertise to training the next generation of practitioners.

’The knowledge and skills required to provide adequate supervision are advanced and complex,’ said Board Chair Professor Brin Grenyer.

Before the National Scheme, there were a number of different supervision models in place across Australia. The new guidelines establish a nationally consistent framework including:

• standards for Board approved supervisor qualifications
• Board approved supervisor competencies, and
• Board approved supervisor training.

’These guidelines aim to provide a nationally consistent and robust framework for psychology supervision, which is in the best interests of clients served by the psychology profession,’ Professor Grenyer said.

’Psychology is the third largest health profession in Australia. There are now more than 30,000 practitioners. We need to make sure that all training pathways leading to registration are well supported with supervisors,’ Professor Grenyer said.

Becoming a Board approved supervisor

The Board encourages psychologists with general registration who are planning to become supervisors, to apply for supervisor approval before 30 June 2013 using the ABAS-76 application form on the Board’s website.

Eligible psychologists applying for supervisor status before 1 July 2013 will have five years to complete new training requirements specified in the guideline, including the need to meet the ongoing training requirements specified at least every five years thereafter.

All eligible psychologists, including higher degree practicum supervisors, applying to become Board approved supervisors from 1 July 2013 will need to have completed a Board approved supervisor training program before they can become Board approved supervisors, and will need to meet the ongoing training requirements specified in the guideline. This is consistent with increased emphasis on evidence-based practice, including the necessity to determine outcomes for supervision training in Australia.

Interim supervisor training programs extended until 31 December 2013

Since 1 July 2010, the Board has approved the following existing supervisor training programs, which can be offered in any state or territory:

• Supervisor Training and Accreditation Program (STAP) (originating in Queensland), and
• NSW Psychologists Registration Board's supervision workshops (originating in NSW and also offered in Tasmania).

To manage the transition to the requirements of the new guideline, the Board has extended its approval of the current training providers until 31 December 2013, so there is no gap in supervisor training availability.

In line with the new guidelines, after 1 July and prior to 31 December 2013, participants of the NSW Psychologists Registration Board's supervision workshops (originating in NSW and also offered in Tasmania at the time of transition (30 June 2010)) are required to complete the competency-based assessment and evaluation component equivalent to the Supervisor Training and Accreditation Program (STAP) (originating in Queensland).

Request for proposals from supervisor training providers coming soon

The Board will shortly publish on its website an application to act as a Board approved supervisor training provider for providers wishing to deliver supervisor training under the new guidelines.

Interested training providers are strongly encouraged to familiarise themselves with the requirements of the new guidelines.

For more information

• View the Guidelines for supervisors and supervisor training providers under Standards and Guidelines.
• Eligible psychologists applying to become Board approved supervisors should complete the ABAS-76 application form (1.33 MB,PDF) on the Board’s website.
• Lodge an enquiry form via the website.
• For registration enquiries: 1300 419 495 (within Australia) +61 3 8708 9001 (overseas callers).
• For media enquiries: (03) 8708 9200.