Fourth-year students seeking provisional registration can apply online now

16 Nov 2015

Online application is now open for fourth-year psychology students seeking provisional registration with the Psychology Board of Australia (the National Board).

Graduates from a fourth-year psychology major need to be registered as a provisional psychologist with the National Board before they can start psychology practice in an approved internship or higher degree program.

The online graduate application service at the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) website helps to smooth the path from undergraduate study to postgraduate training. It enables students to start the provisional registration application process four to six weeks before they have successfully completed their fourth year of study and before they have officially graduated.

Students should determine their pathway for postgraduate training before using the online application service to apply for provisional registration. Certain applicants will need to apply for an international criminal history check (ICHC) before submitting their application for registration.

Fourth-year students completing an approved program of study are eligible to use the online service if they require provisional registration in order to undertake the fifth and sixth years of psychology training through one of the approved pathways leading to general registration which are:

• 4+2 internship program 
• 5+1 internship program, or 
• higher degree program (Masters/Doctorate professional qualification).

After completing the online application, students have 60 days to submit supporting documentation to AHPRA that outlines their chosen pathway – either a proposed supervised practice plan for the 4+2 internship, or enrolment details for a postgraduate qualification in the 5+1 or higher degree pathway.

To become a registered provisional psychologist, eligible students must also meet the National Board’s registration requirements relating to criminal history, English language skills and professional indemnity insurance.

Graduates are encouraged to find out how to use the online graduate application service by accessing the information on the AHPRA website under Graduate applications.

For more information

• Go to Graduate applications on the AHPRA website for FAQ and links to more information 
• For registration enquiries or difficulties in accessing the online application form: 1300 419 495 (within Australia) 
• For media enquiries: (03) 8708 9200