Application for endorsement as a clinical psychologist rejected

22 Jun 2017

Ms Vivian Pereira's application for endorsement as a clinical psychologist was refused.

In August 2011 Vivian Pereira made an application to the Psychology Board of Australia (the Board) for endorsement as a clinical psychologist. Her application was refused by the Board because she was unable to point to any clinical supervision experience or training in the field of clinical psychology.

Ms Pereira appealed to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (the Tribunal) for review of the decision. On 25 October 2013 the Tribunal dismissed her appeal and affirmed the Board’s decision to refuse Ms Pereira’s application.

Ms Pereira appealed the decision of the Tribunal to the Supreme Court of Victoria (Supreme Court). On 9 September 2014 the Supreme Court set aside the original Tribunal decision and returned the matter to the Tribunal to be heard by a different panel. On 21 November 2016, a differently constituted panel of the Tribunal again affirmed the decision of the Board and dismissed Ms Pereira’s application.

The Board applied to the Tribunal for Ms Pereira pay its costs of both Tribunal hearings. The Board did not seek the costs of the Supreme Court appeal because they were dealt with by the Supreme Court at the time the matter was before it. The Tribunal refused the Board’s application.

The decision has been published on the AustLii website.