Important information for interns about COVID-19

09 Apr 2020

The Board is aware that due to the COVID-19 public health measures now in place, provisional psychologists may encounter some additional challenges in meeting the requirements of their internships.

The Board has been working to temporarily modify some of the regulatory requirements for 4+2 and 5+1 interns during the COVID-19 pandemic to ensure you can continue with your professional training while still maintaining client safety.

Online proctoring of the May 2020 exam

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic we have moved the May 2020 sitting of the national psychology exam from test centres across Australia to online proctoring. Online proctoring (OLP) is a secure way that exams can be offered remotely via the internet in your home or workplace (where available).

We have published information on the website about online proctoring for the May 2020 exam, including FAQs about how to register and prepare for online proctoring, what equipment you will need to sit the exam, and required conduct during the exam.

The change to online proctoring is a temporary change in response to COVID-19 and applies only to the May sitting of the exam. We will update you about plans for the July and November 2020 exams as COVID-19 evolves and the situation become clearer. We encourage you to maintain your study plan and continue preparing for the exam.

What do I need to do now?

If you are currently registered for the May exam your registration for your preferred test centre will be cancelled by Kryterion, and a new registration for the OLP exam automatically approved.

You must carefully read the FAQ about the requirements for online proctoring in preparation for the exam.

If you do not wish to do the OLP exam, you can cancel your registration via the examination portal, and apply to sit the next available exam in one of the test centres across Australia.

If you wish to sit the OLP exam in May and have not already registered for the exam, please go to the exam portal and make a booking before close of business on 17 April 2020.

Additional flexibilities for 4+2 and 5+1 interns during the COVID-19 pandemic

We have put in place some additional flexibilities to the +1 (5+1) and +2 (4+2) internships to ensure interns can continue their professional training while still maintaining client safety. You can review these flexibilities at our Internship FAQ (4+2 and 5+1).

It is important that interns and their supervisors are aware of the flexibilities that are already in place in the requirements for internships. Please ensure you are working from the latest version of the Guidelines for the 4+2 internship program and the Guidelines for the 5+1 internship program. For further information on the 4+2 and 5+1 internships visit provisional registration.

Where should I go to find out more?

Ahpra and the Boards are regularly publishing information via our COVID-19 updates page.

Thank you for your understanding and your patience during these unprecedented times.