General registration

General registration allows psychologists to work in any area of psychology that is within their scope of practice and to use the title 'Psychologist'. All psychologists with general registration meet a minimum standard of education and training and have been assessed as a suitable person to hold general registration in the profession.

General registration requirements

The requirements for general registration are set out in the General registration standard.

To become eligible for general registration, you are required to complete a six-year sequence of education and training. This typically includes a four-year Board-approved accredited sequence of study in psychology followed by a further two years of Board approved education and training undertaken while registered as a provisional psychologist.  Fourth-year graduates can choose from the following training pathways:

• the higher degree pathway, which is an approved postgraduate degree accredited at the fifth and sixth year level (such as a two-year Masters) or higher (such as a three or four year Doctorate), or
• the 5+1 internship pathway.

The 4+2 internship pathway closed to new applicants on 30 June 2022. Provisional psychologists undertaking this pathway must apply for general registration before this pathway retires. For information on the hard retirement deadlines see the 4+2 retirement page.

Those completing one of the internship pathways will need to pass the national psychology exam before applying for general registration.

Domestic pathways to general registration:

• Download a copy of this diagram which includes the pathway for overseas-qualified applicants (65.4 KB,PDF).

Doctoral candidates can apply for general registration after completing the equivalent of a fifth- and sixth-year qualification (e.g. a two-year Masters), before completing the doctoral thesis. See the Policy for higher degree students applying for general registration for more information.

If you obtained your psychology qualifications overseas and you intend to practise as a psychologist in Australia, you will need to apply to the Board to have your qualification and supervised practice assessed as substantially equivalent to an Australian Board-approved pathway to general registration. You may then be required to complete a transitional program and pass the national psychology exam. For more information see overseas applicants page.

Applying for general registration

All registered psychologists have an obligation to ensure they are familiar with and practise in accordance with the Board’s registration standards, guidelines, the Board-endorsed Code of ethics, and the National Law. When applying for general registration, please ensure that you are familiar with and able to meet these requirements.

To apply for general registration, complete the AGEN-76 application form and submit it via Ahpra's Online upload. 

Alternatively, you can mail it by post to your local Ahpra office.

You will find other supporting information to help with your application on the forms page, including information about proof of identity documents, certifying supporting documents and the required format for your curriculum vitae.

Application and registration fees are published in the schedule of fees.

For information on a financial hardship payment plan available for provisional psychologists renewing their provisional registration or applying for general registration who are experiencing financial hardship due to the COVID-19 pandemic, please see the Provisional registration page

Registration renewal

You will need to renew your general registration annually by 30 November. You can renew your general registration online. For more information visit the registration renewals page.

Endorsement of general registration for area of practice

After obtaining general registration, those completing the higher degree pathway may complete a registrar program leading to area of practice endorsement. Those completing an internship pathway can later complete a bridging qualification and registrar program leading to endorsement. See the Endorsement page for further details.

More information

More information is available in the Fact sheets and FAQ.