In this section:
Registration
There are two ways in which you may apply for registration as a psychologist. The manner in which you apply depends on whether you hold a current registration as a psychologist in another state or territory in Australia or hold a current registration in New Zealand.
If you hold a current registration as a psychologist in another state or territory I Australia then you are eligible to apply for registration under MUTUAL RECOGNITION (MR). If you hold a current registration as a psychologist in New Zealand then you are eligible to apply for registration under Trans Tasman Mutual Recognition (TTMR). If you do not fall under either of these categories you will need to apply for INITIAL REGISTRATION.
Mutual recognition
How to apply
In order to apply for registration under MR or TTMR you must first obtain an application form from the Psychologists Board, or can be downloaded from the website. You will then be required to submit the competed form to the Board, together with the required documents listed on that form.
Registration takes effect from the date the Board receives the completed application. Upon receipt of your application you are deemed registered and are able to work immediately.
All applications for registration are required to be passed before a meeting of the Board before registration is formally recognised. After formal recognition you will receive a certificate of registration and a current practising card by mail.
Conditions of registration
If your registration is subject to conditions or restrictions in the first state or territory, then entitlement to registration in the ACT will be subject to the same conditions or restrictions.
Initial Registration
You should only make an initial application with the Board if you do not hold a current registration as a psychologist in any other Australian jurisdiction or New Zealand.
As an initial applicant the Board may grant FULL REGISTRATION or CONDITIONAL REGISTRATION, depending on your needs and whether you meet all the requirements for full registration.
If you do not meet the requirements for full registration, the Board may grant you conditional registration for a specified purpose. For example, to undertake supervised practice, or an approved postgraduate degree.
Full Registration
To be eligible for full registration as a psychologist you are required to have completed:
- four years of academic study in a psychology related field, being a course or courses of education that is/are approved by the Board; and
- a further two years of supervised practice in accordance with the Boards Guidelines for Supervised Practice. Please refer to the Boards Guidelines for further details about supervision.
Note that an application for registration must be submitted to the Board and a supervision plan approved by the Board prior to the commencement of supervision. The Board will not retrospectively accredit supervision undertaken prior to the approval of a supervision plan. To practice, even under the supervision of a registered psychologist, without registration is considered a breach of the Act. The completed application form should be submiitted at least six working days prior to the board meeting
OR
- a six-year sequence of academic study , approved by the Board. For example, a Masters Degree in Psychology. Postgraduate research degrees need to demonstrate that the thesis was in the field of psychology and that supervision was provided by a registered psychologist.
Application forms
| Download: | Initial Application Form (PDF File - 169k) Mutual Recognition Form (PDF File - 276k) |
Supervision - List of Supervisors
Psychologists willing to provide supervision to Interns
| Download: | File (Microsoft Excel Document - 25k) |
Fee schedule
Unconditional & Conditional - Intern (Fees are as follows):
Application date Total fees
1 Aug-31 Oct------$260
1 Nov-31 Jan------$240
1 Feb-30 April------$220
1 May-30 June------$195
In the renewal period of 1-31 July, 13 months registration applies at the full fee of $260.
Conditional Post graduate master students---$170
Annual Renewal of Registration
All registrants are required to pay the determined fee before 1 August each year, in order that they might remain registered in the Territory.
Renewal Notice
To assist in the annual renewal process, the Psychologists Board sends out a renewal notice to all registrants.
Removal at Own Request
The Health Professionals Act 2004 does not permit persons to request removal of their name from the Register. The Board will note, however, advice from psychologists leaving the ACT who intend not to pay the annual renewal fee, and in due course take action to remove the name of the practitioner from the Register.
Annual Fee not Paid
Where a registrant fails to pay the annual renewal fee, the Board will cancel the registration of that person.
Cancellation on Health Grounds
The Board may cancel the registration of a person if it is satisfied that the person lacks the physical and mental capacity to practice psychology. In such instances, the Board will convene an Inquiry before it cancels the registration of a person.
Disciplinary Action
Under section 36 of the Act, the Board may cancel or suspend the registration of a person if it is satisfied that a person is guilty of an offence under the Act. In such cases the Board will convene an Inquiry to ascertain whether the name of the person should be removed from the Register.
Reinstatement to the register
The Board may reinstate a person to the Register whose name has been removed for failure to pay the annual fee. In this case, a person would need to submit an application form for registration and pay the determined fee. Reinstatement to the Register will be on the same terms and conditions (if any) that applied to the persons registration immediately before the person was removed from the Register.
Change of Address
Under the Health professsionals Act 2004 you are required to advise the Board in writing of any change of address within one month of that change. Failure to comply with these provisions attracts a penalty. More importantly, correspondence from the Board will not reach you.
