Getting to the Bottom of
Psychology in Australia
The study of Psychology in Australia is
one of the most popular university choices, with all tertiary
institutions across the country offering undergraduate and/or
postgraduate education opportunities. Professor Lyn Littlefield,
Executive Director of the Australian Psychological Society
explains the relevance of the Psychology degrees in Australia
and the benefits therein...
Entry to undergraduate courses is generally via acceptance
into a BA or BSc degree, and within Australia entry requirements
vary from State to State, and university to university.
Some universities offer direct entry onto a Psychology degree
(BPsych) and competition is inevitably greater, and entry
requirements higher, for these places.
The basic three year major in Psychology should be followed
by a fourth year of study, either an Honours year, as an
integral part of a BA (Hons), BSc (Hons), or BPsych (Hons)
degree, or an equivalent post-graduate diploma in Psychology.
Overseas applicants for undergraduate places need to demonstrate
equivalence of education level for entry to the selected
course. Contact should be made with the relevant International
Students Office in the university, for assistance with entry
requirements and course choice.
The Australian Psychological Society Limited
The Australian Psychological Society Ltd. (APS) is the
premier body representing psychology and psychologists in
Australia. It currently has a membership of around 16,000,
and is recognised nationally and internationally. The APS
promotes, represents and advances psychology and psychologists
in the context of improving community well-being and scientific
knowledge.
The APS started as the Overseas branch of the British Psychological
Society in 1944, but by 1966 had established itself as a
separate Society. The APS encourages learning and growth
through setting high standards of entry to membership, through
professional development and education, and through adherence
of its members to the APS Code of Ethics.
Full members of the APS can use the postnominals MAPs;
Fellowship of the APS, awarded in recognition of achievement
in Psychology and contribution to the Society enables the
use of postnominal FAPs. Hon FAPs is reserved for those
eminent psychologists who have made a substantial contribution
both to the profession and the discipline as well as the
Society; only 15 Honorary Fellows are permitted at any one
time.
Accreditation
Accreditation in Australia is conducted by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC). Courses that are accredited by APAC are recognised by the APS for the purpose of membership to the Society, and by the state and territory registration boards for the purpose of registration. Every 5 years, universities submit details of their curriculum and resources devoted to training for evaluation by APAC. Institutions meeting the APAC Standards for Accreditation of Psychology Courses can apply for accreditation for the psychology school and its courses. Conditional accreditation can also be offered if aspects of the course and/or the university require improvement.
Students completing an accredited 4 year Honours sequence in Psychology (for a 3 year plus an accredited 4th year) are eligible for Associate Membership of the APS. Full membership of the APS requires 6 years of university training. The latter two years' education can be a coursework masters degree, a coursework doctoral degree (DPsych or equivalent), or a postgraduate research degree, such as a PhD.
Overseas Qualifications
Associate membership of the APS recognises qualifications
from accredited programs. Overseas students wishing to gain
entry to postgraduate programs in Australia often have to
demonstrate their eligibility for Associate membership so
that equivalence of their qualifications can be determined.
Overseas students wishing to obtain full membership of
the APS need to demonstrate equivalence of university training,
although discretion can be applied on a case-by-case basis.
When applying to have qualifications assessed, it is necessary
to provide a copy of the transcript of the studies, together
with evidence of completion of the degree (such as a copy
of the degree certificate or testament). In addition, a
fee is charged, which varies annually.
If applying for migration to Australia, there are additional
requirements that must be completed. The APS conducts the
assessment of psychology qualifications for migration purposes
on behalf of the Government, a service that is conducted
through the Australian Embassy or Consulate in the country
of origin. Once again, a fee will be charged.
Registration
Psychology is a regulated profession in every State and
Territory in Australia. In order to practise psychology,
a psychologist must be registered. Requirements for registration
are similar (but not identical) across Australia and currently
are 4 years of university training (recognised by the board),
plus a further two years, either of supervised experience
(the suitability of which is determined by each Board) or
of further university study. Mutual recognition legislation
in Australia permits the registration in one State of a
psychologist already registered in another, without the
need for further demonstration of credentials.
Employment
Psychologists work in a variety of careers, some of which
may require further specialised training and recognition.
Areas in which psychologists currently work include public
health, community and mental health and hospitals, schools
and other educational institutions, organisations, sport,
forensic, research and academic settings. Traditionally,
psychologists work for State or Federal Government agencies,
such as health, education, welfare and justice. Increasingly,
however, psychologists are working in the private sector,
either providing services directly to clients or being contracted
by larger agencies to provide specific services.
Services offered by the
APS include:
