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As part of its role of protecting the community, the Board registers psychologists. The detail of the Board's registration function is outlined in the Health Professions Registration Act 2005.
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| Health Professions Registration Act 2005 (Vic) |
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Under this Act , there are several categories of registration - the following are the primary categories:
- General Registration
A person is eligible to apply for registration under this category on:
(a) successful completion of an APAC accredited Master's or Doctoral degree in psychology which included at least 120 days of supervised study or training as a registered probationary psychologist; or
(b) successful completion of a minimum of 480 full time days of Board-approved psychological practice while registered as a probationary psychologist in accordance with the supervision plan executed with a registered supervisor psychologist; or
(c) acquiring a qualification and experience that is, in the opinion of the Board, substantially equivalent or is based on similar competencies to the requirements detailed in (a) and (b) above.
- Specific Registration
If a person holds qualifications in psychology that do not satisfy the requirements for general registration, then that person may be eligible for specific registration in the following circumstances:
(a) to fill a teaching or research position in psychology at a tertiary institution approved by the Board; or
(b) if the person is visiting from another country to practise in Victoria for a limited period with the prior approval of the Board.
- Provisional Registration
A person is eligible to apply for registration under this category if he/ she has:
(a) completed an APAC accredited four year sequence of study in psychology and is engaged in work of a psychological nature while under the supervision of a registered supervisor psychologist; or
(b) completed an APAC accredited four year sequence of study in psychology and is currently enrolled in an APAC accredited coursework higher degree in psychology
NB: The 2005 Supervision Guidelines for Provisional Psychologists and their supervisors are available here. (PDF)
With the introduction of the new Health Professions Registration Act 2005 (Vic) on 1/7/2007, minor changes to the registration of higher degree students have come into effect. Those enrolled in a university higher degree are required to be registered under section 9(1) of the Act as provisional registrants. The Board has previously notified all former probationary psychologists that their title has now changed to provisional psychologist.
The effect of the change of legislation regarding provisional psychologists is minimal to registrants. The main difference is that those enrolled in an APAC accredited higher degree must be registered as provisional psychologists while completing their placements. The Board strongly recommends that these students register with the Board immediately on commencement of coursework.
More information about each of these categories is available on the application forms page here.
With certain limited exceptions, it is lawful for any person, qualified or not, to practise psychology. However, it is not lawful for an unregistered person to use the title 'psychologist' or 'provisional psychologist'.
In effect, many people who work under titles such as counsellor or psychotherapist, whose activities may have been illegal under the law which applied before 30 December 1995, are now free to provide services of a psychological nature as long as they do not use the title psychologist.
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