Assessing psychology qualifications

Introduction

The Australian Psychological Society (APS) is the national assessing authority in Australia for assessment of overseas academic qualifications in psychology for the purpose of migration. For a fee, the APS determines the level at which an applicant’s qualifications are equivalent to an Australian programme of study that has been accredited by the Society. This service is for people who are seeking to:

• Migrate to Australia under the General Skilled Migration Categories;
• Register or work as a psychologist in Australia; or
• Enter accredited psychology courses in Australian universities.

Information for overseas applicants
The Australian Government has nominated the APS as the assessing body for overseas psychologists applying for migration to Australia under the General Skilled Migration categories. This means the Society is the only body in Australia that can assess psychology qualifications for migration to Australia under these categories.

Please note that people seeking to migrate under the General Skilled Migration categories must have completed the equivalent of an APS accredited six-year programme of study in psychology. The National Office of Overseas Skills Recognition also provides information about the recognition of overseas qualifications at http://aei.dest.gov.au/AEI/QualificationsRecognition.

For further details on requirements for migration to Australia, contact your local migration agent or the Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs at www.immi.gov.au.

What information do I need to supply?

In order to assess an individual's qualifications the APS requires a completed Assessment Application Form (see below), and the following documentation:

• Originally certified copies of transcripts and completion certificates for all undergraduate and postgraduate qualifications in psychology
• A certified copy of evidence of membership of psychology organisations (if relevant)
• A certified copy of evidence of licensure/registration as a psychologist (if relevant)
• A certified copy of your thesis/research project/dissertation details (if relevant)
• A certified copy of a marriage certificate or change of name documentation (if relevant)

These documents should be submitted to Membership at the APS National Office:

Postal address
PO Box 38
Flinders Lane VIC 8009

Tel: +61 3 8662 3300
Toll free: 1800 333 497
Fax: +61 3 9663 6177
Email: assessments@psychology.org.au

The APS will assess the level that the applicant's qualifications are comparable to in Australia by considering them against local accredited psychology qualifications. The applicant may also be invited to join the APS if they meet the membership criteria. Read about the services and benefits offered to APS Members.

How much does an assessment cost?

The cost of the assessment fee depends on the purpose for which you need the assessment. The following fees are for 1 June 2009 – 31 May 2010.

How long does an assessment take?

Assessing qualifications is a complex process and may take up to eight weeks, depending on the amount of work involved in checking an individual's qualifications.

Useful links

• Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs: www.immi.gov.au
• National Office of Overseas Skills Recognition: http://aei.dest.gov.au/AEI/QualificationsRecognition
• Psychologists' Registration Boards around Australia

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