Entry requirements
For students
Graduate competencies
The APAC Accreditation Standards set the minimum entry requirements for each level of study. Students may find that education providers have additional requirements. We encourage students to check all entry requirements with individual education providers.
Entry requirements for a Level 1 program of study leading to a Bachelor degree are the responsibility of the education provider.
Graduates holding a Bachelor degree or higher qualification in any other discipline may undertake an APAC accredited sequence in psychology.
Entry into Level 2 programs for Pre-Professional Competencies requires successful completion of an APAC accredited qualification that achieves the Level 1 Foundational Competencies.
These programs could be a Bachelor degree in psychology, or a Bachelor degree in any discipline plus an APAC accredited sequence in psychology, or a qualification obtained from an overseas education provider that has been assessed by the Australian Psychological Society (APS) as comparable to an APAC accredited qualification in psychology or an APAC accredited sequence in psychology.
Entry into Level 3 programs for Professional Competencies requires successful completion of an APAC accredited qualification that achieves the Level 1 Foundational Competencies and Level 2 Pre-Professional Competencies.
This could be an Australian qualification or an equivalent qualification from an overseas education provider that has been assessed by the APS, or by the Psychology Board of Australia (PsyBA) as comparable when assessing individual applicants for registration.
Entry to these programs also requires applicants to demonstrate suitability for the program through an assessment interview or other assessment processes, as decided by the education provider.
As programs at this level include a component of direct client activities, all students enrolled in the program are required to be provisionally registered as a psychologist at the commencement of their studies. Please refer to the PsyBA for further information regarding registration requirements.
Entry into packaged Level 3 and 4 programs for Professional Competencies for specialised areas of practice requires completion of an APAC accredited qualification that achieves the Level 1 Foundational Competencies, Level 2 Pre-Professional Competencies and Level 3 Professional Competencies or a qualification obtained from an overseas education provider that has been assessed by the APS or by the PsyBA as comparable when assessing individual applicants for registration.
As programs at this level include a component of direct client activities, all students need to be provisionally or generally registered as a psychologist at the commencement of the studies. Please refer to the PsyBA for further information regarding registration requirements.
More information
Frequently asked questions
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Am I eligible for the School Counsellor Sponsorship Program?APAC accredits psychology programs in Australia and provides advice on pathways to become a registered psychologist in Australia. It does not provide advice on becoming a school counsellor, nor does it accredit programs of study leading to registration as a school counsellor. As such, queries relating to school counselling is outside the remit of APAC. Additionally, APAC has no involvement with the School Counsellor Sponsorship programs and all enquiries can be directed to the Department of Education and Training.
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Does APAC have an education provider ranking system?As an accreditation authority, APAC does not have a ranking system in place, nor does it give any advice regarding which program of study or education provider is best. If you require further information, including which education provider you should apply to or about the individual education provider’s admission processes, it is recommended that you contact education providers directly and comparing its programs of study and other relevant services to make an informed decision.
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Does APAC see an online degree as more or less favourable to an on campus degree?The delivery mode does not have any impact as long as the program is accredited.
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How do I get my overseas qualifications accredited by APAC?If you have gained an overseas academic qualification in psychology and you are seeking to register to practise as a psychologist or continue further studies in an APAC accredited program in Australia, the appropriate course of action is dependent on the advice you are seeking. For more information, please refer to the overseas qualifications page.
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I need advice regarding registration as a psychologist. Who can I speak to?The Psychology Board of Australia (PsyBA) is responsible for developing and endorsing the Registration Standards for psychologists in Australia, and the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency manages the processing of applications to the PsyBA for registration as a psychologist. As such, please contact the PsyBA directly for information and advice regarding registration requirements.
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