APS assessment for Skilled Migration

How to submit your application

Since 2020 the APS no longer accepts hard copy applications. To apply for an assessment please complete our electronic application form. 

Ensure that you have the required documentation ready:

• High quality colour scans of the official and original award certificate and full academic transcript of all your qualifications
• Psychologist Registration details/card
• Official translations of documents not in English
• Details of your research thesis/s  including title, abstract, overview, table of contents, number of words /approximate length and details of supervisors and examiners.
• Details of your compulsory supervised practice placements including supervisors details and hours, decription of client facing activities and hours. 

Ensure your scanned documentation meets the following requirements:

• High resolution colour scans of the original documents or,

• High resolution colour scans of certified copies of the original documents

See front page of online application form below for further details. 

APS Assessment Application Form

Registration

Psychologists in Australia must be registered with the Psychology Board of Australia (PsyBA).

An assessment for the purpose of skilled migration under the categories of psychologist is separate to the assessment for registration purposes conducted by the (PsyBA). 

• Registration Assessments (PsyBA) and Skills Assessments (APS) are completed independent from one another. If you wish to migrate to Australia under a skilled visa category and practice as a psychologist in Australia then you will need to undergo both assessment processes. 

• Obtaining a positive Skills Assessment from the APS does not guarantee that you will obtain general registration from PsyBA and visa versa. 

• If you have overseas psychology qualifications and are already eligible to work in Australia under an alternate migration arrangement then you do not need to apply to have your qualifications assessed by the APS. You will need to apply to the PsyBA to obtain registration to work as a psychologist. 

• If you have obtained registration as a psychologist overseas through a combination of tertiary qualifications in psychology and a subsequent period of supervised practice, then the APS advises that you apply to the Psychology Board of Australia to assess your pathway for substantial equivalence according to the General registration standard. The APS cannot assess supervised practice placements completed outside of compulsory university requirements. 

• Both onshore and offshore migrants who wish to apply for a skilled visa can apply for a skills assessment once they have obtained general registration with PsyBA. 

To meet the English language proficiency requirements you must achieve the required minimum scores in one of the following English language tests -IELTS Academic or PTE Academic. Test results must have been obtained within the past two years from the date your APS Assessment application is lodged.

See FAQs on English Language proficiency for minimum scores and more information.

English language tests

• International English Language Testing System (IELTS)
• PTE Academic

To receive a positive skills assessment from the Australian Psychological Society (APS), you'll need to demonstrate that your qualifications are comparable to an accredited Australian qualification in psychology.

• Completed qualifications comparable to an approved 6-year sequence* of study in psychology in Australia; and meet the English language proficiency requirements

OR

• Hold unconditional general registration as a psychologist in Australia at the time of applying for an assessment. 

Please review the Study pathways for psychologists in Australia for further explanation. 

*The APS conducts assessments by comparing overseas qualifications against the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) and the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC) standards. The number of years or time spent studying psychology does not alone determine eligibility. 

The APS may also conduct a separate Assessment of Skilled Employment History.

Please note this is a completely different assessment to the Assessment for Skilled Migration Purposes (Skills Assessment) required for various skilled visas. You must have already obtained a positive skills assessment from the APS to be eligible to apply for this extra non-compulsory assessment. 

Skilled workers applying for the Skilled Independent (subclass 189) visa may wish to include claims of relevant work experience as part of an Expression of Interest (EOI) lodged online via SkillSelect.  The APS is responsible for assessing whether an applicant’s claims of work experience equate to work at the appropriately skilled level of a psychologist.

To determine whether you have a basis for applying for an Assessment of Skilled Employment History, please read carefully through the Minimum Prerequisite Checklist.

Please note: Points for relevant skilled employment history are awarded by the Department of Home Affairs (DHA).  The APS provides advice only as to whether an applicant’s claims of work experience equate to work at the appropriately skilled level of a psychologist.

What information do I need?

If you have met of all the five criteria outlined in the Minimum Prerequisite Checklist, you have a basis to apply for an Assessment of Skilled Employment History. Please read carefully through the assessment guidelines. The guidelines describe the necessary documentation you are required to submit for the APS to conduct an assessment of your skilled employment history.

Guidelines for an assessment of skilled employment history

Application form

Assessment of Skilled Employment History
1 June 2024 - 31 May 2025

APS assessment application form

COVID-19 - How to submit your application

Due to the current COVID-19 pandemic the APS National Office will be closed and all staff will be working remotely until further notice.

If you wish to submit your application for assessment via email we ask that you scan and email your application and supporting documentation through to [email protected]. Please make sure that your scanned documentation meets the following requirements:

• High resolution colour scans of the original documents
• High resolution colour scans of certified copies of the original documents

Hard copies of documentation are no longer accepted at the APS. 

• Department of Home Affairs
• SkillSelect (Department of Home Affairs)
• Australian Skills Recognition Information
• International Education Group
• Psychology Board of Australia
• Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA)
• Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC)