Assessment for
Australian university postgraduate course entry
Who needs this assessment?
If you completed your psychology training overseas and wish to continue your studies in Australia, your qualifications must be formally assessed by the Australian Psychological Society (APS) for comparability.
This assessment is required for entry into APAC‑accredited postgraduate psychology programs at Australian universities.
What is the purpose of the APS assessment?
The APS assessment determines how your overseas psychology qualifications compare with Australian psychology training, specifically:
APS assessments are conducted by a committee of appropriately qualified and trained assessors with expertise in psychology education and practice, accreditation standards, and international qualification frameworks. All assessments are undertaken on a case‑by‑case basis and are independent, evidence‑based, and applied consistently to ensure fair and transparent outcomes across all applications.
Why is this assessment required for university entry?
Australian universities require an APS Statement of Qualifications to confirm that you have completed the appropriate prerequisite level of psychology training before they consider you for admission.
This statement helps universities determine:
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Whether you meet the academic entry requirements, and
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The appropriate entry point into Australian psychology training pathways.
Important: You should apply for this assessment well in advance of your university applications to ensure the APS Statement is available when required.
What does the APS assessment evaluate?
The APS assessment is not based solely on the title, length, or structure of your qualification. Instead, it focuses on your exposure to the learned outcomes and competencies demonstrated through your qualification.
Each assessment evaluates whether your qualifications demonstrate:
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Comparability to the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF)
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Attainment of APAC‑defined competencies across the sequence of study
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Appropriate progression from foundational knowledge to pre‑professional skills
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Learning experiences that support safe and effective future psychological practice
Important: The assessment does not evaluate your individual level of professional competence, skill proficiency, or readiness to practice. It is a qualification‑based assessment, not a personal competency or performance assessment. As such, the APS is unable to consider individual measures of achievement such as grades, marks, distinctions, awards, or professional experience as part of the assessment.
Understanding Competency Levels
Level 1: Foundational Competencies
Level 1 competencies reflect the acquisition of core psychological knowledge and scientific foundations.
These typically include:
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Knowledge of psychological theories and conceptual frameworks
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Understanding of research methods and statistical analysis
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Broad knowledge of psychological disorders, assessment, and intervention
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Development of critical thinking and scientific reasoning skills
Learning at this level is primarily knowledge‑based and conceptual, providing the foundation for applied learning at Level 2.
Level 2: Pre‑Professional Competencies
Level 2 competencies reflect the application of psychological knowledge in practice‑oriented contexts and prepare students for further professional training.
To demonstrate Level 2 competencies, overseas qualifications typically include:
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Applied learning in interpersonal communication skills for psychological practice and research
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Applied learning in psychological assessment
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Training in basic psychological intervention strategies across contexts
Learning at this level moves beyond theoretical understanding and focuses on developing graduates’ ability to apply psychological knowledge effectively across a range of practice contexts. Completion of supervised psychological practice is not required at the pre‑professional level.
The 2025 APAC Accreditation Standards introduced dedicated competencies to address the following areas of professional psychological practice:
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Collaborative inter-professional practice
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Self-care and professional sustainability
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Digital capability and technology enabled practice
The APS acknowledges that these competencies may not be explicitly identified or taught as discrete units within some overseas psychology programs, particularly within older qualifications.
When assessing overseas qualifications, the APS considers the overall comparability of an applicant’s education and training to the intent and scope of the APAC competency framework, rather than requiring direct alignment with individual competency labels.
The APS recognises that teaching of these particular psychological competencies may be delivered through a range of learning structures across international education systems and cultural contexts. Applicants will not be disadvantaged simply because these competencies are not explicitly labelled or assessed as stand‑alone components within their qualification, provided that the overall education and training is assessed as comparable to Australian standards.
Research Requirements
A qualification assessed as comparable to an APAC‑accredited four‑year sequence typically includes a substantial individual research project.
In line with the APAC Accreditation Standards (2025) and AQF Level 8 (Honours‑equivalent) expectations, applicants must provide evidence that they have:
Participated directly in all key stages of the research process, including:
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Formulation of research questions
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Analysis of data to test those questions
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Interpretation of findings
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Written presentation of the final research report
What does not meet the research requirement?
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Group research projects where individual contribution and independence cannot be clearly demonstrated
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Coursework‑only research units or research methods subjects without an individual, empirical research project
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Literature reviews, essays, or theoretical papers that do not include original data collection or analysis
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Research proposals without evidence of completed data analysis and reporting
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Research where the applicant had minimal involvement in key stages of the research process
Where research requirements are not met, a qualification cannot be assessed as comparable to an APAC‑accredited four‑year sequence, regardless of the overall duration of study.
Understanding Your Assessment Outcome
The outcome of your APS assessment determines your eligible entry point for continuing psychology training in Australia.
If assessed as comparable to a three‑year APAC‑accredited sequence:
Your qualifications meet Level 1: Foundational Competencies only.
You will be required to complete an accredited fourth year of study in Australia, such as:
This is required before you become eligible to apply for postgraduate psychology programs or registration pathways.
A list of APAC accredited Level 2 programs can be found here: Search for a program - APAC
If assessed as comparable to a four‑year APAC‑accredited sequence:
Your qualifications meet both Level 1 and Level 2 competencies.
You are eligible to apply for APAC‑accredited postgraduate psychology programs, subject to individual university entry requirements.
Important: An APS assessment outcome reflects whether your qualification demonstrates adequate exposure to the relevant competencies at each level of training. It does not assess individual competence, current skills, or professional capability, which are evaluated through other processes such as registration, supervised practice, or university‑based assessments.
Important Clarifications
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Completing four years of psychology study overseas, even if it includes an Honours or Honours equivalent component, does not automatically make your qualifications comparable to an APAC accredited four-year sequence.
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To be assessed as comparable, your qualifications must demonstrate:
A comparable four-year sequence typically includes:
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Applied coursework in counselling skills, psychological assessment, and psychological intervention, demonstrating increased complexity, and
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A substantial individual empirical research project.
Even if you have completed more than four years of study, this does not guarantee assessment beyond the four-year sequence.
If your qualifications do not demonstrate Level 3 professional competencies, they cannot be assessed as comparable to more than four years of APAC accredited training.
University Admission Decisions
While the APS provides an assessment of your qualifications, final decisions regarding admission, credit, and recognition of prior learning are made by individual universities.
Each institution may have its own:
Applicants are strongly encouraged to review before submitting an application:
APS Assessment Application Form