Assessment for

Australian university postgraduate course entry

If you have completed psychology training overseas and wish to continue your studies in Australia, your qualifications must be formally assessed for comparability by the Australian Psychological Society (APS). This assessment determines how your qualifications align with the academic standards set by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC) and is a key requirement for entry into APAC-accredited postgraduate psychology programs in Australia.

Australian tertiary institutions require the APS Statement of Qualifications to ensure you have completed the correct pre-requisite level of training to admit you into APAC accredited post-graduate psychology courses. Applications for this assessment should be submitted well before applying for postgraduate courses to ensure you have obtained the statement to include in your application. 

Understanding the Assessment Outcomes

The outcome of this assessment will help you determine the entry point for continuing your training according to the study pathways in psychology in Australia.

• If assessed as comparable to a three-year APAC-accredited sequence, your qualifications meet Level 1: Foundational Competencies. You will be required to complete an accredited fourth year of study in Australia (such as an Honours year or a Graduate Diploma in Psychology [Advanced]) before becoming eligible to apply for postgraduate programs or registration pathways.

• If assessed as comparable to a four-year APAC-accredited sequence, your qualifications meet both Level 1 and Level 2: Foundational and Pre-Professional Competencies. You are eligible to apply for APAC-accredited postgraduate psychology programs, subject to individual university requirements.

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.

To be assessed as comparable to an APAC-accredited four-year sequence, your qualifications must demonstrate both the structure and content required at each level of training.

In particular, a comparable four year sequence typically includes:

• Applied coursework in counselling skills, psychological assessment and intervention.

• A substantial individual research project.

Even if you’ve completed four or more years of psychology study overseas, we must assess whether the content, structure, and demonstrated competencies of your qualification(s) align with the APAC-accredited four-year sequence — not just the duration.

Additionally, completing more than four years of study does not guarantee comparability beyond the four-year sequence. If your qualifications do not meet any Level 3 professional competencies, they cannot be assessed as comparable to more than four years of APAC-accredited training.

We encourage applicants to consult the APAC Accreditation Standards to understand the requirements before applying. 

Important Note on University Admission

While the APS provides an assessment of your qualifications, final decisions regarding admission into psychology programs and recognition of prior learning are made by individual universities. Each institution may have its own specific entry requirements and credit policies.

APS Assessment Application Form