The Australian Psychological Society (APS) is opening applications for its previously announced 5+1 Pathway to Registration Program, a new three-year initiative supporting provisional psychologists undertaking the 5+1 pathway to complete their internship and progress towards general registration.
Following sustained advocacy, the APS has secured funding from the Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing through the Addressing Critical Psychology Shortages, Supporting Provisional Psychologists to Practice extension. APS CEO Dr Zena Burgess explained that the opening of applications represents the next step in delivering the Program, with eligible provisional psychologists, employers and supervisors now invited to participate.
Dr Burgess said the program represents an important investment in the future of Australia’s psychology workforce, providing practical support to 477 provisional psychologists at a critical stage in their progression toward general registration while helping address workforce shortages in areas of need.
Supporting the next generation of psychologists
Dr Burgess said under the program, priority will be given to interns who live or undertake their placement in regional, rural and remote areas, Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander interns, and interns from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. The program will also support workforce development in priority service settings, including community mental health and child and youth services.
“The transition from provisional psychologist to general registration is a significant stage in a psychologist’s professional journey,” Dr Burgess said.
Interns will have access to practical support, financial assistance and professional development throughout their internship and beyond. Benefits include:
What this means for employers
Dr Burgess explained the program provides employers with an opportunity to strengthen access to psychological services by welcoming provisional psychologists into their workplaces, particularly in communities and service settings where psychology services are needed most.
“By supporting provisional psychologists to undertake their internships across a diverse range of settings and locations, employers can help expand access to psychology for people and communities who may otherwise have limited access to services, while contributing to the development of the future psychology workforce.”
She said the program places a particular focus on priority settings, including regional, rural and remote communities, community mental health, and child and youth services. “For employers in these areas, participating in the program provides an opportunity to bring provisional psychologists into settings where their skills and developing professional capabilities can contribute to meeting local demand for psychological services.”
What this means for supervisors
Supervisors play a critical role in supporting provisional psychologists as they develop their professional capability and work towards general registration.
Dr Burgess said the 5+1 Pathway to Registration Program also recognises the expertise, commitment and contribution of supervisors and provides opportunities for experienced psychologists to play a meaningful role in developing the next generation of the profession. “Supervisors are central to the development of capable, confident psychologists and play an important role in supporting the profession’s future.”
“We know psychologists across Australia are already making an enormous contribution through supervision, and this program provides another opportunity for experienced psychologists to share their expertise while supporting provisional psychologists through the 5+1 pathway and contributing to broader workforce development,” she said.
“Supervisors can be confident that interns have access to quality, free CPD and professional resources, supporting informed choices about their professional development and helping them meet internship requirements.”
An investment in the future of the psychology workforce
Dr Burgess said the APS 5+1 Pathway to Registration Program brings together provisional psychologists, employers and supervisors around a shared focus: supporting the development of provisional psychologists and strengthening the psychology workforce across Australia.
“By providing financial assistance, professional development and opportunities for professional connection, the program supports provisional psychologists through an important stage of their pathway to general registration.”
“It also provides employers and experienced psychologists with opportunities to contribute to workforce development, particularly in communities and service settings where psychologists are most needed.”
For information about eligibility, available support and how provisional psychologists, employers and supervisors can participate in the APS 5+1 Pathway to Registration Program, visit: https://psychology.org.au/psychology/aps-5-1-pathway-to-registration-program