APS Response to the Draft Guidelines for the 5+1 Internship Program

The Australian Psychological Society (APS) supports the process of reviewing and updating the 5+1 guidelines to ensure alignment with contemporary practice standards and regulatory consistency. While the APS supports efforts to modernise the guidelines and welcomes the inclusion of culturally responsive supervision and updated competencies, several key concerns remain.

The APS urges the Psychology Board to reinstate critical quality assurance measures that were removed or left optional, including:

• A mandatory six-month progress review.

• Minimum requirements for education and training hours (formerly professional development).

• The case study requirement to ensure proficiency in communication and practice. 

These omissions risk undermining consistency, safety, and training quality across internship experiences. In addition, the APS recommends delaying implementation to December 2026 to allow adequate time for training updates and stakeholder preparedness.

The APS also cautions that shifting more responsibility to supervisors and interns, without regulatory safeguards, could lead to variable outcomes and increased pressure on employers and higher education providers. While supportive of the broader reforms, the APS emphasises the need to restore structured training features to uphold the integrity and effectiveness of the 5+1 pathway.

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