APS Assessments Terms and Conditions
Introduction
An APS assessed Statement of Psychology Qualifications is an opinion on the comparability of your international academic qualifications to an Australian standard. The APS may only assess completed tertiary qualifications and does not assess supervised practice or work experience. In forming an opinion, the APS gives careful consideration to a range of factors, including the education system of the country concerned, the awarding institution, and the level, structure and content of the programme of study undertaken.
An APS Statement of Psychology Qualifications reflects the views of the APS based on the material you have presented with your application, and following in-depth scrutiny using the best available resource information. The APS accepts no responsibility for the judgements made by individuals or third parties which may disagree with its assessment.
The APS reserves the right to contact educational and governmental institutions and agencies for additional information and/or verification of the authenticity of the material presented.
If forged, altered or falsified documents are submitted to the APS at any time, no outcome will be issued and the assessment fee will not be refunded.
Documentation
To support your application, you will need to provide all documents listed below. All non-English documents must be translated into English. The documents to be included with your application are:
- a degree certificate or diploma in the original language for each psychology qualification you hold. If your degree or diploma is not in English, you must also provide an official English translation.
- official transcripts in the original language for each psychology course you have completed (only completed qualifications in psychology may be considered). A transcript lists the subjects studied by the individual student each year, the hours or credits, and the marks or grades obtained. Transcripts can be obtained from your university. Transcripts should be issued by the awarding institution. If your transcripts are not in English, you must also provide an official English translation.
If you have received any exemptions or credit transfers for psychology coursework completed at another university or higher education provider which is not reflected in detail on your academic record, then you must provide the APS with an academic transcript from the institution where those coursework subjects or units were completed.
- single subject major in psychology: if your undergraduate studies in psychology were completed as a single subject major (that is, units which were not undertaken as part of a degree) please provide the transcripts for these subjects as outlined in point 2 above, AND your qualification certificate of the degree you completed prior to commencing your psychology subjects.
- thesis details: if you have completed a thesis/dissertation/major research project as part of your degree, you must also provide your entire project; and a list of your supervisors and examiners, indicating their profession and institutional affiliation. If your thesis is not in English, you must also provide the title page, table of contents and abstract sections as a certified English translation.
- evidence of membership of a professional psychology association, if applicable.
- evidence of registration/licensure as a psychologist, if applicable.
- change of name documentation: if your academic documents are in a different name from the name you use on the Assessment of Psychology Qualifications application form, you must provide documentation for each change of name (for example, Marriage Certificate or Change of Name Certificate etc....). Passport extracts are not acceptable as evidence of a name change.
If you do not hold documentation as outlined above, you should obtain the required documents from the relevant institution or authority prior to submitting your application.
If you do not submit supporting documentation as outlined above, the processing of your application will be delayed.
If forged, altered, or falsified documents are submitted to the APS at any time, no outcome will be issued and the assessment fee will not be refunded.
Please note that documentation submitted to the APS in support of your assessment application will not be returned.
Completing the form
Please note that you will need to provide all the information requested and all the documents and necessary fee before your assessment can commence.
Incomplete applications will not be processed. If you are unable to provide the documents as outlined above, your application will be automatically withdrawn, and an administrative fee of $300AUD will be retained.
Answer all questions in English, unless otherwise requested.
Affidavits
The APS does not accept affidavits as evidence of name change or name variation (different spelling). While accepted as evidence of name change in some countries, the APS is unable to accept a document that is the applicant swearing the contents to be true. It is the applicant's responsibility to obtain official evidence of name change or variation.
Re-issuing Assessment Outcomes over ten years old
The Assessments Team will no longer reissue assessment outcomes that are 10 or more years old. An assessment is valid for up to ten years from the date of issue. Once it is no longer valid it may no longer be used.
Privacy
- We are committed to protecting your privacy, and the confidentiality and security of the personal information you provide.
- The personal information provided by you on this form will be used to:
- assess the Australian comparability of your psychology qualifications;
- provide the APS with statistics related to the number and type of assessments undertaken by the APS, and the countries in which applicants undertook their studies.
- If you do not provide us with this personal information, we may not be able to process your application.
- Statistics related to the number and type of assessments undertaken by the APS gained from the personal information you have provided on this form will be disclosed on a regular basis to The Department of Employment and Workplace Relations of the Australian Commonwealth Government.
- You have the right to access personal information held by the APS that relates to you, subject to the exceptions in the Privacy Act 1988, and to correct such information which is not accurate. Please contact the APS National Office with any such request.
- For more information on the Australian Psychological Society’s policies regarding privacy, refer to the APS website at psychology.org.au. Copies of the full APS Privacy Policy may be obtained from the APS National Office on request.
- You acknowledge and agree that in response to a request from the Department of Home Affairs or a psychologist registration board, the Australian Psychological Society may, at its discretion, disclose information held about my qualifications, experience, and practice as a psychologist.
Storage
Assessment files are retained by the APS for a period of ten (10) years only. Any correspondence received after this time period which relates to an assessment of qualifications would require the resubmission of all relevant documentation as outlined above.
Refunds
Please note that the assessment fee is not refundable under any circumstances.
It is the applicant's responsibility to ensure they understand the purpose of the application and the required documentation they need to provide before submitting an application.
Translation of documents into English
All non-English documents sent to the APS must be accompanied by an English translation.
If the documents are translated in a country outside Australia, the translator must be approved by the authorities in the country where the translation is made. Seek guidance from the Australian Embassy, High Commission or Consulate for advice if you are unsure.
Translators in Australia should be accredited by the National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters (NAATI) and can be found in the NAATI Directory of Translators and Interpreters available at naati.com.au.
English Language Proficiency
English language proficiency is essential to practise as a psychologist in Australia.
Applicants who have completed all academic training in psychology at a tertiary institution(s) in Australia, New Zealand, Republic of Ireland, South Africa, United Kingdom, Canada or USA where programs are conducted in English are exempt from sitting an English language assessment.
All other applicants submitting an Assessment of Psychology Qualifications for the purpose of skilled migration must complete an English Language Proficiency Test. The APS will accept results from either of the following English language examinations:
- IELTS (Academic) – the International English Language Testing System (Academic module)
- PTE Academic – the Pearson Test of English, Academic
- TOEFL iBT – the Test of English as a Foreign Language – Internet Based Test*
*As part of its standard process, the Australian Department of Home Affairs (DHA) is actively reviewing the enhanced version of the TOEFL iBT® test, which will be administered worldwide starting July 26, 2023. Until this review is complete, only valid TOEFL iBT scores from tests taken prior to July 26, 2023, will be recognized for relevant visa sub-classes to Australia.
To meet the skills assessment criteria set for the profession of psychology by the Psychology Board of Australia, test results must have been obtained within the past two years from the date your APS Assessment application is lodged. To meet the English language proficiency requirements, you must achieve the required minimum scores in one of the following English language tests:
IELTS (Academic) A minimum overall score of 7 and a minimum score of 7 in each of the four components (listening, reading, writing and speaking).
NOTE: We will only accept test results from one test sitting, or a maximum of two test sittings in a six-month period only if:
- you achieve a minimum overall score of 7 in each sitting, and
- you achieve a minimum score of 7 in each component across the two sittings, and
- no score in any component of the test is below 6.5.
PTE Academic A minimum overall score of 65 and a minimum score of 65 in each of the four communicative skills (listening, reading, writing and speaking).
NOTE: We will only accept test results from one test sitting, or a maximum of two test sittings in a six-month period only if:
- a minimum overall score of 65 is achieved in each sitting, and
- you achieve a minimum score of 65 in each of the communicative skills across the two sittings, and
- no score in any of the communicative skills is below 58.
TOEFL iBT A minimum total score of 94 and the following minimum score in each section of the test: 24 for listening, 24 for reading, 27 for writing, and 23 for speaking.
NOTE: We will only accept test results from one test sitting, or a maximum of two test sittings in a six-month period only if:
- a minimum total score of 94 is achieved in each sitting, and you achieve a minimum score of 24 for listening, 24 for reading, 27 for writing and 23 for speaking across the two sittings, and
- no score in any of the sections is below 20 for listening, 19 for reading, 24 for writing, and 20 for speaking
- The applicant must provide a certified copy of a satisfactory and valid result, or arrange for evidence to be sent directly from the testing centre to the APS.
Important Information
- The applicant is responsible for the cost of the English Language Proficiency Test.
- No alternate English proficiency tests are accepted.
- Applicants are advised that the APS reserves the right to ask an applicant to take one of the above English examinations if there is uncertainty about their level of English proficiency.
Fees
Migration to Australia as a psychologist under the Skilled Migration Categories, for services conducted in Australia but delivered outside of Australia are GST free under the Goods and Services Tax Act 1999:
- Skilled Migration from outside Australia - $1335.00 AUD
- Skilled Employment Statement from Outside Australia - $891.00 AUD
However, assessments for the following purposes attract GST under the Goods and Services Tax Act 1999 as they are services conducted and delivered within Australia (prices including GST):
- Skilled Migration within Australia - $1468.00 AUD
- Skilled Employment History within Australia - $980.00 AUD
Assessments for the following purposes do not attract GST:
- University Entry - $980.00 AUD
- Employment Purposes - $1335 AUD
- Membership Purposes - $1335 AUD
The above assessment fees are valid for the period of 1 July 2025 - 30 June 2026.
The assessment fee must be paid electronically in Australian currency (AUD) and must accompany your application form by completing the credit card details (Visa, Mastercard, or American Express) on the Assessment of Psychology Qualifications application form. The APS does not accept cash or direct bank transfers for payment of the assessment fee.
A tax invoice/receipt will be issued following the processing of your application.
Please note that the assessment fee is not refundable under any circumstances.
Fees as outlined above are current until 30 June 2026. If applying after this date you should note that the assessment fee may change, current fees will be listed in the online application form.
Time Frame
The assessment of psychology qualifications is a complex process and your assessment may take some time. The APS advises a processing timeframe of approximately 12 weeks for an assessment. When your assessment is completed, you will be notified of the outcome via email.
Agents
The APS usually corresponds directly with applicants seeking an assessment of their qualifications. Privacy provisions prohibit the APS from discussing your application with other people (third parties) unless it is specifically authorised to do so.
If you want someone such as a family member or migration agent to deal with the APS on your behalf, please attach a letter signed by you which authorises that person (by name) to act as your agent.
Please specify in your Assessment of Psychology Qualifications application form where you would like the APS Statement of Psychology Qualifications to be sent (that is, to your personal email address or to that of your agent).
If you want the APS to send the Statement of Psychology Qualifications to your agent’s email address, please specify this on your form.
After you receive a Statement of Psychology Qualifications
After the APS has completed its assessment of your qualifications, you will receive an email with your Statement of Psychology Qualifications which indicates the comparability of your qualifications to an Australian Standard. Keep the Statement of Psychology Qualifications as you may be charged a fee (currently AUD $30) for a replacement. The Statement of Psychology Qualifications you are issued by the APS is a very important document which may be used for several purposes:
- to help migration officers determine your suitability for migration as a psychologist under the Skilled Migration Categories;
- to assist course co-ordinators of universities to determine your eligibility for entry to their accredited psychology courses;
- to help employers determine your eligibility for a particular job.
Please note that a positive assessment does not guarantee you successful migration, course entry or employment. The independent assessment is made by the nominated psychology assessing body*, and as such provides only an opinion on the comparability of your psychology qualifications in Australia.
The Statement of Psychology Qualifications you are issued by the APS is valid for ten (10) years from the date of issue. However if you are seeking to apply for a skilled visa, please check with the Department of Home Affairs for its time limit requirements.
* The APS is the national authority for the assessment of overseas psychology qualifications for the purposes of migration to Australia as a psychologist under the Skilled Migration Categories.
Reassessment
You may wish to request a reassessment of your qualifications for a number different of reasons, including:
- You have obtained general and unconditional registration with AHPRA since your previous assessment.
- You have completed additional qualifications since your previous assessment (within 10 years) that you wish to be considered.
- The Department of Home Affairs has requested an updated outcome statement.
- You may disagree with your previous outcome and can provide new official evidence to support your request which was not attached to your original application.
If you disagree with the Statement of Psychology Qualifications decision made by the APS you should contact the APS Assessments Team directly on via email at [email protected] or phone 1800 333 497.
If, after discussing your outcome with the APS assessment team you are still dissatisfied with the APS decision and can provide new official supporting evidence, you can request a re-assessment of your qualifications. To do this, we ask that you submit a detailed cover letter outlining your concerns and specifically address the relevant APAC competencies. You will need to provide new official supporting evidence such as detailed course outlines, syllabus, course learning outcomes etc.
Along with your additional evidence, we request that you submit a cover letter addressed to the APS Assessments Team, outlining the following:
- Reason for reassessment
- Summary of the new supporting evidence attached.
- Address how your new evidence supports the relevant APAC competency not demonstrated in your initial assessment.
Reassessments are approached as a new assessment and will be reviewed thoroughly by the assessments committee. As such, you should expect to wait approximately 12 weeks for your reassessment to be processed and your outcome to be issued.
Reassessments of qualifications will attract a non-refundable fee of $300.
Disclaimer of Liability
Please note that by seeking an assessment of your psychology qualifications from the Australian Psychological Society, you accept that any report on the comparability of your qualifications will be the opinion of the Australian Psychological Society Ltd only. Where that opinion is provided for the purpose of assessment by the Australian Department of Education - International on behalf of the Commonwealth of Australia, of qualifications obtained outside of Australia by psychologists wishing to migrate to Australia, the opinion may be relied on only by the Commonwealth of Australia. The opinion cannot be relied upon by any other person as being determinative for any particular purpose, and the Australian Psychological Society Ltd accepts no liability for any loss or damage incurred by you or any third party as a result of reliance on the opinion.
How to contact the APS
If you need more information, you can:
Contact us
https://www.psychology.org.au/About-Us/contact-us
Telephone:
APS National Office
(03) 8662 3300
+61 3 8662 3300 (from outside Australia)
Visit:
www.psychology.org.au/About-Us/What-we-do/Assessing-overseasqualifications