Pathways to Registration

Industrial/Organisational (I/O) Psychologists complete over six years education and training to be able to offer a unique skillset and expertise in their field. In Australia, there are two pathways to obtain practice endorsement in an area of Psychology (e.g. Organisational, Clinical, Sport  and Exercise):

1. The standard pathway – area of practice endorsement is achieved by completing an Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC) accredited Masters or Doctorate followed by the Board’s registrar program.
2. The non-standard pathway – is for applicants for endorsement who have not completed a Psychology Board of Australia registrar program, including overseas trained applicants and applicants applying under transition provisions.

General registration as a Psychologist

A minimum of six years education and training is required for an individual to become eligible for general registration as a Psychologist. This involves a four-year accredited sequence of undergraduate study and two years postgraduate study, both in Psychology.

Following completion of this phase, individuals are eligible to apply for general registration. That is, they can call themselves a ‘Registered Psychologist’.

Practice endorsement in Organisational Psychology

To become eligible for practice endorsement in Organisational Psychology, an individual must complete a Board-approved registrar program. The registrar program involves psychological practice, supervision and active continuing professional development (‘CPD’). The duration of the program varies depending on the level of postgraduate study completed.

Following completion of this phase, individuals are eligible to apply for an area of practice endorsement. That is, they can call themselves an ‘Organisational Psychologist’.

If you are interested in a career in Organisational Psychology or would you like more information, view our Did you know? article. Alternatively, you may wish to visit the PsyBA website. The Psychology Board of Australia develops standards, codes and guidelines for the profession and is responsible for registering Psychologists and provisional Psychologists, on behalf of the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency.