Return To Practice
Helping Psychologists Reconnect, Refresh & Requalify
Psychologists in Australia are required to maintain their recency of practice to continue working as and remain registered as a psychologist. If you haven’t practiced as a registered or provisional psychologist for five years or more, participating in a Return to Practice Program will be necessary to update your knowledge and skills, and become registered again.
The components of your return to practice program may involve supervised practice, engagement in professional development activities, completion of assessment tasks like case reports for your supervisor, and potentially sitting the National Psychology Exam. These requirements are dependent on your individual circumstances and learning needs.
At the College of Professional Psychology, we assist our students in creating a Return to Practice program to submit to PsyBA. These programs are customized based on the student’s length of leave from the Psychology workforce, prior experience, and identified areas for improvement. They are designed drawing upon the College’s extensive knowledge and expertise in the eight core competencies for Psychologists.
Eligibility
Our Return to Practice program is for psychologists who do not currently meet the Psychology Board of Australia’s recency of practice requirements and therefore requires participation in a return to practice program.
Fees
Our return to practice program is bespoke and fees are calculated based on your needs as discussed at interview.
Placement and Learning Support
The PALS Team is your dedicated partner throughout your return to practice, helping with placement searches, supervision coordination, learning requests, and program progression. No question is too big or too small.
Why Choose the College of Professional Psychology?
- Expert Guidance Through Every Step of the Return to Practice Process:
Receive clear, structured support tailored to PsyBA and AHPRA requirements, ensuring you understand exactly what is needed to regain registration with confidence. - Access to a Diverse Team of Supervisors:
Work with highly experienced supervisors from a range of practice areas, offering varied perspectives that enrich your learning and support your transition back into professional practice. - Opportunities to Learn with and From Others:
Join group supervision sessions and peer learning communities where returning practitioners, early-career psychologists, and international graduates learn together and share real-world experiences. - Flexible Supervision Designed Around Your Needs:
Your return-to-practice plan is personalised based on your previous experience, current confidence, and areas requiring refresh, with flexible scheduling to suit work and life commitments. - Ability to Add Secondary Supervisors in Key Interest Areas:
Deepen your skills in specific domains by engaging additional supervisors aligned with your learning needs. - Comprehensive Resources to Support Your Transition:
Access guidance, templates, structured learning materials, psychometric test kits, and tools designed to rebuild competence and meet PsyBA requirements. - Focus on Your Professional Identity:
Rebuild not only your competence but also your confidence, reflective practice, ethical awareness, and professional presence as a psychologist in contemporary Australian practice.
Testimonials
A glimpse of what they said about us
5+1 Psychology Registration Program
Our National 5+1 Psychology Registration Program supports your development as an emerging early career psychologist, building on the knowledge and skill gained in your 5th-year degree and prepares you for PsyBA general registration.
We provide a flexible and integrated learning program comprising core learning modules with self-directed activities, references and resources and live interactive workshops as well as additional elective e-learning modules to boost your knowledge and ensure you are able to consolidate all the skills needed to achieve the PsyBA core competencies and prepare for the National Psychology Exam. Our program also provides opportunities to connect with peers and learn from a range of experts in the field, developing your network as you embrace your early career as an emerging professional.
The core competencies of the 5+1 registration program to be achieved by the provisional psychologist over the course of the internship are:
- Knowledge of the discipline
- Ethical, legal and professional matters
- Psychological assessment and measurement
- Intervention strategies
- Research and evaluation
- Communication and interpersonal relationships
- Working within a cross-cultural context
- Practice across the lifespan
Program Hour Breakdown
1360
Psychological Practice
60
Professional Development
80
Supervision
1500
Total Hours
Program at a Glance
5+1 pathway to general registration
Your final year of supervised, generalist practical training
To demonstrate achievement of the eight core competencies across all psychology practice in order to be eligible for general registration with the Psychology Board of Australia (PsyBA)
1 year full-time
Placement: up to 35 hours required per week
Supervision: up to 62 hours of individual supervision (52 hours of face-to-face, 10 hours are asynchronous) and up to 24 hours of group supervision (1×2 hours group per month)
Professional Development: 60+ hours over one year
Eligibility for general registration with the Psychology Board of Australia
You must have completed an approved five year tertiary psychology qualification
Good to know
- The Psychology Board of Australia grants you ‘provisional registration’ so you can complete a period of supervised practice for general registration.
- General registration as a psychologist involves at least six years of education and training.
- The start date of your internship program is the date the Board approves your provisional registration and you have a Board approved job role.
- You can enrol with us at any time of the year.
Programs Structure
Explore undergrad and grad programs offered online and on-campus
Individual
Supervision
We provide you with PsyBA approved principal supervisors to mentor, guide and support you with weekly individual supervision sessions. You will also have access to secondary supervisors if needed.
Group
Supervision
You will have the opportunity to attend monthly group supervision, which will allow you to expand your professional network while collaborating with peers. Additionally, it offers a unique learning experience by exposing you to diverse supervision styles and a wide spectrum of expertise among supervisors.
Professional Development
Our Professional Development modules focus on applied skills and are designed to align with the domains of the National Psychology Exam, ensuring you meet the core competencies required for registration as a psychologist. Modules cover a range of contemporary practice topics and are delivered by practicing clinicians with subject matter expertise. Our PD modules will help you build advanced skills in psychological assessment, treatment planning, intervention delivery and evaluation, and the application of ethical principles for future independent practice. Additional elective e-learning modules offer opportunities to consolidate and extend your knowledge at your own pace, while you progress towards your early career.
Case
Reports
The Psychology Board of Australia (PsyBA) requires provisional psychologists on the 5+1 pathway to write 4 case reports. Our program supports your success by offering a dedicated case report module including a full day workshop, templates, reference guides and a case report review panel. The panel's aim is to provide extra feedback prior to the submission of your case reports to the Board.
National Psychology Exam Preparation
Preparing for the National Psychology Exam can be anxiety provoking. Our comprehensive program is designed to cover the four exam domains, to support your preparation for the exam throughout the duration of your program. In addition, we offer e-learning modules, a library of exam curriculum readings, exam preparation groups and other resources, all aimed to guide and facilitate your studies and help you feel confident and prepared as you approach the exam.
Program and Learning Support (PALS) including placement support
Our program and learning support (PaLS) team is available and ready to check in on your progress, answer your questions and provide personalised guidance on your program. They will be able to provide you with guidance on program components, PsyBA expectations, as well as support with personal circumstances and their impact on your program.
PaLS complements the support you receive from your supervisor and facilitates the smooth and timely achievement of your general registration as a Psychologist in Australia.
PaLS can also provide job-seeking support if you don't yet have an approved job role for your internship year.
Latest News
Education news all over the world.
What People Say
How real people said about Education WordPress Theme
Subscribe now and receive weekly newsletter with educational materials, new courses, interesting posts, popular books and much more!
National 5+1 Psychology
Registration Program
National 5+1 Psychology
Registration Program
Popular Courses
Limitless learning, more possibilities
Events
Upcoming Education Events to feed your brain.
Program at a Glance
5+1 pathway to general registration
Your final year of supervised, generalist practical training
To demonstrate achievement of the eight core competencies across all psychology practice in order to be eligible for general registration with the Psychology Board of Australia (PsyBA)
1 year full-time
Placement: up to 35 hours required per week
Supervision: up to 62 hours of individual supervision (52 hours of face-to-face, 10 hours are asynchronous) and up to 24 hours of group supervision (1×2 hours group per month)
Professional Development: 60+ hours over one year
Eligibility for general registration with the Psychology Board of Australia
You must have completed an approved five year tertiary psychology qualification
Program at a Glance
5+1 pathway to general registration
Your final year of supervised, generalist practical training.
To demonstrate achievement of the eight core competencies across all psychology practice in order to be eligible for general registration with the Psychology Board of Australia (PsyBA)
1 year full-time
Placement: up to 35 hours required per week
Supervision: up to 62 hours of individual supervision (52 hours of face-to-face, 10 hours are asynchronous) and up to 24 hours of group supervision (1×2 hours group per month)
Professional Development: 60+ hours over one year
Eligibility for general registration with the Psychology Board of Australia
You must have completed an approved five year tertiary psychology qualification
5+1 Psychology Registration Program
Our National 5+1 Psychology Registration Program supports your development as an emerging early career psychologist, building on the knowledge and skill gained in your 5th-year degree and prepares you for PsyBA general registration.
We provide a flexible and integrated learning program comprising core learning modules with self-directed activities, references and resources and live interactive workshops as well as additional elective e-learning modules to boost your knowledge and ensure you are able to consolidate all the skills needed to achieve the PsyBA core competencies and prepare for the National Psychology Exam. Our program also provides opportunities to connect with peers and learn from a range of experts in the field, developing your network as you embrace your early career as an emerging professional.
The core competencies of the 5+1 registration program to be achieved by the provisional psychologist over the course of the internship are:
- Knowledge of the discipline
- Ethical, legal and professional matters
- Psychological assessment and measurement
- Intervention strategies
- Research and evaluation
- Communication and interpersonal relationships
- Working within a cross-cultural context
- Practice across the lifespan
Good to know
- The Psychology Board of Australia grants you ‘provisional registration’ so you can complete a period of supervised practice for general registration.
- General registration as a psychologist involves at least six years of education and training.
- The start date of your internship program is the date the Board approves your provisional registration and you have a Board approved job role.
- You can enrol with us at any time of the year.
Good to know
This program offers flexible learning and expert support to help you meet PsyBA requirements. It’s designed to boost your skills and confidence as you step into your professional journey.
Provisional Registration
The Psychology Board of Australia grants you ‘provisional registration’ so you can complete a period of supervised practice for general registration.
General Pathway
General registration as a psychologist involves at least six years of education and training.
Internship Start
The start date of your internship program is the date the Board approves your provisional registration and you have a Board approved job role.
Year-Round Enrollment
You can enrol with us at any time of the year.