FOR PROVISIONAL PSYCHOLOGISTS

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1. What is provisional registration?

Provisional registration allows you to practise psychology under supervision while completing the requirements needed for general registration. It is the pathway that bridges your university training with real-world psychological practice.

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2. What is the 5+1 internship program?

The 5+1 pathway involves one year (or equivalent part-time) of supervised practice after completing a five-year sequence of study. During this year, you build competency across assessment, formulation, intervention, ethics, communication, and professional practice.

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3. How many hours do I need to complete?

As a provisional psychologist, you must complete:

• 1,500 hours of psychological practice

• 500 hours of direct client contact

• 80 hours of supervision

• 60 hours of education and training activities

These hours help you develop the eight core professional competencies required for general registration.

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4. What counts as psychological practice?

Psychological practice includes:

• Assessment and formulation

• Diagnosis and intervention

• Report writing

• Case conceptualisation

• Consultation with parents, carers, teachers or other stakeholders

• Client-related administration (e.g., scoring assessments)

Teaching, tutoring, research-only duties, or administrative tasks without client involvement cannot be counted.

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5. How often do I need supervision?

Supervision should occur regularly typically weekly when you are actively seeing clients.
You must complete:

• 80 hours of supervision in total

• At least 50 hours must be one-on-one with your principal supervisor

• Four observations every 6 months (two assessment, two intervention)

Supervision can be in person or via secure videoconferencing.

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6. Can supervision be done online?

Yes. Telehealth supervision is completely acceptable as long as it is conducted in real time with clear audio and visual communication. Many interns find online supervision more flexible and accessible.

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7. What is a principal supervisor vs a secondary supervisor?

• Your principal supervisor oversees your entire internship and completes your final competency report.

• A secondary supervisor provides support in areas your principal supervisor may not directly cover, such as different client groups, additional settings, or specific skill areas.

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8. When can I start counting hours?

You can begin counting hours after your internship plan is submitted and you have provisional registration.
Simulated hours can begin early; direct client hours begin when your supervisor confirms you are ready.

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9. What training counts toward my 60 hours of provisional development?

Your training can include workshops, webinars, journal readings, cultural safety learning, exam preparation, case discussions, and PD relevant to your role and competencies.
Training must be purposeful, structured, and aimed at competency development.

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10. When can I apply for general registration?

You can apply when you have:

• Completed all required hours

• Passed the National Psychology Exam

• Completed a minimum of 44 weeks of supervised practice

• Demonstrated competence across all eight professional domains

Your supervisor completes your Final Assessment of Competence to confirm you are ready.

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11. Do you offer supervision for provisional psychologists?

Yes. Supervision is offered across assessment, intervention, school-based contexts, developmental concerns, family work, behaviour support, and multidisciplinary settings.
A strong focus is placed on reflective practice, ethical decision-making, case formulation, and neurodiversity-affirming approaches.

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FOR EDUCATIONAL & DEVELOPMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY REGISTRARS 

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1. Are you recognised to provide Educational & Developmental (Ed & Dev) endorsement supervision?

Yes. Full registrar-program supervision is available for psychologists undertaking the Educational & Developmental area-of-practice endorsement pathway.

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2. What type of supervision is offered for Ed & Dev registrars?

Supervision can focus on:

• Advanced developmental assessment

• Cognitive, adaptive, behavioural and socio-emotional assessment suites

• School psychology practice

• Learning and developmental disorders

• Autism, ADHD, intellectual disability

• Parenting work and family systems

• Behaviour intervention and positive behaviour support

• Consultation with teachers, principals, and multidisciplinary teams

• Complex case formulation

• Systems work and ecological frameworks

• Evidence-based developmental interventions

• Educational planning and reasonable adjustments

Supervision integrates cultural safety, neurodiversity-affirming practice, ethical reasoning, and developmental frameworks.

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3. What are the requirements for Ed & Dev endorsement supervision?

Educational & Developmental registrars typically require:

• A Board-approved registrar plan

• Supervised practice hours across a two-year full-time (or part-time equivalent) program

• A mix of direct psychological practice, supervision, and advanced professional development

• Completion of case reports and competency sign-off

Supervision sessions support all registrar competencies and can complement your workplace setting.

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4. Can registrar supervision be conducted online?

Yes. Many registrars choose a blended model of online and in-person supervision, depending on location and preference. Both are fully valid and recognised.

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5. Do you work with registrars across Australia?

Yes. Supervision can be offered Australia-wide through secure telehealth platforms, making it accessible for rural, regional, and remote psychologists.

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6. What makes Educational & Developmental supervision different?

Ed & Dev supervision emphasises:

• Lifespan development

• Systems, ecological and contextual models

• Learning and behavioural frameworks

• School and early-learning environments

• Disability, inclusion, and developmental needs

• Interprofessional collaboration

• Prevention and early intervention

• Developmentally informed assessment and formulation

This ensures your practice aligns with endorsement-level expectations.

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Need supervision or want to discuss your pathway?

You can book a complimentary discussion session to explore supervision options, clarify your pathway, or discuss your learning goals as a provisional psychologist or Educational & Developmental registrar.