Australian Psychological Society (APS)
The collection of high number of psychologists allows them to have a strong voice to empress their ideas and interests in their field of profession. APS is the largest non-medical health professional in the country. The association preforms its activities through active groups within the society. Consequently, APS is focused to expand in membership through following its Strategic Plan and teamwork. The activities of APS is aimed to spread the message that psychologists make a difference to people’s lives by practicing advanced techniques. APS is a public company and is governed by the Corporations Act 2001. Under this Act the company is entitled to the fundamental rules of operation and functioning. Becoming a member of this organisation provides variety of benefits and services including: information, resources, expert advisory services, a full range of continuing professional developments and insurances.
APS is a national assessing authority in the country, appointed to assess the skills and qualifications of overseas’ applicants for the purpose of migration. The level of applicant’s qualification is assessed in comparison to Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC) standards. This service is provided for applicants who wish to:
· Migrate to Australia under the General Skilled Migration Categories;
· Be registered or work in their field of profession; or
· Apply for entry into an APAC-accredited course.
APS roles and responsibilities:
· Providing information, resources and advisory services to keep the members up to date and informed about the latest news and changes;
· Offering discounts and benefits for APS from corporate partners;
· Providing practice guides and resourses;
· Offering academic resources to members who are actively involved in teaching and researches; and
· Assessing overseas’ qualification and measuring applicants eligibility for skilled migration.
The list of occupations assessed by APS can be found below:
| Number | Occupation Name | ANZSCO Code | Assessing Authority |
| 1 | Clinical Psychologist | 272311 | APS |
| 2 | Educational Psychologist | 272312 | APS |
| 3 | Organisational Psychologist | 272313 | APS |
| 4 | Psychologists (not elesewhere classified)
| 272399 | APS |
Skill Assessment Procedure for migration:
An APS assessed statement of Psychology Qualification is an evaluation on the comparability of the applicant’s overseas qualification with the Australian standards. It is important to note, the authority may only assess the academic qualification of the applicant, and not their supervised working experiences. Various factors are taken into consideration by the authority to assess the qualification of the applicant. These factors may be as such: academic system of the country concerned, the level and structure of the undertaken programme. Other materials presented besides the applicant’s qualification may be reflected upon the APS Statement of Psychology Qualifications.
Applicants who wish to migrate and pursue their career in Australia under the Skilled Migration program are required to complete the assessment application form and post it to the APS authority along with other documents. The form should only be completed by applicants that:
· Have completed their qualification in Psychology equivalent to six years of study in Australian accredited universities; or
· Have been registered to practice the profession in Australia.
|
| YES | NO |
| Are you a registered professional in Australia? | You are qualified to practice in Australia. | You are not qualified to practice in Australia. |
| Have you received your qualification from an accredited University/College in Australia or New Zealand? | You do not need to have your qualification assessed. | You are required to have your qualification and skills assessed by the relevant assessing authority. |
| Are you required to be submitted for assessment? | Documents required:
· Certificate or a degree, in original language and a certified copy of an official English translation, if applicable. · Official transcript, in original language and a certified copy of an official English translation, if applicable. · Thesis details, if have completed a thesis or dissertation as a part of the degree, certified copies of evidence must also be provided. · Evidence of membership, in the relevant association, if applicable. · Evidence of registration/ license, if applicable. · Assessment form, and · Evidence of English proficiency**. |
|
** English proficiency, applicant who has acquired his/her qualification from a non-English speaking country, is required to sit for IELTS examination. It is essential to achieve a minimum score of 7 in each of the four components (Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening).
The English proficiency test required for assessment is IELTs, however, other English examinations like TOFEL iBT may also be accepted by the relevant authoritiy.
Below is the table of score comparison between English Proficiency examinations:
| Listening | Speaking | Reading | Writing | Total Score | |||||
| IELTS | TOFEL iBT | IELTS | TOFEL iBT | IELTS | TOFEL iBT | IELTS | TOFEL iBT | IELTS | TOFEL iBT |
| 9.0 | 30 | 9.0 | 30 | 9.0 | 30 | 9.0 | 30 | 9.0 | 118-120 |
| 8.5 | 29 | 8.5 | 28-29 | 8.5 | 29 | 8.5 | 30 | 8.5 | 115-117 |
| 8.0 | 28 | 8.0 | 26-27 | 8.0 | 29 | 8.0 | 30 | 8.0 | 110-114 |
| 7.5 | 27 | 7.5 | 24-25 | 7.5 | 27-28 | 7.5 | 29 | 7.5 | 102-109 |
| 7.0 | 24-26 | 7.0 | 23 | 7.0 | 24-26 | 7.0 | 27-28 | 7.0 | 94-101 |
| 6.5 | 20-23 | 6.5 | 20-22 | 6.5 | 19-23 | 6.5 | 24-26 | 6.5 | 79-93 |
| 6.0 | 12-19 | 6.0 | 18-19 | 6.0 | 13-18 | 6.0 | 21-23 | 6.0 | 60-78 |
| 5.5 | 7-11 | 5.5 | 16-17 | 5.5 | 8-12 | 5.5 | 18-20 | 5.5 | 46-59 |
| 5.0 | 4-6 | 5.0 | 14-15 | 5.0 | 4-7 | 5.0 | 14-17 | 5.0 | 35-45 |
| 4.5 | 3 | 4.5 | 12-13 | 4.5 | 3 | 4.5 | 12-13 | 4.5 | 32-34 |
| <=4 | 0-2 | <=4 | 0-11 | <=4 | 0-2 | <=4 | 0-11 | <=4 | 0-31 |
Assessment of overseas qualification is a complex and time consuming procedure. It may take up to 8 weeks for the process to take place. After completion of the assessment a letter and Statement of Psychology Qualification is received by the applicant. The received qualification is useful to assist:
· Migration officers to determine the suitability of the applicant for migration under the General Skilled Migration Categories;
· Registration as a psychologist under Psychology Board of Australia ;
· Entry to accredited psychology courses; and
· Eligibility for a particular job.
For further information as to fees and assessments please contact us.
Here is the list of links that may be useful:
Immigration