You’ll need provisional registration to complete any of the three supervised practice pathways to general registration as a psychologist:
Provisional registration is also required for those completing a transitional program (for overseas-qualified applicants seeking psychology registration in Australia) or a return-to-practice program (for those who have taken a long break from psychological practice).
The requirements for provisional registration are set out in the Provisional registration standard.
Before applying for provisional registration, ensure you are familiar with the obligations and responsibilities of provisional psychologists, including our registration standards, the code of ethics, and applicable guidelines and policies. You must meet the requirements set out in the following registration standards when you apply for provisional registration:
You can apply for provisional registration online if you have completed an accredited four-year sequence of study within the last 10 years and wish to start an internship, or if you are enrolled in an accredited Masters or Doctorate program (provided you have never been registered as a health practitioner in Australia before).
There are three simple steps to applying for provision registration online:
Alternatively, you can apply for provisional registration using the APRO-76 form and lodge it with your local AHPRA office.
Note for 4+2 interns: You’ll need to submit an internship program plan using the SPPR-76 form to finalise your application for provisional registration.
Fees for provisional registration can be found on the schedule of fees.
Provisional registration is granted for one year from the date your application is approved. You will need renew each year while undertaking your supervised practice program (e.g. a higher degree or an internship). We will send you an email reminder when it is time to renew. To ensure you get these reminders, add AHPRA to your safe senders list in your email account. We aren’t required to send you a reminder so, ultimately, it is your responsibility to ensure you renew on time.
If you do not renew and provisional registration lapses, you will have to reapply for provisional registration and you will not be able to undertake your internship or any placements within your degree until provisional registration is in place.
Provisional registration cannot be renewed more than twice. If you don’t finish your degree or internship within three years, you’ll need to make a new application for provisional registration. To ensure a streamlined application process, use the special form ARPP-76. We recommend lodging your application at least two months before your expiry date to ensure your study or internship is not disrupted. You won’t incur any application fees, you’ll just pay the annual provisional registration fee (so it’s the same cost as renewing).
Refer to the Board’s registration standards, guidelines and policies and relevant Fact sheets and FAQ.
The Board and Ahpra made a payment plan available for provisional psychologists applying to renew their provisional registration or applying for general registration who were experiencing genuine financial hardship due to COVID-19. Applications closed on 30 April 2021.
We will send you these details separately within three months of your successful application. Please ensure your contact details are up to date using the online practitioner services.