𝟱+𝟭 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗦𝘂𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝘀𝗼𝗿𝘀! Important Updates

An advance copy of the new 5+1 Internship Guidelines has been released this week, bringing changes that affect both current interns and those starting after 1 December 2025.

✅ Key points to know:

• Case studies/reports no longer required: From 1 December 2025, submission of case studies/reports to Ahpra is no longer mandatory.

• Exemption for current interns: Provisional psychologists who complete their internship and apply for general registration before 30 November 2025 are exempt from submitting case studies/reports and logbooks. Supervisors must still submit a final assessment of competence.

  (The logbook must still be reviewed regularly—e.g. weekly, or fortnightly if part-time—by the supervisor(s). If Ahpra requests the logbook, it must be submitted to Ahpra within 14 days of the request.)

• Supervisor discretion: Supervisors may still request case studies/reports or similar tasks to assess progress toward competency. These are not submitted to Ahpra but may be part of your training.

To make it easier to see what’s changing, the AAPI has created a helpful comparison table:
🔗 AAPI Comparison Table: https://www.rfr.bz/l4fa1cb 

The Psychology Board of Australia (PsyBA) has also released:

• A fact sheet for current interns and supervisors

• An advance copy of the new guidelines
  🔗 PsyBA Guidelines: https://www.rfr.bz/l609177 

Stay informed and make sure you’re up to date before these changes take effect!

FAQs

What is the minimum required ratio for supervision for the 5+1 Internship from December 1, 2025?
There are three key sections of the 2025 5+1 Internship Guidelines that discuss both the frequency for supervision-based tasks, and minimum volume of supervision requirements as well as some recommendations. These are as follows:
5.4
It is recommended that supervision occur on a weekly basis while the provisionally registered psychologist is practising. The supervisor may vary the frequency and duration of supervision meetings during the internship according to the needs of the provisional psychologist and practice context, provided there is regular supervision for the entire duration of the program and the overall minimum supervision hours (80 hours) are met.
3.5.1
The logbook must be reviewed regularly (e.g. weekly, or fortnightly if part-time), by the supervisor(s). If Ahpra requests the logbook, it must be submitted to Ahpra within 14 days of the request.
3.4 (Table 1)
A minimum of 50 hours of total supervision must be individual supervision with the principal supervisor. 80 hours of supervision equates to approximately 1 hour of supervision for every 18 hours of practice. However, the frequency of supervision is determined by the supervisor.

At Provisional Psychologist Hub, we require a minimum of 1 hour per week of supervision (or the fortnightly equivalent) with at least 75% attendance over the year. This ensures supervisors have sufficient oversight to meet all program requirements outlined in the guidelines. This requirement is detailed in our service agreement and is not expected to change after December 1.

While the Board has not mandated a specific supervision frequency or ratio, they have provided a clear framework to guide supervisors in determining the appropriate volume and frequency. This includes:
• Reviewing logbooks weekly for full time roles and fortnightly for part time roles
• Considering the needs of the provisional psychologist
• Accounting for the level of risk in the role and the psychologist’s level of competence
• Undertaking a minimum of hour 80 hours of supervision equating to approximately 1 hour of supervision for every 18 hours of practice

Although there is flexibility within the new guidelines, we recommend that supervisees maintain a ratio of 1 hour for every 18 hours of practice while also meeting our minimum expectation of 1 hour weekly. Your supervisor ultimately determines the appropriate frequency and volume of supervision based on your specific context.

Do 4+2 Interns still need to do case reports?
There is an advance copy of the changes to the 4+2 Internship Guidelines effective 1 December 2025. At this stage, case reports are still required for 4+2 Interns with no indication of a change to this expectation.

I have completed all my internship tasks, passed the NPE, and achieved the volume of hours in line with the 2013 version of the 5+1 Internship Guidelines, with the exception of case reports. Can I apply for general registration?
Supervisors may still request case reports or similar tasks to assess progress toward competency. Discuss with your supervisor to determine if you have achieved competence in all areas and you are ready for completion of the final assessment of competence.

Progress reports no longer need to be submitted to the Board from 1 December. I have a report due at the end of November—do I need to submit it to the Board?
Because your report is due before 1 December 2025, you should still prepare and submit it to the Board. The Psychology Board’s changes take effect from 1 December onwards, so anything due prior to that remains under the current guidelines.

Even if the timing feels a bit unfair being so close to the change, it’s safer to follow the existing guideline than risk a technical non-compliance. If in doubt, you can also check directly with Ahpra—but generally, the Board requires reports that fall due before the implementation date to still be lodged.

Progress reviews should continue to be undertaken with the principal supervisor after 1 December and every 6 months during the internship. The change is that the format of these reviews is determined by the principal supervisor.