Upcoming Changes for Provisional Psychologists

Several changes from the Psychology Board of Australia are now in effect, or coming soon, for Provisional Psychologists.

Here is What You Need to Know and How to Prepare

🧠 Updated National Psychology Exam Curriculum

The new curriculum for the National Psychology Exam (NPE) has just been released. This curriculum update aims to align the assessment with the revised Professional Competencies for Psychologists. 

If you are expecting to sit the NPE after December 1, it’s essential to review the updated curriculum and ensure your preparation aligns with the new expectations. If you are booked into our National Psychology Exam Training after December 1 this training will be updated to align to the new curriculum. 

Advance Copy and Consultation: 

The National Psychology Exam Curriculum was open to public consultation between January and March of 2025, you can see all those who provided public acces https://www.psychologyboard.gov.au/News/Past-Consultations.aspx 

You can see Provisional Psychologist Hub's response to the consultation via the link above. 

The guidelines have been amended to include the updated competencies for general registration, and an exemption for some international psychologists with equivalent qualifications. These guidelines take effect from 1 December 2025. 

These guidelines should be read in conjunction with the updated National psychology exam candidate manual and the updated National psychology exam curriculum. Both the manual and curriculum also take effect from 1 December 2025.

PDF (Guidelines) (374 KB) 

🧩 Updated Professional Competencies for Psychologists (Effective 1 December 2025)

The PsyBA have updated the professional competencies for psychologists.

To help practitioners transition to the updated competencies, they have developed fact sheets that explain the competencies that have undergone the most change.

The PsyBA's advise is to self-assess against the professional competencies using the self-assessment template. This will help practitioners to develop their continuing professional development learning plan and ensure they meet the competencies relevant to their scope of practice.

Advance Copy, Fact Sheets and Self Assessment: 
https://www.psychologyboard.gov.au/Standards-and-Guidelines/Professional-practice-standards/Professional-competencies-for-psychologists.aspx 

📝 4+2 Internship Guidelines Updated to Align with New Competencies

The 4+2 internship pathway, while being phased out, is still relevant for those already in the program. The updated 4+2 Internship Guidelines align with the new professional competencies. 

If you’re currently undertaking the 4+2 internship and planning to complete after December 1, 2025 make sure you’re working from the most recent version of the guidelines from December 1, and adjust your documentation and supervision plans accordingly.

Advance Copy: 
PDF (839 KB) 

🧭 5+1 Internship Guideline Changes – Final Version Coming Soon

Draft changes to the 5+1 Internship Guidelines were recently released for public consultation. While consultation has now closed, the final version is expected around September 2025, with implementation from December 1, 2025.

Stay tuned for the final release and be ready to transition to the new guidelines if your internship continues beyond November 2025.

Proposed Changes/Advance Copy: 
The changes to the 5+1 Internship Guidelines was open to public consultation between May and July of 2025 https://www.psychologyboard.gov.au/News/Past-Consultations.aspx

📜 New PsyBA Code of Conduct Coming into Effect

A regulatory code of conduct describes standards of behaviour and practice that the Board expects from all psychologists registered to practise in Australia. The standards reflect the core requirements of providing professional, safe, and effective psychological services to the public.

The Board has developed its first regulatory code of conduct, which will come into effect on 1 December 2025. 

Ensure you are aware of the revised Code and integrate its expectations into your day-to-day practice and professional development plans.

Advance Copy:  https://www.psychologyboard.gov.au/Standards-and-Guidelines/Professional-practice-standards/Code-of-conduct.aspx 

📅 Summary 

With so many changes happening at once, December 1, 2025, marks a significant turning point for psychology in Australia. Whether you're close to finishing your internship or just getting started, being informed and proactive will help you stay compliant and confident.