Australian Psychological Society (APS)

What is Australian Psychological Society?

The Australian Psychological Society (APS) is the peak professional membership body for psychologists in Australia, founded in 1944. It operates as a key skills assessment authority for the Department of Home Affairs, evaluating psychologists seeking to migrate through skilled visa pathways.

APS works within the Psychology Board of Australia framework under the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA). While AHPRA manages professional registration and the protected title of 'psychologist', APS provides independent skills assessment for migration purposes, evaluating qualifications against current Australian psychology practice standards and competency requirements.

The Society assesses psychologists across multiple specialisations including clinical psychology, educational psychology, organisational psychology, health psychology, forensic psychology, sports and exercise psychology, community psychology, and counselling psychology. Each assessment confirms that an applicant's qualifications and professional experience meet the competency standards required for skilled migration sponsorship and Australian workplace practice.

Which visas require an APS skills assessment?

APS skills assessment is required for skilled visa subclasses where psychology is claimed as the primary occupation.

An APS skills assessment confirms your psychology qualifications and experience meet Australian standards, which is mandatory for skilled visa applications. The assessment result is valid for three years and supports visa applications across points-tested (189, 190, 491) and employer-sponsored (482, 186, 494) pathways.

How APS assessment works

The APS assessment process evaluates your educational qualifications, professional experience, and competency through comprehensive documentation review and assessment against Australian psychology standards.

1. Complete and submit your online application through the APS portal with personal details, qualifications, and work history
2. Pay the assessment fee (approximately AUD 550 for standard assessment)
3. Gather and submit certified copies of qualifications, official transcripts, employment references, and professional credentials
4. APS conducts a detailed assessment of your qualifications against Australian psychology competency standards (8–12 weeks processing)
5. Assessment team evaluates whether your training, professional registration, and experience match competency requirements for the claimed occupation
6. Receive your assessment outcome (positive, negative, or conditional) by post and email
7. Use your positive assessment result to progress your visa application or visa nomination with an employer

Assessment pathways

APS assesses psychologists through a standard pathway, evaluating qualifications and experience against the Australian Competency Standards for Psychologists established by the Psychology Board of Australia.

Documents required

Documents required vary by pathway but typically include:

• Certified copy of your psychology degree certificate(s) (Bachelor, Honours, Master, or PhD level)
• Official transcript(s) from your university covering all psychology coursework and results
• Certificate or proof of professional registration from your local psychology regulatory body
• Evidence of professional membership in a recognised psychology association or college in your country
• Statutory Declaration detailing your work experience as a psychologist (minimum 1–2 years typically required)
• Detailed employment reference letters from current and/or recent employers on company letterhead (2–3 references recommended)
• Comprehensive Curriculum Vitae outlining qualifications, work history, and psychology practice areas
• Evidence of continuing professional development and recent training (course certificates and professional records)
• Character reference letter from a professional colleague or supervisor familiar with your psychology practice
• Copy of your passport identification page for identity verification purposes
• Official English translations of all documents if original documents are not in English (by NAATI-accredited or equivalent certified translator)
• Statement of Purpose outlining your qualifications, experience, and migration intentions (optional but recommended)

All overseas qualifications must be certified as true copies by a notary public or official government authority. Non-English documents must be accompanied by official English translations prepared by NAATI-accredited translators or equivalent certified translators in your country.

APS assessment fees

Assessment outcomes

APS issues one of three outcomes:

If you receive a negative or conditional outcome, you have the right to request a formal review within 28 days of notification. Review requests must include new evidence or clarification. The review process typically takes an additional 4–8 weeks.

Occupations assessed by APS

APS is the nominated assessing authority for the following ANZSCO occupations. Click any occupation to see full visa pathway details.