Registration for Australian Registered Psychologists

This applies to psychologists registered in any Australian state or territory.

Information on applying for registration in New Zealand as a Psychologist under the Trans-Tasman Mutual Recognition Act 1997

• background
  
  
• Mutual Recognition Principle
  
  
• Practising as a Psychologist in New Zealand
  
  
• Application Process

Background

In August 1997 the New Zealand Parliament enacted the Trans-Tasman Mutual Recognition Act. This Act came into force by Order-in-Council on 1 May 1998. It recognises the regulatory standards adopted in Australia regarding goods and occupations.

Mutual Recognition Principle

The TTMR Act allows persons registered in Australia and New Zealand who practise substantially the same registered occupations, to move freely between the two countries.

If you are registered to practise psychology or an equivalent occupation in Australia you are entitled to seek registration in the equivalent occupation in New Zealand. This right is exercised by giving a written notice in the form of a statutory declaration, paying the application fee, providing evidence of entitlement to practise your occupation by supplying a current practising certificate/licence or other document evidencing current entitlement to practise psychology (application form).

Applicants have the choice of applying for registration under the Trans-Tasman Mutual Recognition Act or under the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act 2003.

Practising Psychology in New Zealand

In New Zealand the practice of psychology is governed by the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act 2003 (HPCA Act). . All registered psychologists are required by law to hold a current Annual Practising Certificate to practise psychology in New Zealand.  Please also read more about the HPCA Act and psychology in New Zealand on this website [click here]

TTMRA Application Process

Within one month of your written notice, details, and fee being received by the Psychologists Board, your TTMRA application for registration will either be granted, postponed, or refused.

The Board also makes inquiries of the authorities in any jurisdictions in which you are registered to ensure that the information supplied on your application form is correct, and to establish whether there are any conditions or restrictions relating to your registration in those jurisdictions.

The Board also makes inquiries regarding your activities in psychology and any matters relevant to your written notice.

The Board may postpone or refuse the grant of registration if:

1. Any of the statements or information in the notice required by section 19 are materially false or misleading; or 
2. Any document or information required by section 19 is materially false or misleading; or 
3. Any document required by section 19 has not been provided; or 
4. The Board determines that the occupation in which registration is sought is not an equivalent occupation, and that equivalence cannot be achieved by the imposition of conditions. 
5. The circumstances of the applicant have materially changed since the date of the notice or the date it was given.

Deemed registrants are notified of the Board's decision within one month of their date of giving written notice. There is a right of review of the Board's decision to impose conditions on, or to postpone the grant of, or to refuse the grant of registration.

If the Board grants you registration, it may impose conditions to achieve equivalence of occupations, or to match conditions that apply to your registration in an Australian jurisdiction, or to implement the Trans-Tasman mutual recognition principle in relation to occupations. Once granted, registration takes effect as if it had been granted immediately on the giving of the written notice.

For further information please select an option from the menu on the left of the screen or contact:

Bill King
Deputy Registrar - Registration
email: Bill King
Tel: +64 4 471-4588