Registration for Australian Registered Psychologists

This applies to psychologists registered in all Australian states and territories except Western Australia.

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

• Background

• Mutual Recognition Principle

• Psychology and current Law

• 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 Act allows persons registered in Australia and New Zealand who practise substantially the same registered occupations, to move freely between both countries. For those professions where there is State registration in Australia, participation in this process applies to New Zealand and those States which have enacted similar legislation.

If you are registered to practise psychology or an equivalent occupation in a participating Australian jurisdiction, 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).

Trans-Tasman Mutual Recognition therefore provides an alternative avenue for obtaining registration in New Zealand. Applicants have the choice of applying for registration under the Trans-Tasman Mutual Recognition Act or under the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act 2003.

Psychology and current Law

Psychologists remain accountable for acting with appropriate professionalism as required by the statutes of each jurisdiction. In New Zealand the practice of psychology is governed by the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act 2003 (HPCA Act). If the Board grants you registration you will be invoiced for an Annual Practising Certificate. 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]

Application Process

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

The Board makes inquiries of the authorities of 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 makes inquiries of the authorities of any jurisdictions in which you are registered 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.

Practising Certificates - Once registered, you will need a practising certificate to practice legally in New Zealand.  Under the governing legislation for psychologists in New Zealand, the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act 2003, the Board is required to ensure the safety of the New Zealand public.  One of the requirements for TTMRA applicants (and all registered psychologists applying for an annual practising certificate) is that you will be subject to Board consideration of your fitness and competence to practice as a psychologist in New Zealand before any practising certificate will be issued. 

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