{"id":158797,"date":"2023-05-11T13:53:36","date_gmt":"2023-05-11T05:53:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/study\/?page_id=158797"},"modified":"2026-01-27T17:03:20","modified_gmt":"2026-01-27T09:03:20","slug":"inherent-requirements-for-postgraduate-psychology-courses","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/study\/applying\/inherent-requirements\/inherent-requirements-for-postgraduate-psychology-courses\/","title":{"rendered":"Inherent requirements for postgraduate Psychology courses"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>These inherent requirements apply to the <a href=\"https:\/\/curtin.edu.au\/study\/offering\/course-pg-master-of-psychology-professional--mc-psychp\/\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"https:\/\/curtin.edu.au\/study\/offering\/course-pg-master-of-psychology-professional--mc-psychp\/\">Master of Psychology (Professional)<\/a> and the <a href=\"https:\/\/curtin.edu.au\/study\/offering\/course-pg-master-of-clinical-psychology--mc-clips\/\">Master of Clinical Psychology<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n<mimas-block \n        block-name=\"button\"\n        \n        data-align=\"left\"\n        role=\"complementary\"\n        aria-label=\"Button block\"\n        data-segment=\"all\">\n\n    \n    \n<div class=\"block-heading hidden\"\n     data-segment=\"dom\"\n     data-style=\"\"\n     data-align=\"default\"\n>\n\n                                <h2 class=\"block-heading__title \" id=\"button-block\">Button block<\/h2>\n            \n                        \n                        \n            \n                <\/div>\n\n                    <a\n    href=\"#modal=guidelines\"\n    class=\"button  button--black \"\n    target=\"_top\" aria-label=\"How to read the inherent requirements\">How to read the inherent requirements<\/a>\n                    <a\n    href=\"https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/study\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2026\/01\/IR_PGPsychology.pdf\"\n    class=\"button  button--black  filled\"\n    target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"Download the PDF version [PDF 278KB]\">Download the PDF version [PDF 278KB]<\/a>\n    <\/mimas-block>\n\n<mimas-block \n        block-name=\"accordion\"\n        role=\"complementary\"\n        aria-label=\"Accordion content\"\n        data-segment=\"all\">\n\n                \n\n                    <div class=\"accordion\" aria-labelledby=\"accordion-title-Legal-compliance\">\n            <button type=\"button\" class=\"accordion__heading\" aria-controls=\"Legal-compliance\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n            <div class=\"title\" id=\"accordion-title-Legal-compliance\">Legal compliance<\/div>\n            <div class=\"icon\"><\/div>\n        <\/button>\n        <div class=\"accordion__content\" id=\"Legal-compliance\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n                    <ol>\n<li>Professional psychology practice is mandated by legislation to enable the safe delivery of support. Student demonstrates knowledge and compliance with relevant laws and professional regulations.<\/li>\n<li>Knowledge, understanding and compliance with legislative and regulatory requirements are necessary pre-requisites to placements to reduce the risk of harm to self and others. Compliance with these regulations and the law ensures that students are both responsible and accountable for their practice.<\/li>\n<li>Examples:\n<ul>\n<li>Complying with legal requirements regarding all aspects of practice.<\/li>\n<li>Complying with the requirement for student registration with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ahpra.gov.au\/registration\/student-registrations.aspx\">Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency &#8211; Student Registration (ahpra.gov.au).<\/a><\/li>\n<li>It is a requirement that all students are registered with the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.psychologyboard.gov.au\/Registration.aspx\">Psychology Board of Australia<\/a> as a provisionally registered psychologist for the entire duration of the course (from enrolment to graduation).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n        \n                            \n                    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n                    <div class=\"accordion\" aria-labelledby=\"accordion-title-Ethical-behaviour\">\n            <button type=\"button\" class=\"accordion__heading\" aria-controls=\"Ethical-behaviour\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n            <div class=\"title\" id=\"accordion-title-Ethical-behaviour\">Ethical behaviour<\/div>\n            <div class=\"icon\"><\/div>\n        <\/button>\n        <div class=\"accordion__content\" id=\"Ethical-behaviour\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n                    <ol>\n<li>Psychology is a profession governed by the codes, policies, and guidelines of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.psychologyboard.gov.au\/Registration.aspx\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Psychology Board of Australia<\/a> where psychologists are deemed accountable and responsible for ensuring professional behaviour in all contexts. Psychologists must adhere to these codes and should demonstrate knowledge of and engage in ethical behaviour in practice.<\/li>\n<li>Compliance with the codes, guidelines, and policies facilitates safe, competent interactions and relationships for students and\/or the people they engage with. This supports the physical, psychological, emotional, and spiritual wellbeing of all. The <a href=\"https:\/\/psychologycouncil.org.au\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC)<\/a> state that graduates of Level Three psychology program must achieve 17 competencies while taking into account: \u201c\u2026the broad diversity of clients, and consistent with the current relevant legal frameworks, mental health practice standards, occupational settings and codes of ethical practice\u2026\u201d (APAC, page 13).<\/li>\n<li>Examples:\n<ul>\n<li>Complying with conduct required to maintain provisional registration as a psychologist.<\/li>\n<li>Understanding and practising appropriate professional boundaries including confidentiality and duty of care in work with clients whilst on placement.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n        \n                            \n                    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n                    <div class=\"accordion\" aria-labelledby=\"accordion-title-Behavioural-stability\">\n            <button type=\"button\" class=\"accordion__heading\" aria-controls=\"Behavioural-stability\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n            <div class=\"title\" id=\"accordion-title-Behavioural-stability\">Behavioural stability<\/div>\n            <div class=\"icon\"><\/div>\n        <\/button>\n        <div class=\"accordion__content\" id=\"Behavioural-stability\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n                    <p><em>This course requires both behavioural and emotional stability.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><strong>Behavioural Stability<\/strong><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>Behavioural stability is required to function and adapt effectively and sensitively as a psychologist. Student demonstrates behavioural stability to work constructively in a diverse and changing academic and professional environment, which may at times be challenging and unpredictable.<\/li>\n<li>Behavioural stability is required to work individually and in teams in diverse and changing environments. Students will be exposed to situations which are challenging and unpredictable; and will be required to have the behavioural stability to manage these objectively and professionally.<\/li>\n<li>Examples:\n<ul>\n<li>Being receptive and responding appropriately to constructive feedback.<\/li>\n<li>Managing own emotional state to be able to develop and maintain an appropriate relationship with a diverse range of clients, professional colleagues, supervisors, academic staff, and peers.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><strong>Emotional Stability<\/strong><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>During many facets of psychological practice, psychologists are routinely exposed to distressing material and to situations that can trigger their own sensitivities. It is common for psychologists to assist people with histories of abuse or neglect. Similarly, training in psychological practice frequently involves reflecting on the student\u2019s own life story and associated emotions. Emotional stability is required to function and learn in this role. Student demonstrates ability to hear and respond to other\u2019s emotions, including those involving distressing situations.<\/li>\n<li>Emotional stability is required to work in many aspects of psychological practice. Students will routinely be exposed to stories of abuse and neglect. Some of these situations may trigger students\u2019 own sensitivities. Being able to manage their own emotions is also necessary to engage in experiential learning.<\/li>\n<li>Examples:\n<ul>\n<li>Demonstrate the ability to be aware of, and manage, own responses to hearing or viewing distressing client communications.<\/li>\n<li>Demonstrate the ability to engage in experiential learning groups that involve selective use of own experience.<\/li>\n<li>Responding sensitively to others\u2019 distressing communications and emotions.<\/li>\n<li>Managing own emotional state while engaging with others\u2019 distressing communications and emotions.<\/li>\n<li>Engaging in experiential learning groups, while maintaining awareness of, and selectively sharing, own reactions.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n        \n                            \n                    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n                    <div class=\"accordion\" aria-labelledby=\"accordion-title-Communication\">\n            <button type=\"button\" class=\"accordion__heading\" aria-controls=\"Communication\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n            <div class=\"title\" id=\"accordion-title-Communication\">Communication<\/div>\n            <div class=\"icon\"><\/div>\n        <\/button>\n        <div class=\"accordion__content\" id=\"Communication\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n                    <p><em>This course requires effective verbal communication.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><strong>Verbal<\/strong><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>Effective verbal communication, in English, is an essential requirement to provide safe and effective delivery of psychological services. Student demonstrates:<\/li>\n<li>The practice of professional psychology requires a wide range of communication skills including effective verbal communication with clients and members of the professional team.<br \/>\nSpeed and interactivity of communication may be critical for individual safety and\/or assessment. Timely, accurate and effective communication is necessary to provide safe professional support.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/psychologycouncil.org.au\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">The Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC)<\/a> state that graduates of Level Three psychology program must achieve the following competencies: \u201cEmploy professional communication skills, in a culturally responsive manner, with a range of socially and culturally diverse clients.\u201d (APAC, 3.3, page 13); \u201cWork effectively with a range of professional and support staff in the workplace and communicate and collaborate effectively, within the bounds of ethical and legal requirements.\u201d (APAC, 3.11, page 14)<\/li>\n<li>Examples\n<ul>\n<li>Communicating in a way that displays respect and empathy to others and develops trusting relationships.<\/li>\n<li>Sensitivity to individual and\/or cultural differences.<\/li>\n<li>The ability to understand and respond to verbal communication accurately, appropriately, and in a timely manner.<\/li>\n<li>The ability to provide clear instructions in the context of the situation.<\/li>\n<li>Timely, clear feedback and reporting.<\/li>\n<li>Participating in tutorial, simulation, and applied psychology discussions.<\/li>\n<li>Responding appropriately in an interview in the field placement environment.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n        \n                            \n                    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n                    <div class=\"accordion\" aria-labelledby=\"accordion-title-Relational-skills\">\n            <button type=\"button\" class=\"accordion__heading\" aria-controls=\"Relational-skills\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n            <div class=\"title\" id=\"accordion-title-Relational-skills\">Relational skills<\/div>\n            <div class=\"icon\"><\/div>\n        <\/button>\n        <div class=\"accordion__content\" id=\"Relational-skills\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n                    <ol>\n<li>Professional psychology practice requires the ability to use highly developed interpersonal skills plus establish and maintain strong relationships with people. Student demonstrates:<\/li>\n<li>Highly developed relational skills are a cornerstone of effective therapeutic relationships that permit effective engagement, assessment, intervention, and closure.<br \/>\nThe <a href=\"https:\/\/psychologycouncil.org.au\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC)<\/a> state that graduates of Level Three psychology program must achieve the following competencies: \u201cEmploy professional communication skills, in a culturally responsive manner, with a range of socially and culturally diverse clients.\u201d (APAC, 3.3, page 13); \u201cWork effectively with a range of professional and support staff in the workplace and communicate and collaborate effectively, within the bounds of ethical and legal requirements.\u201d (APAC, 3.11, page 14)<\/li>\n<li>Examples\n<ul>\n<li>The ability to establish and maintain rapport with clients, academic staff, supervisors and peers.<\/li>\n<li>Engaging in effective and empathic psychology practice and group work.<\/li>\n<li>The ability to engage and relate appropriately in individual and group applied psychology services.<\/li>\n<li>Rapidly building rapport with a client in order to engage them in the therapeutic session while on field placement.<\/li>\n<li>Effectively using relational and interpersonal skills to manage the therapeutic relationship with clients on field placement.<\/li>\n<li>Relating effectively, openly and sensitively to academic staff, supervisors and peers.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n        \n                            \n                    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n                    <div class=\"accordion\" aria-labelledby=\"accordion-title-Reflective-skills\">\n            <button type=\"button\" class=\"accordion__heading\" aria-controls=\"Reflective-skills\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n            <div class=\"title\" id=\"accordion-title-Reflective-skills\">Reflective skills<\/div>\n            <div class=\"icon\"><\/div>\n        <\/button>\n        <div class=\"accordion__content\" id=\"Reflective-skills\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n                    <ol>\n<li>Professional psychology practice requires self-awareness and a capacity for reflection and reflexivity in order to consider the effect of one&#8217;s own issues, actions, values and behaviours. Student demonstrates the ability to accurately reflect on their professional performance.<\/li>\n<li>Professional psychology training requires well developed understanding of oneself in order to appropriately engage with clinical supervision of and feedback on work with clients. The <a href=\"https:\/\/psychologycouncil.org.au\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC)<\/a> state that graduates of Level Three psychology program must achieve the following competency: \u201cEngage in self-reflective professional practice, taking account of the impact of their own values and beliefs, and taking appropriate actions as a result.\u201d (APAC, 3.14, page 14).<\/li>\n<li>Exemplars\n<ul>\n<li>Working with clients while on field placement and understanding and responding to them requires the ability to notice, understand and effectively manage one&#8217;s own reactions to situations that may arise.<\/li>\n<li>Identifying when a professional issue is outside one&#8217;s scope or expertise.<\/li>\n<li>Reflecting in clinical supervision on how one&#8217;s own responses may impede or enhance work with particular clients on field placement.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n        \n                            \n                    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n                    <div class=\"accordion\" aria-labelledby=\"accordion-title-Sustainable-performance\">\n            <button type=\"button\" class=\"accordion__heading\" aria-controls=\"Sustainable-performance\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n            <div class=\"title\" id=\"accordion-title-Sustainable-performance\">Sustainable performance<\/div>\n            <div class=\"icon\"><\/div>\n        <\/button>\n        <div class=\"accordion__content\" id=\"Sustainable-performance\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n                    <ol>\n<li>Professional psychology practice requires both physiological and mental performance at a consistent and sustained level to meet individual and group needs.<\/li>\n<li>Sufficient efficient energy and mental endurance is an essential requirement for effective therapeutic practice which requires concentration on the activity during an assigned period to provide effective support.<\/li>\n<li>Examples:\n<ul>\n<li>Students demonstrate a consistent and sustained level of energy to complete a specific task in a timely manner and over a specified period of time.<\/li>\n<li>The ability to perform repetitive activities with a level of concentration that ensures a capacity to focus on the activity until it is completed appropriately.<\/li>\n<li>Consistent involvement in field placement practice over a negotiated time frame.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n        \n                            \n                    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n        \n<\/mimas-block>\n\n    <mimas-block \n        block-name=\"articles\"\n        role=\"complementary\"\n        aria-label=\"articles content\"\n        data-segment=\"all\"\n        data-bg=\"gray\">\n\n        \n\n                    <div class=\"article\">\n                                                                \n                <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/study\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/05\/mc-psychp-550x550-1-150x150.jpg\"\n                     alt=\"Master of psychology\"\n                     srcset=\"https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/study\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/05\/mc-psychp-550x550-1-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/study\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/05\/mc-psychp-550x550-1-550x370.jpg 550w, https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/study\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/05\/mc-psychp-550x550-1.jpg 550w, https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/study\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/05\/mc-psychp-550x550-1-550x500.jpg 550w, https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/study\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/05\/mc-psychp-550x550-1.jpg 550w, https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/study\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/05\/mc-psychp-550x550-1.jpg 550w, https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/study\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/05\/mc-psychp-550x550-1-480x240.jpg 480w, https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/study\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/05\/mc-psychp-550x550-1.jpg 550w, https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/study\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/05\/mc-psychp-550x550-1.jpg 550w\"\n                     sizes=\"(min-width: 2560px) 2560px, (min-width: 1920px) 1920px, (min-width: 1440px) 1440px, (min-width: 1024px) 1024px, (min-width: 768px) 768px\" loading=\"lazy\">\n\n                <article class=\"article__content\">\n                    \n                                            <h2 class=\"h3\">Why are inherent requirements essential for studying this course?<\/h2>\n                    \n                                            <p><p>The postgraduate Psychology courses at Â鶹ֱ²¥ are professionally accredited and graduating students will need to meet the requirements of the professional body to register to work in this profession. Students should be familiar with the requirements set out by the following accrediting bodies and Standards which may impact their progression throughout their studies and in entering the profession:<\/p>\n<\/p>\n                    \n                                \n                        <\/article>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/mimas-block>\n\n\n<mimas-block \n        block-name=\"cards\"\n        data-segment=\"dom\">\n\n    \n\n        <div class=\"card-grid\"\n         data-card-size=\"standard\"         data-card-count=\"3\"\n         data-card-background=\"gray\">\n                    <div  id=\"psychology-board-of-australia\" class=\"card\" data-type=\"\" aria-label=\"psychology-board-of-australia\"><div class=\"inner\"><div class=\"card__title\"><h3>Psychology Board of Australia<\/h3><\/div><div class=\"card__content\"><p>The core role of the Psychology Board of Australia is to protect the public. One of the ways we do this is by making sure that only practitioners who have the skills and qualifications to provide safe care and psychological services to the Australian community are registered to practise in the psychology profession.<\/p><\/div><ul class=\"card__links\"><li><a\n    href=\"https:\/\/www.psychologyboard.gov.au\/Registration.aspx\"\n    class=\"ico-link--arrow\"\n    target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"Visit the Psychology Board of Australia website\">Visit the Psychology Board of Australia website<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/div><\/div>                    <div  id=\"australian-psychology-accreditation-council-apac\" class=\"card\" data-type=\"\" aria-label=\"australian-psychology-accreditation-council-apac\"><div class=\"inner\"><div class=\"card__title\"><h3>Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC)<\/h3><\/div><div class=\"card__content\"><p>APAC is an independent quality and standards organisation. APAC develops and reviews the standards for accreditation of psychology programs of study.<\/p><\/div><ul class=\"card__links\"><li><a\n    href=\"https:\/\/psychologycouncil.org.au\/\"\n    class=\"ico-link--arrow\"\n    target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"Visit the APAC website\">Visit the APAC website<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/div><\/div>                    <div  id=\"ahpra-student-registration\" class=\"card\" data-type=\"\" aria-label=\"ahpra-student-registration\"><div class=\"inner\"><div class=\"card__title\"><h3>AHPRA &#8211; Student Registration<\/h3><\/div><div class=\"card__content\"><p>The Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) is the national organisation responsible for implementing the National Registration and Accreditation Scheme (the National Scheme) across Australia.<\/p><\/div><ul class=\"card__links\"><li><a\n    href=\"https:\/\/www.ahpra.gov.au\/registration\/student-registrations.aspx\"\n    class=\"ico-link--arrow\"\n    target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"Visit the AHPRA website\">Visit the AHPRA website<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/div><\/div>            <\/div>\n<\/mimas-block>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Attribution<\/strong><br><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-157389\" style=\"width: 100px\" src=\"https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/study\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/04\/by-nc-sa.png\" alt=\"Creative Commons logo\"> <br><a href=\"https:\/\/www.westernsydney.edu.au\/inherent-requirements\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Western Sydney University &#8211; Inherent Requirements<\/a><br>\u00a9 Western Sydney University is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Non Commercial<br>Share Alike 4.0 International licence<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>These inherent requirements apply to the Master of Psychology (Professional) and the Master of Clinical [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":190,"featured_media":0,"parent":157003,"menu_order":7,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_oasis_is_in_workflow":0,"_oasis_original":0,"_oasis_task_priority":"","footnotes":""},"tags":[],"class_list":["post-158797","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/study\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/158797","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/study\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/study\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/study\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/190"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/study\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=158797"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/study\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/158797\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":181112,"href":"https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/study\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/158797\/revisions\/181112"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/study\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/157003"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/study\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=158797"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/study\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=158797"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}