Planning for the 6th Year Internship

Preparing for Your 6th Year: How to Start Your Psychology Internship with Confidence

As a provisional psychologist completing your 5th-year qualification, this is the perfect time to start planning for your 5+1 internship. A well-prepared approach can ease your transition from study to work and set you on the right path toward general registration with the Psychology Board of Australia (PsyBA).

Plan Ahead for Your Internship

You don’t need to wait until you’ve completed your 5th year to start preparing for your internship. The PsyBA allows provisional psychologists to submit their internship program plan (form INPP-76) up to six weeks before finishing their degree. This proactive step allows you to begin your internship right after completing your qualification, provided you’ve maintained provisional registration and your internship program plan is approved by the PsyBA. 

“In the interests of a smooth transition from study to work, provisional psychologists undertaking a fifth-year qualification (i.e. Graduate Diploma of Professional Psychology) may lodge their Internship program plan – form INPP-76 for approval up to six weeks before completing their degree…”
(Source: 5+1 Internship Program Guidelines)

Finding Employment: Essential for Your Internship

Securing a suitable job is a critical step in fulfilling the requirements of your 5+1 internship. To assist with your job search, we recommend these platforms, which feature roles for provisional psychologists:

• LinkedIn – Great for building professional connections and finding psychology-related job postings.
• Seek – Australia’s top job platform, offering many opportunities for provisional psychologists.
• Indeed – A widely-used job search engine with roles that fit psychology internships.
• PsychXchange – Specifically focused on psychology-related positions, this is a valuable resource for finding internships and roles tailored to provisional psychologists.
• Provisional Psychologist Hub moderated Facebook Group – Join our community of provisional psychologists to access job postings and advice from peers.

Additionally, we offer a free e-seminar to help provisional psychologists navigate the job search process. You’ll also receive our internship work role checklist, ensuring you know what to look for in potential positions to meet PsyBA requirements.

Scholarships for Victorian and Tasmanian Provisional Psychologists

If you're located in Victoria or Tasmania, you may qualify for a supervision scholarship with CatholicCare Victoria that can help offset your internship costs. These scholarships can cover expenses such as supervision fees and professional development, reducing financial strain during your internship. Once you’ve secured a job, we can assist you in exploring these opportunities.

Board-Approved Supervision

We offer board-approved supervision to support you throughout your internship. Our experienced supervisors will guide you through your 6th year, ensuring you develop professionally and meet all PsyBA requirements for general registration.

Start Early and Maximise Your Opportunities

By planning ahead, securing employment, and taking advantage of resources such as our free e-seminar, job search checklist, and scholarships, you’ll position yourself for a successful 6th year. A well-prepared internship ensures not only a smoother transition but also maximises your learning and career prospects.

Contact us today for guidance on navigating your 5+1 internship and ensuring your job search, supervision, and professional development are on track for success!

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