The 4+2 internship program for Psychology Students is being retired as a pathway to registration in favor of the 5+1 internship program.

4 + 2 : After completing a four-year sequence of accredited study in psychology (i.e. Honours degree or equivalent), you could complete a two-year internship program to become eligible to apply for general registration as a psychologist. 

5 + 1: The 5+1 internship pathway to general registration involves a five-year sequence of accredited study (e.g. Master of Professional Psychology) followed by a one-year internship. 

The reason for the decision to retire the 4+2 pathway is "to reduce regulatory burden of psychology training", as stated on the website of the Psychology Board of Australia. This is said to reduce costs, administration and burden for trainees, employers, supervisors and the regulator along with improved use of accreditation. 

How this impacts student's:

- A Masters degree in Psychology for Domestic Students starts at $36,000 per year. This is of course additional to the $20,052 Bachelors Degree and Honours Year. The Australian Government is also said to increase degrees including Psychology for the year 2021. 

- An additional 1-2 years of study (approx 6 years total). This does not include any work placement. 

- Reduced work experience / internship training within an approved work role to 1 year. 

- Increased student competition for available 5+1 programs. 

Furthermore, this does nothing to address the massive and very urgent problem facing Australians, which is a a huge spike in mental health challenges and a refusal from the government to prioritise real action that will help flatten the mental health curve. We need more mental support today, not in six years’ time.