Unit rationale, description and aim

This is the third of a series of practicum units in which students have an opportunity to build on their psychological competencies through practice on placement. The aim of this unit is to integrate theory and practice in an appropriately supervised professional environment to prepare graduating students to provide safe quality client care and service. Students will engage in professional practice with a broad diversity of clients; consistent with current codes of ethical practice, relevant legal frameworks and mental health practice standards. The placement experience offers a final opportunity to practice in an occupational setting, building on the knowledge, skills, attributes and psychological competencies essential for professional practice in readiness for full registration. During placements the provision of safe, high-quality client care and service is always the primary consideration. 

2026 10

Campus offering

No unit offerings are currently available for this unit.

Prerequisites

PSYC614 Practicum B

Learning outcomes

To successfully complete this unit you will be able to demonstrate you have achieved the learning outcomes (LO) detailed in the below table.

Each outcome is informed by a number of graduate capabilities (GC) to ensure your work in this, and every unit, is part of a larger goal of graduating from ACU with the attributes of insight, empathy, imagination and impact.

Explore the graduate capabilities.

Understand the process of therapy with reflection ...

Learning Outcome 01

Understand the process of therapy with reflection on their own supervised practice demonstrating professional behaviour and an understanding of ethical and legal responsibilities on par with a graduate psychologist.
Relevant Graduate Capabilities: GC1, GC2, GC3, GC4, GC6, GC7, GC8, GC9, GC11, GC12

Explain the link between assessment, diagnosis, fo...

Learning Outcome 02

Explain the link between assessment, diagnosis, formulation, treatment plans, goals and monitoring of client progress in more complex clinical work, and prepare treatment plans with autonomy.
Relevant Graduate Capabilities: GC1, GC2, GC3, GC4, GC5, GC6, GC7, GC8, GC9, GC10, GC11, GC12

Apply clinical skills to conduct psychological ass...

Learning Outcome 03

Apply clinical skills to conduct psychological assessments and treatments, including maintaining client engagement, monitoring treatment progress and behaving in accordance with placement procedures and the ethical and professional standards required for a registered general psychologist.
Relevant Graduate Capabilities: GC1, GC2, GC3, GC4, GC5, GC6, GC7, GC8, GC9, GC10, GC11, GC12

Implement effective person centred interprofession...

Learning Outcome 04

Implement effective person centred interprofessional practice at an entry to practice level.
Relevant Graduate Capabilities: GC1, GC2, GC3, GC4, GC6, GC7, GC8, GC11, GC12

Content

The third practicum is usually carried out in the field in an agency external to the University under the supervision of a registered psychologist approved as a Supervisor (BAS) by the Psychology Board of Australia and holding the relevant area of practice endorsement. While on placement, students will develop the ability to integrate skills and intervention models with specific clinical material. Attendance at weekly case conferences involves small and large group discussion of issues relevant to professional practice such as diagnosis, formulation, choosing appropriate interventions, ethical dilemmas, record keeping and report writing. Students will complete a supervision contract and goals for their placement in collaboration with their supervisor to guide their development of specific psychological practice skills in readiness for independent practice. 

Assessment strategy and rationale

The assessment strategy ensures students meet psychological practice standards set by the Psychology Board of Australia and the Australian Psychological Accreditation Council. Supervisors assess trainee competence at mid- and end-placement using structured tools like the Clinical Psychology Practicum Competencies Rating Scale.

The Practicum Log Book assesses record-keeping skills, with submissions due within two weeks of practicum completion. The Case Conference Presentation develops clinical communication skills, while the Case Conference Report evaluates case formulation and treatment planning. One resubmission is allowed.

The Mid-Practicum Review evaluates students’ real-world performance, identifying strengths and areas for growth. If concerns arise, a remediation plan is developed, including additional reviews. This review may be waived in extenuating circumstances. At the End-of-Practicum Competency Evaluation, students must demonstrate increased competence. Failure results in failing the unit, with no opportunity to retake it. Unless otherwise agreed in the Placement Contract, this review must be completed within six months, with extensions requiring approval. The End-Practicum Competency Evaluation extends the End-of-Practicum Review, allowing students to provide evidence of readiness for independent practice.

To pass this unit, students must demonstrate achievement of every unit learning outcome and pass all hurdle tasks in order to ensure client safety. One additional attempt for Assessment Task 2 is permitted.

Overview of assessments

Assessment Task 1 - Practicum Logbook Enabl...

Assessment Task 1 - Practicum Logbook

Enables students to demonstrate competence in professional record keeping practices.

Weighting

Ungraded Hurdle

Learning Outcomes LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
Graduate Capabilities GC1, GC2, GC3, GC4, GC5, GC6, GC7, GC8, GC9, GC10, GC11, GC12

Assessment Task 2 - Case Conference Presentations...

Assessment Task 2 - Case Conference Presentations

Enables students to verbally communicate a concise case formulation in a small group case conference setting 

Weighting

Ungraded Hurdle

Learning Outcomes LO1, LO2, LO3
Graduate Capabilities GC1, GC2, GC3, GC4, GC5, GC6, GC7, GC8, GC9, GC10, GC11, GC12

Assessment Task 3 - Case Conference Reports Enab...

Assessment Task 3 - Case Conference Reports

Enables students to construct and communicate a concise case formulation in a written format. 

Weighting

Ungraded Hurdle

Learning Outcomes LO1, LO2, LO3
Graduate Capabilities GC1, GC2, GC3, GC4, GC7, GC8, GC9, GC10, GC11

Assessment Task 4 - Mid-Practicum Review  &n...

Assessment Task 4 - Mid-Practicum Review  

Enables students to demonstrate competence in psychological practice in readiness for independent practice. 

Weighting

Ungraded Hurdle

Learning Outcomes LO1, LO2, LO3
Graduate Capabilities GC1, GC2, GC3, GC4, GC5, GC6, GC7, GC8, GC9, GC10, GC11, GC12

Assessment Task 5 - End of Practicum Competency E...

Assessment Task 5 - End of Practicum Competency Evaluation

Enables students to demonstrate competence in psychological practice in readiness for independent practice. 

Weighting

Ungraded Hurdle

Learning Outcomes LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
Graduate Capabilities GC1, GC2, GC3, GC4, GC5, GC6, GC7, GC8, GC9, GC10, GC11, GC12

Learning and teaching strategy and rationale

This unit is offered in attendance mode because face-to-face attendance at the university clinic or field placement is required for this placement-based unit. Teaching and learning strategies include supervised fieldwork, workshops, web-based learning, and reflective/critical thinking activities. Teaching and learning strategies will reflect respect for the individual as an independent learner. Students will be expected to take responsibility for their learning and to participate actively within class activities. This unit uses an active learning approach to support students to develop psychological practice skills through client based work. Students are required to attend and participate in facilitated case conferences in order to develop and refine their case formulation skills. 

Representative texts and references

Representative texts and references

American Psychiatric Association. (2022). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders : DSM-5-TR (5th ed, text revision.). American Psychiatric Association. https://doi/book/10.1176/appi.books.9780890425787

Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency. (2023). Code of conduct. Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency. https://www.ahpra.gov.au/Resources/Code-of-conduct.aspx

Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency. (2024, March 13). Interprofessional collaborative practice statement of intent. https://www.ahpra.gov.au/News/2024-03-13-Interprofessional-Collaborative-Practice-Statement-of-Intent.aspx

Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency. (2023). National Scheme Engagement Strategy 2023–2025. Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency. https://www.ahpra.gov.au/About-Ahpra/Our-engagement-activities/Engagement-strategy.aspx

Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency. (2021, June). Supervision guidelines. https://www.ahpra.gov.au/Resources/Supervised-practice/Supervision-guidelines.aspx

American Psychological Association (2020). Publication manual of the American Psychological Association (7th ed.).

Australian Psychological Society. (2007). Code of ethics. Melbourne

Australian Psychological Society. (n.d.). APS ethical guidelines. https://psychology.org.au/about-us/what-we-do/ethics-and-practice-standards/aps-ethical-guidelines

Berchlibny-Butter, K. Z., & Jefferies, J. J. (2006). Clinical handbook of psychotropic drugs (16th ed.). Toronto: Hogrefe & Huber.

Carr, A. (2016). The handbook of child and adolescent clinical psychology: A contextual approach (3rd ed.). New York: Routledge

Carr, A., & McNulty, M. (2016). The handbook of adult clinical psychology: An evidence based practice approach (2nd Ed.). New York: Taylor & Francis Group

Carroll, M., & Gilbert, M. (2006). On being a supervisee: Creating learning partnerships. Kew, VIC: Psychoz Publications.

Psychology Board of Australia. (n.d.). Codes, guidelines, and policies. Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency.

https://www.psychologyboard.gov.au/Standards-and-Guidelines/Codes-Guidelines-Policies.aspx

Psychology Board of Australia. (2025). Code of conduct for psychologists. Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency. https://www.psychologyboard.gov.au/Standards-and-Guidelines/Professional-practice-standards/Code-of-conduct.aspx

Zuckerman, E. L. (2019). Clinician's Thesaurus: The guide to conducting interviews and writing psychological reports (8th ed.). The Guilford Press.

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