These inherent requirements apply to the following course:

  • Master of Psychology (Clinical)
  • Master of Psychology (Educational and Developmental)
  • Master of Professional Psychology

Inherent requirements are the essential components of a course or unit that demonstrate the abilities, knowledge and skills to achieve the core learning outcomes of the course or unit, while preserving the academic integrity of the university's learning, assessment and accreditation processes. The inherent requirements are the abilities, knowledge and skills needed to complete the course that must be met by all students.

Students with a disability or chronic health condition may be able to have reasonable adjustments made to enable them to meet these requirements.

The School of Behavioural and health Sciences is committed to making reasonable adjustments to teaching and learning, assessment, practicums and other activities to enable students to participate in their course. Reasonable adjustments must not fundamentally change the nature of the inherent requirement.

Students are required to undertake placement activities in mixed gender environments which reflect the Australian health care context. For further information, contact your Course Coordinator.

To support potential and current students' decision making a series of inherent requirement statements has been developed. These statements specify the course requirements of the postgraduate psychology courses for student admission and progression. The statements are clustered under eight domains consisting of ethical behaviour, behavioural stability, legal, communication, cognition, relational skills, reflective skills and sustainable performance.

Our postgraduate psychology courses offer two pathways to registration with the Psychology Board of Australia (PsyBA), which is a partner board of the Australian Health Practitioners Registration Authority (AHPRA). The higher degree pathway enables you to apply for registration as a registered psychologist following successful completion of the Master of Psychology in the Clinical or the Educational and Developmental streams. The 5+1 pathway requires successful completion of the one-year Master of Professional Psychology, which enables you to apply for a sixth-year internship. Successful completion of these components enables you to apply for registration as a registered psychologist.

If you are intending to enrol in the Master of Psychology (Clinical), Master of Psychology (Educational and Developmental) or Master of Professional Psychology course in the School of Behavioural and Health Sciences (Faculty of Health Sciences), you should familiarize yourself with these inherent requirement statements and think about whether you may experience challenges in meeting these requirements.

If you think you may experience challenges related to your disability, chronic health condition or any other reason, you should discuss your concerns with a campus Disability Advisor or the School of Behavioural and Health Sciences staff, such as the Course Coordinator. These staff can work collaboratively with you to determine reasonable adjustments to assist you to meet the Inherent Requirements. In the case where it is determined that Inherent Requirements cannot be met with reasonable adjustments, the University staff can provide guidance regarding other study options.

These inherent requirements should be read in conjunction with other course information and the codes, guidelines and policies of the PsyBA and the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council standards and guidelines.

The inherent requirements are made up of the following five components within eight domains:

  • Level 1 - introduction to the inherent requirement
  • Level 2 - description of what the inherent requirement is
  • Level 3 - explanation of why this is an inherent requirement of the course
  • Level 4 - the nature of any adjustments that may be made to allow you to meet the requirement
  • Level 5 - examples of tasks that show you've met the requirement. These are examples only and not a comprehensive list

Inherent requirement domains

There are eight domains of inherent requirements in the postgraduate psychology courses. Some domains have a number of sub-domains.

 
Level Inherent requirements statements
1 Psychology is a profession governed by the codes, guidelines and policies of the Psychology Board of Australia (PsyBA), where psychologists are both accountable and responsible for ensuring professional behaviour in all contexts. Students should demonstrate knowledge and engage in ethical behaviour in practice.
2 Student demonstrates knowledge of, and engages in ethical behaviour in practice.
3 Justification of inherent requirement: Compliance with the codes, guidelines and policies facilitates safe, competent interactions and relationships for students and/or the people they engage with. This ensures the physical, psychological, emotional and spiritual wellbeing of the individual is not placed at risk.
4 Adjustments must ensure the codes and standards are not compromised or result in unethical behaviour. Adjustments specific to the individual can be discussed with the Campus Disability Adviser and Course Coordinator.
5 Exemplars: Demonstrating appropriate behaviour with confidential information in classroom and practicum settings. Demonstrate ability to reflect on ethical dilemmas and issues and take responsibility for ensuring awareness of ethical behaviour. Complying with conduct required to maintain provisional registration as a psychologist.
 
Level Inherent requirements statements
1 Behavioural stability is required to function and adapt effectively and sensitively in this role.
2 Student demonstrates behavioural stability to work constructively in a diverse and changing academic and clinical environment, which may at times be challenging and unpredictable.
3 Justification of inherent requirement: 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.
4 Adjustments must support stable, effective and professional behaviour in both academic and field placement settings. Adjustments specific to the individual can be discussed with the Campus Disability Advisor and Course Coordinator.
5 Exemplars: The ability to be self-reliant, organised, and an effective time manager is essential for professional conduct. Demonstrating respectful behaviour and being receptive and responding appropriately to constructive feedback. Managing own emotional state in order to be able to develop and maintain an appropriate relationship with a diverse range of clients and supervisors.
 
Level Inherent requirements statements
1 Psychology practice is mandated by specific legislation and professional regulations to enable the safe delivery of care.
2 Student demonstrates knowledge and compliance with Australian Law and professional regulations.
3 Justification of inherent requirement: Knowledge, understanding and compliance with legislative and regulatory requirements are necessary pre-requisites to placements in order 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 and professional registration.
4 Adjustments must be consistent with legislative and regulatory requirements. Adjustments specific to the individual can be discussed with the Campus Disability Advisor and Course Coordinator.
5 Exemplars: Complying with legal requirements regarding all aspects of practice. Complying with the requirement for student registration with the Australian Health Professional Registration Authority (AHPRA).
This course requires effective, verbal, non-verbal and written communication skills. 
 
Verbal communication
Verbal communication Level Verbal communication Inherent requirements statements
Verbal communication 1 Verbal communication Effective and efficient verbal communication, in English, is an essential requirement to provide safe delivery of psychology care.
Verbal communication 2 Verbal communication Student demonstrates: Sensitivity to individual and/or cultural differences. The ability to understand and respond to verbal communication accurately, appropriately and in a timely manner. The ability to provide clear instructions in the context of the situation. Timely clear feedback and reporting.
Verbal communication 3 Verbal communication Justification of inherent requirement: Communicating in a way that displays respect and empathy to others and develops trusting relationships. The practice of clinical psychology depends on effective verbal communication with clients and members of the professional team. Speed and accuracy of communication may be critical for individual safety or treatment.
Verbal communication 4 Verbal communication Adjustments for impaired verbal communication must address effectiveness, timeliness, clarity and accuracy issues to ensure safety. Adjustments specific to the individual can be discussed with the Campus Disability Advisor and Course Coordinator.
Verbal communication 5 Verbal communication Exemplars: Collecting information from clients by asking questions during assessments. Explaining a formulation clearly to a client. Discussing the client's progress with other professionals.

 
Non-verbal communication
Non-verbal communication Level Non-verbal communication Inherent requirements statements
Non-verbal communication 1 Non-verbal communication Effective non-verbal communication is fundamental to psychology and needs to be respectful, clear, attentive, empathetic and non-judgmental.
Non-verbal communication 2 Non-verbal communication Student demonstrates: The capacity to recognise, interpret and respond appropriately to behavioural cues. Consistent and appropriate awareness of own behaviours and its impact on others. Sensitivity to individual and/or cultural differences.
Non-verbal communication 3 Non-verbal communication Justification of inherent requirement: The ability to observe and understand non-verbal cues assists with building rapport with people and gaining their trust and respect in academic and professional relationships. Displaying consistent and appropriate facial expressions, eye contact, being mindful of space, time boundaries and body movements and gestures promotes trust in academic and professional relationships. Being sensitive to individual and/or cultural differences displays respect and empathy to others and develops trusting relationships that are essential for effective professional support. The ability to observe and understand non-verbal cues is essential for effective observation of client reactions to facilitate assessment and to provide professional support.
Non-verbal communication 4 Non-verbal communication Adjustments must enable the recognition, initiation of or appropriate response to effective non-verbal communication in a timely and appropriate manner. Adjustments specific to the individual can be discussed with the Campus Disability Advisor.
Non-verbal communication 5 Non-verbal communication Exemplars: Recognising and responding to non-verbal cues in the field placement environment. Recognising and responding appropriately to non-verbal cues in classroom situations.

 
Written communication
Written communication Level Written communication Inherent requirements statements
Written communication 1 Written communication Effective written communication, in English, is a fundamental psychology student responsibility with professional and legal ramifications.
Written communication 2 Written communication Student demonstrates capacity to construct coherent written communication appropriate to the circumstances.
Written communication 3 Written communication Justification of inherent requirement: Construction of written text based assessment tasks to reflect the required academic standards are necessary to convey knowledge and understanding of relevant subject matter for professional practice standards. Accurate written communication, including record keeping, client instructions and case notes is vital to provide consistent and accurate assessments and professional support in the field placement context.
Written communication 4 Written communication Adjustments must allow students to meet necessary standards of clarity, accuracy and accessibility to ensure effective recording and transmission of information in both academic and field placement settings. Adjustments specific to the individual can be discussed with the Campus Disability Advisor.
Written communication 5 Written communication Exemplars: Constructing an essay to academic standards. Constructing a psychologist's report in a timely manner that meets professional standards.

This course requires knowledge of theory and the skills of cognition, literacy and numeracy.

 
Knowledge and cognitive skills
Level Knowledge and cognitive skills Knowledge and cognitive skills Inherent requirements statements
Knowledge and cognitive skills Knowledge and cognitive skills 1 Knowledge and cognitive skills Knowledge and cognitive skills Consistent knowledge and effective cognitive skills must be demonstrated to provide professional and competent psychological practice.
Knowledge and cognitive skills Knowledge and cognitive skills 2 Knowledge and cognitive skills Knowledge and cognitive skills Student demonstrates: Capacity to locate appropriate and relevant information. Ability to process information relevant to practice. Ability to integrate and implement knowledge in practice.
Knowledge and cognitive skills Knowledge and cognitive skills 3 Knowledge and cognitive skills Knowledge and cognitive skills Justification of inherent requirement: Safe and effective psychological practice is based on knowledge that must be sourced, understood and applied appropriately. A range of knowledge and cognitive skills is a requirement for course accreditation, field placements and professional registration by the AHPRA.
Knowledge and cognitive skills Knowledge and cognitive skills 4 Knowledge and cognitive skills Knowledge and cognitive skills Adjustments must ensure that a clear demonstration of knowledge and cognitive skills is not compromised or impeded. Adjustments specific to the individual can be discussed with the Campus Disability Advisor.
Knowledge and cognitive skills Knowledge and cognitive skills 5 Knowledge and cognitive skills Knowledge and cognitive skills Exemplars: Ability to conceptualise and use appropriate knowledge in response to academic assessment items. Appropriately applying knowledge of policy and procedures in the field placement setting.

 
Literacy (language)
Literacy (language) Literacy (language) Level Literacy (language) Literacy (language) Inherent requirements statements
Literacy (language) Literacy (language) 1 Literacy (language) Literacy (language) Competent literacy skills are essential to provide safe and effective professional support.
Literacy (language) Literacy (language) 2 Literacy (language) Literacy (language) Student demonstrates: The ability to accurately acquire information and convey appropriate, effective messages. Ability to read and comprehend a range of literature and information. The capacity to understand and implement academic and practice conventions to construct written text in an appropriate manner for the intended audience.
Literacy (language) Literacy (language) 3 Literacy (language) Literacy (language) Justification of inherent requirement: The ability to acquire information and to accurately convey messages is fundamental to ensure safe and effective assessment, treatment and professional support. The ability to read, decode, interpret and comprehend multiple sources of information is fundamental for safe and effective professional support in the field placement context.
Literacy (language) Literacy (language) 4 Literacy (language) Literacy (language) Adjustments must demonstrate a capacity to effectively acquire, comprehend, apply and communicate accurate information. Adjustments specific to the individual can be discussed with the Campus Disability Advisor.
Literacy (language) Literacy (language) 5 Literacy (language) Literacy (language) Exemplars: Conveying a spoken message accurately and effectively in a field placement setting. Paraphrasing, summarising and referencing in accordance with appropriate academic and/or professional practice conventions.Producing accurate, concise and clear case notes which meets legal and professional practice requirements.

 
Numeracy
Numeracy Numeracy Level Numeracy Numeracy Inherent requirements statements
Numeracy Numeracy 1 Numeracy Numeracy Competent and accurate numeracy skills are essential for effective analysis, interpretation and presentation of findings regarding psychological statistics and research methodology.
Numeracy Numeracy 2 Numeracy Numeracy Student demonstrates the ability to utilise statistical methods to accurately conduct research, analyse data, interpret results, and report their findings.
Numeracy Numeracy 3 Numeracy Numeracy Justification of inherent requirement: Competent application of numeracy skills is essential in psychology to apply sound statistical knowledge to the interpretation of scientific findings in order to make appropriate inferences based upon data.
Numeracy Numeracy 4 Numeracy Numeracy Adjustments must demonstrate a capacity to interpret and apply concepts and processes appropriately in a timely, accurate and effective manner. Adjustments specific to the individual can be discussed with the Campus Disability Advisor.
Numeracy Numeracy 5 Numeracy Numeracy Exemplars: Demonstrating awareness of limitations of psychological tests with particular reference to notions of validity and reliability. Demonstrating accurate calculations and interpretation of psychometric assessments.
 
Level  Inherent requirements statements 
 1 Psychological practice requires the ability to make and maintain strong relationships with a wide range of individuals, groups and communities.
 2  Student demonstrates: The ability to establish and maintain rapport with clients, academic staff, supervisors and peers. The ability to engage in effective and empathic counselling skills. Ability to engage and relate appropriately in individual and group clinical supervision and experiential learning
 3  Justification of inherent requirement: Highly developed relational skills are a cornerstone of effective relationships that permit effective assessment and intervention.
 4  Adjustments must not compromise the student's ability to demonstrate an acceptable level of effective relational skills. Adjustments specific to the individual can be discussed with the Campus Disability Advisor.
 5  Exemplars: Rapidly building rapport with a client in order to engage them in an assessment while on placement. Effectively using relational and interpersonal skills to manage relationships with clients, colleagues, supervisors, and other professionals while on placement.
Level Inherent requirements statements
Level Level 1 Inherent requirements statements Inherent requirements statements Psychological practice requires self-awareness and a capacity for self-reflection in order to consider the effect of one's own issues, actions, values and behaviours on practice.
Level Level 2 Inherent requirements statements Inherent requirements statements Student demonstrates: The ability to accurately reflect on their professional performance. The ability to accept feedback on their professional practice and respond constructively.
Level Level 3 Inherent requirements statements Inherent requirements statements Justification of inherent requirement: Participation in supervision is a key teaching strategy in psychological education which requires well developed understanding of oneself in order to appropriately engage in this activity. Working with clients while on placement and understanding and responding to them requires well developed understanding of oneself and the ability to effectively manage one's reactions to situations that may arise (including the ability to reflect appropriately on these processes in supervision).
Level Level 4 Inherent requirements statements Inherent requirements statements Adjustments must not compromise the student's ability to demonstrate an acceptable minimum level of capacity in this area. Adjustments specific to the individual can be discussed with the Campus Disability Advisor.
Level Level 5 Inherent requirements statements Inherent requirements statements Exemplars: Identifying when a practice issue is outside one's scope of expertise or when one's practice may be negatively affected by personal experience and/or reactions.
Level Inherent requirements statements
Level Level Level 1 Inherent requirements statements Inherent requirements statements Inherent requirements statements Psychological practice in the field placement context requires both physical and mental performance at a consistent and sustained level.
Level Level Level 2 Inherent requirements statements Inherent requirements statements Inherent requirements statements Student demonstrates: Consistent and sustained level of physical energy to complete a specific task in a timely manner and over time. The capacity to maintain consistency and quality of performance throughout the designated period of time.
Level Level Level 3 Inherent requirements statements Inherent requirements statements Inherent requirements statements Justification of inherent requirement: Sufficient physical and mental resilience is an essential requirement needed to perform tasks in an assigned period to provide effective, safe and professional support in the field placement context. An organised, disciplined, and timely approach to maintaining administrative requirements, including time management.
Level Level Level 4 Inherent requirements statements Inherent requirements statements Inherent requirements statements Adjustments must ensure that performance is consistent and sustained over a given period. Adjustments specific to the individual can be discussed with the Campus Disability Advisor.
Level Level Level 5 Inherent requirements statements Inherent requirements statements Inherent requirements statements Exemplars: Participating in tutorials, lectures, skills. Providing consistent field placement practice over a negotiated time frame.

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