Frequently Asked Questions

This page provides answers to frequently asked questions (FAQ).

1. What are the Psychology Board of Australia's training requirements to gain Board-approved supervisor status?

This information has been taken from parts of the PsyBA “Fact Sheet for Supervisors” (June, 2011)

Transition Period (July 2010 to June 2013)

Any psychologist who on 30 June 2010 (or 17 Oct 2010 in Western Australia) was approved as a supervisor by a previous state or territory board has transitioned to the Psychology Board of Australia interim list of approved supervisors and can continue to be a supervisor.

Psychologists who did not transition to the PsyBA interim list of approved supervisors but who now want to be a supervisor can apply to the Board to be added to the interim list using Form ABAS-10. (www.psychologyboard.gov.au).

After the Transition Period: from July 2013

All supervisors will have to complete a Board-approved supervisor training program and reapply for supervisor status before 30 June 2013. When everyone reapplies for their supervisor status they must provide evidence they have completed approved supervisor training within the last 5 years which could be:

the Psychology Board of Australia supervisor training program that is currently being developed and will be open to enrolment in the future: or

training completed between 1 July 2008 and 30 June 2010 that was approved by the relevant state board at that time; or

training completed between 1 July 2010 and 30 June 2013 that was previously approved by the relevant state or territory board and has interim approval from the Psychology Board of Australia.

The Board agreed to provide interim approval until 30 June 2013 for existing supervisor training programs originating in Queensland and NSW. The programs with interim approval are:

§ The Supervisor Training and Accreditation Program (STAP) originating in Queensland

§ The NSW Psychologists Registration Board’s supervision workshops – originating in NSW and also offered in Tasmania.

NOTE: The 2 day workshop on this website is an updated version of the previous NSW Psychologists Registration Board’s supervision workshop. It is Board-approved under point (3) above. Psychologists who complete the program (workshop plus test) will meet the requirement of having completed a Board-approved supervision training when they reapply for supervisor status in June 2013.

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2. Do I need to do a workshop now or can I put it off until 2013?

During the transition period the Board does not require that supervisors have completed a Board-approved supervisor training. However, it is your ethical responsibility not to practice outside of your areas of competence. If you have not developed skills in supervision, then you should do some form of professional development to become competent as a supervisor before you start supervising. This workshop is one option for gaining supervision skills.

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3. What is provided and what do I need to bring for the workshop?

We will provide:

Arrival tea/coffee, morning and afternoon tea and a light lunch
Bound workshop notes including references and articles

Completion certificate – for those who complete the two day workshop and pass the test - can be used to apply for supervisor status with PsyBA and for active CPD points with PsyBA and APS (If a participant does not pass the test, then an Attendance Certificate, rather than Completion Certificate, will be issued)

You need to bring:

Layer clothing including a warm jacket - the air conditioning can get very cold!!!!
Pen and note pad
The PsyBA Guidelines for 4+2 internship program: provisional psychologists and supervisors - download from www.psychologyboard.gov.au (NOTE: You will need to have read the Guidelines to be able to complete the test)

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4. What is the content of the two day supervision workshops?

The goals of the two day supervision workshop are

to be aware of the PsyBA Guidelines and reporting requirements for the 4 + 2 supervision program (NOTE: the Board’s requirements and forms will be addressed only briefly. It is your responsibility to familiarise yourself with this material) AND

to develop/extend your supervision knowledge and skills

The modules include:

Day 1: best practice, goals and tasks, social power, boundaries, models and structure of supervision, role induction, external structure, PsyBA guidelines, PsyBA forms

Day 2: facilitative processes, collaborative problem solving consultation, supervision triangle, reflective practice, group supervision, observational methods, managing problems, self monitoring/self care

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5. Do I need to do any pre-reading?

Pre-reading the Board’s “Guidelines for 4+2 internship program: provisional psychologists and supervisors” and associated forms is essential. You need to be familiar with this information to pass the test. The focus of the workshop is on supervision skills – the Board’s requirements will be addressed only briefly.

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6. What's parking and public transport like for the venue?

The Portside Centre
Address: Level 5, 207 Kent Street Sydney.
Phone: 92519559.
http://www.portsidecentre.com.au/Sydney-CBD-Conference-Room-Hire.htm

The first visit to The Portside Centre can be a little confusing as you enter the building at 207 Kent Street (The Maritime Trade Towers) at level 6 and take the lift down one floor to find it on level 5.

The easiest way is to enter through the back door! There's an escalator at street level between 201 and 207 Kent Street (The Foyer Coffee Shop is on your left). Take it down one floor and it is on the left.

There is no street parking available near The Portside Centre. Use public transport or park in a car park. The Portside Centre is easily accessible to:

Wynyard trains - 8 minutes walk
Wynyard buses - 9 minutes walk
Circular Quay ferries - 12 minutes walk
Harbour Bridge - 1 minute drive
Kent Street Car Parks - 3 minutes walk
Sydney Airport 30 minutes drive in non peak period (1+ hours in peak period)

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7. What is in the Supervision Knowledge Test and what if I fail?

The test comprises some multiple choice/ short answer questions on the PsyBA requirements for 4+2 supervision programs and three scenarios that focus on supervision competencies. All issues are addressed during the workshop and you get some practice in responding to scenarios. It is an open book test (you can look up the PsyBA guidelines as you do it). The multiple choice/short answer questions (15-20 mins) and one scenario (15-20 mins) are done at the end of Day 1 and the other two scenarios (30- 40 mins) at the end of Day 2. Your answers are self-assessed using a detailed scoring sheet. The tests start at 4.15 so that you can complete them and leave by 5pm.

You need a 50% mark to pass. Almost all psychologists who have attempted the test have passed it (many with high marks). If you don’t pass, then you know that you’re not ready to be a supervisor. When you feel ready to try again, enrol to attend another two day workshop and re-do the test.

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8. What if I miss some of the two day workshop?

The Board requires full attendance to meet the requirements for authorisation as a supervisor. If you have a crisis and must miss a short period of the workshop, discuss with the presenter how you can cover that material. If you miss a long period, then you will need to attend another 2 day workshop (see cancellation policy).

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9. Can I count CPD hours for PsyBA and APS by attending this workshop?

There are 12 workshop hours over the 2 days. The workshop is interactive with in vivo role-play, thus fitting the PsyBA requirements for active CPD. The workshop has not been pre-approved by APS, but fits their requirements for CPD.

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10. I supervise students enrolled in a Masters degree at a University. Do I have to do the two day supervision workshop to continue to supervise such students?

The PsyBA Fact Sheet for Supervisors states:

§ Psychologists who provide supervision for higher degree placements only (not 4+2 programs) … can continue to provide that supervision without the Psychology Boards’ approval until the end of the transition period (June 2013)

§ From 1 July 2013 all Board approved supervisors must have completed a Board-approved supervisor training program (supervisors of provisionally registered psychologists undertaking placements as part of an accredited university course must be Board approved from July 2013).

This means that higher degree placement supervisors do not need to do a board-approved training now, but they must do one to continue supervision from July 2013. They have a choice as to which program they attend (new PsyBA training that is currently being developed, or Queensland STAP, or this training).

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11. I have been supervising students enrolled in Masters degree at a University for many years. I'm about to start supervising a Psycholigist doing the 4 + 2 pathway. Do I have to do the two day supervision workshop now?

You need to gain Board approval as a supervisor to provide supervision on the 4+2 program. Submit Form ABAS-10 to apply for approval. Note your ethical responsibility to be competent in providing supervision (see FAQ 2).
You will then need to complete a Board-approved supervision training program (new PsyBA training that is currently being developed, or Queensland STAP, or this training) by June 2013 to continue supervising from July 2013.

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12. I don't have a PayPal account, how can I pay?

PAYPAL
If you would like a secure PayPal account which allows you to pay by credit card or your bank account you can quickly and easily create one. Just click the PayPal button on the registration form and follow the instructions. You will then be able to use this PayPal account for many other online purchases.

CREDIT CARD PAYMENTS
We do not have the necessary facilities for credit card payments, however PayPal make it possible for you to use either a MasterCard or Visa credit card without creating a PayPal account, click on either the MasterCard or Visa icon under the PayPal 'Pay Now' button, and you will be taken to an outside link of PayPal.

DIRECT BANK PAYMENTS
Alternatively you can pay online directly into our bank account. Please ensure that you provide identifying information (e.g. surname and PS number) so that we can attribute the payment to you. We take no responsibility for direct deposits that do not have sufficient identifying information. (Note that if you choose to make a direct deposit over the counter at a bank there are some banks that don't allow identifying information other than numbers).

MAIL A CHEQUE
The other option is to register first then download the form, attach a cheque made out to Viva Wellbeing, and mail it to us. (see postal details). However please note: If payment is not received within 7 days our system will automatically cancel your registration and you will have to apply again. We are unable to extend the 7 days for slow payments from your employer.

A receipt will be emailed to you when your payment has been received.

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13. When will my enrolment in a particular workshop be confirmed?

Your enrolment will be confirmed by email as soon as we receive your payment along with a receipt. Please contact us if you do not receive a confirmation within 7 days of making an online payment and within 7 days of posting your payment. We will confirm places on receipt of a cheque, but will cancel the place if the cheque bounces. Confirmation of a new booking will then require new payment plus bank charges for the bounced cheque.

If you have not received confirmation of your enrolment within 7 days of your application then you will need to contact us as your application may have gone astray. If you don't receive confirmation of enrolment then you are NOT enrolled.

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14. My employer is paying and it could take some time. Can I confirm enrolment now and have the payment made later?

Sorry, but no. We've sometimes had to chase up employers for months before they paid. We cannot hold a place unless payment has been received. If your employer is likely to be slow in making the payment, then the safest way to secure a place in the workshop you prefer is to pay for it yourself and then request a refund from your employer. Or if you pay now, we will give you a refund when your employer pays us.

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15. After my enrolment has been confirmed, can I change to a different workshop?

The change of booking policy is:

$50 charge for transfer of fee to new workshop if the place you vacate is taken by another psychologist
otherwise change of booking is subject to cancellation policy (see below #16)

Supervision Workshops

approved by Psychology Board of Australia