Consultation on Proposed Psychology Assistant Postgraduate Qualification
Kia ora Koutou,
The New Zealand Psychologists Board is seeking feedback from the profession and wider sector on the proposed qualification framework for the Psychology Assistant Scope of practice.
As you will be aware, the Board approved the Psychology Assistant scope of practice, including competencies, title and supervision requirements, in August 2025. The next step is for the Board to consult on, and prescribe, the qualification required for registration in this scope under sections 12 and 13 of the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act 2003.
The purpose of this consultation is to gather feedback on the high-level qualification framework the Board is proposing for Psychology Assistants.
The proposed framework would require:
- An undergraduate qualification
- A Bachelor’s degree in psychology providing foundational knowledge of psychological theory, research methods and human development
A prescribed postgraduate qualification Completion of a Board-accredited Postgraduate Diploma in Psychology Assistant Practice, anticipated to include:
- A one-year (120-point) postgraduate programme
- Required papers aligned with the competencies of the Psychology Assistant scope
- A supervised practicum of at least 600 hours in an approved multidisciplinary setting
The Psychology Assistant role is intended to support team-based models of care and increase access to psychologically informed support, particularly where demand for services continues to exceed workforce capacity. This consultation focuses only on the qualification framework required for registration. It does not seek feedback on course content, teaching methods, or individual university programmes.
The Board welcomes feedback on whether the proposed framework is appropriate and whether there are any risks, barriers, or unintended consequences that should be considered before qualifications are prescribed.
The consultation document and submission details are available here. Submissions are open until Friday 24 April 2026.
Your feedback will assist the Board in making a final decision on the qualification requirements for the Psychology Assistant scope and the next stage of implementing this new regulated workforce.
If you have any questions about the consultation process, please contact
Ngā mihi nui,
Vanessa Simpson
Chief Executive/Registrar | Tumuaki/Pouroki