While provisional psychologists have completed four years of university and can see clients, they can operate only under supervision, including regular observation by their supervisor.
The Australian Psychological Society has asked for Medicare funding to be extended to provisional psychologists since 2019. President Dr Catriona Davis-McCabe said too many Australians were living in mental health deserts, where no psychologists were available. But Caroline Hunt, president of the Australian Clinical Psychology Association, the peak body for psychologists with a clinical qualification, said her top priority was funding postgraduate places for clinical psychology.
“The government would be better off putting more money into the training system to enhance that workforce,” she said.