Existing Members must be nominated for the grade of Fellow, which recognises exemplary contributions to the APS and to the discipline and/or profession of psychology. Fellows can display their membership status with the post-nominals FAPS, for Fellow of the APS.

How to apply

• Click here for information on the election process, how to nominate, application assistance and Standing Orders outlining eligibility criteria.

This grade may be bestowed on existing Fellows who have made an extraordinary contribution to the advancement of the Society and a distinguished contribution to the advancement of psychological knowledge or practice. Honorary Fellows can display their membership status with the post-nominals Hon FAPS, for Honorary Fellow of the APS. For example, Jane Williams Hon FAPS. Honorary Fellows do not pay a membership subscription.

How to apply

• For information on the provision to propose an Honorary Fellow, please contact the National Office on (03) 8662 3300 or 1800 333 497 toll free.

The grade of Member is available to people who have completed a six-year sequence of study in psychology. The six years must cover four years of Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC) accredited study in psychology, as well as either a two year or more APAC-accredited postgraduate coursework degree, or a postgraduate research degree (minimum two years full-time) in psychology. For more information about accredited courses and study paths, see Studying psychology.

Members of the APS can display their membership status with the post nominals MAPS, for Member of the APS. For example, Michael Griffiths MAPS.

As part of the Member application process, applicants need to be nominated by a current Honorary Fellow, Fellow or Member of the Society, who must complete and sign the Nominator section on page 3 of the Member application form. Applicants who are unable to get an Honorary Fellow, Fellow or Member to nominate them should instead supply two recent written references about their suitability for election to the grade of Member from people who have overseen their work or study. The following pro-forma has been designed to assist applicants in this situation.

• If unable to find nominator, download proforma  (148kb)

The non-standard route to the grade of Member is for people whose situation does not fit the standard route. Clause 9(c) enables people who may have other qualifications, under certain circumstances, to fulfil the requirements for election to be a Member of the Society.

Non-standard route requirements

To assist applicants to determine whether they would be likely to succeed in being elected to the grade of Member via this route, applicants should forward a Member application form together with documentation that demonstrates the following:

For applicants who are primarily practitioners

Applications usually will be considered no sooner than five (5) years following full registration as a psychologist practising psychology. The applicant must provide an integrated summary demonstrating how they have made an outstanding contribution to the field of psychology over a sustained period of time. Such evidence might include:

• managing psychological services
• demonstrating psychological expertise in specific areas
• holding senior positions of responsibility
• providing expert consultancies as a psychologist
• substantial teaching, training or supervision of psychology students or trainees at a university
• supervising provisionally registered psychologists towards full registration
• significant recognition within the profession from other psychologists (for example, letters of reference).

For applicants who are primarily academics

Applications usually will be considered no sooner than five (5) years following commencement of employment in an academic position. The applicant must provide an integrated summary demonstrating how they have made an outstanding contribution to the discipline of psychology over a sustained period of time. Such evidence might include:

• publications - journal articles, books, and book chapters
• innovations in the profession such as new treatment approaches, new research findings
• as a representative from the field of psychology on committees and/or boards
• substantial teaching, training or supervision of psychology students or trainees at a university
• supervising students pursuing postgraduate research degrees in psychology
• significant recognition within the discipline from other psychologists (for example, letters of reference).

In addition, all applicants should provide:

• evidence of participation in continuing professional development activities over several years and a comprehensive curriculum vitae, which details their employment history in the field of psychology.

AND

• Comprehensive reports which address the above criteria (at least two A4 pages) from at least two psychologist colleagues, who must hold the grade of Member of the Society and be closely familiar with the applicant’s work.

Applicants are also encouraged to submit any other documentation which they consider is relevant and will strengthen their application, such as evidence of commitment to the profession of psychology; for example, involvement at the local Branch level as an Associate Member of the Society, or involvement in other psychological societies and/or other relevant professional bodies.

Further information

Please contact Member Services:

PO Box 38
Flinders Lane VIC 8009
Tel: 61 3 8662 3300
Fax: 61 3 9663 6177
Email: membership@psychology.org.au

How to apply

• Please complete the application form: Member Application Form (PDF, 173KB)

Member, New Graduate

Choose this option if you completed your 5th and 6th year course requirements within the past 12 months from today*. This option gives you a 50% discount on your first year of APS membership and a 25% discount on your second year of APS membership. Your fees will then revert to the standard Member rate for the following APS financial year.

* The date that determines whether you are eligible for the Member, New Graduate rate is the date when you met all the course requirements for your degree, NOT the date when you graduated or received your qualification certificate.

• Member, New Graduate application form (PDF, 652KB)

Member, Recent Graduate

Choose this option of you completed your 5th and 6th year course requirements within 24 months (2 years) from today*. This option gives you a 25% discount in your first year of APS membership. Your fees will then revert to the standard Member rate for the following APS financial year.

* The date that determine whether you are eligible for the Member, New Graduate rate is the date when you met all the course requirements for your degree, NOT the date when you graduated or received your qualification certificate.

• Member, Recent Graduate application form (PDF, 652KB)

Members who may be eligible for other reductions will be given the most generous of the relevant reduction available.

This grade is available to those who have completed an Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC) accredited four-year sequence of study in psychology. Associate Members of the APS can use the post-nominals Assoc MAPS, for Associate Member of the APS. For example, Peter Lee Assoc MAPS.

As part of the Associate Member application process, applicants need to be nominated by a current Honorary Fellow, Fellow or Member of the Society, who must complete and sign the Nominator section on page 3 of the Associate Member application form. Applicants who are unable to get an Honorary Fellow, Fellow or Member to nominate them should instead supply two recent written references about their suitability for election to the grade of Associate Member from people who have overseen their work or study. The following pro-forma has been designed to assist applicants in this situation.

• If unable to find nominator, Download document  (126kb)

How to apply

• Please complete the application form: Associate Member Application Form (PDF, 173KB)

Associate Member, New Graduate

Choose this option if you have completed your 4th year course requirements within the past 12 months from today*. This option gives you a 33% discount in your first year of APS membership. Your fees will then revert to the standard Associate Member rate for the following APS financial year.

* The date that determine whether you are eligible for the Associate Member, New Graduate rate is the date when you met all the course requirements for your degree, NOT the date when you graduated or received your qualification certificate.

• Associate Member, New Graduate application form (PDF, 652KB)

Members who may be eligible for other reductions will be given the most generous of the relevant reductions available. For instance, those who are currently studying full-time may instead apply for a Student Reduction.

The APS offers reduced subscription fees to Associate Members who are enrolled full-time in fifth and sixth year courses accredited by APAC, or enrolled full-time in fifth and sixth year research degrees. Following confirmation of enrolment in an accredited course, membership subscription is reduced to the current Student Subscriber rate. The reduction must be applied for annually.

For those enrolled in research degrees, the subsequent election to the grade of Member depends on the final assessment of the psychology content of the research thesis by the Membership Committee.

• Download reduced fees for full-time students form (72kb)

For those enrolled part-time in an APAC accredited psychology course or postgraduate research degree who are also on a low income, a reduction via Clause 30 may apply.

• Download Clause 30 reduction form for part-time students on a low income (159kb)

This grade is available to students who are currently studying an Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC) accredited tertiary course in psychology (refer to the list of accredited courses at www.apac.psychology.org.au) or a postgraduate research degree in psychology such as a Masters or PhD. A psychology coordinator, lecturer or head of the psychology department must verify a student’s application.

*For applications lodged after 11 February 2015, the subscription year will end 31 May 2016 and the 2015-16 Student Subscriber fee will apply.

How to apply

• Please complete the application form: Student Subscriber Application Form (PDF, 154KB)

Sign up today and enjoy...

Valued professional resources

✔ Subscription to the APS flagship bulletin, InPsych*

✔ Copy of APS Code of Ethics and access to more than 20 different Ethical Guidelines for psychologists

✔ Online access to APS journals

✔ Up-to-date practitioner and consumer resources

Keeping abreast of the latest developments in Australian psychology

✔ Fortnightly email update on news and APS website links for both national and international APS members

Discounted professional development opportunities

✔ Special reduced rates for APS Annual Conference registration

✔ Reduced rates for APS professional development seminars and workshops including a range of online options

Actively supporting the discipline and profession of psychology in the Australian landscape

* The cost of becoming an International Affiliate of the APS is less than the overseas subscription rate for InPsych

This grade requires the completion of an Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC) accredited three-year sequence of study in psychology. For information about accredited courses and study paths, see Studying psychology.

How to apply

• Please complete the application form: Affiliate Application Form (PDF, 148KB)  

This grade is available to those living overseas who are members of a professional psychology membership body or organisation similar to the APS. To be admitted as a International Affiliate of the Australian Psychological Society, you must provide proof of membership of a recognised national psychology association outside Australia.

How to apply

Complete the application form: International Affiliate Application Form (PDF, 134KB)

APS College membership

International Affiliates can also join an APS College in one of nine specialty areas:

• Clinical Neuropsychology
• Clinical Psychology
• Community Psychology
• Counselling Psychology
• Educational and Developmental Psychology
• Forensic Psychology
• Health Psychology
• Organisational Psychology
• Sport Psychology

Benefits

College International Affiliate members will have notification and access to College-specific:

• CPD programs
• Professional resources
• Promotional materials and activities
• Discussion forums and electronic communications

Criteria

College International Affiliates must be an International Affiliate of the Society and interested in the specialist field of the College.

This grade is available to professionals other than psychologists who have completed a university degree and are current members of a relevant professional association.

How to apply

Complete the application form: Professional Affiliate Application Form (PDF,145KB)

This grade is available to secondary school (years 10 to 12) teachers of psychology. A school principal or equivalent must certify a Teacher Affiliate application.

How to apply

Please complete the application form: Teacher Affiliate Application Form (PDF, 136KB)

If your qualifications were obtained from outside Australia, please download a List of Supplementary Questions form, which should be completed and submitted with your membership application form (PDF forms available on right hand side of this page).

• List of Supplementary Questions form  (37kb)

To upgrade your APS membership, you will need to download and complete the relevant PDF application form. Both upgrading members and new applicants use the same application form when applying for APS membership.

Please choose the appropriate membership application form listed on the right hand side of this page. Upgrading your membership via the online application form is not available.

You will not pay anything at the time of upgrading your membership. If you are eligible for a Graduate Reduction, you will receive the relevant reduction in the 2014-15 APS financial year.

Ex-members who are seeking to re-join the APS should complete the Membership Reinstatement form (197kb).

Please note that if your membership has lapsed for more than 10 years, you will need to reapply for membership using the application form for the relevant grade, and submitting all documentation requested.

APS membership expires annually on 31 May. If you are a new member and join during the year, pro rata rates are payable. Subscription reminders are sent to all existing members in May each year, with payment due no later than 31 July in order to maintain current membership.

To support APS members experiencing significant variations in their financial circumstances during their careers as psychologists, the APS provides a range of membership fee reductions. Eligibility for fee reductions applies to contexts such as studying, reduced income associated with maternity/paternity leave or health issues, retirement, financial hardship or temporary residence overseas.

Find out full details and download a reduction application form at Membership fee reductions.

Membership grades are split into voting and non-voting categories. Voting members may vote in the election of the Board of Directors, the results of which are announced at the annual general meeting, held as part of the annual conference.

Below is a list of membership grades, divided into voting and non-voting membership.

If you have read the information above and the relevant application form, and you have any queries, please see our frequently asked questions outlined in the following four sections:

• Application process
• Membership grades
• APS membership
• For students

For any further queries about membership with the APS, please contact the APS on our toll free number on 1800 333 497 or on 03 8662 3300 from Melbourne or by email at membership@psychology.org.au.