Last updated 22 September 2025.
There’s a growing need for mental health and addiction support across Aotearoa New Zealand. If you’ve completed a Psychology bachelor’s degree and want to contribute to mental health and addiction care in your community, this qualification provides a practical first step. Initiated by Health NZ | Te Whatu Ora and supported by the New Zealand Psychologists Board, the programme contributes to addressing the national demand for trained professionals.
The training is workforce-focused, combining academic learning with practical placements delivered through purpose-designed courses. Students from across New Zealand can take part, with courses offered in a blended learning format, combing online learning with face to face block teaching to minimise travel. It is hoped that students will be able to complete placements in their own communities. Once accredited by the NZPB, graduates will be eligible to register as Psychology Assistants, with options to return to further study to upskill and pursue existing pathways to full registration.
Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury (UC) is developing this new postgraduate training pathway that builds on an undergraduate psychology degree – read the announcement of this new training.
Any university wishing to offer a new programme of study must go through a multi-stage, peer-reviewed approval process, overseen by the Committee on University Academic Programmes (CUAP). This rigorous and collaborative process includes consultation with internal and external partners and ensures alignment with Te Tiriti o Waitangi. With the approved scope and competencies now in place for Psychology Assistants, UC has started this process.
Psychology Assistants (a role previously referred to as Associate Psychologists) are a new workforce proposed by Health NZ | Te Whatu Ora as one of several initiatives to address the ongoing gap in mental health and addiction service provision in Aotearoa New Zealand. Psychology Assistants will be registered health professionals, registered by the New Zealand Psychologists Board (NZPB), who support and enhance psychological care within teams and under supervision.
The NZPB recently approved the Psychology Assistant scope and competencies, following a process of consultation with relevant stakeholders. You can read their announcement, the scope, title, competencies, and supervision requirements. The NZ Psychologists Board also confirmed that the new qualification will be a Postgraduate Diploma (120 points), open to applicants with at least a Bachelor’s degree in psychology.
This programme will be a blended delivery with half coursework, and half placements. This blended learning format combines online learning with face to face block teaching to minimise travel. Additional information on the course structure will be available soon.
This timeline is subject to regulatory approval.
Who is the programme for?
Psychology graduates wanting applied roles and unregistered mental health and addiction staff with a psychology degree who want to upskill.
Where can I study this programme?
This programme is accessable nationally.
Can I study this part-time?
No, there is no part-time study options currently available for this programme.
Will this lead to full registration with the NZ Psychologists Board?
Yes, you will be registered with the NZ Psychologists Board in the Assistant Psychologist scope of practice.
Contact us to register your interest. We will share updates on this page and reach out directly with any major news.
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