Clinical Psychologists

The salary, leave and benefits of Clinical Psychologists practising in New Zealand are covered by either the APEX or PSA collective agreement.

APEX Psychologists Collective Agreement

Salary

• 16-step progression scale; Steps 1–5 increase automatically each year.
  • Salary range: NZD $85,000 – $150,000.
• Intern Psychologists: 2-step scale
  • Salary range: NZD $60,319 – $70,112.
• Steps 6+ are merit-based; progression depends on performance.
• Overtime and penal rates apply where relevant.

Allowances

• • Higher duties and night shift allowances.

Leave

• • Annual leave: 4 weeks, increasing to 5 weeks after 5 years’ service.
  • Shift work: Up to 5 additional days after 12 months on qualifying shifts.
  • Sick leave: Minimum 10 days per year plus up to 10 discretionary days.
  • Parental leave: 6–12 months depending on length of service; up to 14 weeks paid.
  • Public holidays: 12 paid days plus time in lieu or alternative holiday if rostered on.

Additional benefits

• • Reimbursement of professional registration costs.
  • Professional indemnity insurance is covered by Health NZ.
  • Minimum of 5 days CPD leave per year; up to $3,000 per year towards CPD.
  • If eligible, a minimum 3% employer superannuation contribution.

PSA Allied Health, Health, Scientific and Technical Collective Agreement

Salary

• • 16-step progression scale; Steps 1–5 increase automatically each year.
    • Salary range: NZD $85,000 – $150,000.
  • Intern Psychologists: 2-step scale
    • Salary range: NZD $60,319 – $70,112.
  • Steps 6+ are merit-based; progression depends on performance.
  • Overtime and penal rates apply where relevant.

Allowances

• • Higher duties and night shift allowances.

Leave

• • Annual leave: 4 weeks, increasing to 5 weeks after 5 years’ service.
  • Shift work: Up to 5 additional days after 12 months on qualifying shifts.
  • On-call leave: Up to 3 additional days per year for required on-call duties.
  • Sick and domestic leave: 10 days per year plus up to 10 discretionary days; can accumulate up to 260 days.
  • Parental leave: 6–12 months depending on length of service; applies to birth, adoption, and Whāngai arrangements.
  • Public holidays: Paid leave or alternative holiday if rostered to work.
  • Bereavement/Tangihanga leave: Paid leave for family bereavement or cultural obligations.
  • Family violence leave: Support and leave are available in line with legislation.

Additional benefits

• • Reimbursement of professional registration costs.
  • Professional indemnity insurance is covered by Health NZ.
  • Minimum of 5 days CPD leave per year; up to $3,000 per year towards CPD.
  • If eligible, a minimum 3% employer superannuation contribution.

Employment agreements — Health New Zealandexternal link

To work as a Clinical Psychologist in New Zealand, professionals must meet specific qualifications, experience and skills requirements. We provide an overview on this page, for more detailed registration and practice guidelines, visit the New Zealand Psychologists Board website.

New Zealand Psychologists Boardexternal link

Required qualifications

• Master’s or Doctorate Degree in Clinical Psychology
  Candidates must have completed a recognised postgraduate degree in clinical psychology, typically at a master's or doctoral level, which includes supervised clinical training.
• Registration with the New Zealand Psychologists Board
  Clinical psychologists must be registered with the New Zealand Psychologists Board under the Clinical Scope of Practice. This involves meeting competency standards and adhering to a code of ethics.
• Annual Practising Certificate (APC)
  Psychologists must hold a valid APC, which requires ongoing professional development and practice within ethical guidelines.

Experience

• Supervised clinical experience
  As part of their postgraduate training, clinical psychologists undergo several hundred hours of supervised clinical practice. Experience in various therapeutic settings is essential, for example hospitals, mental health clinics.
• Specialised experience
  Some positions may require experience in specific areas such as child and adolescent psychology, trauma, or neuropsychology.

Key skills

• Diagnostic and assessment skills
  Ability to conduct psychological assessments, diagnose mental health disorders, and develop treatment plans based on evidence-based practices.
• Therapeutic interventions
  Expertise in delivering therapeutic interventions such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), psychodynamic therapy, and other treatment modalities.
• Communication and empathy
  Strong interpersonal skills to communicate effectively with clients, families, and healthcare teams. Clinical psychologists must exhibit empathy and active listening.
• Cultural competence
  In New Zealand, knowledge and application of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and cultural safety in practice are crucial, especially when working with Māori and other diverse populations.
• Ethical and professional standards
  A commitment to maintaining confidentiality, professionalism, and adhering to the ethical standards outlined by the New Zealand Psychologists Board.
• Team collaboration
  Ability to work collaboratively within multidisciplinary teams, often involving other healthcare professionals, social workers, and psychiatrists.
• Critical thinking and problem-solving
  Clinical psychologists must use critical thinking to assess complex cases and apply tailored interventions for various psychological issues.

Additional competencies

• Flexibility and adaptability to work with diverse populations and a range of mental health conditions.
• Commitment to ongoing professional development and upskilling.

To practice as a Clinical Psychologist in New Zealand, individuals must meet specific registration requirements outlined by the New Zealand Psychologists Board under the Clinical Scope of Practice.

New Zealand Psychologists Boardexternal link

Steps for registration

• Application
  Submit an application form, along with evidence of academic qualifications, supervised clinical experience, and any professional development completed.
• Competency assessment
  Applicants may need to provide evidence of competency in key areas, such as diagnosis, treatment planning, therapeutic interventions, and cultural competence.
• Examination
  If the qualification is from an overseas institution, the candidate might be required to sit for a competency examination or provide proof of equivalent experience.

Annual Practising Certificate (APC)

After registration, clinical psychologists must apply for an APC to practice in New Zealand legally. The APC is renewed annually and requires evidence of ongoing professional development and compliance with the Psychologists Board’s code of ethics and standards.

Fitness to practice

Applicants must demonstrate they are fit to practice psychology, which includes physical and mental health assessments and background checks to ensure the candidate meets professional standards and ethical requirements.

Psychologist

Psychologists in this scope apply psychological knowledge to assess, understand, and influence behaviour, emotions, or cognitive processes. They may work across a variety of settings and client groups.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Psychology or higher from an accredited institution.
• Completion of a Board-accredited practicum or internship with a minimum of 1,500 hours of supervised practice.

Clinical Psychologist

Focuses on assessing, diagnosing, and treating emotional, mental, behavioural, or developmental issues through evidence-based therapeutic interventions.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Psychology.
• Postgraduate Diploma in Clinical Psychology or equivalent.
• 1,500 hours of supervised clinical practice.

Counselling Psychologist

Works with individuals and groups to enhance psychological well-being, personal development, and functioning, often using preventative and developmental approaches.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Psychology.
• Postgraduate Diploma in Counselling Psychology or equivalent.
• 1,500 hours of supervised practice.

Educational Psychologist

Supports children, young people, and educational environments by using psychological assessments and interventions to promote learning and development.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Psychology.
• Postgraduate Diploma in Educational Psychology or equivalent.
• 1,500 hours of supervised practice.

Neuropsychologist

Focuses on brain-behaviour relationships, particularly the assessment and rehabilitation of people with brain injuries or neurological conditions.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Psychology.
• Postgraduate Diploma in Neuropsychology or equivalent.
• 1,500 hours of supervised practice.

Intern Psychologist

Applies to individuals currently enrolled in Board-accredited postgraduate programmes in psychology, undertaking supervised practice as part of their training.

Requirements

• Completion of the academic components of the programme.
• Enrolment in a Board-accredited postgraduate diploma or doctoral programme.

Trainee Psychologist

Applies to individuals in specific employer-based programmes, for example Department of Corrections or Defence Force, undergoing structured training and supervision as a pathway to full registration.

Requirements

• Academic qualifications in psychology.
• Participation in Board-approved supervised practice.