The University of Otago’s psychology assistant training programme has been delayed a year because the Psychologists Board had not approved its accreditation application in time to start in Semester 1.

The Auckland University of Technology and the University of Canterbury have confirmed their respective courses are on track to begin in Semester 2.

But many in the sector have opposed the training going ahead, fearing psychology assistants could replace the more rigorously trained psychologist workforce.

The one-year postgraduate diploma was developed as part of efforts by the Government to train 500 more mental health professionals a year.

A year ago, Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey announced the new psychology assistant role, saying they would help ease workforce shortages and ensure more people are receiving the support they need.

It would also offer an opportunity for psychology students who graduated with an undergraduate degree to continue pursuing a career within the mental health and addiction workforce.

Those who completed the training would become registered health professionals working under supervision within services, with the goal of freeing registered psychologists to focus on more complex cases.

At the start of last month, Doocey told Newstalk ZB the three universities were developing programmes for the psychology assistant training pathway.

The University of Otago was working to start its programme in February, while Auckland University of Technology and University of Canterbury were set for a Semester 2 start.

But two weeks later, the University of Otago’s clinical psychology programme director, Associate Professor Richard Linscott, said the first intake for the Postgraduate Diploma in Psychological Assessment and Intervention programme was now expected to be at the start of 2027.

Despite being ready to run the programme this year, the university was still awaiting a formal response to the application made to the New Zealand Psychologists Board in November.

The board said the process for all applications involves a detailed review against its published standards, which might include requests for further information or clarification.

When Newstalk ZB put the delay to Doocey, he said the board operates independently and makes decisions separately from him.

He also reiterated his earlier belief that Auckland University of Technology and the University of Canterbury courses would go ahead as planned.

Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey says the psychology assistant programme will improve outcomes for New Zealanders. Photo / Mark Mitchell

Doocey expressed confidence in the programme making a real difference, calling it a common-sense move.

He said widening the pipeline into psychology could help drive down vacancies, reduce wait times, and improve outcomes for New Zealanders in their time of need.

Many in the field, however, felt it warranted more thought, especially before psychology assistants started working in the public domain.

New Zealand College of Clinical Psychologists vice-president Laura Barkwill said the main concern was the risk of these graduates filling up vacancies for registered psychologists.

She said the Government and health service should instead be looking into why so many psychologists are dropping out of the public system.

New Zealand College of Clinical Psychologists vice-president Laura Barkwill has concerns about the Government's push. Photo / Supplied

Barkwill pointed to a lack of clarity over the psychology assistant’s place within services, which patients they could work with, and whether their supervising psychologist would be present or remote.

She also questioned the rigour of the training, noting clinical psychologists, in comparison, undertake Masters or Doctorate-level training and supervised practice over several years, covering clinical assessment, formulation, diagnosis, and evidence-based, psychological interventions for specific difficulties.

The programmes set to start Semester 2 would involve online and in-person teaching, as well as practical experience, and require at least a Bachelor’s degree in psychology for entry, which is expected to be competitive.

Claudia O’Neill is an Auckland-based Multimedia Journalist for Newstalk ZB with an interest in science, health and geopolitics. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Auckland and a Postgraduate Diploma in Journalism (Distinction) from Massey University. She joined NZME in 2023.