What is the Cairnmillar Institute’s G-PIP?

It’s a funded Graduate Psychology Internship Program (5+1) for provisional psychologists.

Who is eligible for Cairnmillar’s G-PIP?

You need to have completed an APAC-accredited 5th-year psychology course and be eligible for provisional PsyBA registration.

Is the G-PIP at Cairnmillar free?

Yes — the program is free until June 2027, thanks to Australian Government funding.

What supervision does Cairnmillar provide for interns in G-PIP?

You get 30 hours of group supervision + 60 hours of CPD training at no cost.

Can Cairnmillar help me find an internship placement?

Cairnmillar guides you and explores agency opportunities, but securing the placement is the intern’s responsibility.

Is Cairnmillar’s G-PIP available to international students?

No — the G-PIP is only available for domestic (Australian) provisional psychologists.

Graduate Psychology Internship Program

Welcome to the G-PIP program!

The G-PIP program is funded under a federal government grant and is designed to support provisional psychologists undertaking the 5+1 Internship pathway. The G-PIP grant directs approximately 50% of internship places to those working in priority mental health areas, ensuring support where it is most needed. The remaining internships will support Community-Funded Services (state and federal), Child and Family services, and Regional, Rural, and Remote Areas (outside MMM3-7). Through this program, both interns and host organisations may be eligible for significant subsidies and incentives, with a total value per intern of $12,614. Thes benefits include:

Benefits for Provisional Psychologists

Principal Supervision Subsidy – up to $6,000 (pro rata) per intern if delivered via the Host Agency, or we can link the intern to a Board-Approved Supervisor.
30 Hours of Group Supervision – provided at no cost by The Cairnmillar Institute.
60 Hours of CPD Training – provided at no cost by The Cairnmillar Institute.

Benefits for Host Organisations

Onboarding Incentive Payments – up to $3,000 per intern

for organisations supporting priority areas:

First Nations communities,
CALD communities,
Regional, rural, and remote areas within the MMM3-7

for organisations that provide (subject to funding availability)

Community-Funded Services (state and federal),
Child and Family Services, and
Regional, Rural, and Remote Areas within MMM 2.

Direct Access to Interns – we can connect you with our pool of provisional psychologists who are actively seeking internship placements. Your organisation retains the decision-making power to select and employ interns who best meet your service needs.

Relocation Support for Interns

Interns relocating to regional, rural, or remote areas within the MMM3–7 classification may be eligible for rental relief of up to $ 14,400 per year.

Our aim is to strengthen the psychology workforce nationally, particularly in priority areas, while ensuring that interns receive well-supported training throughout their journey.

Expressions of interest for this program are now open!

Features of G-PIP

For the full details of the program, watch our information session:

For Interns:	For Organisations/Agencies:	For Supervisors:*
Free online, self-paced CPD (60 hours)	Cairnmillar provides CPD for your intern during the internship year.	Free access to our “Community of Practice – Supervision App” (to commence in Feb 2025). Among many resources, the App provides: - free education on supervision - the latest research on supervision - discussion forums - an option for supervisor- supervisee matching. *Please note that applications for supervisor positions are currently closed.
Group and Individual supervision (80 hours)	Assistance with recruitment and intern onboarding.
Weekly individual support / coaching if required	Incentive payments if the intern is supported to work in a priority area.
Potential rental relief (if working in a rural or remote area (MMM3-7).	Assistance with meeting supervision requirements.
Assistance identifying work opportunities for interns.	Facilitate advertising your placement opportunities to interns.

Express your interest in the G-PIP program at any time by registering here.

Entry Requirements

Applicants must have successfully completed an APAC accredited fifth year course in psychology and be eligible to hold provisional registration as a psychologist with the Psychology Board of Australia.

This course is not available to international students.

Accreditation

This program is a not an accredited sequence of study.

Fees

The Graduate Psychology Intern Program is available for free until June 2027. This is possible thanks to funding that has been awarded by the Australian Government's Department of Health and Aged Care, to boost and strengthen the psychology workforce as part of their mission to expand support and capacity in this critical area.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

I have registered my Expression of Interest (EOI) for G-PIP. Have I secured a spot in the program?

The EOI is the first step to securing your spot. Once we have reviewed your documents and have confirmed your eligibility, you will receive a welcome letter that serves as confirmation that you have provisionally secured a spot in our G-PIP to complete the 6th-year psychology internship. You will need to secure an internship with an agency within four months of submitting an EOI. If you do not secure a placement within this period, you will need to re-register your EOI, which will be subject to funding availability.

How do I approach potential agencies to secure an internship?

Here is an example script to guide your communication with potential agencies:

"I have been accepted into The Cairnmillar Institute's Graduate Psychology Internship Program (G-PIP). As part of the program, my employer can access up to $9,000 for onboarding allowance and covering individual supervision costs, based on grant guidelines.

To further assist the internship, Cairnmillar can provide:

30 hours group supervision
60 hours professional development provided by Cairnmillar via the webapp Community of Practice (CoP)

For placements in regional or rural areas (classified as MM3 or higher), additional support is available of up to $14,000."

Feel welcome to tailor this script to match your situation and the agency’s focus.

Will Cairnmillar Institute find an agency and secure an internship for me?

CMI facilitates the process by offering guidance and exploring internship opportunities with potential agencies, but securing a placement is the participant’s responsibility.

CMI is actively exploring opportunities with agencies in priority areas, which include:

Supporting First Nations people.
Working with children and youth.
Engaging with culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities.
Community mental health settings.
Regional, rural, and remote areas (classified as MM3-7).

CMI also accepts EOIs from agencies interested in participating in the program - and publishes these opportunities when available.

Participants are encouraged to reach out directly to these agencies to secure a role.

Will Cairnmillar provide a principal supervisor if one is not available at the internship agency?

Ideally, the agency should provide a supervisor, as they are familiar with the workplace culture and the skills required for the role. The funding provided to the agency is designed to cover the costs of individual supervision.

However, if the internship aligns with one of the designated priority areas, CMI can assist in connecting you with a qualified external supervisor, subject to availability.

What if I don’t complete the internship in 12 months?

The standard duration of the G-PIP internship is 12 months, in line with the Psychology Board of Australia's requirements. However, if unforeseen circumstances prevent you from completing the internship within this timeframe, you should:

Delay Notification: Discuss your situation with your principal supervisor and notify Cairnmillar and AHPRA if relevant.
Funding Implications: Government funding for G-PIP is allocated for 12 months. Extensions beyond this period may not be eligible for continued financial support.
Plan for Additional Supervision: If an extension is approved, you may need to organize and pay for additional supervision hours to meet the registration requirements.

Why choose Cairnmillar?

We are committed to making student's experiences at Cairnmillar one that continues to assist you beyond your degree. We aim to provide you with skills beyond what you will gain through the units of study, including:

A supportive environment and a close community of students.
Academic writing and study skills support.
An inspiring colloquium program.
Career advice.
Free leadership training and peer mentoring programs.
Friendly staff with an open-door approach.
Professional development opportunities.

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Acknowledgement of Country

We acknowledge the Wurundjeri and Bunurong Peoples of the Kulin Nation as the Traditional Owners of the lands on which The Cairnmillar Institute is located, and we pay our respect to their Elders, past, present and emerging. We also extend these respects to any First Nations peoples engaging with these materials, and our services

Ash Thomas Yorta Yorta/Wiradjuri people There's a Lot Goin' On, 2025

Sometimes in life there’s lots of things goin’ on that can be hard and trying, or easy and happy, but my artwork gives me strength to see out the bad times. This is my Country before colonisation. The lines are like a map representing how our people shaped the Country with their spiritual connections told in songs and stories. The blue water and the red oxide land show my journey line with places I’ve stopped along the way. The small linear patches of dots are all the different mobs and families around Country. The brown patterns and shapes are mountain ridges and waterholes representing time past. The diamond patterns are from patterns on our old shields. Their colours represent connection to culture and the red dirt and many coloured sands that make up our beautiful Country. The group of Elders sitting with their spears are telling stories of Bunjil the eagle, our Creator, and passing down their knowledge of tracking and hunting. The goannas are my Ancestors watching, mesmerised, over their Country and culture.

This artwork was created through The Torch, a not-for-profit organisation that provides art, cultural and arts industry support to First Nations people currently in, or recently released, from Victorian prisons.