For postgraduate psychology training

Assess practicum competencies with confidence.

Placement Review is the online platform used by Australian and New Zealand universities to evaluate Clinical and Professional Psychology trainees during placement — with validated tools, structured reports, and trainee self-assessment built in.

Developed by Australian, NZ & UK researchers Used by 17+ subscribing institutions Backed by ALTC research funding
Supervised Placements
A. Nguyen — Mid Placement Finished
M. Patel — Mid Placement In Progress
J. Walker — End Placement Not Started
S. Chen — Self-Assessment Available
Trainee competence progress (VMAT-CΨPRS)
Rating · Diagnosis
Below expected ←→ Above
14 competence domains
Validated competence assessment · Mid & End Placement modules · Trainee self-evaluation built in · Institution-level reporting
How it works

See Placement Review in action

Two purpose-built competency assessment tools, supporting trainees and supervisors at every stage of the placement.

VMAT-CΨPRS for Clinical Psychology

A combination of the Clinical Psychology Placement Rating Scale (CΨPRS) and the Vignette Matching Assessment Tool (VMAT) — chart trainee progress across 14 competence domains using a visual analogue scale.

  • 14 evidence-based competence domains
  • Standardised vignettes reduce rater bias
  • Mid & End placement modules
  • Aligned with Australian & NZ accreditation

Learn more about VMAT-CΨPRS →

CΨPRS · Visual Analogue Rating
Diagnosis & Clinical Assessment
BeginnerIntermediateEntry-Level Practitioner
Case ConceptualisationRated
Individual & Cultural DiversityIn Progress
Ethical PracticeRated

PCAM for Master of Professional Psychology

The Practicum Competencies Assessment Measure (PCAM) is designed specifically for Master of Professional Psychology programs (APAC Level 3 standalone), with a categorical scale across 14 domains.

  • Categorical competence scale
  • Tailored to MPP placement contexts
  • Mid & End placement PCAM modules
  • Includes cultural responsiveness domain

Learn more about PCAM →

PCAM · Categorical Rating
Risk Assessment
Not Yet
Developing
Competent
Proficient
Case ConceptualisationCompetent
InterventionDeveloping
ProfessionalismCompetent

One dashboard for supervisors

See every active supervised placement at a glance. Open a placement, complete Mid or End ratings, release reports to your trainee — all in one place.

  • Multiple institutions on a single account
  • Mid & End Placement Review modules
  • Section-by-section save & finalise
  • Release reports to trainees on your schedule

Supervisor FAQs →

My Placements · Term 1, 2026
A. Nguyen — Clinical (UNSW)Finished
M. Patel — MPP (Macquarie)In Progress
J. Walker — Clinical (Western Sydney)Not Started
S. Chen — Clinical (UTS)Finished
D. Brown — MPP (Bond)Available

Trainee self-assessment (Clinical)

Clinical Psychology trainees complete structured self-evaluations at Mid and End Placement. Compare your perspective against supervisor ratings once your placement rating is released.

  • Save & resume across sections
  • Mid and End Placement self-assessment
  • Releases after supervisor finalises
  • Supports reflective practice

Trainee FAQs →

Self-Assessment · End Placement
Section 3 of 5 · Section saved
Section 1 · Placement DetailsSaved
Section 2 · Self-rating: AssessmentSaved
Section 3 · Self-rating: InterventionIn Progress
Section 4 · ReflectionNot Started
Why Placement Review

Competence assessment shouldn't be subjective.

For decades, evaluating practitioner competence in psychology has been an important — but difficult — problem. Placement Review grew from a multi-site research programme committed to making competence assessment objective, valid, and consistent.

  • Standardised vignettes reduce inflated supervisor ratings
  • Validated across multiple cohorts and institutions
  • Structured to support gate-keeping decisions confidently
Why this matters
17+
Subscribing institutions across AU/NZ
14
Validated competence domains
18+
Peer-reviewed publications
2x
Mid & End Placement reviews
For everyone in the placement

One system. Two roles. Clear outcomes.

Placement Review supports both sides of the supervised practicum — with the right tools for each.

Psychology Trainees

  • Add and edit placement details
  • Assign placements to your supervisor
  • Complete trainee self-assessment (Clinical)
  • View Mid & End Placement reports
Register as a trainee →

Supervisors

  • View all active supervised placements
  • Assess trainees at Mid and End Placement
  • Release reports on your schedule
  • View trainee self-assessments (Clinical)
Register as a supervisor →
Subscribing institutions

Trusted by universities across Australia & New Zealand

A consortium of subscribing universities and education institutions offering postgraduate Clinical Psychology and Professional Psychology programs.

Subscribing institution logos

Partner networks

Built on research

Funded by ALTC and OLT research grants

Funding for an initial version of this project was provided by the 2010 Australian Learning and Teaching Council Research Grant and the 2014 Office of Learning & Teaching Innovation and Development Research Grant. Today it is developed and funded by a consortium of subscribing institutions.

2010 ALTC Research Grant 2014 OLT Innovation Grant Multi-site validation
Featured publication

"Innovations in competence assessment: Design and initial validation of the Vignette Matching Assessment Tool (VMAT)."

Gonsalvez, C. J., Deane, F. P., Terry, J., Nasstasia, Y., & Shires, A. (2021). Training and Education in Professional Psychology, 15(2).
See all publications →
Get started

Ready to use Placement Review?

Whether you're a trainee, supervisor, or representing a subscribing institution, get started in minutes.