2005–2026

Celebrating 21 years of STAP

From our first public supervisor training program in 2005 to our 21st anniversary, this is the story of STAP and the people who shaped it.

Dr Aaron Frost, Founding Professors, Analise O'Donovan, Roger Dooley (AM), David Kavanagh, and Founding Administrator, Elsa Green

Our 21st anniversary lunch

A celebratory lunch at the Stamford Plaza, Brisbane on the 24th October, 2026 brought together many of the people who have brought their minds, hearts and souls to STAP, both in the past and the present.

Celebrations were filled with friendship, warm reunions, respect, pride, shared memories, and a deep sense of gratitude for the people who have contributed to STAP's establishment and journey over the past two decades. 

The original founders celebrated alongside past and present evaluators, administrators, trainers, and current and former STAP teams. Recognising those who lay down the foundations, and those who have sustained and strengthened it was the main point of the celebration. But most of all, noticing the collective spirit that continues to guide the future of supervision is very special.

21-Year Timeline

See how STAP grew from small beginnings into a program with contemporary offerings, key partnerships, and supervisor training outcomes over 21 years.

2004 Founding

The Supervisor Training and Approval Program (STAP) was developed in 2004 as a collaborative effort between the Psychologists Board of Queensland, Griffith University, Queensland University of Technology (QUT), and the University of Queensland (UQ). It was created to provide a structured, competency-based approach to psychology supervision training in Australia.

2005 First Publicly Available Program Launch

STAP was initiated to improve the quality of supervision training and was the first program in Australia to require a formal skills evaluation, becoming a "gold standard" for subsequent training programs.

2010 National Recognition

With the introduction of the National Registration and Accreditation Scheme for health practitioners in July 2010 STAP was recognised as a leading provider.

2011 Nationwide Training Expansion

STAP began training on a national level, providing in-person supervisor training to all major cities as well as a focus on reaching regional centres.

2013 Mandatory Training Integration 

As of July 1, 2013, the Psychology Board of Australia (PsyBA) required all supervisors to complete approved training. STAP was approved as one of the key providers.

2019 Leadership Transition

In 2019, the leadership of STAP moved from Pro-Vice Chancellor Analise O'Donovan at Griffith University to Benchmark Psychology, under the direction of Dr. Aaron Frost.

2026 21-year anniversary

We mark 21 years with refreshed materials, updated learning tools, a suite of masterclass offerings, and an enduring focus on helping you reach your next milestone.

From the archives

2005

The original cohort of evaluators listed in the Psychologists Board of Queensland newsletter, 9 of whom continue as STAP evaluators today.

2007

An excerpt from a report to the Psychology Board of Queensland providing an update on workshop numbers from November 2004 - October, 2007 - number of workshop attendees, workshops, waiting lists and future workshops planned.

2006

Mail trays from the first STAP office received hundreds of VHS videos in the early days.

2006

Original STAP office

2005

Aaron Frost and Analise O'Donovan filming the original role-play demonstrations for training.

2005

One of the first evaluations by Roger Dooley of Andrea Quinn who then became one of the first cohort of evaluators.

2006

Aaron Frost and Roger Dooley

2022

International STAP supervisor training began in Malaysia and Singapore

2005

Some of the original role-plays filmed by STAP Founders for the initial training videos.

2004

We acknowledge the significant years of contribution of Rhonnda Dooley as STAP Administrator and we honour her legacy and foundation.

2004

We are deeply grateful for the dedication and hard work of past STAP Administrator, Elsa Green.

2005

Excerpt from the Psychologists Board of Queensland documenting the successful Consortium - University of Queensland, Griffith University and Queensland University of Technology to establish STAP as a supervisor training provider.

Reflections

I'm proud to have been a STAP evaluator from the start. Over the years, I've been privileged to observe some excellent supervisory practice. It's been a very positive experience. 
Dr Jane Scott
Past and Present Evaluator
I joined the first cohort of STAP trainees in 2004 to populate the new pool of evaluators. Mostly, I recall those years as a time of feeling connected to my profession, working with Roger and Rhonnda Dooley.
Dr Andrea Quinn
Past Evaluator
Being a STAP evaluator has been a privilege I have valued. I commenced STAP in 2011 when paper assessments only were used. 
Peter Williams
Past and Present Evaluator
Explore & Join

Join us at the 2027 National Psychology Supervision Conference

As we celebrate 21 years of STAP, we’re bringing psychologists together in Sydney to share what they’re learning about supervision and discuss where the profession goes next.

The program includes a pre-conference masterclass, a lunchtime poster session and free networking drinks after the conference. If you’re a student or early in your psychology career, we’d especially love to see you there and welcome submissions for the poster session.