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How to become a psychologist

Understand the pathway to become a psychologist in Australia.

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Want to know how to become a psychologist in Australia?

If you’reÌýcuriousÌýaboutÌýwhy people think,ÌýfeelÌýand behave the way they do,Ìýa career in psychology could be a great fit.ÌýKeep reading to learn more about whatÌýa psychologist does, what careers are available and how to become a registered psychologist in Australia.

What does a psychologist do?

PsychologyÌýis the science of studying human behaviour and how we think,ÌýactÌýand feel.ÌýPsychology offers many career paths, allowing you to specialise in the areas that interest you most. FromÌýconducting research and cognitive testing, to studying the brain and social behaviour, aÌýpsychology degree can lead to registration, or open doors to many other careers.

Skills of a psychologist

PsychologistsÌýexplore human behaviour and use this insight to support people in many settings.ÌýMany psychologists work to care for people, helping clients with mental and emotional disorders, but the skills of a psychologist can be used in all kinds of settings, from research to business.

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How long does it take to become a psychologist?

In Australia,Ìýyou’llÌýcomplete atÌýleast six years of study and trainingÌýto become a psychologist.Ìý

How to become a psychologist in Australia

To become a registered psychologist in Australia,Ìýyou’llÌýneed to complete specific study and supervised training. All psychologists in Australia hold general registration with the Psychology Board of Australia, meaning they meetÌýhigh standardsÌýin education, training, supervised practice, ethical and professionalÌýstandards, and ongoing professional development. To be registered, you need to complete theÌýappropriate studyÌýand training.

WhatÌýqualifications do you need to be a registered psychologist? It starts with the rightÌýundergraduateÌýand postgraduate study.
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Step 1: Complete an undergraduate psychology degree

ÌýA minimum six-year sequence of education and training in psychology isÌýrequiredÌýto become eligible for registration as a psychologist in Australia. Most students start theirÌýstudies with an accredited undergraduateÌýpsychologyÌýdegree.ÌýA Bachelor of Psychology provides a comprehensive understanding of the main discipline areas of psychology and will develop your research, analytical and communication skills.

At 91É«ÇéƬ, you can study:

If you have already completed an undergraduate degree in another field, you can complete a Graduate Diploma of Psychology to begin your pathway towards becoming a registered psychologist.Ìý

Step 2: Complete an accredited four-year sequence

After your bachelor’s degree,Ìýyou’llÌýcomplete an honours year. At 91É«ÇéƬ, you can complete thisÌýas:

IfÌýyou’veÌýcompleted anÌýundergraduate degreeÌýin a different field,Ìýyou can complete a year of honours at 91É«ÇéƬ after you have completed aÌýGraduate Diploma of Psychology.

Once you have completed your honours year, you will receive provisional registration from the Psychology Board of Australia.

*IfÌýyou'reÌýenrolled in a four‑year honours program, you still need to meet the required grade to graduate with honours.

Step 3: Complete postgraduate study

Your next step isÌýpostgraduate study,ÌýwhereÌýyou’llÌýbuild advanced skills to assess, diagnose and support people.Ìý

At 91É«ÇéƬ, you can study a two-year Master of Psychology (Clinical) or Master of Psychology (Forensic), depending on which area of practice you would like to pursue. With this academic pathway, you need to complete these two years of postgraduate study to obtain General Registration from the Psychology Board of Australia.

Alternatively, you can complete aÌýone yearÌýinternship and theÌýNational Psychology Exam toÌýgainÌýGeneral Registration.

Step 4: Apply for a registrar program

At this stage,Ìýyou’reÌýeligible to apply for General Registration with the Psychology Board of Australia and begin practising as a psychologist.ÌýIf you completed the academic pathway, youÌýcanÌýalso choose to complete the relevant registrar program and earn your Area of Practice Endorsement.Ìý

Careers in psychology

Many psychologists work in a care setting, helping people with mental and emotional disorders.ÌýPsychologistsÌýalsoÌýdealÌýwith more than just mental health – they apply their knowledge to relationships, workplaceÌýstressÌýand financialÌýchallenges.ÌýA psychology degree can open doors to diverse psychology jobs across Australia.Ìý

Career opportunities for psychologists are available across the public and private sector in a range of industries and roles including:Ìý
Ìý
  • banking
  • childcare
  • counselling
  • developmental care
  • education
  • industrial relations
  • journalism
  • management consultancy
  • marketing
  • public, community and occupational health
  • recruitment
  • sport
  • statistical and data analysis
  • training and development
  • welfare and youth work.

Ìý

Jobs in psychology

Click through each tab to explore the different roles in psychology.

  • Many psychology graduates choose to begin their careers in health settings.ÌýHealth psychology can include chartered psychologist, psychotherapist, clinicalÌýpsychologistÌýand rehabilitation counselling.

  • Community health psychologyÌýfocuses on supporting people and groups facing social or wellbeing challenges.ÌýIt can include working as a counsellor, but a psychology degree is also helpful in other community-based roles such as being a social worker.

  • Forensic psychology focuses on criminal behaviour, criminal psychology, legalÌýpsychology, forensicÌýneuropsychologyÌýand clinical forensic psychology. It lets you apply your knowledge of human behaviour to help understand,ÌýsolveÌýand prevent crime.

  • There areÌýmanyÌýopportunities for psychology graduates in education. They include educational therapy, educational psychology, guidance counsellor, careerÌýcounsellingÌýandÌýpsychoeducational assessment.ÌýPsychology is also valuable if you want to become a teacherÌý—Ìýteaching psychology is also a possibility.

  • Understanding human behaviours isÌýhighlyÌývaluableÌýinÌýbusiness settings.ÌýThere are directÌýroles working with people, such as a human resource manager.ÌýMore broadly, applying insights into human behaviour can alsoÌýbenefitÌýcareers in IT, finance, sport, the legal sector, government administration, media, advertising,ÌýmarketingÌýand market research.

  • A psychology degree gives you versatile skills you can apply in many roles, from marketing to policy, socialÌýworkÌýor research.Ìý

Frequently asked questions

  • PsychologistsÌýare trained in assessing psychological disorders.ÌýSome psychologists may be trained for medical specialities and focus their work on specific areas. ItÌýis up to the psychologist to ensure they have the correct training and experience to be able to diagnose aÌýcondition.

  • General psychologists are qualified mental health professionals who provide counselling and therapy. Clinical psychologists completeÌýadditionalÌýaccredited training to specialise in clinical work.

  • No.ÌýPsychologistsÌýaren’tÌýmedical doctors, so theyÌýdon’tÌýprescribe medication.

  • Psychologists help people with life issues and mental health problems. TheyÌýprovideÌýa range of treatments, including psychological therapy (psychotherapy or talking therapy), practical advice about managing mental health problems and information to help patients understand their symptoms and treatments.

  • ´¡ÌýpsychologyÌýdegreeÌýpreparesÌýyou for careers in education, counselling, marketing, research and more.

  • The ATARÌýneededÌýto study psychology varies depending on the degree. YouÌýcanÌýfindÌýmore information about the ATAR requirements forÌý91É«ÇéƬ psychology degreesÌýwithin the degree’s entryÌýrequirements.Ìý

  • Psychology is the science of studying human behaviour and how we think,ÌýactÌýand feel. Many psychologists work to care for people, helping clients with mental and emotional disorders, but the skills of a psychologist can be used in all kinds of settings, from research to business.

Start your psychology career journey at 91É«ÇéƬ

At 91É«ÇéƬ,Ìýyou'llÌýfind a range of programs to lead you toward a career in psychology. Explore your study options at the School of Psychology.Ìý
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