Psychologist
Psychologists use structured assessment and talk-based therapy to help people understand and manage mental health conditions, trauma and behavioural difficulties.
- Median salary
- $114,600
4.0%vs last year, before tax
- People employed
- 1,400
0.0%vs last year
- Projected growth
- +30.6%
to 2035
- AI exposure*
- Low
- automation risk
- Average hours
- 40/wk
matches all-jobs average
- Shortage status
- In shortage
national
Psychologists assess, diagnose and treat mental health conditions, trauma and relationship difficulties using talk-based therapy and structured assessment tools rather than medication, which is what separates the role from a psychiatrist. They work across clinical, educational, organisational and community settings, often as part of a team that includes GPs, social workers or teachers. Registration with the Psychology Board of Australia is required to practise, and the specific title, such as clinical psychologist, depends on additional postgraduate training.
How much do psychologists earn?
The median full-time salary for a psychologist is $114,600 per annum, before tax, up $23,900 since 2018.
What you earn depends on where you work and how you are paid. Psychologists in hospitals, schools and community health are usually covered by enterprise agreements or public sector awards, while those in private practice set their own fees and carry the cost of rooms, insurance and administration. Endorsement area and years since registration also move pay, and part-time work is common.
What does a psychologist do day to day?
The list below is what fills most weeks; the exact mix shifts with seniority and whatever stage the current work is at.
- Running assessment and therapy sessions back to back, often with only a short break between clients whose needs are very different
- Choosing, scoring and interpreting assessment tools such as the WISC, WAIS or brief symptom questionnaires to work out what is going on
- Writing case notes, letters and reports after sessions, both for the client file and for GPs, schools or funding bodies
- Coordinating referrals, Medicare or NDIS paperwork and appointment schedules across a caseload that often spans more than one setting
- Taking a difficult case to supervision or peer consultation, then adjusting the treatment plan based on what comes out of it
What skills do psychologists need?
Employers look for clinical assessment and treatment, care planning and coordination, patient care and support, backed by WISC and WAIS psychological test batteries fluency and strong written communication.
Specialist skills
- Clinical assessment and treatment
- Care planning and coordination
- Patient care and support
- Data analysis
Software and tools
- WISC and WAIS psychological test batteries
- Secure patient management systems (e.g. Best Practice, Clinician)
- Microsoft Office and clinical documentation software
- Zoom or telehealth platforms
- Assessment questionnaires (PHQ-9, GAD-7)
General skills
- Written communication
- Problem solving
- Empathy and interpersonal care
- Stakeholder management
Is the job growing?
About 1,400 people work as psychologists in Australia, and employment is projected to grow 30.6% over the decade to 2035. That's very strong growth. Few roles in Australia are expanding this fast, and it points to solid demand for years to come.
How do you become a psychologist?
Here's the path most psychologists take, step by step.
- 1Complete an accredited undergraduate degree
A three-year bachelor degree followed by an honours year, or an equivalent four-year accredited sequence. The degree has to be accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council, and entry to honours usually depends on your marks.
- 2Finish a postgraduate qualification or the internship route
Most psychologists complete a master's or doctorate in psychology, combining coursework, research and supervised placements over two years or more. The alternative is the 4+2 internship route, two years of supervised practice after a four-year degree, though fewer people take it now.
- 3Register with the Psychology Board of Australia
Registration is through AHPRA and is required before you can use the title psychologist. It involves supervised practice, a national exam and continuing professional development each year.
- 4Add an endorsement if you want one
Clinical, organisational, educational, forensic and other areas of practice each require an approved registrar program with further supervised practice after general registration, which typically takes another two years.
Study routes we have checked
Qualifications that are a recognised way into this role, and what else you need.
- Bachelor Degree (Honours) in Psychology
A step towards this role
Complete the approved psychology sequence, including the required further study and supervised training, and obtain registration. A bachelor degree alone does not qualify a graduate to practise as a psychologist. This catalogue groups awards: verify the chosen provider, programme and intake; the family-level link is not confirmation that every offering is approved.
- Bachelor of Arts (Psychology)
A step towards this role
Complete the approved psychology sequence, including the required further study and supervised training, and obtain registration. A bachelor degree alone does not qualify a graduate to practise as a psychologist. This catalogue groups awards: verify the chosen provider, programme and intake; the family-level link is not confirmation that every offering is approved.
- Bachelor of Arts (Psychology)/Bachelor of Laws
A step towards this role
Complete the approved psychology sequence, including the required further study and supervised training, and obtain registration. A bachelor degree alone does not qualify a graduate to practise as a psychologist. This catalogue groups awards: verify the chosen provider, programme and intake; the family-level link is not confirmation that every offering is approved.
- Bachelor of Arts in Psychology
A step towards this role
Complete the approved psychology sequence, including the required further study and supervised training, and obtain registration. A bachelor degree alone does not qualify a graduate to practise as a psychologist. This catalogue groups awards: verify the chosen provider, programme and intake; the family-level link is not confirmation that every offering is approved.
- Bachelor of Behavioural Science (Psychology)
A step towards this role
Complete the approved psychology sequence, including the required further study and supervised training, and obtain registration. A bachelor degree alone does not qualify a graduate to practise as a psychologist. This catalogue groups awards: verify the chosen provider, programme and intake; the family-level link is not confirmation that every offering is approved.
- Bachelor of Business/Bachelor of Psychological Science
A step towards this role
Complete the approved psychology sequence, including the required further study and supervised training, and obtain registration. A bachelor degree alone does not qualify a graduate to practise as a psychologist. This catalogue groups awards: verify the chosen provider, programme and intake; the family-level link is not confirmation that every offering is approved.
- Bachelor of Criminology/Bachelor of Psychological Science
A step towards this role
Complete the approved psychology sequence, including the required further study and supervised training, and obtain registration. A bachelor degree alone does not qualify a graduate to practise as a psychologist. This catalogue groups awards: verify the chosen provider, programme and intake; the family-level link is not confirmation that every offering is approved.
- Bachelor of Laws/Bachelor of Psychological Science
A step towards this role
Complete the approved psychology sequence, including the required further study and supervised training, and obtain registration. A bachelor degree alone does not qualify a graduate to practise as a psychologist. This catalogue groups awards: verify the chosen provider, programme and intake; the family-level link is not confirmation that every offering is approved.
- Bachelor of Nursing/Bachelor of Psychological Science
A step towards this role
Complete the approved psychology sequence, including the required further study and supervised training, and obtain registration. A bachelor degree alone does not qualify a graduate to practise as a psychologist. This catalogue groups awards: verify the chosen provider, programme and intake; the family-level link is not confirmation that every offering is approved.
- Bachelor of Psychological Science
A step towards this role
Complete the approved psychology sequence, including the required further study and supervised training, and obtain registration. A bachelor degree alone does not qualify a graduate to practise as a psychologist. This catalogue groups awards: verify the chosen provider, programme and intake; the family-level link is not confirmation that every offering is approved.
- Bachelor of Psychological Science/Bachelor of Business
A step towards this role
Complete the approved psychology sequence, including the required further study and supervised training, and obtain registration. A bachelor degree alone does not qualify a graduate to practise as a psychologist. This catalogue groups awards: verify the chosen provider, programme and intake; the family-level link is not confirmation that every offering is approved.
- Bachelor of Psychological Science/Bachelor of Criminology and Criminal Justice
A step towards this role
Complete the approved psychology sequence, including the required further study and supervised training, and obtain registration. A bachelor degree alone does not qualify a graduate to practise as a psychologist. This catalogue groups awards: verify the chosen provider, programme and intake; the family-level link is not confirmation that every offering is approved.
- Bachelor of Psychological Science/Bachelor of Laws
A step towards this role
Complete the approved psychology sequence, including the required further study and supervised training, and obtain registration. A bachelor degree alone does not qualify a graduate to practise as a psychologist. This catalogue groups awards: verify the chosen provider, programme and intake; the family-level link is not confirmation that every offering is approved.
- Bachelor of Psychological Science/Bachelor of Social Science
A step towards this role
Complete the approved psychology sequence, including the required further study and supervised training, and obtain registration. A bachelor degree alone does not qualify a graduate to practise as a psychologist. This catalogue groups awards: verify the chosen provider, programme and intake; the family-level link is not confirmation that every offering is approved.
- Bachelor of Psychology
A step towards this role
Complete the approved psychology sequence, including the required further study and supervised training, and obtain registration. A bachelor degree alone does not qualify a graduate to practise as a psychologist. This catalogue groups awards: verify the chosen provider, programme and intake; the family-level link is not confirmation that every offering is approved.
- Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) (Cognitive Neuroscience)
A step towards this role
Complete the approved psychology sequence, including the required further study and supervised training, and obtain registration. A bachelor degree alone does not qualify a graduate to practise as a psychologist. This catalogue groups awards: verify the chosen provider, programme and intake; the family-level link is not confirmation that every offering is approved.
- Bachelor of Psychology and Bachelor of Arts
A step towards this role
Complete the approved psychology sequence, including the required further study and supervised training, and obtain registration. A bachelor degree alone does not qualify a graduate to practise as a psychologist. This catalogue groups awards: verify the chosen provider, programme and intake; the family-level link is not confirmation that every offering is approved.
- Bachelor of Psychology and Bachelor of Commerce
A step towards this role
Complete the approved psychology sequence, including the required further study and supervised training, and obtain registration. A bachelor degree alone does not qualify a graduate to practise as a psychologist. This catalogue groups awards: verify the chosen provider, programme and intake; the family-level link is not confirmation that every offering is approved.
- Bachelor of Psychology and Bachelor of Science
A step towards this role
Complete the approved psychology sequence, including the required further study and supervised training, and obtain registration. A bachelor degree alone does not qualify a graduate to practise as a psychologist. This catalogue groups awards: verify the chosen provider, programme and intake; the family-level link is not confirmation that every offering is approved.
- Bachelor of Psychology and Counselling
A step towards this role
Complete the approved psychology sequence, including the required further study and supervised training, and obtain registration. A bachelor degree alone does not qualify a graduate to practise as a psychologist. This catalogue groups awards: verify the chosen provider, programme and intake; the family-level link is not confirmation that every offering is approved.
- Bachelor of Science (Psychology)
A step towards this role
Complete the approved psychology sequence, including the required further study and supervised training, and obtain registration. A bachelor degree alone does not qualify a graduate to practise as a psychologist. This catalogue groups awards: verify the chosen provider, programme and intake; the family-level link is not confirmation that every offering is approved.
- Bachelor of Social Science (Psychology)
A step towards this role
Complete the approved psychology sequence, including the required further study and supervised training, and obtain registration. A bachelor degree alone does not qualify a graduate to practise as a psychologist. This catalogue groups awards: verify the chosen provider, programme and intake; the family-level link is not confirmation that every offering is approved.
Ready to apply as a psychologist?
Whether you're working toward becoming a psychologist or already are one and want a hand with the next step (sharpening your resume for ATS screening, tightening your cover letter, or knowing what you'll actually be asked at interview), here are examples grounded in this specific role, not generic templates.
What jobs can a psychologist move to?
None of the roles psychologists typically move into pay more than the role itself. Organisational Psychologist is the closest match. If a bigger salary is the goal, moving up into a senior or principal position within the role is usually the faster route than moving sideways.
| Move to | Typical pay change | Overlap | Retraining |
|---|---|---|---|
| Organisational Psychologist Psychologists can apply their understanding of behaviour and assessment to organisational psychology after further study and endorsement.Known move | −$8,000 | 29% | requalify |
| Clinical Psychologist Psychologists bring assessment and therapeutic skills to clinical psychology, though endorsement requires further postgraduate study and supervised practice.Known move | −$13,200 | 23% | requalify |
| Educational Psychologist Psychologists bring developmental and assessment expertise to educational psychology, with additional postgraduate training and endorsement required.Known move | −$14,800 | 12% | requalify |
| Psychotherapist Psychologists bring therapeutic and assessment skills to psychotherapy, though a separate psychotherapy qualification is required.Known move | −$26,200 | 26% | requalify |
Moves are chosen from Jobs and Skills Australia's Data on Occupation Mobility, which follows income tax records between 2011-12 and 2020-21, together with entry requirements and skill overlap. A known move is one people were seen making in that data. Pay change compares median full-time pay for the two roles.
Who works as a psychologist?
The typical psychologist is 41 years old; 81% are women, 56% work full-time, and full-timers average 40 hours a week.
- 41
- Median age
- 81%
- Female share
- 56%
- Full-time
- +0h
- vs all-jobs avg
What's it like being a psychologist?
The job runs on appointments: sessions through the day, notes afterwards, and a caseload that has to be carried carefully between them. Much of the work is listening closely and thinking clearly about what will help, which is absorbing but emotionally demanding, so psychologists tend to be people who can hold boundaries and keep their own life separate from a client's distress. The settings are wide, from a hospital team to a school to a room you rent yourself, and where you work shapes the rhythm of the week as much as the clinical work does.
What people like
- You watch change happen over months. Therapy is slow work, so progress is visible: a client who could not leave the house starts catching the bus, or a couple stops having the same argument every week.
- Every client is a different problem. Assessment and treatment draw on research, testing and your own reasoning, and no two caseloads look the same.
- You can shape how you work. Registration allows work across health, schools, courts, sport and organisations, and in private practice you set your own hours and client group.
- Colleagues who understand the work. Supervision and peer consultation are part of the profession, so there is somewhere to take a case that is troubling you.
What people find hard
- Clients bring heavy material. You hear about trauma, grief and abuse regularly, so the work calls for deliberate boundaries and a life outside it.
- Notes and reports take real time. Files have to reflect each session accurately, and reports for GPs, schools or funding bodies add hours that are rarely billed.
- Funding rules shape what you can offer. Medicare sessions, NDIS plans and school funding all come with limits, so the treatment you would recommend is not always the treatment that can be paid for.
- The training path is long. At least six years of study and supervised practice sit between starting a degree and registering, and entry to honours and postgraduate programs is competitive.
Based on our synthesis of professional-body surveys and public accounts of the role, not first-person verified reviews.
Which industries employ psychologists?
Health Care and Social Assistance employs the largest share of psychologists, followed by Education and Training.
Top employing industries
- 1Health Care and Social Assistance
- 2Education and Training
- 3Public Administration and Safety
Ranked by employment share; the source doesn't publish an exact percentage per industry.
| Postgraduate | 69.9% | |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor degree | 26.9% | |
| Diploma / Advanced Diploma | 1.1% | |
| Certificate III/IV | 1% | |
| Year 12 or below | 0.8% |
Will AI replace psychologists?
Psychologists rate as low exposure overall, because the core of the job is a relationship and a clinical judgement made with the person in front of you. Software is already part of the work, through online assessment tools, questionnaire scoring and telehealth platforms, but it changes how administrative tasks are done rather than who does the therapy. The most exposed part is the writing around the work: notes, letters and reports.
Share of typical working time by exposure level
- Therapy sessions with clientsSitting with someone through a difficult hour depends on trust, timing and reading the room, and no tool reproduces that.40%low
- Case coordination, referrals and supervisionDeciding who needs a GP review, a school plan or an urgent risk response involves judgement and relationships that software can only support.25%low
- Case notes, letters and reportsDrafting tools can turn a set of session notes into a referral letter or a funding report, which is where the time saving is most obvious.20%high
- Psychological assessment and test interpretationSome questionnaires are scored and flagged automatically, but choosing the right tool and reading it against a person's history stays with the psychologist.15%moderate
Common questions about becoming a psychologist
Straight answers to the questions people ask most.
How much do psychologists earn?
Psychologists earn a median of $114,600 per year before tax. Pay then varies with your endorsement area, the sector you work in and how long you have been registered, and private practice income depends on how full your books are and what you pay out in rooms and insurance.
How do you become a psychologist in Australia?
You need an accredited psychology degree, further postgraduate study or a supervised internship, and registration with the Psychology Board of Australia through AHPRA. In practice that means at least six years of study and supervised practice before you can use the title. Honours and postgraduate places are competitive, so marks matter early.
Are psychologists in demand?
Psychologists are currently in shortage nationally, and employment is projected to grow 30.6% over the decade to 2035. That figure covers the decade to 2035, so it is a long-term picture rather than a forecast for any single year. Registered psychologists work in health care, education and public administration, and each of those settings hires on its own cycle.
Will AI replace psychologists?
AI exposure for psychologists is low, because the core of the job is a relationship and a clinical judgement made in the room. Software already helps with questionnaire scoring, appointment management, telehealth and drafting letters, which changes how the paperwork is done rather than who does the therapy. Diagnosis, risk assessment and treatment stay with a registered professional.
What can a psychologist move into?
Psychologists often move into an endorsed area such as clinical, organisational or educational psychology, which requires further postgraduate study and supervised practice in that area. Moving the other way is harder: counsellors, social workers and school counsellors bring relevant experience but must complete a psychology qualification and registration to practise under the title. Many psychologists also build a private practice over time, and that is often where earnings grow.
Can psychologists trained overseas work in Australia?
Yes, but registration comes first. The Psychology Board of Australia assesses overseas qualifications against Australian standards and may require further study, supervised practice or an exam before you can register. Start the assessment before you plan the move, because it can take months.
Related roles
- Clinical Psychologist
- Organisational Psychologist
- Educational Psychologist
- Psychotherapist
- Counsellor
- Social Worker
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