Your career path to become a psychologist in Australia

Mental health is a global priority. It is also a priority in Australia, where an estimated one in five Australians will experience a mental health disorder in any year. For this reason, there is unprecedented demand for people able to treat individuals with mental health issues.

To meet this demand, some might wonder how to become a psychologist in Australia.

There’s more than one way to become a registered psychologist in Australia. In fact, you can start your studies with almost any undergraduate degree and then study psychology, combining your skills with expertise in another field.

It can be a great way to create opportunities in an industry you’re interested in, such as business, education or health care. Plus, transferable skills from other specialisations can be a real asset to any mental health team.

Navigating all of these options may feel overwhelming, but understanding the steps you need to take to get there is the key.

What do psychologists do?

With so many Australians experiencing mental health issues, it’s important to understand exactly what role psychologists play when it comes to understanding and addressing these issues.

What is the role of a psychologist?

Psychologists are trained in studying the mind, emotions and behaviour. They use scientific methods to explore factors that influence how people think, feel and act. Their work often involves diagnosing and treating people with psychological difficulties and mental health disorders, helping individuals manage their emotions, cope with stress and improve their well-being.

Psychologists play a crucial role in helping individuals navigate complex emotional issues and improve their quality of life while also reducing the stigma associated with mental health conditions.

Psychologists also work with people who are facing challenging life circumstances - for instance, a death, a relationship breakdown or making significant life decisions. Many clients will come to psychologists for help with navigating these stressful situations and developing coping skills and tools.

What types of services do psychologists provide?

Psychologists provide therapy, often known as psychotherapy or talk therapy, in which they help clients understand and overcome their problems.

They may employ any of various therapeutic approaches, such as cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT), which focuses on helping an individual change their unhelpful thought patterns and behaviours, or psychodynamic therapy, which explores a person’s unconscious feelings and past experiences.

Psychologists provide evidence-based interventions specifically tailored to meet individual needs, helping clients gain insight into their behaviours. They create treatment plans that promote resilience, self-awareness and healthy coping strategies.

In addition to providing therapy, psychologists teach practical skills to help individuals manage anxiety, depression, addiction and other mental health issues, supporting their long-term well-being.

They may also conduct research to develop new methods for understanding mental health. This can lead to advancements in treatment approaches, making mental health care more effective over time.

How to become a psychologist

There are three major stepping stones on the path to becoming a psychologist in Australia: study, work placement and professional registration. It’s generally a six-year education and training sequence with options to suit your circumstances and preferences.

1. Study

The traditional path to a psychology career is to start with an undergraduate psychology degree. However, you can choose your own path with JCU Online’s Graduate Diploma of Psychology (Bridging).

This qualification enables you to build on any undergraduate degree that’s not in psychology. Remember, even if you have not studied psychology previously but hold other qualifications, you possess many transferable skills that will help you shape your career path in psychology.

You might start with a business degree and follow your own path to becoming a psychologist specialising in management, human resources or economics. A language degree will enable you to become a psychologist with bilingual abilities so that you can work overseas or with diverse populations.

Completing JCU Online’s Graduate Diploma of Psychology (Bridging) puts you in the same position as students who have completed an undergraduate psychology degree. All students will then go on to an additional year (also known as 4th year) of accredited psychology studies.

2. Work placement

The second stepping stone is work placement or internship. One pathway to general registration is to complete a 5+1 professional master’s course which includes one year of coursework and a one year internship.

In addition to working, you’ll also be doing some reading and assignments, and meeting regularly with a Psychology Board of Australia-approved supervisor. There is nothing better than getting hands-on experience in an environment where you can learn and be supported through your placement.

During the supervised practice of your internship, you’ll be a provisional psychologist. This is an opportunity for you to get first-hand experience working in your chosen environment and to learn from a variety of professionals.

It can be the perfect time to start building the network for your future career, which can set you up for a career in psychology with support and learning opportunities.

Work placement also provides options to customise your path as a psychologist. Your supervisor may be employed in the organisation where you’re doing your internship, or they might work elsewhere. So, you can seek work placement at a location that embodies your career goals and work with a supervisor who will complement them.

 

3. Professional registration

In Australia, psychologists must undergo a rigorous process to start practising.

All practising psychologists on the 5+1 pathway must pass the National Psychology Exam with the Psychology Board of Australia to register as a General Psychologist. This is the third major stepping stone on the pathway to becoming a registered psychologist. It’s also a jumping-off point–from here, the career pathway is entirely up to you.

If you earn a JCU Online Graduate Diploma of Psychology (Bridging) after completing an undergraduate degree in an unrelated field, you can put the sum of your studies and work experience into practice.

During your placement, you will discover lots of opportunities to create your own psychology career path simply by being exposed to the workplace and the clients’ needs.

Where do psychologists work?

The traditional career pathway for psychologists was to apply their skills in a health organisation. While this is still a popular choice, psychologists with general registration are just as likely to find themselves in demand at businesses, education institutions and community organisations, to name just a few.

1. Business

In business, two key areas for psychologists to work in are human resources and management. 
While the skills of a psychologist are important when hiring staff, it’s their ability to influence culture and build high-performance teams that create real value for the business. Many organisations are even adding the position of Chief Wellness Officer to their C-suite to support staff in managing the demands of the modern workplace.

2. Education

Psychology has had a long history in schools and education environments through the role of the school counsellor.

More recently, it’s become common for students to also have the support of a school psychologist for developmental, behavioural, learning and mental health issues. General Psychologists are also able to provide much-needed guidance as career counsellors, creating a bridge between education institutions and the workforce.

3. Community organisations

Another rewarding role for psychologists is working with any of a wide variety of organisations that support local communities. You might work with people from a culturally and linguistically diverse background, people experiencing financial difficulties and homelessness, or local government services.

4. Health care

While the traditional career pathway for psychologists working in health organisations is still alive and well, even this route offers a range of job opportunities.

Psychologists may become allied health professionals who help people manage their mental health issues through diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation. This role may take you into a nursing home, a care facility for people with disabilities or an organisation like Headspace.

Some psychologists work alongside general practitioners or in a multi-professional team in the community to give care where it is needed. Opportunities like these can be found across Australia in the metro, regional and rural areas.

Start your journey with JCU Online’s Graduate Diploma of Psychology

Wherever your studies begin and whatever your psychology career goals, it’s important to understand how to become a psychologist in Australia. JCU Online’s Graduate Diploma of Psychology is the bridge that can enable you to choose your own pathway.

Develop skills in contemporary psychology that you can utilise in many different human-centred professions. The course can also be a stepping-stone to becoming a registered psychologist.

Learn more about JCU Online’s Graduate Diploma of Psychology (Bridging). Get in touch with our Enrolment team on 1300 535 919.