The best parts about a career in psychology

For psychologist Tracey McGrath it’s that she loves seeing clients turn their life around. In this article Three psychologists on their love for work and love for life different views are shared:

• For Grant Brecht, it is helping people have adaptable, rational, positive and solution focused approaches to their lives
• For Oliver Brecht it is helping people to recapture the love in their lives
• For Breanna Sada, it is about how people define what happiness is for them and then find it within themselves

Dr Rebecca Ray gave us her top 10 reasons why she loves private practice psychology, including seeing humans at their best and seeing humans at their worst. She finds clients sharing their vulnerability in the therapeutic space to be a privilege which leaves her hopeful for change.

There is evidence that psychological therapy can be effectively delivered online, which can provide psychologists some flexibility with how and where they work.

Psychologist Tric Gibson on how it is possible to have a long career in psychology:

Things to consider before choosing a career in psychology

Professionalism

Psychology is a field where professionalism is of utmost importance. Psychologists need to participate in ethical conduct, which includes all forms of communication with clients. Skills that are essential in the practice of psychology include strong listening and communication skills, personal integrity, empathy and self-awareness.

Multidisciplinary approach

Psychologists expect to encounter clients who have a range of comorbidities and may require an interdisciplinary approach. This can mean liaising with a range of other health professionals. Psychologist Rebecca Ray also discusses how to treat clients with trauma without becoming traumatised yourself.

Challenging

It can be challenging to stay composed in session with clients, and the practice of mindfulness can assist with this according to clinical psychologist Samantha Clarke. Another clinical psychologist Dr Tara Hickey has also incorporated mindfulness into her practice with clients, as well as for her own wellbeing.

Burnout

Psychologists are human too, and not immune to burnout. In this article psychologist Sam van Meurs discusses his experience of burnout. Burnout was also the focus of a 3 article series by psychologist Rebecca Ray:

• Burnout article 1
• Burnout article 2
• Burnout article 3

Length of training

You need to complete postgraduate training to become a psychologist. In this article, psychology degree graduate Karen Bremner discusses whether undergraduate psychology degrees are overrated or misunderstood. There is a distinct difference in the training pathway and practice of a psychologist versus a psychiatrist. Psychiatrists complete a medical degree and undertake specialist training in psychiatry focusing on psychiatric and psychological treatments.

What do psychologists do?

A range of areas of practice

Dr Rebecca Ray looks at a number of different areas of practice in psychology such as counselling psychology, clinical psychology, clinical neuropsychology, community psychology, educational & developmental psychology, forensic psychology, health psychology, sport & exercise psychology and organisation psychology in her article The career progression of a psychologist – many roads lead to Rome.

Following on from an undergraduate degree in arts, science or psychology, psychologists receive extensive training in psychotherapy to help people with general problems such as stress and relationship difficulties. Clinical psychologists gain additional experience in a hospital or community mental health service which enables them to specialise in treating people with mental illness.

Serving a wide range of Australians

The Medicare statistics showed that in 2015-2016 9.4% of the Australian population were receiving Medicare subsidised mental health services, up from 7.2% in 2011-2012, and although these statistics include services from general practitioners, it can be expected that psychologists will also be treating clients from a broad range of the population.

Academia

It is possible to transition into an academic role, although it has been suggested that this may be competitive as an early career academic within 5 years of completing a PhD.

Private practice

Psychologist Dr Rebecca Ray looks at private practice in her series of articles:

• The private practitioner – wearer of many hats
• Should you go into private practice
• Benefits of private practice

Brisbane based psychologist Mark Korduba discusses what it takes to have a successful psychology career:

Closing the gap

The Australian Psychological Society is committed to increasing the numbers of culturally competent psychologists to help Indigenous Australians to close the mental health gap.

How to become a psychologist

Click here for an article by psychologist Dan Martin on the different pathways to becoming a registered psychologist in Australia.

Click here for information on the (minimum 6 year) study pathways to become a psychologist including an infographic from the Australian Psychological Society.

ATAR for psychology and accredited courses

ATARs / Selection Ranks – Click here for the ATAR for every psychology course in Australia in 2022.

Accreditation – A career in psychology starts with completing an accredited 4 year sequence (or equivalent) followed by postgraduate study. It is very important that the course/s you are looking to complete are listed as accredited on the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council website. 

How much money do psychologists earn?

Go to our earnings page for the latest information.

In early 2021 the Job Outlook listed Clinical Psychologists, Educational Psychologists, Neuropsychologists and Organisational Psychologists as having an annual income of $96,564 per year.

According to the 2018 Graduate Outcomes Survey the median income for those who had completed postgraduate coursework in psychology was $79,400 per year, up from $75,700 in 2017.

Are graduates getting jobs?

Students who have completed an accredited undergraduate degree in psychology (or and APAC-accredited arts or science majoring in psychology) need to gain entry into post-graduate study to become a registered psychologist. These post-graduate places are highly competitive, and limit the number of registered psychologists in Australia.

Refer to the psychology section on our employment page for detailed information.

University scholarships

Click here to go to our scholarship listing.

Videos about a career in psychology

Click here to go to our video page with interviews from two psychologists.

Latest News

Click here for the latest news about a career in psychology.

Career in psychology – information from professional association

1. Australian Psychological Society – careers and studying psychology
2. Australian Psychology Accreditation Council – pathways to registration as a psychologist

Last updated in January 2023.