What jobs can you get in 2024 with a psychology degree in Australia?

Last Updated: March 18, 2024

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Have you completed your psychology degree and looking for the best opportunity for you? Australia always have opportunities for qualified psychologists, and apart from in house psychologists, the government offers skilled migration visas to fill this gap. This could be your chance to live and work full-time in Australia!

Requirements for Working as a Psychologist in Australia

To be employed as a psychologist in Australia, it is essential to possess an English degree that verifies your proficiency in the language. For instance, an IELTS score of at least 7 or a minimum grade of B in all sections of the OET. Furthermore, a valid psychology degree is also a prerequisite.

The Challenge of Recognition

The initial challenge lies in having your degree acknowledged. In Australia, psychologists need to undergo 6 years of training to earn their title. Consequently, a psychology degree from Spain, for instance, is not considered equivalent. Hence, it is crucial to seek recognition from the relevant authority linked to the Australian government.

Steps to Obtain Australian Qualification

If you want to work as a psychologist in Australia, there are specific steps you need to take in order to obtain the necessary qualifications. There are two pathways available to obtain the Australian qualification that allows you to practice as a psychologist.

1. Validate Your Psychology Studies in Australia: The Australian Psychological Society (APS) assesses the academic background of candidates. To do so, you must submit your official psychology degree from the university where you studied, a translated transcript in English, and a completed application form to the APS. The cost of this evaluation differs based on whether it is requested domestically or internationally.
2. Supervised Internships: If your psychology studies last at most 4 years, you must complete supervised internships for two years under provisional affiliation. Afterward, you will be eligible to become a registered psychologist in Australia.
3. Continuing Your Education in Australia: If you do not meet the requirements in the initial APS evaluation, you can submit a new application for a second assessment. In this instance, you would apply as a candidate to enroll in an Australian university to finish your psychology studies and earn an accredited psychology degree in Australia.

Registering as a Psychologist in Australia

Once you have your psychology degree valid to practice in Australia, you will have to complete one last step; registering as a psychologist in Australia. There is an online platform where you will have to apply to take and pass the National Psychology Exam. To request pre-exam registration, you will need to complete the AGEN-76 application form and submit it to the AHPRA local workshop.

1. The process of registering as a psychologist in Australia includes applying to sit for and successfully pass the National Psychology Exam, which is facilitated by the Psychology Board of Australia's online platform.
2. To register for the pre-exam, you must fill out the AGEN-76 form and submit it to the AHPRA workshop in your area.
3. At AHPRA, you will be able to find useful information regarding the format and rates for your resume.

The Journey to Becoming a Psychologist in Australia

Working as a psychologist in Australia is a challenging and lengthy process. Nevertheless, the rewards are worth it. You will have the opportunity to practice your profession in a captivating country that offers an exceptional quality of life.

1. Overcoming Language Barriers: If you still don’t have enough English to work as a psychologist in Australia, don’t be discouraged. You have the option of coming with a student visa and enrolling in an English course.
2. Improving Your English Level: By enrolling in an English course, you can enhance your proficiency and obtain the essential IELTS English certification required to pursue a career as a psychologist in Australia.)
3. Working Part-Time: As you enhance your English skills, you will have the opportunity to engage in a part-time position that may not require as high qualifications. This will enable you to financially support your stay in Australia while also gaining insights into various facets of life in the country.

Some top psychology jobs you can get in Australia in 2024 are as follows:

Psychologist:

As a psychologist, you can get involved in performing one-to-one sessions with patients and can design effective plans. In addition, you can conduct researches and documentation of your projects in private or public healthcare settings. You won’t have to struggle to find similar jobs in Australia.

Clinical Psychologist:

Clinical Psychologist will be able to specialize in diagnosing and treating mental health conditions once they complete their postgraduate degree. There are wide scope for a clinical psychologist in fields such as teaching and conducting researches.

Counsellor: Counsellor take different approaches for diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation. They can specialize in fields such as family counselling, marriage counselling, adolescent counseling and many more. There are no any job shortages for counsellors.

Aged Care Support Worker: As Age care worker, you can help your patients with daily mobility activities such as walking, eating, bathing, dressing and maintaining personal hygiene. You can help them manage their health conditions with therapeutic approaches to make them feel comfortable despite their health limitations.

Community Services and Development Officer:

Community Development Officers can work in different fields like governments, hospitals, community, schools, councils, organizations and many more. The key responsibility of community development officers is to develop appropriate strategies and to monitor their implementations.

Healthcare worker:

Healthcare workers with skills related to psychology and mental health are high in demand in Australia. You can easily be hired in roles like nurses, general practitioners, reasercher, program associate and so on.

Vocational Education Teacher:

As a Vocational Education Teacher, you will be responsible to provide vocational trainings to children in one or more subjects in either schools or any other institutions. These trainings are highly valued in Australia and so is the position.

Conclusion

Embarking on the path to becoming a psychologist in Australia may present its challenges, but the gratification that comes with it is truly invaluable. Get yourself ready to seize this opportunity. Make it happen!