How to become a Psychologist

Provides individuals and groups with evidence-based assessment, prevention, intervention and treatment to foster personal, social, educational and occupational wellbeing and development.

Main tasks

• Conducts psychological assessments to inform diagnosis, treatment, intervention, report writing or research, and to address clients' mental health and wellbeing needs
• Develops and implements prevention, intervention and treatment strategies to address psychological, social, emotional, health, educational, developmental and behavioural issues and disorders
• Develops and implements assessments, interventions and recommendations for organisations and decision-makers to address psychological, social, cultural, occupational and forensic needs
• Provides crisis intervention and support to individuals and communities in distress
• Monitors and evaluates the progress of clients, groups, communities and programs during prevention, intervention and treatment
• Maintains accurate and confidential client records, and provides reports for third parties when required
• Collaborates with other Professionals to deliver multidisciplinary assessment, intervention, and treatment
• Provides supervision for psychology students, peers and other Professionals
• May conduct research and collect data to contribute to the evidence base and the field of psychology

Ways in

• University: Psychology degrees, Offered by 39 universities in Australia
• Licence or registration: Registration or licensing is required.

Pay · Outlook · AI and this job

• Typical full-time pay: $114,608 a year
• About 51,200 people work in this job group now, and about 66,900 are projected by 2035. (+30.6%)
• AI is likely to change parts of this job. Jobs and Skills Australia rates its automation exposure as medium.

Related jobs

• Counsellor (General)
• Alcohol and Other Drugs Counsellor
• Family and Relationship Counsellor
• Psychotherapist
• Rehabilitation Counsellor
• School Counsellor

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Questions people ask

How do I become a Psychologist?

Ways in include: Psychology degrees.

How much does a Psychologist earn in Australia?

Median full-time pay is $114,608 a year (Jobs and Skills Australia).

Is a Psychologist a growing career in Australia?

Yes. Employment is projected to grow 31% by 2035, from about 51,200 to about 66,900 people (Jobs and Skills Australia).

Do you need a degree to become a Psychologist?

Usually. 98% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Will AI change the work of a Psychologist?

AI is likely to change parts of this job. Jobs and Skills Australia rates its automation exposure as medium.

Sources

• Jobs and Skills Australia: Occupation data (ANZSCO), from ABS Labour Force and Census (February 2026), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
• Jobs and Skills Australia: Generative AI Capacity Study, interactive table data (September 2025), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
• Jobs and Skills Australia: Employment Projections (Victoria University) (May 2025 to May 2035), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
• Australian Taxation Office: Taxation Statistics, Individuals Table 15A (2023-24), CC BY 2.5 AU, retrieved 2026-10-04

Updated 2026-10-04