General registration vs practice endorsement for psychologists

If you’re exploring the prospect of a career in psychology, you may have come across two different terms for registered psychologists: general and endorsed. A general psychologist is a professional who has completed the minimum study requirements to become a qualified psychologist in Australia. An endorsed psychologist has the same foundational qualifications and has also completed further study in an area of practice endorsement (AoPE).

This article discusses the distinctions between general and endorsed psychologists, the different areas of practice endorsement to explore and what you should consider when deciding which career path may suit you. We’ll also cover the education pathways to becoming either a general psychologist or an endorsed psychologist in Australia.

The supply and demand of psychologists in Australia

The demand for skilled psychologists is greater than ever, with around 4.3 million Australians affected by a mental health disorder in recent years. In line with these statistics, the federal government has acknowledged the need for increased accessibility to psychology services for all Australians, no matter their location or circumstance. A recent ministerial statement outlined a clear four-year plan to strengthen the psychology workforce through funding in universities and organisations, providing additional psychology internships, supervisors and postgraduate positions.

In this statement, the Minister for Health and Aged Care, Mark Butler, admitted the significant community need to expand training pathways for the psychology workforce. Universities such as James Cook University and the University of Canberra were among the many recipients of this funding, which will provide students with greater access to clinical supervision and help grow the next generation of aspiring psychologists.

Job opportunities for both generally registered and endorsed psychologists are plentiful, with a job growth prediction of 13.3 per cent over the next five years. Psychologists can work in private practice, academic research, schools, hospitals and community health centres. There is also an opportunity for psychologists to manage their own business, should they desire the flexibility of hours and client presentation. With strong demand, various career outcomes and the potential to transform the lives of everyday Australians, now is the perfect time to consider a career as a general or endorsed psychologist.

Let’s explore what it means to be a psychologist with general registration compared to a psychologist with an AoPE.

What is general registration?

All psychologists in Australia must hold general registration with the Psychology Board of Australia (PsyBA), which is the government-appointed national registration body for psychologists. General registration permits psychologists to work in any facet of psychology within their scope of practice. Psychologists with general registration use tailored psychological approaches to assess, diagnose and treat various behavioural and mental health conditions. General psychologists can work in private practice, hospitals, schools, community health centres as well as in research and education. Over 60 per cent of the psychology workforce in Australia consists of generally registered psychologists.

To qualify for general registration, a psychologist must have completed the required study from courses approved by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC). APAC is the independent quality standards organisation appointed by the PsyBA, which accredits courses that meet the training standards for psychology in Australia.

The minimum education and training requirements for general registration include four years of APAC-accredited undergraduate study and either of the following options:

• one year of accredited postgraduate study plus one year of supervised clinical practice (5+1 pathway)
• two years of postgraduate clinical training via an internship or higher education pathway

What is an area of practice endorsement?

Area of practice endorsement is a scheme developed under the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) National Law and was introduced by the PsyBA in 2010. An AoPE serves to identify psychologists who have achieved their minimum study requirements for general registration and additional approved postgraduate qualifications and supervised training in a specific area of interest. Obtaining an AoPE is optional, and psychologists with general registration can practise without one.

Endorsed psychologists also use customised psychological approaches to assess, diagnose and treat behavioural and mental health conditions. Their additional training may provide advanced skills and techniques to address conditions specifically related to their AoPE.

Endorsed psychologists can work in settings similar to general psychologists and more targeted settings, depending on their specialisation. These include private practice, hospitals, schools, public health agencies, corporations, aged care, sports teams, rehabilitation and correctional and mental health facilities. They may also move into education and research in their respective endorsement areas.

Nine areas of practice endorsement are available for psychologists to pursue. Each of these disciplines gives psychologists an added professional title and distinguishes different types of psychologists from one another. Psychologists may be endorsed in more than one AoPE.

The nine areas of practice endorsement are as follows:

• clinical neuropsychology
• clinical psychology
• community psychology
• counselling psychology
• educational and development psychology
• forensic psychology
• health psychology
• organisational psychology
• sport and exercise psychology

General registration or an AoPE: which path should I choose?

There’s no right or wrong path when it comes to choosing between general registration or an AoPE. It may come down to some key considerations such as the time spent studying, your desired career and whether you have a specific area of interest.

Consider your study commitment

As a psychology student, one main thing to consider is how long you want to commit to study. It takes at least six years to gain general registration as a psychologist. Importantly, you can begin practising once you’ve reached this qualification level. It’s possible to have a successful career in many areas such as clinical practice, community health endeavours and academic research as a general psychologist.

Your age and personal situation may influence the total study commitment you can undertake. If you’re a young graduate, you may be eager to get started and gain as much experience in clinical practice as a general psychologist as possible. You may also consider further study later in your career. Equally, if you’re an older psychology graduate, you may have family or other financial responsibilities, so entering the workforce and earning in your new career sooner could be important.

Luke Lawrence, principal psychologist at Explore Psychology, is a full-time clinician helping young and older adults with varied presentations, including depression, anxiety, addictions and other common psychological conditions. He offered his expert insights on choosing the best path as a budding psychologist.

“Gaining general registration and entering the field is appealing to many graduates, as you’re qualified to work right away,” Luke says.

Luke studied psychology as a mature-age student and was interested in getting out and working sooner rather than later. For Luke, the idea of continuing with further study in an AoPE while spending more time and money in the process didn’t align with his personal life or his goals as a practitioner.

Contemplate what you want from your career

Thinking about why you want to become a psychologist is essential. This helps you determine which direction to take in your initial studies and encourages you to explore potential areas of interest that you may undertake at a postgraduate level.

“It’s important for students to ask themselves what they want from their career. Do they want to invest in meaningful relationships with clients in a particular area of presentation? If so, general registration provides this”, Luke says.

However, if you’re interested in academia, research and gaining professional recognition in a particular field of psychology, obtaining practice endorsement might open up more opportunities for you.

“If you’re a younger graduate and want to commit to further study with an AoPE, acquiring more credentials can provide you with more expertise and prestige,” adds Luke.

Medicare also offers a higher rebate for services with an endorsed psychologist, incentivising many practitioners to charge more for their client sessions. In Australia, endorsed psychologists tend to earn more than general psychologists, which is another point to consider when choosing between general registration and an AoPE.

Explore possible areas of interest

Do you want to pursue a niche area of psychology and grow your career path in this field? For example, if you’re fascinated with children’s development and education, this could be an area of endorsement to pursue. Similarly, if you’re interested in criminal justice and rehabilitation, completing further study to become a forensic psychologist may better equip you to work in this specific area.

Remember, you don’t have to decide on whether to have general registration or go on to complete an AoPE when you first begin your undergraduate degree. This decision may evolve and become clear as you progress in your studies. By the time you reach your honours year, you’ll be given opportunities to think about whether or not you want to branch out into a specific field. If you decide to become an endorsed psychologist, check that your chosen university offers the AoPE you’re interested in pursuing.

Scope of practice: general psychologists vs endorsed psychologists

Are there scope of practice limitations for either general or endorsed psychologists?

In short, the answer is no. As long as you have the requisite skills and competencies acquired from your training, clinical experience and supervision, you can work in any area of psychology within your professional scope. This highlights the importance of continuing professional development (CPD) for a general psychologist, which is an annual compulsory requirement for general registration. CPD encourages you to regularly broaden your scope and cater to your client’s needs throughout your career.

As an endorsed psychologist, you can also practise as a general psychologist because you hold the same foundational qualifications. Endorsement does not limit your scope of practice to your chosen field only. Furthermore, you can also hold more than one AoPE, so your scope of practice covers the areas in which you are qualified to work. Your AoPE is like having another ‘feather in your cap’ and helps identify you as having completed advanced training in one or more practice areas.

Is there a greater demand for either general or endorsed psychologists?

In terms of job opportunities, registered psychologists can work in a multitude of disciplines, demographics and locations. These include rural and regional parts of Australia servicing vulnerable communities, busy hospitals, rehabilitation centres, courts of law and private practice. Both general and endorsed psychologists are essential in these fields and various other settings to help meet the public's ongoing need for mental health services.

Employers and workplaces will have different expectations of practitioners, depending on their organisational needs and the needs of their clients. Some employers may value a certain skill set or niche specialisation over general registration. This could mean endorsed psychologists are afforded better job prospects, as having more credentials enhances their reputation in their chosen fields. However, a highly experienced general psychologist may be a more desirable candidate, particularly if they’ve had many years of clinical experience with a range of presentations in both acute and chronic mental health issues.

As part of the previously mentioned Australian Government’s investment strategy to boost the psychology workforce, the Minister for Education, Jason Clare, announced the nation needs more young Australians studying and working in mental health services. The additional funding allocated to support students in their education, supervision and training reflects the significant demand for registered psychologists across all disciplines.

How to get started studying psychology online

There are many ways to progress your career with online study in psychology.

Whether you’re interested in upskilling in your current job to include a psychology qualification or looking to change careers to become a registered psychologist, flexible online study options are available to suit your needs. From a bachelor’s-level qualification to a postgraduate degree, your pathway to a career as a psychologist could start online today.

GlobalHealth Education has several university partners that offer online courses in psychology. These include:

Edith Cowan University

• Graduate Certificate of Psychology
• Graduate Diploma of Psychology
• Graduate Diploma of Psychology (Advanced)

James Cook University

• Graduate Certificate of Psychology
• Graduate Diploma of Psychology (Bridging) (APAC-accredited)

University of Technology Sydney

• Graduate Diploma in Psychology
• Graduate Diploma in Psychology (Advanced)

University of Canberra

• Bachelor of Science in Psychology (APAC-accredited)

Begin your study to a fulfilling career in psychology

Whether to hold general registration or complete an area of practice endorsement is a significant consideration for any future psychologist. Your career goals, special interests and how long you can commit to studying are all factors that help determine the ultimate path you take. Now that you know the difference between the two and the study pathways available, you can take the first steps toward an incredible career in psychology.

If you’re wondering about postgraduate courses in other areas of healthcare, explore GlobalHealth Education’s catalogue of online programs, including social work, public health, counselling, nursing, psychology, leadership and mental health.

If you need more guidance with your study path, select a course below and enquire to speak to a Student Enrolment Advisor who is ready to answer your questions.