The ultimate guide to becoming a clinical psychologist in Australia

Australia’s mental health system continues to face significant challenges, with demand for mental health support continuing to outstrip the capacity to provide adequate care. According to research, there is currently an estimated 32 per cent shortfall in mental health professionals, a figure that is expected to rise to 42 per cent by 2030.

If you’re someone who is intrigued by the complexities of human behaviour, passionate about mental health and wants to play a meaningful and impactful role in supporting others, a career in clinical psychology could be a path worth exploring.

Read on to discover what it takes to become a clinical psychologist in Australia, including the steps required, what the role involves, potential salary and more.

Clinical psychologists in Australia: industry snapshot

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According to data from the Psychology Board of Australia, the number of psychologists with an area of practice endorsement in clinical psychology has grown from 12,426 in 2024 to 13,366 in 2025, an increase of approximately 7.6 per cent.

Despite this growth, Australia’s ongoing mental health crisis continues to drive demand for qualified mental health professionals, including clinical psychologists. In 2024, the Australian Government increased additional psychology internships, supervisors and postgraduate places in a bid to provide more opportunities for students to become registered psychologists and mitigate demand.

What is a clinical psychologist?

A clinical psychologist specialises in assessing, diagnosing and treating mental, behavioural and emotional disorders across the lifespan. They differ from registered psychologists in that they have more advanced training and are qualified to diagnose and treat complex health conditions such as schizophrenia, long-term or treatment-resistant depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Similar to psychologists, clinical psychologists use evidence-based therapies to help individuals navigate challenges. Therapeutic interventions that they may use include cognitive behavioural therapy, schema therapy and other psychological interventions that are tailored to each person’s unique situation and needs.

Choosing between a career as a general psychologist vs clinical psychologist

The main differences between a general psychologist and a clinical psychologist lie in the length of training required and the scope of practice. Here’s a brief table to summarise the key differences:

Steps to becoming a clinical psychologist in Australia

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The steps to becoming a clinical psychologist aren't too dissimilar from those of becoming a registered psychologist, albeit with some key differences.

1. Consider if this is a career you’d like to pursue

While clinical psychology can be an incredibly rewarding and impactful profession, the additional expertise required in the assessment and diagnosis of mental illnesses means it takes a minimum of eight years to become a clinical psychologist. Before deciding to embark on this career path, it’s important to consider whether you’re ready to commit to this lengthy period of study.

To help you with your decision, it may be worth connecting with a practising clinical psychologist to gain a better understanding of the intricacies of the role.

In addition, due to the emotional demands of the profession, burnout is becoming more common amongst psychologists. If you choose to pursue a career as a clinical psychologist, it’s important to prioritise self-care, set boundaries and cultivate resilience early on to avoid burnout.

2. Complete a bachelor’s degree in psychology

If you’ve decided to pursue a career in clinical psychology, the first step is to complete a Bachelor of Science in Psychology, which typically requires three years of full-time study. The degree will provide you with a strong foundation in psychology theory, research methods and human behaviour.

Study an accredited fourth-year psychology course

After completing your bachelor’s degree, the next step is to undertake an Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC) accredited fourth-year psychology course. This may be an honours degree or a postgraduate diploma such as the Graduate Diploma of Psychology (Advanced) at Deakin University or the Graduate Diploma in Psychology (Advanced) at Murdoch University.

Already have a bachelor’s degree?

If you already hold a bachelor’s degree in another discipline, you will need to first complete a Graduate Diploma in Psychology, followed by either an honours degree or a Graduate Diploma of Psychology (Advanced). The Graduate Diploma in Psychology is equivalent to an undergraduate psychology degree and will provide you with the foundational knowledge and skills required to undertake further psychology studies.

Examples of Graduate Diploma in Psychology courses to consider include:

• Graduate Diploma of Psychology at Charles Sturt University
• Graduate Diploma in Psychology at Australian Catholic University
• Graduate Diploma in Psychology at The University of Melbourne

Don’t have a bachelor’s degree but have relevant work experience?

If you don’t hold a bachelor’s degree but have relevant work experience, some universities offer alternative entry pathways. For instance, the Graduate Certificate of Psychology at Edith Cowan University and the Graduate Certificate of Psychology at Swinburne University of Technology accept applicants with a minimum of five years of equivalent professional experience.

After completing the Graduate Certificate of Psychology, you will then proceed to complete a Graduate Diploma of Psychology, followed by a Graduate Diploma of Psychology (Advanced).

3. Complete either a two-year master’s or four-year doctorate

After completing an accredited fourth-year psychology course, you’ll need to apply for provisional registration with the Psychology Board of Australia before pursuing the area of endorsement pathway by completing either a two-year master’s or a four-year doctorate in clinical psychology.

Examples of clinical psychology master’s courses to consider include:

• Master of Clinical Psychology at Macquarie University
• Master of Clinical Psychology at University of Queensland
• Master of Clinical Psychology at RMIT University

These courses combine coursework, supervised practice and research components to equip you with the advanced training, clinical skills and research knowledge needed to assess and treat a wide range of emotional and behavioural challenges.

4. Undertake the Psychology Board of Australia registrar program

After completing your postgraduate qualification, you will need to apply for general registration before undertaking the Psychology Board of Australia registrar program.

The registrar program has three components: psychological practice, supervision with a Board-approved supervisor who holds endorsement in clinical psychology and continuing professional development.

The total number of hours required is dependent on the qualification you have completed. For example:

• If you’ve completed a master’s course, you will need to do a 3,000-hour registrar program
• If you’ve completed a combined master’s and PhD course, you will need to complete a 2,250-hour registrar program
• If you’ve completed a doctorate, you will need to complete a 1,500-hour registrar program

5. Apply for an area of practice endorsement

Once you’ve met all registrar program requirements, you can apply for a clinical psychology endorsement with the Psychology Board of Australia.

If you wish to gain additional endorsements, you will need to complete a relevant one-year postgraduate qualification and fulfil the requirements of the corresponding registrar program.

6. Apply for jobs

Once endorsed, you’ll be qualified to work as a clinical psychologist across a wide range of settings including hospitals, community mental health services, private practices, universities and research institutions.

You can explore opportunities through platforms such as SEEK, Indeed and the Australian Psychological Society job board or apply directly through health services and clinics.

What does a clinical psychologist do?

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A clinical psychologist’s role and responsibilities don’t differ significantly from those of a general psychologist. The main difference lies in the scope of work, with clinical psychologists specialising in diagnosing and treating more complex mental health presentations.

Here’s an overview of a clinical psychologist’s roles and responsibilities:

Assessment and diagnosis

Clinical psychologists have advanced training in assessing the causes of psychological distress. They possess extensive knowledge in mental health diagnosis and conduct comprehensive psychological assessments using standardised tests, interviews and behavioural observations to identify the nature and severity of a client’s mental health concerns.

Developing tailored treatment approaches

Based on their assessment, clinical psychologists develop individualised treatment plans and implement evidence-based therapeutic interventions such as acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), schema therapy, psychodynamic psychotherapy and trauma-informed therapy. These treatments help clients navigate challenges, develop effective coping skills and build resilience.

Working with other healthcare professionals

Clinical psychologists often play a vital role in collaborating with other healthcare professionals, including psychiatrists, social workers and general practitioners, to ensure holistic care for clients.

Additional responsibilities

Beyond client sessions, many clinical psychologists are also involved in research, teaching and policy development to enhance psychological health practices.

Clinical psychologist salary

In Australia, clinical psychologists earn an average annual salary of around $120,000, although this can vary based on factors such as experience and location. For instance, clinical psychologists in the Northern Territory earn the highest salaries, averaging $145,000 to $155,000 per year, while those in South Australia earn comparatively less at around $95,000 to $110,000 per year.

Clinical psychologists also earn about 11 per cent more than general psychologists, who make approximately an average of $108,000 per year. While this difference can partly be attributed to specialised expertise and additional qualifications, another contributing factor is the higher Medicare rebate available to clinical psychologists.

While general psychologists offer clients a Medicare rebate of $98.95, clinical psychologists offer a Medicare rebate of $145.25. The higher rebate enables them to charge higher consultation fees, which can further increase their overall earning potential, especially for those working in private practice.

Where do clinical psychologists work?

While clinical psychologists can work across a wide range of settings, their specialised training means they are more likely to work in clinical environments such as psychiatric hospitals, mental health wards or specialist mental health services.

Some of the other settings where clinical psychologists commonly work include:

Hospitals

Clinical psychologists in hospital settings assist with the assessment, diagnosis and treatment of major mental illnesses as well as common psychological concerns. They may work across different wards and multidisciplinary teams, contributing to both inpatient and outpatient care.

Private practice

In private practice, clinical psychologists treat a diverse range of psychological concerns and disorders. Many also highlight areas of special interest or expertise in their practice such as working with adolescents, supporting clients experiencing trauma or helping clients with addressing sexual health and wellbeing-related concerns.

Community health services

Clinical psychologists working within community health services not only assist individuals with mental health problems, but may also support clients with other life challenges such as relationship struggles, grief and loss and stress management.

Government

Clinical psychologists have various opportunities to work for the government, including within prison mental health services, community forensic mental health programs or mental health inpatient units. Clinical psychologists may also work in government departments, contributing to public health policy, program design and consultancy.

Universities

Clinical psychologists can also work in universities as lecturers, training the next generation of mental health professionals and contributing to the leadership and administration of psychology units and courses.

Key skills and qualities required for a career in clinical psychology

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If you’re considering a career in clinical psychology, here are a few skills and qualities that can aid in your success:

The ability to build relationships and connect with clients

As a clinical psychologist, you’ll be working closely with clients who may have experienced significant trauma, emotional distress or long-standing mental health issues. As such, empathy, rapport-building, communication and active listening are all fundamental pillars that will support you in your practice. These skills will help you form a strong therapeutic alliance and create a safe, trusting environment for clients.

Problem-solving and analytical thinking

Clinical psychologists often encounter complex cases that require strong problem-solving skills. Having well-developed analytical and critical thinking abilities is essential in helping with observing, analysing, hypothesising and theorising during client sessions.

Ethical and professional integrity

Ethical awareness is fundamental in clinical psychology. Psychologists are responsible for maintaining patient confidentiality, obtaining informed consent and practising within their scope of competence. There may also be times when you’ll need to navigate ethical dilemmas and manage them with ethical decision-making processes.

Research capabilities

As a clinical psychologist, you’ll need to have a thorough understanding of research methods and statistics. You’ll also need to stay up-to-date with the latest research in the field, particularly in psychological interventions as the area is constantly evolving with emerging evidence and best practices.

Professional writing skills

Given the volume of reports that are usually required to be produced, strong professional writing skills are essential for clinical psychologists as a significant part of the role involves writing detailed reports, case notes and treatment summaries.

Boundary setting

Setting and maintaining healthy boundaries is critical for clinical psychologists. It’s essential to recognise when to step back from work to avoid burnout and maintain a healthy work-life balance.

Should you become a clinical psychologist in Australia?

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Here are a few things to consider if you’re thinking about becoming a clinical psychologist in Australia:

Are you willing to invest the time to become a clinical psychologist?

It takes at least eight years to become a clinical psychologist, a process that requires significant commitment, time and energy. Even with the Australian Government’s recent investment in additional postgraduate psychology program places, entry into these courses remains highly competitive.

In addition, there’s much to navigate, especially when pursuing a postgraduate psychology degree as you’ll need to balance intensive reading and assignments, conducting research and completing supervised practice with your personal life. It’s important to take the time to consider whether you’re ready to commit to this rigorous pathway.

Do you have a passion for mental health?

If you have a strong interest in understanding the complexities of mental health and want to help people who are facing a wide range of mental health challenges, you might be interested in pursuing a career in clinical psychology.

Do you see yourself working in a clinical setting?

While clinical psychologists can work across a variety of settings, because of their training and expertise, clinical psychologists are more likely to work in clinical environments such as hospitals or mental health clinics, where they provide in-depth assessment and therapy for more complex cases.

Can you manage the emotional demands?

Clinical psychologists often face high emotional demands due to the nature of their work. While the role can be incredibly rewarding, it also carries the risk of burnout, emotional exhaustion, compassion fatigue and vicarious trauma. To reduce these risks, it’s important to develop strategies that build emotional resilience and prioritise self-care.

Do you enjoy learning?

The field of psychology is a realm of perpetual learning. Whether it’s through research, continuing professional development (CPD) or gaining new insights from your client’s experience, you’ll be continually exploring and learning to enrich your knowledge and practice. If you’re naturally curious and enjoy exploring new ideas, you might be well-suited to a career in clinical psychology.

Begin an impactful career as a clinical psychologist

Clinical psychologists are highly sought after and that demand is only expected to grow in the coming years. While there are a wealth of opportunities and rewards associated with the profession, it also comes with its share of challenges and emotional demands.

If you’re a resilient, empathetic and analytical individual, clinical psychology could be a suitable career. It’s a profession that’s not only intellectually stimulating, but also interesting and meaningful.

If you’re ready to pursue a career as a clinical psychologist, explore the range of undergraduate and postgraduate psychology courses available on GlobalHealth Education. Still exploring your options? Courses are also available in other disciplines such as counselling, mental health, nursing, public health, social work and more.