Studying Psychology has become an increasingly popular choice within the health sciences field, with more students showing interest in pursuing this subject in Australia. Many are also interested in building a career as a psychologist in Australia. However, due to the regulations set by the Psychology Board of Australia, there are specific requirements that must be met before becoming a registered psychologist. Students need to be well prepared, from choosing the right programme to understanding essential requirements and key information. In this article, P’Orn from One Education has compiled everything you need to know.

What’s the difference between a psychologist and a psychiatrist?

Both psychologists and psychiatrists have a strong understanding of how the brain functions, including emotions, thoughts, and feelings, and both use talk-based therapeutic approaches to help patients better understand their own thoughts and behaviors. Their shared goal is to improve patients’ mental health. However, a psychologist is not the same as a psychiatrist. Psychologists focus on providing counselling and helping patients find ways to cope with or solve their problems, but they cannot diagnose medical conditions or prescribe medication like psychiatrists can. Instead, psychologists rely on psychological assessments and tests to support treatment planning. Their approach emphasizes psychotherapy, focusing on thoughts, emotions, and behaviors through discussion and reflection. The aim is to identify the root causes of problems, develop coping strategies, and guide patients in adjusting their thinking and behavior to improve mental well-being. If a patient’s condition is severe or medication may be beneficial, psychologists will refer the patient to a psychiatrist, along with their assessment results to support further diagnosis. In addition, to work in hospitals, clinical psychologists must be registered (Registered Psychologist) according to the requirements of the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC).

To become a psychiatrist, one must first complete a medical degree and obtain a medical license, before specialising in psychiatry. Psychiatrists are medical doctors who specialise in mental health, and their training path involves studying general medicine followed by specialist training in psychiatry. They are qualified to diagnose and treat mental disorders, considering factors such as neurological and brain conditions, genetics, and other medical conditions. Psychiatrists typically focus on treatment using medication, along with psychotherapy. In some cases, they may refer patients to psychologists for therapy sessions. In addition, psychiatrists may use other treatment methods such as electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), and they are also responsible for monitoring patients’ physical and mental health, as well as evaluating the effectiveness of prescribed medications.

What do you study in Psychology?

A bachelor’s degree in Psychology is open to students from both science-math and arts backgrounds. Since psychology does not require specific prerequisite subjects, universities in Australia offer opportunities for students from both streams to pursue this field without needing a prior science background. Psychology is the study of mental processes, the brain, emotions, personality, and human behavior, using scientific methods to understand the reasons behind thoughts, feelings, and actions. Students will explore topics such as human behavior and motivation, neuropsychology, decision-making processes, social interactions, as well as practical training to support development and behavioral change, including social psychology and clinical psychology.

A psychology bachelor’s degree is generally divided into two main pathways:

1. General Psychology Programme
   • This pathway focuses on understanding thinking processes, emotions, and behavior, and prepares students for a wide range of careers that apply psychological knowledge. It is suitable for those who do not intend to become a registered psychologist.
2. Psychology Pathway for Professional Registration
   • For students who plan to pursue a master’s degree in psychology and become a Registered Psychologist or work in Clinical Psychology, it is necessary to choose a programme accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC).

This pathway leads to professional registration in Australia. Students typically complete an accredited undergraduate degree such as a Bachelor of Psychological Science or Bachelor of Psychology (3 years), followed by a fourth-year Honours programme, which places a stronger emphasis on research. Some universities offer an integrated 4-year Psychology Honours degree, while students who graduated in another field can take a Graduate Diploma in Psychology (APAC-accredited) as an alternative pathway. This allows them to progress to Honours and then a master’s degree in Clinical Psychology, which is required for registration as a psychologist in Australia.

📝 Article by P’Orn, Australia Education Consultant at One Education, and an alumna of University of Canberra.

Example Modules in APAC-Accredited Psychology Programmes

• Foundation in Psychology
• Introduction to Psychological Inquiry
• Psychological Testing and Assessment
• Personality and Social Psychology
• Psychological Disorders
• Biological Psychology
• Developmental Psychology
• Perception and Cognitive Psychology
• Cultural Safety, Responsiveness and Reflexivity in Practice
• Research Methods in Psychology

Undergraduate Psychology Programmes in Australia

Universities in Australia that offer Psychology programmes and are ranked in the Top 100 globally according to the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2024 include:

1. University of Melbourne

• Bachelor of Biomedicine (Major in Psychology)
• Bachelor of Arts (Major in Psychology)
• Bachelor of Science (Major in Psychology)

* All three programmes at the University of Melbourne are accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC).

💬 “I really like the engagement with lecturers here. They are approachable and easy to contact, and the lessons are easy to understand. The university ranking is also very good. Each subject usually has 2 lectures and 1 tutorial. Tutorials are smaller classes (around 18–20 students) split from large lectures of about 500 students. This is when we can ask questions and have discussions. I also like the sense of community here.”

📝 Serena – Bachelor of Arts, major in Psychology, University of Melbourne

2. University of Queensland

• Bachelor of Psychological Science (Honours) – 4 years
• Bachelor of Arts (Major in Psychology) – 3 years
• Bachelor of Science (Major in Psychology) – 3 years

* All three programmes at the University of Queensland are accredited by APAC.

3. Monash University

• Bachelor of Psychology (APAC-accredited)
• Bachelor of Arts (Major in Psychology)
• Bachelor of Science (Major in Psychology)

4. University of Sydney

• Bachelor of Arts (Major in Psychology)
• Bachelor of Science (Major in Psychology)
• Bachelor of Psychology
• Bachelor of Psychology (Honours)

5. UNSW Sydney

• Bachelor of Psychological Science
• Bachelor of Science (Major in Psychology)
• Bachelor of Psychology (Honours)
• Bachelor of Advanced Science (Honours)

* All four programmes at UNSW Sydney are accredited by APAC.

6. Macquarie University

• Bachelor of Psychology (APAC-accredited)
• Bachelor of Arts (Major in Psychological Science)
• Bachelor of Science (Major in Psychological Science)

💬 “The lecturers explain things clearly and are easy to understand. I also like that there’s a Discord community for Psychology students that we can join. It’s very helpful for discussions, asking questions, and sharing lecture notes. Students support each other in learning. Macquarie University also offers an Asian Scholarship for Thai students worth A$10,000 per year for up to 3 years.”

📝 Bew – Bachelor of Psychology, Macquarie University

What Can You Do with a Psychology Degree?

Some students choose to study psychology with the goal of becoming a psychologist, while others may not pursue professional registration but instead apply psychological knowledge to related careers.

These include roles such as psychologists in public and private sectors (e.g. hospitals) and therapists, as well as other fields such as:

Community Sector

Working with people in the community, often through non-profit organisations, supporting individuals with lower income or those in need. These organisations are typically funded by the government, charities, or community health initiatives. Careers may involve community development, social work, youth and family support, or working in schools.

Coaching and Counseling

Careers that focus on guidance and advising others, requiring empathy and strong listening skills, such as teaching, sports coaching, educational guidance, physical therapy consultation, or customer support roles.

Policy Making

Providing recommendations to governments or organisations in developing policies to improve systems and drive progress. This requires strong communication, writing, and coordination skills.

Justice System

Working in areas such as forensic science, collaborating with police, courts, or correctional institutions, or roles like mediation, using psychology to support communication and resolution.

Human Resources

Working in recruitment, employee support, and organisational development, including planning and improving workplace performance.

Marketing

Roles that involve understanding consumers and customer behaviour, such as marketing and market research.

Social Research

Using psychology to collect data and conduct research for social development.

📝 Article by P’Orn, Australia Education Consultant at One Education, and an alumna of University of Canberra.

Interested in Studying in Australia?

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