Psychology
- Mar 22, 2023
- 5 min read
Updated: Mar 21, 2025
Psychology is the scientific study of the human mind and behavior. It seeks to understand and explain how people think, feel, and act in different situations. Psychology encompasses a wide range of topics such as perception, emotion, personality, social behavior, and mental disorders. Studying psychology can help individuals gain insights into their own thoughts and behaviors, as well as those of others. It also provides a solid foundation for a variety of careers in areas such as healthcare, education, business, and social services.

1. QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025: Psychology
According to the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025, Australian universities perform strongly in the Psychology category. The University of Melbourne is the highest-ranked Australian institution, followed by UNSW Sydney and The University of Queensland. Other top-ranking Australian universities in this field include The University of Sydney, Monash University, Australian National University, The University of Western Australia, and Macquarie University. These rankings highlight the quality of research and teaching in psychology across Australian universities, showcasing their strong contributions to the field both nationally and internationally.
Rank | Australian University |
21 | The University of Melbourne |
32 | UNSW Sydney |
34 | The University of Queensland |
39 | The University of Sydney |
68 | Monash University |
88 | Australian National University |
101-150 | The University of Western Australia |
101-150 | Macquarie University |
2. Admissions Guide for Psychology in Australia
This diagram provides a brief guide to the admission process for high school and university graduates who wish to study Psychology in Australia.
3. Entry Requirements for Psychology studies in Australia
The table below outlines the minimum entry requirements for international students who are interested in pursuing studies in Psychology in Australia. Entry requirements are categorized into academic and English language requirements. For detailed admission requirements, please consult with an Australian Study Abroad Counselor (QEAC).
Note: These requirements may vary depending on the institution.
Qualification | Duration | IELTS | Academic Requirement |
Bachelor's degree | 4 years | 7.0 (no band less than 7.0) |
|
Master's degree | 2 years | 7.0 (no band less than 7.0) |
|

4. Structure of Psychology Courses in Australia
The following table provides an overview of the structure of a Psychology course for international students in Australia. It outlines the key components of the course and briefly describes what each component covers. This information can be useful for students who are interested in pursuing a career in psychology and want to gain a better understanding of the different areas of knowledge and skills that they will acquire through the course.
Note: The components and course structure may vary depending on the institution and specific course.
Component | Description |
Foundation studies | Introduces students to the basic principles, concepts, and theories of psychology. Covers topics such as human development, cognitive processes, perception, and social behavior. |
Research methods | Covers quantitative and qualitative research methods, as well as ethical issues in psychological research. Students will learn to design and conduct research studies, analyze data, and report findings. |
Abnormal psychology | Focuses on the causes, diagnosis, and treatment of psychological disorders, including mood disorders, anxiety disorders, personality disorders, and schizophrenia. |
Personality psychology | Examines the major theories of personality, as well as the factors that influence personality development. |
Social psychology | Explores the ways in which individuals are influenced by their social environment and the ways in which they interact with others. Topics may include group dynamics, persuasion, prejudice, and aggression. |
Developmental psychology | Covers the processes of human development from birth to old age. Students will learn about physical, cognitive, and socioemotional development, as well as the various theories that explain these processes. |
Neuropsychology | Focuses on the relationship between the brain and behavior, including topics such as brain structure and function, sensory and motor systems, and learning and memory. |
Electives | Allows students to specialize in specific areas of psychology, such as forensic psychology, health psychology, or educational psychology. |
Professional practice | Provides practical training in professional skills such as counseling, assessment, and intervention. Students may participate in supervised placements in clinical or community settings. |
Honours (optional) | A one-year program that provides advanced training in research methods and allows students to conduct independent research in a specific area of psychology. |

5. APAC (The Australian Psychology Accreditation Council) Accredited Schools for Psychology programs
The Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC) maintains a list of accredited psychology programs offered by various institutions across different states and territories in Australia. The accreditation process ensures that the programs meet the required standards for psychology education and training in Australia. Prospective psychology students or psychologists seeking to practice in Australia should consult this list to ensure they enroll in an accredited program.
State/Territory | Institution |
NSW | University of Sydney University of New South Wales Macquarie University Western Sydney University Charles Sturt University University of Wollongong University of New England Australian Catholic University University of Newcastle Australian College of Applied Professions |
VIC | University of Melbourne Monash University RMIT University Swinburne University of Technology Deakin University La Trobe University Victoria University Chisholm Institute |
QLD | University of Queensland Griffith University Queensland University of Technology Bond University Central Queensland University University of Southern Queensland James Cook University University of the Sunshine Coast |
SA | University of Adelaide University of South Australia Flinders University |
ACT | Australian National University University of Canberra |
NT | Charles Darwin University |
WA | University of Western Australia Edith Cowan University Curtin University |
TAS | University of Tasmania |

6. Hierarchy of Psychology Positions and Descriptions
The table outlines the positions in the psychology hierarchy in Australia, from Psychology Assistant to Registered Psychologist. Responsibilities and required skills increase with each position, with higher positions requiring experience in managing a team, leading complex cases, and providing advanced psychological expertise.
Note that the positions and descriptions may vary depending on the psychology institution or organization.
Position | Description |
Psychology Assistant | Assists psychologists with administrative tasks and basic patient care |
Provisional Psychologist | Works under supervision to provide psychological assessments and interventions |
Psychologist | Provides psychological assessments and interventions independently |
Senior Psychologist | Provides advanced psychological assessments, interventions, and consultation to other professionals |

7. Registration and Career Information for Psychology in Australia
The table below shows the process and future directions for becoming a psychologist in Australia. Additionally, it provides information on the employment size, future job growth rate, average salary, employee percentage, female employment rate, and the average age of the psychology profession in Australia.
Occupation | Psychologists and Psychotherapists (ANZSCO ID 2723) |
Job Type | Professionals |
Skill Level | Very high skill |
Unemployment Rate | Below average |
Employed | 40,000 |
Future Growth | 13.3% |
Weekly Earnings | A$2,066 |
Full - time Share | 52% |
Female Share | 80% |
Average Age | 44 |

8. Immigrating to Australia through Psychology
The diagram below provides an overview of the general process for immigrating to Australia through the Australian Psychology Program, including available visa options and Psychology occupation information.
Skilled Independent visa (Subclass 189) | Skilled Nominated visa (Subclass 190) | Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (Subclass 491) | Temporary Skill Shortage visa (Subclass 482) | Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa (Subclass 494) |
O | O | O | O | O |
Occupation | ANZSCO | List | Visa | Accessing Authority |
Clinical Psychologist | 272311 | MLTSSL | Subclass 186 Subclass 189 Subclass 190 Subclass 482 Subclass 187 Subclass 491 Subclass 494 | APS |
Educational Psychologist | 272312 | MLTSSL | Subclass 186 Subclass 189 Subclass 190 Subclass 482 Subclass 187 Subclass 491 Subclass 494 | APS |
Organisational Psychologist | 272313 | MLTSSL | Subclass 186 Subclass 189 Subclass 190 Subclass 482 Subclass 187 Subclass 491 Subclass 494 | APS |
Psychologists nec | 221113 | MLTSSL | Subclass 186 Subclass 189 Subclass 190 Subclass 482 Subclass 187 Subclass 491 Subclass 494 | APS |
Psychotherapist | 272314 | STSOL | Subclass 190 Subclass 482 Subclass 187 Subclass 491 Subclass 494 | VETASSESS |




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