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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)

  • High school diploma

  • Prerequisite Subjects

Master's degree

2 years

7.0 (no band less than 7.0)

  • Bachelor's degree in psychology (APAC)

  • Two professional referees

  • Interview

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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