As a Psychology graduate in Australia, What jobs can you do?

Psychology has become more demanding in Australia. Therefore, this major attracts a lot of interest from international students when they come to Australia.

Since Psychology requires some specific skills and high science knowledge, students need to be prepared before pursuing a profession. Let’s learn about Psychology with SET Education to be better prepared!

Psychology workforce in Australia

Psychology helps to understand the behavior and human brain activities. From there, show how to apply these insights to treat mental health problems, improve the quality of education, recruitment and employment, as well as relationships.

In the context of socio-economic development more and more rapidly in Australia or any other country, the social relationships in organizations and between people are becoming more and more complex. Therefore, there are many problems that require the application of Psychology to be more and more sophisticated and in-depth to solve.

In the last 5 years (2013-2018), Australia has 38,000 vacancies for the Psychology profession (equivalent to 7,600 positions per year). This number of jobs is due to many people stopping the work for reasons such as retirement, changing careers, etc.

• The unemployment rate of workforce in this major is also lower than the average in Australia in 2018.
• The majority of Psychologists will work in the fields such as: Health and Social Support; Education and Training; Public Administration and Safety at work.
• Only 52% of Psychologists work full time in Australia. Shows a lot of opportunities for part-time work.
• The age of Psychologists in Australia is 44 years old and this age is higher than the average working age of 40 years old in Australia.
• They work an average of 43 hours/week. This working time is lower than the average working time of 44 hours in Australia.
• Up to 80% of Psychologists are women.

Majoring in Psychology to apply for Skilled Australian Visa

The Australian government is quite focused on Psychology jobs. Many of these occupations are included in the list of occupations that can apply for Skilled Visa in 2019-2020. Including: Clinical Psychologist, Educational Psychologist, Organizational Psychologist, Psychologist nec, Psychotherapist, etc.

Practicing Psychology in Australia

To be worked as a Psychologist in Australia, you need to achieve an appropriate level of English as well as the qualified degree. There are two ways to get the Certificate of Psychologist Practice:

Firstly, you must send your Psychology Degree, the English Language Certificate and the Form filled in the information as required to Australian Psychological Society (APS). The processing fee for your application is 1013.64 AUD if you are outside Australia and 1115 AUD if you are in Australia.

If your study period does not exceed 4 years, you are required to practice the profession under the supervision and instruction for 2 years. And then you can register to practice in Australia.

Second, study a Psychology program with the Degree validated by Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC). After completing the study program, you also need to submit the application for registration to APS similar to the case above. In this case, the processing fee for the application is 750 AUD. Then you can practice in Australia.

Difference between Psychiatrist and Psychologist

There are three main differences between Psychiatrist and Psychologist:

• Psychiatrist is the Medical Doctor, but Psychologist is not a doctor;
• Psychiatrist is allowed to prescribe drugs, but Psychologist is not allowed to fill a prescription;
• Psychiatrist will diagnose illness, monitor the treatment and offer a variety of therapeutic solutions for complex and serious mental illnesses. Psychologist focuses on psychotherapy (Psychological Talking Therapies) to help patients.

Both Psychiatrist and Psychologist understand how the brain works and expresses emotions, moods and thoughts. Both of them help to treat mental/spiritual illnesses and use therapeutic solutions.

Psychiatrists undergo at least 11 years of training. In which, students must study 5 years to get the Bachelor’s Degree in Medicine. Then they will study for the next 1-2 years to become a General Doctor. And study for at least 5 more years for majoring in the diagnosis and treatment of mental illness.
Psychologists undergo at least 6 years of training including the learning and practice of the profession under the supervision – instruction. They can continue to study in order to receive the Master’s Degree or PhD Degree in Psychology. If they have the Doctorate Degree (PhD), they can be considered as a Doctor. But they are not Psychiatrists.

Clinical Psychologists can be trained in the diagnosis and treatment of mental illness.

Studying Psychology, is it necessary to become a Doctor or a Psychologist?

It is an interesting fact that ¾ of University graduates majoring in Psychology will not continue to pursue Psychology. To practice as a Psychologist, the professional Master’s Degree or Doctorate Degree is required.

The Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology is also the starting point for many other careers. The majority of University graduates in this major will pursue careers related to human and public service. For example, the Careers Counselor, the Rehabilitation Specialist or the Case Management Specialist (in Social Work Organizations).

Necessary skills to pursue Psychology

No matter what you do, the essential skills of a person who pursues to major in Psychology required are:

• Ability to read, write, present and make reports;
• Proficient use of Information Technology;
• Working with numbers and statistics;
• Analytical and problem solving skills;
• Teamwork skills;
• Communication skills

Top Psychology jobs in Australia

Psychiatrist

A Psychiatrist is a Doctor specializing in Psychiatry. They must evaluate the patients to indicate whether symptoms are the result of physical illness or the combination of physical and spiritual illness, or merely mental illness. Psychiatrists are often the Leader of the team of directing a team’s activities including Psychologists, Social Workers, Occupational Therapists and Nurses. They are trained to treat diseases under many perspectives from Biomedicine, Psychiatry to Society.

Psychiatrists must cure the patients by many methods. For example:

• Prescription of drugs;
• Measures of medical care, including physical examination, as well as the effectiveness of drug treatment;
• Psychological treatments;
• Brain stimulation therapy solutions such as Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT).
• As analyzed above, to practice as a Psychiatrist, you must graduate from a Medical School with about 11 years of training. Experience significantly determines salary grade of Psychiatrists. A doctor with 10-20 years of experience will receive almost double amount of salary compared to novice doctors.

The average salary for Psychiatrists in Australia is 129 AUD/hour or 124,000 AUD/month (they rarely work full time). Some full-time jobs will be paid up to 300,000 to 500,000 AUD per year.

Occupational/ Industrial – Organizational (I/O) Psychologist

An Occupational Psychologist will apply the knowledge, theory and practice on Psychology to solve organizational problems in the Enterprise. For example, the company culture and the attitude towards change. Or psychological and behavioral problems in the Enterprise at the individual and team level. Thus, the Occupational Psychologists can help to improve the employee’s satisfaction in the Company and enhance the Organization’s working performance.

As an Occupational Psychologist, you can work as a consultant or a staff of the Company. You will work with the Board of Directors, Department of Human Resource, Department of Training and Development, the career advisors or the management consultants, the business coaches, the Trade Union’s representative, the Teams’ staff and the Individuals.

To practice as an Occupational Psychologist in Australia, you need the Practice Certificate. Some companies will have other requirements, such as years of experience, frequent business trips (foreign country).

The average salary for Occupational Psychologists in Australia is 40,25AUD/hour or 68,500 AUD/year.

Neuropsychologist

Neuropsychologists examine and treat people with nervous system disorders. They work closely with Doctors and Neuroscientists.

They focus on dealing with disorders, lesions, and diseases of the brain. This causes negative changes in the emotions, thoughts and behaviors of the patients. A Neuropsychologist is someone who helps determine the type of damage that has occurred and the severity of the disease. Some cases of disease that they need to participate in treatment, including:

• Nerve damage after having a stroke;
• Parkinson disease;
• Alzheimer’s disease;
• Traumatic brain injury;
• Dyslexia…

To practice as a Neuropsychologist in Australia, you need the Practice Certificate and the Doctorate Degree (PhD) in the field of Neuropsychology. There are many workplace options: the Universities and the Research Institutes, the Mental Health Clinics, the Pharmaceutical Companies and Hospitals.

The average salary for Neuropsychologists in Australia is 54,2AUD/hour or 106,000 AUD/year. Experienced Neuropsychologists can earn up to 136,000 AUD/year.

Clinical Psychologist

Clinical Psychologists can choose for themselves a specialized field to practice. They may specialize in psychotherapy for patients with chronic conditions such as diabetes or obesity. Or specializing in depression – anxiety; bipolar disorder or schizophrenia. They treat both adults and children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADD) and Autism Disorder (Asperger).

In Schools, they can help students with Dyslexia. In the University, they help advice students on choosing the career in the future, keeping mentally healthy and achieving the success in learning. In Community Service Facilities, they will help to resolve issues of cultural differences and disadvantaged groups.

To become a Clinical Psychologist in Australia, you need the Practice Certificate, and the Master’s Degree or the Doctorate Degree in Research on Psychology, or the Doctorate Degree of Clinical Practice.

The average salary for Clinical Psychologists in Australia is 51,25AUD/hour or 100,000 AUD/year.

Counselling Psychologists

The Counseling Psychologists through counseling helps everyone improve happiness, reduce suffering, resolve psychological crisis and live better.

They focus on concerns related to emotions, social relationships, career guidance activities, education, health, and personal and organizational development. They solve problems to help develop normal psychology and treat physical, emotional and mental disorders.

The Counseling Psychologists advise individuals and community groups of all ages that come from a variety of cultures. For the Organizations/ Enterprises, they help to better improve the productivity and happiness of their members.

To become a Counseling Psychologist in Australia, you need the Practice Certificate, and the Master’s Degree or the Doctorate Degree in Counseling Psychology.

The average salary for Counseling psychologists in Australia is 45,75AUD/hour or 65,000 AUD/year.

Forensic Psychologist

A Forensic Psychologist works in the criminal justice system and the Civil Court. They apply their knowledge of Psychology to help narrow down the list of suspects or identify the crime’s motive. In some cases, a Forensic Psychologist’s testimony is the final piece of the puzzle to help convict a criminal.

In the Family Court, Forensic Psychologist offers psychotherapy services, proposes the research of child abuse records and assesses child custody and risk in visitation cases.

In the Civil Court, a Forensic Psychologist conducts psychotherapy for victims and criminals; and assesses competence and gives opinions.

Particularly in the Criminal Court, Forensic Psychologist provides the assessments of juvenile and adult criminals, conducts mental capacity assessment, and works with child witnesses.

A Forensic Psychologists conduct self-research and make their own judgments. At the same time, they also research and analyze the research results from other Experts.

A Forensic Psychologist researches on the criminals and their crimes, thereby providing the portrait and personality of the certain types of criminals. They do this through talking to the criminal or the relatives and victims of the criminal.

To become a Forensic Psychologist, you need the Practice Certificate, and the Master’s Degree or the Doctorate Degree in the field of Forensic Psychology.

The average salary for Forensic Psychologists in Australia is 92,500 AUD/year.

School Psychologist

School Psychologist is a special member of the School, helping students learn better and teachers teach better. They apply their expertise in mental health, learning and behaviour, to help children be more successful. This success is not only reflected in academic results, but also socially, behaviorally and emotionally.

The School Psychologist accompanies families, teachers, the school administrators and other experts. All towards creating a safe & healthy environment; and supporting to better connect the family, school and community.

To become a School Psychologist, you need to have the Practice Certificate, and also meet the tests before working of the Australian Ministry of Education.

The average salary for School Psychologists in Australia is 97,600 AUD/year.

Sports Psychologist

Sports Psychologist helps athletes compete at peak performance. They can be the coach, counsellor or therapist.

Sports Psychologist can offer the treatment method for eating disorders or career transition periods. By helping athletes to reinforce dynamism in team, and strengthen social awareness and leadership. Or helping them to solve psychological problems off the field, or during the recovery period after injury.

Sports Psychologists can be both researchers and providers of psychological counselling services. They explore the effects of competing in sports for each individual, the psychological factors that contribute to success on the field, and the psychological consequences of physical injuries.

Sports Psychologists are hired by the teams and the Schools.

To become a Sports Psychologist, you need to have the Practice Certificate, and the Master’s Degree or the Doctorate Degree in the field of Sports Psychology.

The average salary for Sports Psychologists in Australia is 84,000 AUD/year.

Psychotherapist

Psychotherapists diagnose and treat mental and emotional disorders. Through therapeutic methods such as behavioral therapy, biofeedback, relaxation therapy… and many other techniques.

They will work with the individuals, the couples of spousal, the families and groups of patients to help them overcome psychological and emotional problems.

To become a Psychotherapist, typically require the Bachelor’s Degree in the field of Health, plus 3-4 years of training in the field of Psychotherapy.

Psychologists, Psychiatrists or Counseling Psychologist can further study to become the Psychotherapists. You do not need the Practice Certificate for this job.

The average salary for Psychotherapists in Australia is 45,25AUD/hour or 72,000 AUD/year.

Advertising Specialist

Advertising jobs involve developing persuasive advertisements and researching target audiences to create product messages. If you have the Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology, you are perfectly suited to be an Advertising Specialist.

The average salary for the job of a Advertising Specialist in Australia is 65,500 AUD/year. If you are promoted to position of Advertising Manager, the average salary for this position in Australia is 86,000 AUD/year.

Market Researcher

Market Research Jobs require Market Researchers having good ability in statistical analysis and scientific research method. A candidate who is trained in Psychology would be perfect for this job.

The average salary for job of a Market Researcher in Australia is 82,850 AUD/year.

Sales Representative/ Manager

Candidates trained in Psychology have unique strengths in communication, the persuasion ability as well as the deep understanding of human behaviour. These are extremely necessary skills for Sales Staffs/Directors. Therefore, this job is completely suitable when you are trained in Psychology.

The average salary for Sales Representative job in Australia is 67,500 AUD/year. When promoted to position of Sales Manager, you can reach the average salary of 97,500 AUD/year.

Social Worker 

There are two types of Social Worker – Social Worker Specialists, including:

• Direct Service Social Worker – helping people deal with and cope with the problems that they will encounter every day;
• Clinical Social Worker – helping diagnose and treat mental, behavioral and emotional problems.

A Social Worker can work in the Mental Health Clinics, the Schools, Hospitals, or own their own company.

The average salary of a Social Worker in Australia is 85,000 AUD/year.

Case Manager 

Case Manager gives the advice and counsel to people who are struggling. They help with treatment and recovery planning; determine who will treat the illness and monitor the assisted person’s recovery process. At the same time, they also coordinate with other parties to help with Health and the implementation of other Social Work.

They need not only kindness, but also the logical thinking and the understanding of human nature and behavior.

If trained in Psychology, you will be the right choice for this position in a way that exceeds expectations.

The average salary for the job of Case Manager in Australia is 80,500 AUD/year. Some longtime experts can reach an income of about 136,500 AUD/year.

Probation and Parole Officer

The Probation and Parole Officer will supervise and work with convicts who have committed crimes. They supervise convicts, record the behavior and coordinate with other experts and therapists. From there, provide recommendations to the Court.

To become the Probation and Parole Officer, you need the Degree in Psychology. At the same time, may be required to complete the training courses and the exams before working for the State.

The average salary for the job of Probation and Parole Officer in Australia is 76,000 AUD/year.

Career Counsellor

The job of a Career Counselor is to help new students and job seekers discover their potential. From there, there is a clear direction on how to do the most suitable work in the future. They help these individuals perform the self-assessment, find the career pathaway, change the job, or strengthen their skills for the job.

If you are trained in Psychology, you will have the skills to do this job well. Because the main career guidance process is to find out the right job for an individual through self-discovery. This is the forte of Psychology.

The average salary for the job of Career Counselor in Australia is about 59,000 AUD/year.

Vocational Education Teacher 

The Vocational Education Teachers teach one or more subjects at TAFE Institutes (Technical and Further Education), the Polytechniques and other Vocational Training Schools.

In addition to the Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology, you will need the Bachelor’s Degree in the Major which you teach, the required Certificate in Training and Evaluation. For example, the Certificate required in Victoria is the Certificate IV in Training and Evaluation.

The average salary for the job of Vocational Education Teacher in Australia is 57,500 AUD/year.

Thus, SET Education has just reviewed the good jobs suitable for those who love Psychology. Hope this information is useful to you in the process of choosing the major when studying in Australia. Good luck!