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Your role as a psychologist
As a psychologist, you'll be an expert in human behaviour. You'll help people manage their challenges by:
- helping them understand their thoughts, feelings and behaviours
- using evidence based therapies and treatments to help them change.
You can diagnose and treat a range of mental health conditions, like depression, anxiety and eating disorders.
We have full time, part time and casual roles, and most work is in daytime hours.
How a psychologist is different from a psychiatrist
Both psychologists and psychiatrists help people with mental health issues, and often work together. Psychologists usually use assessments and therapies, and psychiatrists have trained as doctors so can prescribe medicines.
What your day might look like
You might work in the community, a clinic, a general hospital, a psychiatric hospital, or a prison. You'll either work as part of a team of healthcare workers, or as part of a team of psychologists.
You'll see patients every day and work with them to build a treatment plan that works for them.
Your patients could be struggling with things like major mental illness, addictions, physical sickness, or lifelong diseases. You might help support people through grief and loss, surgery, illness, and adjustment. You could work with children, adults or older people.
You may also have extra skills and qualifications in things like:
- clinical psychology - looking after people with complex mental illnesses
- clinical neuropsychology - looking after people with memory, language and learning issues
- educational and development psychology - helping children and parents with development challenges
- forensic psychology - helping people who are involved in the justice system.
- health psychology - helping people make positive changes to reduce their health risks, for example quitting smoking or managing stress
- organisational psychology - looking after employee wellbeing
- community psychology - looking after unique communities, like those in rural and remote areas
- counselling psychology - exploring people's thoughts and emotions to help improve their wellbeing
- sports and exercise psychology - helping athletes develop a positive training mindset
You'll need to keep up with research and clinical guidelines to make sure your patients get high quality, evidence based care.
Qualifications
You'll need at least 6 years' education and training. That includes a 4 year bachelor's degree, and either a:
- 2 year Master's degree or a 3 or 4 year doctoral degree (higher degree pathway)
- 1 year postgraduate degree plus a 1 year internship and you'll need to pass the national psychology exam (5+1 internship pathway).
All qualifications need to be from a course that's accredited by the Psychology Board of Australia.
Read more about the higher degree pathway, the 5+1 internship pathway and the national psychology exam on the Psychology Board of Australia website.
Professional registration
- Registration with the Psychology Board of Australia
- Area of practice endorsement (AoPE) from the Psychology Board of Australia (for some specific roles)
Pay and benefits
Your pay rate and benefits will depend on your role and your pay point. In your first year you’ll start at health professional grade HP3, pay point 1. You’ll get a higher rate if you’re in a higher level role.
We also offer:
- regular wage increases
- a superannuation rate of 12.75%
- a supportive workplace with flexible working arrangements
- several types of paid leave
- salary packaging
- help with ongoing professional development costs and leave to attend training opportunities
- the chance to collaborate with health professionals in a wide range of disciplines
- access to the study and research assistance scheme (SARAS).
If you're moving to start a new job with us, you may be able to get help with moving and travel costs.
Rural and remote opportunities
You may also be able to get financial incentives and other benefits if you work in rural and remote areas.
Read about our opportunities for rural allied health careers.
Professional growth
Continuing professional development (CPD) and clinical supervision are essential parts of being a psychologist. You'll have opportunities to build CPD points through things like:
- access to ongoing clinical supervision with a more senior psychologist
- the chance to pursue an area of practice endorsement through a registrar program
- attending in-services
- participating in and presenting at conferences and seminars.
Career paths
With more training and experience, you can develop advanced skills and areas of expertise. Many psychologists in Queensland Health become experts in their areas of practice. You could go on to supervise and train more junior psychologists, as well as students on placement. You can also move into different areas of practice and learn from new colleagues and health professional in other disciplines.