Clinical Psychology Registrar

Clinical psychology is one of nine practice areas for endorsement by the Psychology Board of Australia. The field focuses on assessing, diagnosing, treating, and preventing mental health problems.

A clinical psychology registrar seeks endorsement in this area of practice through an approved program. They work in a clinical role under supervision for up to 3000 hours to qualify. The goal is to develop and demonstrate the required competencies to become a clinical psychologist.

Registrars may be at different career stages. All have completed a master's degree in psychology and specialist clinical education. They may be newly registered psychologists or experienced psychologists seeking further specialisation.

Area of Practice Endorsement

Psychologists may obtain endorsement in an area of practice by completing specialist education and training. Following endorsement in Clinical Psychology, you may be referred to as a clinical psychologist, not just a psychologist.

To be eligible for a registrar program, candidates need to have completed an accredited postgraduate degree in clinical psychology and must have general registration as a psychologist in Australia.

Other specialists, endorsed in other areas of practice, are:

Registrar Programs

A registrar program is supervised work leading to endorsement in an area of practice. Key features are:

• Board-approved supervised practice, requiring up to 3000 hours over 88 weeks.
• Competency development such as self-appraisal, supervision seeking, peer consultation, and identifying and planning professional growth.
• Continuing professional development, including 80 hours of active CPD for registrars with a sixth-year qualification

Clinical psychology registrar programs are commonly delivered in Australian hospitals and clinical settings. These provide practical experience in diagnosing and treating mental health conditions.

A clinical psychology registrar is a psychologist with general registration plus specialised education in clinical practice. They are at the final stage of becoming a clinical psychologist. Their work is only loosely supervised, with supervision amounting to 80 hours across the program.

Source: Psychology Board – Guidelines on Area of Practice Endorsements

How to be Registered as a Clinical Psychologist

Working as a clinical psychology registrar for up to 2 years is essentially the final stage of becoming a clinical psychologist. After completing the program, all that remains is to apply for and obtain endorsement in clinical psychology from the Psychology Board of Australia.

Preparation for the registrar program is extensive. It begins with a Bachelor of Psychological Science, Graduate Diploma of Psychology or equivalent degree. This is followed by an honours year or Graduate Diploma of Psychology (Advanced). This foundational education, plus enrolment in advanced study, qualifies you to be a provisional psychologist.

The next step is to enroll in a Master of Clinical Psychology or a doctoral program, focusing on advanced training in assessment, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of mental disorders. One-year master's conversion programs are also available for registered psychologists.

Successful completion of this phase leads to the registrar program. Candidates must apply for general registration if not already registered. They need to submit an application for the registrar program to PsyBA for approval before starting. The program must address all area of practice competencies and include supervision and CPD details.

Related: How to Become a Psychologist in Australia

Clinical Psychologist vs Registered Psychologist

The benefits of specialising in clinical psychology may not be immediately obvious. Endorsement in this field does not grant a psychologist special powers. Clinical and registered psychologists are, depending on overall expertise, able to perform the same functions. For example, any psychologist could potentially diagnose a psychological disorder.

Clinical psychologists, with their recognised expertise, can access jobs unavailable to other psychologists in hospitals and other clinical environments. In some states and territories, psychologist classifications in public healthcare are reserved for clinical psychology registrars and clinical psychologists. Categories may include neuropsychologists and forensic psychologists.

Becoming a clinical psychologist expands your opportunities for a career managing diagnosable mental health problems. Practitioners have advanced training to conduct research or provide specialised support for conditions like anxiety, depression, and personality disorders.

Related: 12 Types of Psychologists in Australia

How Much Do Registrars Make in Australia?

The average salary a clinical psychologist registrar makes in Australia is around $92,582 per year. This the mean pay level for entry-level psychology jobs across Australia's four largest state health systems.

• Western Australia has the specific classification of 'Clinical Psychology Registrar', with a base salary of $92,946. This starting figure applies to registrars working towards full clinical psychologist registration.
• In Victoria, psychologists start at $92,946, with clinical psychologists at Grade 3 earning an average of $106,523 by the fifth year. Grade 4 psychologists, leading units or teams, can earn up to $145,902.
• New South Wales offers Clinical Psychologists a starting salary of $105,553, with an average of $128,653 by the fifth year. Senior positions can reach up to $142,133.
• In Queensland, the starting salary for Graduate Psychologists is $76,747, with Clinical Psychologists at HP4 achieving $124,435 by the fifth year, and senior roles up to $133,901.

Related: Clinical Psychologist Salary Australia