Overview
Forensic psychology is one of the nine psychology areas of practice defined by the Psychology Board of Australia. Practitioners combine their expertise in psychology and the law to provide services to individuals and organisations involved in legal proceedings.
As a forensic psychologist, your job is to apply psychology in legal settings, assess mental states for court, and offer expert testimony. The goal is to aid legal decisions and support justice.
What is Forensic Psychology?
Forensic psychology is a discipline that merges psychology and principles of law to guide courts, legal decisions, and understand behaviour. It involves assessing individuals' mental states and applying psychological knowledge.
Contrary to mainstream portrayal, it’s not about getting inside people’s minds; the reality is far more simple. It’s about using psychology to support people with mental health issues who are in the criminal justice system, or at risk of entering it.
Psychologists in this field seek to understand the psychological aspects of legal processes, evaluate mental states, and apply psychological principles to support legal proceedings.
Role of Forensic Psychologists
Forensic psychologists are needed to assess individuals' mental health in legal contexts, provide expert testimony in court cases, and contribute insights into criminal behaviour and victim support.
Their work spans across courts, prisons, rehabilitation centres, and law enforcement agencies. They serve clients ranging from criminal defendants to victims and law enforcement. Their expertise contributes to community safety and the fair treatment of individuals within the justice system.
Related: 12 Types of Psychologists in Australia
How Do I Become a Forensic Psychologist?
To become a forensic psychologist in Australia, you need a 3-year bachelor degree, a 1-year honours degree or equivalent, a 2-year psychology master's specialising in clinical or forensic psychology, followed by 2 years of supervised practice. It takes a minimum of 8 years.
- Undergraduate education. Begin with a 3-year psychology bachelor degree. If you're a university graduate from a non-psychology background, you can opt for shorter Graduate Diploma of Psychology.
- Fourth-year psychology. Proceed with an Honours year or a Graduate Diploma in Psychology (Advanced) to develop psychological knowledge and research skills. This qualifies you for higher study and provisional registration.
- Postgraduate study. Enroll in a 2-year Master's or a Doctorate program in Psychology that offers a Clinical or Forensic Psychology major. You may receive specialised training in understanding criminal behaviour, legal processes, and how to apply psychological knowledge in legal contexts.
- Registrar experience. After postgraduate studies, complete a 2-year registrar program that includes supervised clinical practice. This hands-on experience develops competencies necessary to work effectively within the legal and criminal justice systems.
- Registration. Obtain general registration as a psychologist with the Psychology Board of Australia (PsyBA), followed by approval for clinical or forensic psychology as your area of practice endorsement.
Related: Psychology Board – Guidelines on Area of Practice Endorsements
Salaries in Australia
Forensic psychologists in Australia earn an average salary of $120,253 yearly. This figure is for those working within public health systems for five years. Starting salaries are about $92,582 a year, varying by location. The top salary is around $138,533.
In private practice, earnings can exceed these figures. In a consulting capacity, they are able to charge more for specialised services. These include assessments, consultations, and expert court advice. High demand and skills in an area of law boost income potential.
Related: Clinical Psychologist Salary Australia
Criminal Psychologists
Criminal psychology is a field that is related to but distinct from forensic psychology. Criminal psychologists focus on understanding the psychological motives behind criminal behaviour. They evaluate offenders' mental states, assist law enforcement in profiling potential offenders, and provide behavioural analysis to aid investigations.
Criminal psychologists develop profiles of offenders, conduct risk assessments, and offer insights into criminal behaviour. They work closely with police to narrow down suspect lists and understand crime motives. Unlike forensic psychologists, criminal psychologists typically do not provide expert testimony in court but support law enforcement during investigations.