12 Types of Psychologists in Australia

The different types of psychologist are defined by qualifications and specialisations. Registered psychologists are the most numerous, followed by clinical psychologists.

Stages of Professional Development

Some psychologists are in training and practicing under supervision. A provisional psychologist is preparing for general registration. Once qualified, they can work as a registered psychologist. In turn, registered psychologists may choose to seek endorsement in an area of practice, requiring that they spend up to two years as a registrar.

Provisional psychologist

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A provisional psychologist has at least four years of education and works under supervision. This temporary role is a step towards full registration.

They are gaining the practical experience needed for independent practice. For example, they may be doing an unpaid student placement or a paid internship.

Registered psychologist

Woman taking notes in consultation with man

Anyone calling themselves a psychologist in Australia must have general registration. However, the term registered psychologist often refers to those in general practice.

General psychologists are fully qualified to perform most tasks, including diagnoses within their field of expertise. Many also specialise, though without formally gaining endorsement in one of the nine areas of practice.

Psychology registrar

Psychology registrars are registered psychologists aiming to specialise in one of nine practice areas. Most are clinical psychology registrars, as this is the most in-demand specialty.

Eligibility for the registrar program includes general registration and a specialist postgraduate qualification. The program requires supervised practice and professional development.

Areas of Practice

Australia defines nine areas of practice endorsement with protected titles such as clinical psychologist, clinical neuropsychologist, and forensic psychologist. Earning one of these titles requires psychologists to complete an approved postgraduate qualification and supervised training in the discipline.

Clinical neuropsychologist

A clinical neuropsychologist has expertise in how brain conditions affect cognition and behaviour. They focus on disorders like traumatic brain injuries, strokes, dementia, epilepsy, developmental problems, and psychiatric conditions.

Neuropsychologists work in hospitals, rehabilitation facilities, private practices, and research settings. Using various tests, they assess, diagnose and treat these disorders.

Clinical psychologist

Clinical psychologists assess, diagnose and treat mental health disorders, including anxiety, depression, PTSD and behavioural problems. Therapy aims to improve thoughts, behaviours and mental health.

They work in hospitals, private practices, schools and community services. Treatment may include cognitive behavioural therapy, psychoeducation and skills training.

Community psychologist

Facilitated group meeting and discussion

Community psychologists work in agencies, non-profits, and schools to address social justice and well-being. They assess community needs, design interventions, and advocate for policy changes.

They apply psychology to societal problems. For example, they may develop programs to reduce homelessness, create strategies for mental health awareness, and support educational initiatives.

Counselling psychologist

Counselling psychologists provide psychotherapy for mental health issues like anxiety and depression. Their goal is to help people improve functioning, life satisfaction, and resilience.

These professionals work with individuals, couples, and families on issues including trauma, relationship problems, and life transitions. They employ strategies such as cognitive-behavioral therapy and person-centered therapy.

Educational & developmental psychologist

Educational and developmental psychologists address learning, behavioural and developmental issues across the lifespan. They assess needs, provide counselling and design interventions to improve academic, social and personal outcomes.

They work in schools, healthcare facilities and private practices. Common concerns include dyslexia, ADHD and major life transitions.

Forensic psychologist

Intense one-on-one discussion in meeting room

Forensic psychologists apply psychology in legal and criminal justice settings. They assess mental states, provide expert testimony and work with people who have mental health or behavioural issues.

Common workplaces include courts, prisons and law enforcement agencies. Their work supports fair legal processes and community safety.

Health psychologist

Health psychologists help people improve health, prevent illness and manage disease. Common goals include reducing stress, improving diet and supporting addiction recovery.

They work in hospitals, clinics and wellness programs, using approaches such as behavioural therapy and lifestyle coaching.

Organisational psychologist

Young professionals meeting in corner office

Organisational psychologists cultivate a work culture that supports business objectives and job satisfaction. They survey employees and apply psychological principles to improve workplace performance and employee well-being.

Methods include productivity initiatives, guiding talent recruitment, and developing leadership. They address staff conflicts, motivation issues, and adaptability challenges using evidence-based methods.

Sport & exercise psychologist

Male sports consultant with female client in clinic

Sport and exercise psychologists support athletic performance and physical activity. They address stress, motivation, confidence and team dynamics using techniques such as cognitive behavioural therapy and resilience training.

Clients include AFL, NRL and Olympic athletes as well as people working towards everyday fitness goals.

Informal Specialisations

Outside the nine areas of practice endorsement, there are many specialisations within psychology. Registered psychologists, also known as general psychologists, can informally specialise in many of the following fields. For completeness, we’ve also included services outside or overlapping with psychology, such as psychiatry and counselling.

Other psychologist types and practitioners

Specialisation	Description
ADHD	ADHD psychologists assess and treat this disorder, often within child or educational psychology.
Anxiety	Anxiety psychologists identify and treat forms of anxiousness, commonly within clinical psychology.
Behavioural	Behavioural psychologists apply behaviour therapy to modify harmful behaviours, working across domains.
Bulk Billing	Bulk billing psychologists accept Medicare as full payment; any psychologist can offer this.
Child	Child psychologists address emotional, behavioural, and developmental issues in children.
Christian	Christian psychologists integrate psychological therapy with Christian beliefs, available to registered psychologists.
Counsellor	Counsellors, trained in discussing personal and psychological issues, are not typically psychologists.
Criminal	Criminal psychologists specialise in criminal behaviour, often within forensic psychology.
Depression	Depression psychologists diagnose and treat depression, a specialisation for clinical psychologists.
Eating Disorder	Eating disorder psychologists treat conditions like anorexia and bulimia, often in clinical or health psychology.
Family	Family psychologists address family dynamics, relationships, and parenting.
Grief	Grief psychologists provide support for loss and grief, typically general psychologists using therapeutic models.
Medicare	Medicare rebate psychologists work in areas eligible for Medicare rebates, providing services with a referral.
Mental Health	Mental health psychologists, mainly clinical psychologists, specialise in mental health disorders across the lifespan.
NDIS	NDIS psychologists deliver services under this disability scheme, usually in clinical, counselling, or health areas.
OCD	OCD psychologists specialise in treating Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder with ERP and CBT, within clinical psychology.
Paediatric	Paediatric psychologists focus on children and adolescent issues, in educational and developmental psychology.
Perinatal	Perinatal psychologists support women during and after pregnancy, often as clinical or health psychologists.
Psychiatrist	Psychiatrists, medical doctors who can prescribe medications, are not psychologists.
Psychotherapist	Psychotherapists offer therapy; may be clinical psychologists, counsellors, or other professionals.
PTSD	PTSD psychologists treat Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder with specialised therapies, within clinical psychology.
Relationship	Relationship psychologists help couples and families to improve relationships, within counselling psychology.
School	School psychologists support student learning, behaviour, and well-being, typically within educational settings.
Sleep	Sleep psychologists treat sleep disorders and promote healthy sleep habits, as clinical or health psychologists.
Telehealth	Telehealth psychologists deliver services online, across specialisations.
Therapist	Therapists, professionals offering psychological therapy, include psychologists and counsellors.
Trauma	Trauma psychologists treat individuals with trauma and stress disorders, within clinical psychology.

Note: Regarding the diagnosis and treatment of complex mental health conditions, services should only be provided by a psychologist with an appropriate area of practice endorsement.