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Psychologist



Fact Sheet

Using hypnotherapy as a tool to aid in a patient's treatment

Psychologists study human behaviour, conduct research and provide treatment and counselling in order to reduce distress and behavioural and psychological problems, and to promote mental health in individuals and groups.

Duties and Tasks

Psychologists work on a broad range of issues with clients, including children, adults, couples, families and organisations.

Psychologists may perform the following tasks:

  • conduct therapeutic interviews and provide counselling
  • give psychological tests and assess the results to identify the source of problems and determine treatment
  • research psychological aspects of topics such as study motivation, teaching skills, occupational behaviour, working conditions and organisational structures
  • provide follow-up services to groups and individuals for support and evaluation purposes
  • evaluate the results of programs aimed at improving personal and organisational effectiveness
  • construct tests to assess and predict mental and emotional states, as well as performance
  • conduct academic research

Quick Facts

School subjects that include some aspect of BIOLOGY provide a useful background to these jobs. In some cases a biology-related subject is a pre-requisite for entry to courses that provide the training for the job.
Workers performing these jobs would usually be expected to spend more than three-quarters of their day indoors, in an office, factory or other enclosed area protected from the weather. Jobs requiring mainly indoor work are excluded.
These jobs require moderate or better reading and writing skills. Workers may be expected to prepare, understand or act on written materials, such as letters or reports. People may wish to avoid these jobs if their reading or writing English skills are limited to a small range of words or phrases and symbols. Jobs remaining may still require very basic reading or writing skills.
Included are jobs providing health care diagnosis and treatment, such as general medicine, pharmacy, optometry, radiography, speech therapy, dental health, etc. Also covered are community and welfare services, such as social work, family and children services, and counselling, and personal services such as hairdressing and funeral services.
These jobs involve WORKING WITH IDEAS to investigate or seek solutions to scientific, technical, social or other issues. Activities include observing, researching, analysing and interpreting results. The ability to develop theories, apply logic and explore abstract ideas in a specialist area of knowledge is important.
These jobs involve WORKING WITH PEOPLE, to help, inform, teach or treat them. Activities include discussing personal issues, listening to people's problems, and providing advice, instruction, information or treatment to meet their needs.
Jobs in this group usually require completion of a recognised Bachelor Degree, or extensive relevant experience. Some jobs also require post-graduate study, such as a Graduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma or Master Degree.

Personal Requirements

  • interested in people and human behaviour
  • able to solve problems
  • an inquisitive mind
  • patience and perceptiveness
  • good oral and written communication skills

Labour Market Information

Australian JobOutlook for Psychologists

Related Courses

New South Wales / ACT

See State Specific Information below for further education and training options.

Utilising what appear to be simple blocks to study human behavioral patterns