QLD Allied JobsHow to become a psychologist in Queensland
Psychologists are registered by the Psychology Board of Australia through Ahpra. After an accredited four-year sequence of study you hold provisional registration while you complete a fifth year and supervised practice, then apply for general registration.
Facts checked against the linked sources on 21 October 2026. Requirements change, so confirm with the source.
Steps
1. Complete an accredited four-year sequence
A three-year accredited psychology major followed by an accredited fourth year (honours or a graduate diploma). Programs are accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC).
Source: APAC, Search for a program
2. Get provisional registration and choose a pathway
You can apply for provisional registration once you have finished the four-year sequence and are starting your fifth year, through either the 5+1 internship pathway or the higher degree pathway (for example a Master of Clinical Psychology). Provisional registration is granted for one year and renewed each year while you train.
Source: Psychology Board of Australia, Provisional registration
3. Finish supervised practice and the National Psychology Exam
On the 5+1 pathway you complete an accredited fifth-year program (such as a Master of Professional Psychology), then a one-year internship with a Board-approved supervisor, and pass the National Psychology Exam before applying for general registration.
Source: Psychology Board of Australia, 5+1 internship program
4. Area of practice endorsement (optional)
Endorsements such as clinical, counselling or educational and developmental psychology need further accredited postgraduate study and supervised practice after general registration. Many “clinical psychologist” job ads ask for the clinical endorsement.
Source: Psychology Board of Australia, Area of practice endorsement
Queensland universities
| University | Program | Campus |
|---|---|---|
| University of Southern Queensland | Master of Professional Psychology (5+1 fifth year, accredited with conditions) | Ipswich or external |
| CQUniversity | Master of Professional Psychology (5+1 fifth year; Board approval being sought) | Online |
Many Queensland universities teach accredited undergraduate and honours psychology. We list only fifth-year programs we checked on the university’s own page; use APAC’s search for the full, current list. Source: APAC, Search for a program, checked 21 October 2026.
Typical pay
Queensland Health’s health practitioner scale starts at $42.28 an hour (HP3, pay point 0, $83,824 a year). In the private and not-for-profit sector the award minimum for a first-year bachelor graduate is $34.44 an hour, and most employers pay above it. See the Queensland Allied Health Pay Report 2026 for all pay points, sources and what live ads state.