Psychology is a popular field of study in Australia and is taught at universities in every state and territory. Becoming a psychologist requires at least four years of full-time university study. Common courses are a four-year Bachelor of Psychology or a three-year degree followed by an Honours program in psychology. Graduates must then complete two years of either study in a specialist area or supervised practice. Completing this six-year sequence is a requirement for registering to work as a psychologist in Australia.

The Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC) sets the standards for accreditation of Australian psychology programs. For further information please see the APAC website:

For information about courses, fees and scholarships available, view the websites of universities that provide APAC-accredited courses.

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Reasons to study an APAC-accredited Australian university course in psychology

Through a system of accreditation, the APS works with Australian universities to monitor tertiary psychology courses. This ensures the courses provide suitable preparation for students to enter the profession.

The accreditation process also ensures standards of university training are maintained and remain rigorous. Students must complete accredited courses to be accepted for registration. For more information, see What to expect in an APAC-accredited psychology course.

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Student Subscribership of the APS

Studying accredited courses is a prerequisite for joining the APS. Please note that compared to registration, becoming a Member of the APS requires a minimum of six years of study, that is, a four-year program followed by two years of postgraduate study.

All students studying accredited courses are eligible for Student Subscribership of the APS. Find out about the benefits of Student Subscribership.

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