Psychology Courses in Australia for International Students

Quick answer

To become a registered psychologist in Australia you need six years of training: an APAC-accredited four-year sequence (such as a 3-year Bachelor of Psychological Science plus Honours or a fourth-year Graduate Diploma), then either a 2-year professional master's degree (the higher degree pathway) or a 1-year Master of Professional Psychology and a 1-year internship (the 5+1 pathway). You then apply for general registration with the Psychology Board of Australia. The 4+2 internship closed to new applicants on 30 June 2022. The Australian Psychological Society (APS) assesses Psychologist occupations for skilled migration.

Psychology Courses at a Glance

Course Options by Study Level

The Six-Year Pathway to Registration

Psychology is a registered health profession in Australia. To practise as a psychologist you need general registration with the Psychology Board of Australia, which works with Ahpra. Every route starts with a four-year APAC-accredited sequence: a 3-year undergraduate psychology degree followed by an Honours year or a fourth-year Graduate Diploma. Entry to the fourth year and to master's programs is competitive and usually needs strong grades.

After the fourth year there are two current pathways:

• Higher degree pathway: a 2-year accredited master's degree (or a longer doctorate), such as a Master of Clinical Psychology. Graduates of this pathway are not required to sit the national psychology exam.
• 5+1 internship pathway: a 1-year accredited fifth year, such as a Master of Professional Psychology, then a 1-year full-time supervised internship approved by the Board. You must pass the national psychology exam before applying for general registration.

You hold provisional registration while you complete the fifth and sixth years. The older 4+2 internship closed to new applicants on 30 June 2022.

Proposed Changes to Psychology Training

The Psychology Board consulted from 15 April to 10 June 2026 on a proposal for a single, shorter course of study to qualify as a psychologist. Final recommendations to the Australian Government are expected in late 2026, and no start date has been set. Students starting now should plan on the current pathways and check for updates before enrolling.

Course Length and the 485 Visa

A 1-year Master of Professional Psychology on its own does not meet the 485 visa study requirement of at least 2 academic years in Australia. A 2-year master's degree, or a full undergraduate degree studied in Australia, usually does. Ask us to check your full study plan before you enrol. See our 485 visa guide.

Skills Assessment and English

The APS is the assessing authority for Psychologist occupations. It assesses whether your qualifications are comparable to a six-year sequence of study in Australia, or accepts unconditional general registration with Ahpra. Clinical, Educational and Organisational Psychologist need the matching Ahpra area of practice endorsement; without one, the APS assesses you as Psychologists nec (272399). For registration, you must also meet the Board's English language skills standard. New minimum test scores apply to tests taken on or after 23 April 2026.

Careers and Skilled Occupation Lists

These occupations are linked to professional psychology degrees. List status is from our Occupation Finder data, checked 15 October 2026.

Lists: MLTSSL (Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List), STSOL (Short-term Skilled Occupation List), ROL (Regional Occupation List), CSOL (Core Skills Occupation List for the 482 and 186 visas). Check any occupation in our Occupation Finder.

How to Start

1. Choose your course and levelTell us your previous study, English results, budget and career goal. We shortlist courses and providers that fit.
2. Plan the full six yearsCheck that every stage is APAC-accredited and approved by the Psychology Board, and how competitive entry to the fourth year and the master's degree is at your chosen university.
3. Check the provider on CRICOSInternational students must study a course registered on CRICOS. The CRICOS duration also matters for the 485 visa, which needs at least 2 academic years (92 weeks) of study in Australia over at least 16 months.
4. Apply and accept your offerApply with your documents, accept the offer, pay the deposit and arrange Overseas Student Health Cover. The provider then issues your Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE).
5. Apply for your Student visaLodge your Student visa (subclass 500) with evidence of funds, English and the Genuine Student requirement. Since 2 October 2026 most applicants must apply from outside Australia. See our Student visa guide.

How Aussie ASEAN Can Help

We map out your full psychology pathway, from an accredited undergraduate degree to the fourth year and a professional master's, compare universities and entry requirements, help with your application and Student visa, and our Registered Migration Agent can plan your 485 visa and APS skills assessment.

Free tools for students

Related courses and visas

Sources: Psychology Board: general registration · Psychology Board: 5+1 internship · Psychology Board: higher degree pathway · Psychology Board: redesigning the pathway · APAC accreditation standards · APS skilled migration assessment · Ahpra English language skills