Mental Health Professionals in Australia
Complete comparison of qualifications, registration, Medicare rebates, and how to choose the right professional for your needs.
Complete comparison of qualifications, registration, Medicare rebates, and how to choose the right professional for your needs.
Australia has several types of mental health professionals, each with different qualifications, registration requirements, and areas of expertise. Understanding these differences can help you choose the right professional for your needs.
| Provider Type | Core Focus | Typical Training | Registered with AHPRA? | Can Diagnose? | Can Prescribe Medication? | Medicare Rebate? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Psychologist | Mild-to-moderate mental health; coping strategies, behavioural change | 6+ years (Bachelor + Master/Doctorate + Supervised Practice) | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ |
| Clinical Psychologist | Complex mental health; trauma, mood disorders, chronic illness | 8+ years (Bachelor + Master/Doctorate + Supervised Clinical Practice) | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ |
| Psychiatrist | Severe/complex mental illness; medical management | 11+ years (Medical degree (6+ years) + Psychiatry training (5 years)) | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Counsellor | Stress, grief, life transitions, relationship issues | 1-4 years (Diploma (1–2 years) or Bachelor/Master in Counselling (3–4 years)) | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Psychotherapist | Long-term, depth-oriented work on trauma, identity, attachment, unconscious processes | 3-5 years (Diploma or Master's) | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Bachelor of Psychology | (Cannot legally call yourself a psychologist or provide psychological treatment) | 3-4 years (Bachelor) | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
✓ = Yes / ✗ = No
General psychologists hold at least six years of accredited education and supervised practice. They are equipped to assess, diagnose, and treat a broad range of psychological issues.
Clinical psychologists complete a minimum of eight years of education and training, including an accredited postgraduate qualification and supervised clinical practice.
Medical doctors specializing in mental health, psychiatrists can diagnose mental health conditions, prescribe medication, and provide psychotherapy.
per session with a general psychologist
per session with a clinical psychologist
Therapeutic approaches include CBT, solution-focused therapy, motivational interviewing, and mindfulness-based strategies. They specialize in stress management, mild to moderate anxiety and depression, and relationship difficulties.
Use advanced approaches like CBT, ACT, DBT, and schema therapy. They specialize in complex conditions including mood disorders, PTSD, trauma, and personality disorders.
Provide psychiatric assessment, medication management, psychotherapy, and crisis intervention. They focus on severe mental illness and medical management of mental health conditions.
Counsellors and psychotherapists provide valuable services but are not registered with AHPRA and don't qualify for Medicare rebates.
Work with individuals, couples, and families on situational, relational, or developmental issues. Training ranges from diploma level (1-2 years) to Master's level (3-4 years).
Focus on deeper psychological work and long-term transformation, exploring unconscious patterns, trauma, and identity issues. Training typically involves 3-5 years of specialized education.
Different professionals specialize in different areas. Consider your specific mental health concerns, budget, and whether you need Medicare rebates.
For Medicare rebates, start with your GP for a Mental Health Treatment Plan. For counsellors and psychotherapists, you can book directly.