Life after Clinical Psychology Postgraduate study

qualification. This means you have a wide range of job options in front of you, even fresh

out of university. However, many masters graduates consider the registrar program as a necessary step in their dream role or specialisation as an endorsed Clinical Psychologist. It also benefits that you do earn money working, while keeping up with (ideally) specialised training and learning in the field.

listed by Board of Psychology Australia, the national average salary jumps from

$90,000 to $113,000.

Figures from Talent, based on 1432 salaries across Australia, July 2023.

In July 2023, seek.com listed the most roles in ‘Health and Medical’ sectors, representing

more than 4,700 openings with an average salary $108,153. Communities Services & Development had the second-highest number of openings (1,691 jobs), with an average salary of $90,875. Government and Defence was hiring the third highest number of Clinical Psychologists with an average salary of $101,015.

Upon general registration with AHPRA, you’ll be required to pay an application fee of $509,

and a registration fee of $415, or $339 for those practising in NSW. These costs are often not

paid for by your employer, and is something you will need to start saving for if you haven’t already.

The registrar program requires you to complete supervision hours and ongoing active continuing professional development (CPD). If you were completing the full-time program (80 hrs), you will need 40 supervision hours per year, and 40 hours of CPD per year.

The ongoing cost of active CPD and supervision varies. While there are some free CPD materials

available, these are often not considered to be ‘active’ CPD nor very tailored to your area of development or practice. Your supervisor may assist you with finding materials, or you can enrol

in a program like PREP’s fully guided registrar program or on-demand content.

We estimate that a 2 year registrar program can be completed for as little as $10 000 and as much as $21 000 depending on your values around low price vs quality supervision and professional development.

Once you’ve completed your masters and got an academic transcript, you may apply for

general registration. You must make an application for general registration and renew your registration annually whilst undertaking your registrar program and beyond. The period of registration is December 1 to November 30 each calendar year. The application form: AGEN-76 application form must be uploaded via APHRA’s registration portal along with payment for the application and registration fees.

When making your application for approval of your registrar program, you’re required to

have secured a Board-approved supervisor and detail your planned pathway to registration.

Once approved for registration, you have no more than five years to complete your active

CPD hours and supervision and submit your application for endorsement. Further, if you

require more than two renewals of your registration after the first year (totalling three years

of registrar registration), you will be required to complete a new application for provisional

registration.