Career paths in Sport Psychology
All sport psychologists require a number of years of university training and specialised practical experience to be able practice as a sport psychologist. The minimum education level required is a 4-year degree majoring in psychology from an accredited Australian university.
Once you have graduated from a recognised university with such a degree, there are then two pathways to be coming a registered psychologist
Post-graduate study
A further 2-years Masters or 3-year Professional Doctorate at an accredited Australian university. This further study can be in any stream of psychology, and currently two universities offer specialised post-graduate degrees in Sport Psychology
University of Queensland (www.uq.edu.au)
Victoria University (www.vu.edu.au)
Supervised Practice
On completion of undergraduate studies you can choose to become registered through a supervised practice plan. This involves being supervised by a registered psychologist for a minimum of 2 years.
Job opportunities for work in sport psychology include working in
- Australian state and national sports institutes and academies such as AIS, WAIS, NSWIS, QAS etc
- Private practice
- Universities or other areas of psychology.
All psychologists need to be registered with their respective states board of Psychology:
ACT (www.health.act.gov.au/healthregboards)
New South Wales (www.psychreg.health.nsw.gov.au)
Victoria (www.psychreg.vic.gov.au)
Queensland (www.psychologyboard.qld.gov.au)
Western Australia (www.psychboard.wa.gov.au)
South Australia (www.sapb.saboards.com.au)
Tasmania (Email: prbtas@bigpond.com)
Northern Territory (Email: healthprofessions.ths@nt.gov.au)
Australian Psychological Society
The Australian Psychological Society (APS) is the largest professional association for psychologists in Australia, representing more than 16,500 members.
The APS is committed to advancing psychology as a discipline and profession. It spreads the message that psychologists make a difference to peoples’ lives, through improving scientific knowledge and community wellbeing.
APS members form a dynamic group that advocate for psychologists at all levels of government. They are constantly promoting the contributions psychology makes to people's health and wellbeing, and to understanding important social issues facing Australian society.
Joining the APS means becoming part of an active and growing organisation. It means connecting with more than 15,000 fellow members across the country, including practitioners, researchers, educators, consultants and students.
Australian Psychological Society (www.psychology.org.au)
College of Sport Psychology
The APS College of Sport Psychologists is a professional association of psychologists who are interested in how participation in sport, exercise, and physical activity may enhance personal development and wellbeing throughout the life span.
The College of Sport Psychologists develops and safeguards the standards of practice and supervised experience. It sets the quality of service in sport psychology, and advises and makes recommendations regarding the education and training of sport psychologists. The College also acts as a focal point for consumer and other general inquiries relating to sport.
The only people who can legally use the title ‘psychologist’ are those who are registered with the registration board of each state or territory within Australia.
Members of the APS College of Sport Psychologists have qualifications beyond those required for basic registration. Attaining full membership requires a minimum of six years of university training, plus two years of supervised practical experience in sport psychology
College of Sport Psychology (www.groups.psychology.org.au/csp)
