Master’s in Psychology in Australia: Top Universities, Courses, Cost, Requirements, Eligibility & Scholarships

A Master’s in Psychology in Australia is a postgraduate degree designed to deepen theoretical understanding, research skills and practical clinical or applied competence in various psychological fields. Whether you aim to work in clinical settings, educational institutions, industry or research, Australia offers globally respected programs with strong regulatory and accreditation structures. The country’s top universities often rank highly in global subject rankings for psychology and Australian psychology graduates are in demand both domestically and internationally. 

Studying psychology in Australia means access to specialized coursework (e.g. clinical, forensic, developmental, organisational), rich research opportunities, multicultural experience, and excellent funding and scholarship options. 

Overview of Master’s in Psychology in Australia 

Below is an overview table summarising key aspects of a Master’s in Psychology in Australia. 

Aspect	Details
Duration	Typically 2 years full‐time (some programs 18 months; clinical programs may extend)
Types of Programs	Master of Applied Psychology   Master of Clinical Psychology  Master of Professional Psychology  Forensic Psychology  Coaching Psychology  Educational & Organisational Psychology
Fee Range (International Students)	AUD 30,500 to AUD 53,000/year (INR 17.9L – 32.8L)  (Depending on university & specialization)
Eligibility	4‐year bachelor’s degree (often with psychology or related field), minimum GPA (often ~75% or equivalent), English proficiency (IELTS, TOEFL etc.)
Rank & Reputation	Several Australian universities are in top 20‐40 globally for psychology subject rankings; strong research & employer reputation
Intakes	Usually February / March and July / August; sometimes November depending on university
Living Costs (International Students)	Approx. AUD 1,200–2,500/month or (INR 70,000 – 1.46L)/month  depending on city & lifestyle

 

Scope of Psychology in Australia: Key Specializations 

When you choose a master’s in psychology in Australia, you can specialise in many areas. The scope of psychology in Australia is broad and includes: 

• Clinical Psychology – assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of mental health disorders; often requires internships / placements. 
• Applied / Professional Psychology – applying psychological principles in non‐clinical settings: industrial/organizational psychology, coaching, health psychology. 
• Forensic Psychology – intersection of psychology with law, criminal justice, rehabilitation. 
• Educational / Developmental Psychology – working in schools, developmental assessment, child psychology. 
• Organisational / Industrial Psychology – workplace behaviour, HR, organisational change. 
• Health Psychology & Community Psychology – public health, community behaviour, preventive psychology. 
• Counselling Psychology / Coaching Psychology – guiding individuals or groups, non‐clinical counselling settings, life coaching etc. 

These specialisations shape curriculum, practicums, required supervised experience, and future career paths. For example, clinical programs typically involve mandatory placements and often higher tuition fees due to additional practical and regulatory components. 

Leading Universities Offering Master’s Psychology Courses in Australia 

Australia has many highly ranked universities offering psychology courses in Australia, especially at master’s level. These institutions combine strong research outputs, accreditation, and excellent academic & clinical facilities. 

Below is a table of some of the top universities with their QS World University Subject Ranking (Psychology) for 2025, and sample program names. 

University	QS Subject Ranking 2025	Sample Master’s Programs Offered
University of Melbourne	21	Master of Applied Psychology, Master of Professional Psychology, Master of Psychology (Clinical)
University of New South Wales (UNSW Sydney)	32	Master of Psychology (Clinical), Applied / Forensic Psychology
University of Queensland	34	Clinical Psychology, Applied Psychology, Health Psychology
University of Sydney	39	Master of Clinical Psychology, Coaching Psychology, Organisational specialisations
Monash University	68	Clinical Psychology, Health / Organisational Psychology
Australian National University (ANU)	88	Master of Clinical Psychology, Professional Psychology

These universities are part of Australia’s leading group (“Group of Eight” etc.), known for strong research, high employability in psychology, rich clinical affiliations, and excellent faculty. 

Eligibility Requirements for MS in Psychology in Australia 

To apply for a Master’s in Psychology in Australia, most universities expect the following criteria. These are general; specific programs may have additional demands. 

• A 4-year bachelor’s degree (honours or equivalent) in Psychology or a related field. Some universities may accept a 3‐year bachelor + one year honours / additional coursework. 
• Minimum GPA / academic grade: often equivalent to ~ 75% or higher or ~5.5/7.0 scale.  
• English Language Proficiency: IELTS (usually 6.5 overall, sometimes with band minimums), TOEFL or PTE accepted. Some programs require higher scores for clinical tracks.  
• Additional requirements depending on specialization: prior coursework in certain psychological areas (statistics, research methods), relevant practical or volunteer experience, sometimes GRE or similar standardized test (though many don’t require these in Australia).  

Supporting Documents for Applications 

• Academic transcripts from all previous degrees 
• Statement of Purpose / Motivation Letter explaining interest, specialisation goals 
• Letters of Recommendation (usually two or more) 
• CV / Resume (including research experience, internships, relevant work) 
• English proficiency test score report 
• Sometimes a sample of research work or writing may be asked (especially for research‐oriented programs) 
• Proof of financial capacity / bank statements for visa purposes 

Application Timeline and Intakes 

The application process for a Master’s in Psychology in Australia typically follows these timelines: 

Phase	Time of Year	Description
First Intake	February – March	Most common intake; early in the academic year. Applications usually open 6–9 months prior (i.e. September–December preceding year)
Second Intake	July – August	Mid‐year intake; smaller number of universities offer all programs then. Applications open several months earlier (March – May)
Other/Third Intakes	Sometimes in November (limited)	Specific universities may allow a late intake, or special streams (online, part‐time) may open later
Decision & Offer	4-12 weeks after application deadline	Varies by university; more competitive/clinical programs may take longer due to interviews/placement availability

It is crucial to check the deadlines specific to each university and specialization, because clinical psychology programs often have additional rounds, interviews, or supervised placement requirements that add to lead time. 

Cost of Studying MS in Psychology in Australia 

Studying Psychology Courses in Australia at master’s level involves tuition plus living expenses. Below is a breakdown. 

Tuition Fees Range 

Expense Category	Average Cost per Year (AUD)	Notes
Tuition Fees	30,000 – 53,000	Varies by university and specialisation (clinical programs at the higher end).
Study Materials & Resources	500 – 1,500	Textbooks, software licences, online modules, research journals.
Laboratory / Practicum / Placement Fees	300 – 1,200	Covers supervised clinical placements, lab usage, workshops or fieldwork.
Student Services & Amenities Fees (SSAF)	300 – 400	Standard annual university services charge.
Graduation / Administrative Charges	100 – 300	Paid near completion or for certain optional certifications.

Living Costs 

• Monthly living costs (rent, food, transport, personal) for international students can range from AUD 1,200 to AUD 2,500 per month (INR 70,000 – 1.46L), depending on which city (Sydney, Melbourne are expensive, other are relatively affordable). 
• Yearly estimate for living expenses: Approx. AUD 15,000–30,000 (INR 8.8L – 17.6L) depending on lifestyle and city. 

Total Estimated Cost (Tuition + Living) 

Expect to budget for AUD 50,000–85,000 or INR 29.3L – 50L per year all‐in (tuition + living) for higher‐cost universities and programs. For less expensive locations and specialisations, cost might be on the lower side of that range.  

Scholarships and Funding Options for Psychology Courses in Australia 

There are several options to help fund a Master’s in Psychology in Australia: university scholarships, government awards, research grants, and industry scholarships. Below are prominent ones, eligibility, and timelines. 

Scholarship / Funding Option	What it Covers / Amount	Eligibility & Timeline
Australia Awards Scholarships	Full tuition + allowances	Usually for students from partner countries; apply ~ 9-12 months ahead; high academic record required
Destination Australia Program	Living stipends, support in regional universities	Varies by state; applications often in same time as university applications
University Scholarships (e.g. Melbourne Graduate Scholarships, UNSW International Scholarships)	Partial to full tuition waivers; sometimes stipend for research	Based on merit; deadlines often a few months before intake (Oct–Dec for Feb intake)
Research Scholarships / Assistantships	May include stipend + tuition remission for research‐intensive components	Often requires doing a thesis or being involved in active research; apply when faculty posts are advertised
Industry / Professional Body Grants	Smaller grants / awards; sometimes travel / research cost coverage	Vary widely; sometimes competitive; often mid‐year announcements

Eligibility often includes academic merit (e.g. high GPA), sometimes proof of leadership, research or work experience, or priority criteria (country of origin, field of specialisation). Always check university websites for precise deadlines. 

Career Opportunities After Master’s in Psychology Australia 

Completing a Master’s in Psychology in Australia opens up many career paths. Employers value both the theoretical foundation and applied/clinical training provided in these programs. 

Major Career Paths 

• Clinical Psychologist / Clinical Director – with required post‐graduate registration and supervised experience. 
• Psychologist (General / Applied / Organisational / Health) – working in private sector, NGOs, hospitals, community health. 
• Forensic / Criminal Psychology – probation, legal system, rehabilitation, policy advisory roles. 
• Educational / School Psychologist / Developmental Specialist – schools, child psychology, special education. 
• Research & Academic Roles – universities, think tanks, public health institutes. 
• Psychological Consultancy / Coaching / Counselling – private practice, life coaching, wellness centres. 

Global Demand & Salary Prospects 

• The demand for psychology professionals, particularly in mental health, community well‐being, and health sectors, continues to grow in Australia and globally. Some reports show growth in the psychology job market by ~13.3% by mid‐2020s. 
• Average salary for graduates of master’s psychology programs in Australia is often in the range of AUD 70,000–90,000 per annum, depending on specialization, experience, and location. Higher salaries for clinical psychologists or leadership roles can go above this.