Differences between psychologists and counsellors

This article is general information, not professional advice. Emergency: 000

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The Australian Psychological Society (APS) defines a psychologist as

A professional trained in the science of how people think, feel, behave and learn1

Australian Psychological Society (APS)

Health Direct defines a counsellor as

a person who you talk to so they can help you overcome difficulties in your life and make the changes you want to make2

Health Direct

One of the key differences between a counsellor and a psychologist in Australia is that Psychologist is a protected title while Counsellor is not. Better Health Victoria notes

There is no law in Australia that requires a person who provides a counselling service to have either qualifications or experience. This means that people without training or skills can call themselves counsellors or psychotherapists3

Better Health Victoria

In contrast, the Psychology Board of Australia (PsyBA) explains

The National Law protects the public through protecting the title of Psychologist. This means that only individuals who have completed a Board approved education and training sequence and are registered by the Board are eligible to call themselves a psychologist. When a member of the public receives services from a registered psychologist, they can be assured that the psychologist meets the threshold competency requirements to be able to practice safely in Australia4

Psychology Board of Australia (PsyBA)

There are significant penalties for those falsely claiming to be a psychologist in Australia. In 2019, the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) stated

Offenders will be faced with the possibility of a maximum term of three years imprisonment per offence. They also face an increase in the maximum fines from $30,000 to $60,000 per offence for an individual and from $60,000 to $120,000 per offence for a corporate entity5

Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA)
  1. https://www.psychology.org.au/for-the-public/about-psychology/what-is-a-psychologist ↩︎
  2. https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/counsellors-and-counselling ↩︎
  3. https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/ConditionsAndTreatments/counsellors ↩︎
  4. https://www.psychologyboard.gov.au/About/Education/Title-and-scope.aspx#:~:text=Understanding%20title%20protection%20and%20scope,to%20call%20themselves%20a%20psychologist ↩︎
  5. https://www.ahpra.gov.au/News/2019-07-01-fake-practitioners-face-jail-and-heftier-fines.aspx ↩︎

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