Government funds have been allocated to address Australia's psychologist shortage.

The Albanese Government has announced an investment aimed at expanding the psychology workforce. 

The initiative includes increasing postgraduate psychology placements at universities and boosting the number of available internships and supervisors to help fast-track the training of future psychologists.

The $91.3 million funding package announced this week should support up to 500 additional student placements in postgraduate psychology programs over four years. 

This move comes in response to concerns that only 10 per cent of students currently manage to complete the postgraduate studies required to become registered psychologists. 

“Many students want to become registered psychologists but are unable to due to a lack of internships, supervisors, and university places,” said Minister for Health and Aged Care, Mark Butler.

The funding will also provide grants for 681 one-year psychology internships and support the training of up to 2,860 new supervisors. 

Half of these opportunities will be allocated to individuals from First Nations, culturally diverse, and rural communities. 

Organisations such as Western Sydney University, Grand Pacific Health, and the Autism Association of Western Australia will deliver these internships, ensuring a broad geographic reach across states and territories.

The Australian Psychological Society (APS) has welcomed the announcement. 

“Investment in the psychology workforce will increase accessibility to services and reduce wait times for Australians in need, taking pressure off GP clinics and emergency departments that are bursting at the seams,” said APS President Dr Catriona Davis-McCabe.

The government is also working with the Psychology Board of Australia to redesign the education and registration pathways for psychology students. 

This reform is intended to simplify the process and increase the number of graduates entering the mental health workforce. Consultations on these changes will begin in 2025.

“This investment will support people in regional, rural and remote communities to get the care and support they need from registered psychologists,” Assistant Minister for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention, Emma McBride.

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