Graduate Diploma in Psychology Online

Yes. The program is accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC) as a Level 1 qualification. It provides the foundational training required to pursue further study toward becoming a registered psychologist in Australia.

You may be eligible to progress into a Level 2 APAC-accredited program, such as the Graduate Diploma in Advanced Psychology. This program also supports further study in counselling, mental health, or roles in industries like education, human resources or marketing.

Not yet. This diploma is the first step. To become a registered psychologist in Australia, you must progress through additional APAC-accredited qualifications, including Level 2, 3 and postgraduate training.

You can complete the program in as little as 20 months.

Our program is delivered 100% online with six intakes per year, making it ideal for busy professionals. Designed with flexibility in mind, the courses allow you to balance your studies with other commitments. You can expect to dedicate approximately 20 hours per week to your learning, with the freedom to study on any device, anytime, anywhere.

Our Graduate Diploma in Psychology, led by industry-leading academics, empowers you to turn purpose into action. Through ten 6-week courses grounded in empirical research, you’ll gain expertise in key areas like cognitive, developmental, biological, and abnormal psychology. Beyond theory, you’ll build critical thinking, analytical skills, and advanced research methods, equipping you for diverse and impactful career pathways.

This program is designed for individuals with a non-psychology undergraduate degree who are driven to make a positive impact. Whether your goal is to support others, deepen your understanding of human behaviour or pursue advanced studies to become a registered psychologist, it equips you with the knowledge to succeed. It also enables you to apply psychological expertise in fields such as education, human resources and marketing.

You must have an Australian bachelor’s degree or equivalent in any discipline. A higher qualification such as a graduate diploma or above is also accepted.

Yes. If you have completed Introduction to Psychology 1 and/or Introduction to Psychology 2 in a previous degree, in the past seven years, you may be eligible for recognition of prior learning. Speak with an Enrolment Advisor to discuss your experience and prior qualifications.

Yes. If English is not your first language, you must meet UNSW’s English proficiency requirements before receiving an offer. We can guide you through what’s required during the enrolment process.

One in five Australians experience a mental health condition each year. Only 35% of the national need for psychologists is currently being met, resulting in long wait times and increased demand across the sector.

Yes, it is entirely possible to complete a psychology degree online. Many professionals choose this pathway to access flexible psychology courses that fit around their existing work and life commitments without compromising on quality.

The UNSW Graduate Diploma in Psychology is a prime example. Delivered 100% online, this postgraduate psychology program equips you with the Level 1 APAC-accredited qualifications required to pursue registration as a psychologist in Australia. Designed for rapid progression, you can focus on one course at a time in an accelerated format and complete your graduate diploma of psychology in as little as 20 months.

A Grad Dip in Psychology can be highly valuable, offering a direct pathway to pivot into the field or apply psychological principles to your current career. This postgraduate psychology degree equips you with skills in understanding human behaviour, which are applicable across various industries like HR, marketing and education.

If you're interested in a psychology course from a leading educator, the Graduate Diploma in Psychology at UNSW provides an APAC-accredited qualification, which is the first step toward becoming a registered psychologist in Australia. Whether it's worth it depends on your career goals, but this program offers a strong foundation for further studies or immediate career advancement.

The most useful psychology degree is the one that matches your career goals, as different psychology degrees open doors to varied professional pathways.

If you want to become a registered psychologist in Australia, start with an accredited psychology course like the UNSW Graduate Diploma in Psychology, then continue with further required studies.

The easiest psychology career depends on your interests, skills and how much study you're willing to undertake. Different roles require different levels of commitment.

The most suitable path is one that matches your passion and goals, with options like the Graduate Diploma in Psychology at UNSW Online helping you discover your ideal fit in psychology.

Psychologists in Australia can expect competitive salaries that vary based on their specific role, experience and location.

For those starting their careers, salary expectations are generally:

• Entry-level psychologists typically earn between AU$73,721 and AU$80,808 annually.
• The average salary for all psychologists ranges from AU$100,000 to AU$115,000 per year.

These figures reflect the strong demand for qualified psychology professionals across various sectors.

Source:Seek

A psychology degree alone does not qualify you to become a counsellor, you must complete a counselling degree to practise professionally in Australia.

While a foundational psychology course or psychology graduate diploma like UNSW’s Graduate Diploma in Psychology equips you with valuable knowledge, it is the first step in a longer pathway. This postgraduate psychology program can be an entry point into further study, such as a master’s degree in counselling or psychotherapy, which is required to gain professional registration and begin your career as a counsellor.

Yes, you can study psychology part-time, and UNSW Online offers flexible options to suit your schedule.

For example, the Graduate Diploma in Psychology is 100% online and designed to fit around work and life commitments. You can study one course at a time in an accelerated format, allowing you to progress at your own pace while balancing other responsibilities. This flexibility makes it an excellent choice for those looking to pursue psychology part-time.

Yes, you can pursue a psychology degree without having studied psychology at a pre-university level.

At UNSW, for example, entry into the Graduate Diploma in Psychology requires a recognised bachelor’s degree in any discipline, not prior psychology studies. This makes it an accessible pathway for those looking to transition into the field.

This postgraduate psychology program provides the foundational knowledge needed to begin a new career, regardless of your previous academic background, and serves as the first step towards professional registration.

The best psychology course for you will depend on your individual career goals and interests.

If you are looking to start a new career in the field or gain foundational knowledge, UNSW’s Graduate Diploma in Psychology is an excellent choice. This postgraduate psychology program is APAC-accredited, delivered 100% online and designed to equip you with essential skills in understanding human behaviour.

Ultimately, the best program is one that aligns with your aspirations and sets you up for success in your chosen field.

No, a Graduate Diploma in Psychology (GDP) alone is not equivalent to an Honours degree.

However, many leading universities like UNSW, offer specific pathways for students seeking an Honours-equivalent qualification for postgraduate study or psychologist registration.

At UNSW, two clear options support this progression, depending on your previous academic background. Your pathway depends on your prior qualifications:

1. For students new to psychology:If you are transitioning from another field, you can complete the Graduate Diploma in Psychology followed by the Graduate Diploma in Advanced Psychology (GDPA). Together, these two programs are considered equivalent to an undergraduate psychology degree with Honours.
2. For students with a psychology degree: If you already have an undergraduate degree in psychology but did not complete an Honours year, you can enrol directly into the Graduate Diploma in Advanced Psychology (GDPA). This will provide you with the Honours-equivalent qualification needed to progress to a master’s or PhD program.

Many universities in Australia offer excellent psychology programs. When choosing where to study, it's helpful to consider factors like research output, academic reputation and graduate employability.

For example, UNSW is a leading choice for psychology education. As a member of the prestigious Group of Eight (Go8), UNSW is recognised for its significant research contributions and academic excellence. The university’s strong global ranking and reputation for producing highly employable graduates make it an ideal choice for professionals wanting to advance their psychology career.

Source:Group of Eight

A psychology qualification opens the door to a wide range of rewarding careers in Australia. Your skills in understanding human behaviour are highly valued across many sectors.

With a foundational psychology program, depending on your background and existing qualifications you can pursue roles in areas such as:

• mental health support
• human resources
• market research
• community services

For those aspiring to become a registered psychologist, further postgraduate study is required. This advanced training allows you to specialise in fields like clinical, forensic or educational psychology, leading to more specialised and impactful career paths.