Prospects of Psychology in New Zealand

Psychology is a fascinating area of study. It will help you understand human behaviour and mental processes and allow you to better understand how we think act and feel.

If you are considering studying Psychology in a New Zealand based university, then here are a few details that will give you a better insight into its career prospects in New Zealand.

Qualifications needed:

To practise as a psychologist, you will need:

• a master’s degree (or higher) in psychology
• at least 1500 hours of practical training accredited by the New Zealand Psychologists Board (an internship, usually in the form of a postgraduate diploma)
• to be registered with the Board
• to have a current Annual Practising Certificate.
• New Zealand Psychologists Board website – information on accredited courses in psychology

Specialisations in Psychology:   http://www.psychology.org.nz/study-careers/#.WkyUkFT1VE4

The scope of Practice:  http://www.psychologistsboard.org.nz/scopes-of-practice2

Work Visa:

Post-Study work visas

After a student has completed their studies they may be able to get a work visa under the Study to Work instructions. They must be either fulfilling practical training requirements that are part of their course requirements, have passed and completed a qualification in New Zealand which took three years or more to complete or gained a qualification which would earn them points under Skilled Migrant Category criteria.

Post Study Work Visa (Open)

The Post Study Work Visa (Open) allows you to find a job that is relevant to your qualification. It’s valid for 12 months, and during this time you can work for almost any employer in New Zealand. After you have found a job relevant to your qualification you can apply for a Post Study Work Visa (Employer Assisted).

Job Prospects… At a glance:

In general, job prospects for psychologists are good, as there are more positions available than there are psychologists to fill them. In particular, there are shortages of educational psychologists and clinical psychologists.

On the other hand, it is hard to get into psychology courses due to high entry requirements, with only a limited number of people being accepted each year.

Demand for psychologists is greater than the current supply, particularly in clinical and educational psychology. A full list is available on the Immigration New Zealand website.

Immigration NZ, skill shortage list: skillshortages.immigration.govt.nz

Clinical psychologist appears on Immigration New Zealand’s long-term skill shortage list. http://skillshortages.immigration.govt.nz/long-term-skill-shortage-list.pdf

This means the Government is actively encouraging skilled clinical psychologists from overseas to work in New Zealand. http://skillshortages.immigration.govt.nz/clinical-psychologist

Income:

The salary of psychologists depends on specialization, experience and employer. In general, the salary of a psychologist covered by the District Health Board Multi-Employment Collective Agreement ranges from $66,565 to $109,971 (2013) or more if they own their own business.

Graduate psychologists can earn between $61,000 and $64,000 a year, while those with three to 10 years’ experience can earn up to $97,000 a year. Psychologists with senior management or advisory positions can receive up to $120,000 a year.

Source: New Zealand Psychological Society www.psychology.org.nz

The hourly rate of those in private practice, depending on their area of speciality and seniority, ranges from $85 to $180.

Counsellors’ incomes are generally lower than that of psychologists, sometimes much lower.

The average annual income for psychologists and counsellors is $55,000.

http://occupationoutlook.mbie.govt.nz/social-and-community/counsellors-and-psychologists/

Working conditions:

Psychologists are employed in a wide variety of fields in New Zealand, both in the public and private sectors. Search the vacancies link for psychologist positions in New Zealand. To work as a psychologist you need to be registered with the New Zealand Psychologists Board.

Psychologists:

• usually, work regular business hours, but may have to work evenings and weekends
• work in a range of places, including offices, hospitals and healthcare services, schools and universities, prisons, residential and community organisations, and homes
• may work in emotionally draining and stressful circumstances
• may travel locally to visit clients, or nationally to attend workshops or conferences.

Registration:

Psychologists practising in New Zealand require post-graduate qualifications in psychology and meet the legal requirement of being registered with the New Zealand Psychologists Board. Once registered psychologists need to hold an Annual Practising Certificate (APC). The Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act identifies the requirements for registration.

• New Zealand Psychologists Board website – information on registration and Annual Practising Certificates

What are the chances of getting a job?

Overseas psychologists who wish to work in New Zealand need to gain a work permit from Immigration New Zealand. The Immigration New Zealand website provides information on this and other aspects of working in New Zealand.

Demand for psychologists is strong because:

• the number of psychologist trainees is limited and it takes a long time to train – most universities only take in about 10 postgraduate psychology students a year
• the number and range of jobs available in health care and criminal justice services has increased significantly
• the number of referrals to psychologists is rising
• employers in some rural locations are having difficulty recruiting
• global demand for clinical psychologists is high.

Types of employers:

For Psychologist:

https://www.careers.govt.nz/jobs-database/health-and-community/community-services/psychologist/

For Counsellor:

https://www.careers.govt.nz/jobs-database/health-and-community/community-services/counsellor/

Psychologists can work for a range of employers, including:

• District health boards
• Government departments such as Department of Corrections, Ministry of Education, Child, Youth and Family, ACC and Defence Force
• Iwi organisations
• Non-governmental organisations
• Addiction, trauma and abuse centres
• Universities and polytechnics.
• Psychologists can also be self-employed in private psychology consultancies.

For any more assistance, you can reach out to us and our counsellors will take it up with you!