How do I become a sports psychologist
Get qualified to work as a sports psychologist with a course recognised across Australia. Speak to a training provider to learn more.
Related career opportunities
Browse occupations related to Sports Psychologist.
Common questions
The average salary for Sports Psychologists in Australia is $93,600 per annum. There are opportunities to earn larger salaries in high-profile positions that support international sporting teams and globally recognised athletes.
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There are approximately 1,200 specialist psychologists working in Australia right now, some of these are Sports Psychologists. They are employed by corporate sports teams, gyms and sports centres, community-based sporting organisations, government agencies, universities and schools, as well as private clients.
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To become a Sports Psychologist you will need to complete a Bachelor’s degree in psychology that has been approved by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC). Examples include: Bachelor of Arts (Psychology), Bachelor of Psychology, Bachelor of Psychological Science, and Bachelor of Science (Psychology). Be sure to choose electives in sports psychology and exercise science. Some institutions offer an additional Bachelor of Exercise and Sports Science as a double degree. To become a fully registered Sports Psychologist, you will also need to complete a Master of Psychology (Sport and Exercise), undertake a one-year internship, and then pass the National Psychology Exam.
Source: Australian Government Labour Market Insights 2023
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Further reading
How to become a qualified Occupational Therapist or Physiotherapist in Australia
23rd December 2024
How to start a career in counselling
7th September 2020Sports Psychologist careers
Sports Psychologists support amateur and professional athletes, helping them develop a winning mindset and cope with the pressures of competition They are fully qualified psychologists and registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (Ahpra).
As a Sports Psychologist you could be researching a psychological issue that may be impacting the performance of a client, teaching a visualisation technique to use before a game, carrying out a goal-setting session, listening to a client explain their mental state during a recent competition, or having a weekly support session with a client who is injured and wants to sustain their motivation to recover and compete again.
