Counsellor vs psychologist in Australia

The short answer: in Australia, "psychologist" is a protected title. Every psychologist has completed at least six years of accredited university study and supervised practice, and is registered with AHPRA through the Psychology Board of Australia. "Counsellor" is not a protected title, so training ranges from a short diploma to a masters degree, and joining a professional body such as ACA or PACFA is voluntary. You can book either one without a referral. A GP Mental Health Treatment Plan gives you a Medicare rebate for sessions with a psychologist, but generally not with a counsellor.

Not sure which fits your situation? You can ask us a question before you book anything.

What is a psychologist?

A psychologist in Australia is a registered health professional. To use the title legally, they must be registered with the Psychology Board of Australia through AHPRA. Registration requires a minimum of six years of accredited training, ongoing professional development every year, and adherence to a national code of conduct.

Psychologists are trained in evidence-based therapies such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Schema Therapy and EMDR. They can carry out formal assessments, including for ADHD, autism, learning differences and cognitive functioning, and they can diagnose mental health conditions and work alongside GPs and psychiatrists.

A clinical psychologist has completed further training, usually a masters or doctorate in clinical psychology, and holds an area of practice endorsement. Sessions with a clinical psychologist attract a higher Medicare rebate.

What is a counsellor?

A counsellor provides talk-based support, often around relationships, life changes, grief, stress or general wellbeing. Because the title isn't protected in Australia, there is no single legal standard for who can use it.

Many counsellors are skilled and well trained. Many are members of the Australian Counselling Association (ACA) or the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA), which both set membership standards, usually at least a diploma or bachelor's degree in counselling plus supervised practice. Membership is voluntary rather than required by law.

Training and registration, side by side

A psychologist's pathway looks like this:

A four-year accredited sequence in psychology
Either a two-year masters degree, or a fifth year of accredited study plus a year of supervised practice
Registration with AHPRA, renewed every year, with mandatory continuing professional development
Optional further endorsement in areas such as clinical, counselling or educational and developmental psychology

A counsellor's pathway varies widely, from a diploma to a masters in counselling. This isn't a judgement on counsellors as people. It's about knowing what training sits behind the title, so you can choose what suits what you're dealing with.

Referrals and Medicare rebates

You don't need a referral to book a psychologist or a counsellor. The referral question is really a rebate question.

Under Medicare's Better Access scheme, a Mental Health Treatment Plan from your GP lets you claim a rebate for up to 10 sessions a calendar year with a registered psychologist, and a higher rebate with a clinical psychologist. You can check current amounts at servicesaustralia.gov.au.

Sessions with a counsellor generally aren't covered by Medicare. Some private health funds include counselling in their extras cover, so check your policy. Because of the rebate, a psychologist can sometimes cost less out of pocket than a counsellor, even when the headline fee is higher.

How to decide

There's no universal answer, but these situations can help you think it through.

A psychologist may suit you if you think you might have a diagnosable condition such as anxiety, depression, OCD, PTSD, ADHD or an eating disorder, you'd like a Medicare rebate, you want a formal assessment, or you'd like someone who can coordinate with your GP or psychiatrist.

A counsellor may suit you if you'd like to talk through a relationship, a life change or grief without a clinical lens, you don't need a Medicare rebate, or you've found a counsellor whose approach, such as cultural or faith-based counselling, fits what you're looking for.

How we approach this at Unbound Minds

Our team is made up of 25+ AHPRA-registered psychologists. If you'd like a clinical approach with Medicare rebates available, we can help you work out whether we're the right fit, and sometimes we'll tell you a counsellor would suit you better. The right professional is the one matched to what you actually need.

We work with GPs across the Penrith area and Macarthur to make Mental Health Treatment Plans straightforward. See our psychology services in Penrith and psychology services in Macarthur.

When to reach out

If you've been thinking about reaching out for weeks or months, that itself is worth taking seriously. The choice between a psychologist and a counsellor matters much less than the decision to talk to someone. A GP, or a first phone call to a clinic, will help you land in the right place.

Reach out sooner if what you're feeling is affecting your work, sleep or relationships, or if talking with friends and family hasn't shifted it. If you're having thoughts of self-harm or suicide, call Lifeline on 13 11 14, or 000 in an emergency.

Common questions

Is it better to see a psychologist or counsellor?

Neither is better in general. It depends on what you need. A psychologist can assess and diagnose, and offers Medicare-rebated sessions with a GP Mental Health Treatment Plan. A counsellor can be a good fit for talking through relationships, grief or a life change.

What's the difference between a psychologist and a therapist?

"Therapist" is a general word, not a protected title, so anyone can use it. A psychologist is a registered health professional who provides therapy, with the training and AHPRA registration behind it. When you see a psychologist for therapy, your psychologist is your therapist.

Can I self-refer to a psychologist?

Yes. You can book a psychologist directly without a referral. If you'd like a Medicare rebate, see your GP first for a Mental Health Treatment Plan, which covers up to 10 rebated sessions a calendar year.

Do I get a Medicare rebate for a counsellor?

Generally, no. Better Access rebates apply to registered psychologists and some other registered providers, such as accredited mental health social workers, with a GP Mental Health Treatment Plan. Some private health funds cover counselling under extras.

Can a counsellor diagnose ADHD?

No. In Australia ADHD is diagnosed by psychologists, paediatricians, psychiatrists and some other doctors trained in ADHD assessment. In NSW, only certain doctors can start stimulant medicine. A counsellor can support someone after a diagnosis, but can't make one.