Duration
1 year full time / 3 years part time
Mode (Location)
On campus (Parkville)
Intake
January, March, July
Key dates
Key dates
Fees
AUD $45,600 (2026 indicative first year fee). Commonwealth Supported Places (CSPs) are not available
Learn more
Learn more
Career outcomes
Overview
What are the career outcomes for Graduate Diploma in Psychology graduates?
The Graduate Diploma in Psychology equips graduates with a wide range of transferable skills in critical thinking, scientific and ethical reasoning, research design, and data analysis. Graduates can pursue roles in a wide range including clinical psychology, research, teaching, counselling, human resources, social services, and more.
What are the top career paths after completing a Graduate Diploma in Psychology?
- Become a psychologist. With further study, you can be on your way to become a registered psychologist in Australia or overseas.
- Research. Further the field of psychological knowledge at Australia’s best research university.
- Counselling or human resources. Use your psychological skills and resources to help manage a variety of personal and interpersonal issues.
What can you do with a Graduate Diploma in Psychology?
No matter your career ambitions, you’ll graduate with psychological, research, and interpersonal skills applicable to a wide range of industries. A Graduate Diploma in Psychology can lead to an impactful career as a psychologist, counsellor, or in human resources, marketing, education, social services, business, or research.
Employers in this field include:
- Hospitals such as Royal Melbourne Hospital, and the Brunswick Private Hospital.
- Psychology/mental health clinics in metropolitan, rural, and regional settings.
- Research institutions such as the Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, and Orygen.
- Government organisations like the NDIS.
What accreditation does a Graduate Diploma in Psychology provide?
The Graduate Diploma in Psychology is accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC), providing the necessary subjects for generalist psychologist registration in Australia.
How does a Graduate Diploma in Psychology help to make industry connections?
A Graduate Diploma in Psychology offers a range of opportunities to gain experience and build relationships in the field of psychology.
- Connect with renowned psychologists in lectures, tutorials, small groups, and open discussions.
- Work with key partners and collaborators, such as Royal Melbourne Hospital, Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, and Orygen.
- Gain access to a supportive and enriching learning environment at a leading institution in psychological sciences.
How does a Graduate Diploma in Psychology help to make industry connections?
A Graduate Diploma in Psychology offers a range of opportunities to gain experience and build relationships in the field of psychology.
- Connect with renowned psychologists in lectures, tutorials, small groups, and open discussions.
- Work with key partners and collaborators, such as Royal Melbourne Hospital, Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, and Orygen.
- Gain access to a supportive and enriching learning environment at a leading institution in psychological sciences.
What further study options are available after this course?
The Graduate Diploma in Psychology serves as a pathway for further study in advanced psychology programs, such as:
- Graduate Diploma in Psychology (advanced).
From here, graduates can apply for the Master of Psychology (Clinical Psychology), Master of Psychology (Clinical Neuropsychology) - Master of Professional Psychology.
- Master of Applied Psychology
Through regular connection with peers, researchers and our global network of industry partners, you’ll develop strong connections with community and industry that open the door to an outstanding future.
Profile
Sarah Moneer
I’m a cognitive scientist, currently completing my PhD at the University of Melbourne.
My journey at the University of Melbourne started with a Bachelor of Biomedical Science. I was near completion of a PhD in Immunology when I decided to change course and study psychology instead. I’ve always had a general interest in human health and I find psychology fascinating as it affects all aspects of our lives. I chose the Graduate Diploma because I could complete all the undergraduate units in one year full time.
The Graduate Diploma was a very intense course but it was incredibly interesting. For the first time in my life I was studying because I wanted to, rather than because I had to. The lecturers were all very engaging and I always walked out understanding some aspect of my life so much better.
The statistical component of the course can be challenging, but on reflection I found it to be the most valuable aspect of the course. It builds critical thinking skills that are useful not just for evaluating research but also in everyday life activities like reading news articles. It’s a very marketable skill, and many psychology graduates go into data science roles.
The capstone subject, where we worked closely with a lecturer on a research project, helped me rediscover my love of research. I had been leaning towards a clinical career, but that subject made me realise research is the right area for me.
I’m now part of a sub-group of cognitive scientists who specialise in building mathematical models to test psychological theories. I love the technical aspects of the work and that we apply rigorous testing methods to a field of science where it can be quite hard to do so. I have no regrets about switching to psychology.