School psychologists

School psychologists

School psychologists play a key role in supporting students, parents, teachers and school administrators.

With more than 550 school psychologists in public schools across Western Australia, we are the largest employer of psychologists in the state. We are a growing service, with a commitment to recruit more than 100 additional psychologists to provide support for students and promote positive mental health.

Working in a range of educational settings, school psychologists provide services in the areas of mental health and wellbeing, disability, behaviour, learning and motivation, incident management, change management and organisational development.

Our public schools are diverse, which means our students and their needs vary considerably. As a school psychologist, you have the opportunity to make a real difference in the lives of many young people, working directly with students, school leaders and staff, parents, the community and interagency partners.

We have recently made changes to our qualification requirements. Refer to 'Qualifications, eligibility and registration' or join one of our upcoming events for more information.

School psychologists

 

Being a school psychologist is highly rewarding and has many benefits including a competitive starting salary, Board approved supervision, ongoing professional development opportunities and a highly regarded 2-year Graduate Induction Program.

Opportunities for our school psychologists include:

  • career development into senior positions and leadership roles
  • flexibility for part-time work arrangements
  • the possibility to work in specialised settings
  • access to housing support in select regional areas
  • travel concessions in some locations.

Our school psychologists can access:

  • professional resources
  • collegiate networking
  • professional learning opportunities.

Our graduates and all new school psychologists are provided with comprehensive, fully funded support:

  • Psychology Board of Australia approved supervision for graduates completing the 4+2 or 5+1 internship program
  • a 2-year Graduate Induction Program of professional learning.

In Western Australian public schools, you are able to work as a school psychologist if you hold or are eligible for provisional or general registration with the Psychology Board of Australia.

Refer to the Psychology Board of Australia website for information about:

  • the retirement of the 4+2 internship program
  • overseas qualifications
  • approved programs of study (with the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council)
  • eligibility for registration as a psychologist.

To work as a school psychologist you are not required to have registration with the Teacher Registration Board of Western Australia.

Apply on JobsWA to our Graduate School Psychologist Pool.

Our Leap Program provides graduate and experienced psychologists an opportunity to learn about the work of psychologists in public schools.

The unique blended design of the program involves online and self-paced learning, together with face-to-face experience in schools.

The first 5 modules of the program focus on school-specific psychological interventions and how psychologists work directly, indirectly and at a whole school level to improve outcomes for students in a diverse range of educational settings. You will then be given the opportunity to work shadow experienced school psychologists in a metropolitan or regional location, gaining hands-on experience working in schools. Participants come together on the final day of the program to share their learnings.

Our Leap Program is suitable for:

  • psychologists with general registration with the Psychology Board of Australia, looking to make a ‘leap’ into a school psychology career
  • psychologists with provisional registration considering employment as a graduate school psychologist.
Modules 1 to 5 include participation in a morning or evening session via Webex at a time to suit participants.
 

Term 1, 2023 program dates

  • Module 1 – Wednesday 8 February
  • Module 2 – Wednesday 15 February
  • Module 3 – Wednesday 22 February
  • Module 4 – Wednesday 1 March
  • Module 5 – Wednesday 8 March
  • Work shadowing part 1 – week beginning Monday 13 March (2 days)
  • Work shadowing part 2 – week beginning Monday 20 March (2 days)
  • Presentation Day – Wednesday 29 March

Submit your Leap program 2023 expression of interest.

As highly skilled and experienced practitioners, advanced skills school psychologists demonstrate exemplary practice in the delivery of psychological and specialist support services to schools. They contribute to influencing the system and the school psychology profession.

Advanced skills school psychologists status recognises expert knowledge and exemplary standards of professional practice. Those who achieve this status are part of a select group of highly skilled school psychology professionals in the Department. School psychologists achieving this status have attained all the competency standards at Phase 3 of our Competency Framework for School Psychologists.

Senior school psychologist status recognises the professional skills and competencies of experienced practicing school psychologists at Phase 2 of our Competency Framework for School Psychologists.

Lead school psychologists support the professional practice of school psychologists in over 800 public schools, with the Department's Chief Psychologist, Chris Gostelow, as the leader of the School Psychology Service.

They undertake a key region and system role in supporting the professional practice of school psychologists. Lead school psychologists also work with regional executive directors and provide advice to the system on the most complex of cases.
 

 

Become a school psychologist

Become a school psychologist

For more information on how you can become a school psychologist, speak to our careers team on 9402 6435 or SchoolPsychologyinWA@education.wa.edu.au.

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