Psychology

  • ​Psychologists are tertiary qualified, registered health professionals who have expertise in human behaviour, "having studied the brain, memory, learning, human development and the processes determining how people think, feel, behave and react. Psychologists apply their expertise using reliable and scientifically supported methods. Psychological treatments are widely used to assist individuals and families, groups and organisations." (Australian Psychology Society, APS)

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    Workforce characteristics for NSW Health psychology workforce in 2040

    415
    Headcount

    73.7%
    Female

    30.1
    Work hours per week

    44.5
    Years average age

    16.9%
    Future 60+

    3.4%
    Aboriginal workforce target

    ​​Demand is expected to grow 0.2% (low demand scenario) to 0.3% (high demand scenario).

    Reasonable career opportunities

    ​​Workforce modelling indicates the need to  grow the NSW psychology workforce by around 6 to 7 new professionals per annum to meet community need in 2040 across both demand scenarios.

    Projected FTE growth for NSW Health psychology workforce to 2040

    20212022202320242025202620272028202920302031203220332034203520362037203820392040
    High Demand311310309314318318321323326325324325327327327327328328328329
    Status Quo311310309308308304304304305302300300301300299298299298298298
    Low Demand311310309313316315317319321321319321322322321321322322322323

    Workforce characteristics for NSW Health psychology workforce in 2021

    393
    Headcount

    30.2
    Work hours per week

    44.7
    Years average age

    79.1%
    Female

    7.4%
    Aged 60+

    0.8%
    Aboriginal

    Metropolitan Sydney

    251
    Headcount

    30
    Work hours per week

    42.8
    Years average age

    2.9%
    Aged 60+

    Non-Metropolitan Sydney

    187
    Headcount

    30.1
    Work hours per week

    47.0
    Years average age

    4.5%
    Aged 60+

    Psychology junior entrant positions into NSW Health

    Year20172018201920202021
    Graduates4046522938


    Workforce distribution for NSW Health psychology workforce in 2021

    The geographic distribution of the public workforce by local health district/network, by facility and per 100,000 population.

Legends

Per local health district

0 1-25 26-50 51-75 76-100 100+

Per 100,000 population

0 1-5 6-10 11-15 16-20 20+

Per facility

0 1-25 26-50 51-75 76-100 100+

Other networks

  • Sydney Children's Hospitals: 1 to 20 | 1 to 5 per 100,000
  • Enable NSW: 0| 0 per 100,000
  • Justice Health and Forensic Mental Health: 0 | 0 per 100,000

  • Workforce considerations

    • ​Population demographics and increasing complex health and social needs which includes our older Australians; people with histories of psycho-social distress or trauma; people with disability and people at risk of violence and harm may increase demand for psychology workforce.
    • New government funding initiatives, services, and policy reform will influence the psychology role and the way psychology models of care are delivered in NSW Health.
    • Natural disasters and pandemics increase psychosocial issues in the community and demand on the psychology workforce.
    • Improvements in data capture and demand (met and unmet) is a prioritised need for the workforce.
    • Growing the Aboriginal psychology workforce is seen as a priority under the 'Good Health Great Jobs' framework, and investment in workforce pipelines needs development.

    Notes

    • Data included is limited to the workforce employed under the relevant health professional award.
    • Specialty health networks are not displayed geographically in the workforce distribution maps.
    • LHD/SHN may engage in sessional arrangements in selected circumstances.
    • Workforce that cannot be aligned to a physical location have been attributed to a pre-determined facility within each LHD/N. This may impact on Headcount shown at these facilities within the distribution map.
    • NSW Health does not make any representations or warranties whether expressed or implied with respect to the accuracy and completeness of the information contained in the fact sheet.

Current as at: Monday 29 May 2023
Contact page owner: Workforce Planning and Talent Development