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Clinical Psychologist vs Registered Psychologist: What Is the Difference?

Both are AHPRA-registered and qualified to treat anxiety. The differences come down to training level, an AHPRA endorsement, and the Medicare rebate amount. Here is what you actually need to know.

What Each Title Means Legally

Both "registered psychologist" and "clinical psychologist" are protected titles in Australia, regulated by AHPRA (the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency). Neither can be used by someone who has not met the legal requirements. That said, they are different levels of the same profession.

Registered psychologist

A registered psychologist (sometimes called a general psychologist) has met AHPRA's minimum requirements for registration:

• A four-year Honours degree in psychology (or equivalent)
• At least two years of supervised professional practice
• Current registration with AHPRA in good standing

Registered psychologists can assess and treat a wide range of presentations, including anxiety, depression, trauma, relationship difficulties, and other common mental health concerns. They can use evidence-based therapies such as CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy), ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy), and others.

Clinical psychologist (endorsed)

A clinical psychologist has all of the above, plus an AHPRA "area of practice endorsement" in clinical psychology. This endorsement requires:

• A postgraduate qualification in clinical psychology, usually a two-year Master of Psychology (Clinical) or a Doctor of Psychology (Clinical)
• Additional supervised clinical practice hours during training
• Formal AHPRA approval of the endorsement

The endorsement is specific and separately assessed by AHPRA. A psychologist who holds a postgraduate clinical qualification but has not obtained the AHPRA endorsement cannot legally describe themselves as a "clinical psychologist." You can verify endorsement status by checking the AHPRA register: an endorsed clinical psychologist will have "Area of Practice Endorsement: Clinical Psychology" listed on their registration record.

Training Differences

Aspect	Registered psychologist	Clinical psychologist (endorsed)
Undergraduate training	4-year Honours degree in psychology	4-year Honours degree in psychology
Postgraduate training	2 years supervised practice (2+4 pathway) or postgrad (5+1 pathway)	Additional 2-year Master's or Doctorate in Clinical Psychology
Total training (minimum)	6 years minimum	8 years minimum (commonly more)
AHPRA endorsement	General registration only	Area of Practice Endorsement: Clinical Psychology
Can treat anxiety?	Yes	Yes
Can use CBT, ACT, exposure therapy?	Yes	Yes
Psychological assessment and testing	Yes (general)	Yes (with additional specialist training in complex assessment)
Complex or comorbid presentations	Within scope for many presentations; experience-dependent	Additional training specifically for complex clinical presentations

Training pathways vary. Some psychologists hold postgraduate qualifications in areas other than clinical psychology (e.g. counselling, organisational, sport and exercise psychology). These postgraduate qualifications do not confer the clinical endorsement.

Medicare Rebate Differences

This is where the distinction has a direct and practical effect on you. Under the Medicare Better Access scheme, the rebate is different for each:

Psychologist type	MBS item (telehealth)	Medicare rebate (from 1 July 2025)	Typical fee	Typical out-of-pocket
Registered (general) psychologist	91170	$98.95 per session	$170 to $240	Approximately $71 to $141
Endorsed clinical psychologist	91167	$145.25 per session	$230 to $310	Approximately $85 to $165
No MHTP (no Medicare rebate)	Not applicable	No rebate	Full fee applies	Full fee applies

Source: Medicare Benefits Schedule, effective 1 July 2025. MBS items 91167 (clinical, telehealth) and 91170 (registered, telehealth). In-person items are 80010 and 80015 respectively, at the same rebate rates. A Mental Health Treatment Plan from your GP is required to access either rebate. Full cost guide →

Which May Suit Your Situation

When a registered psychologist may be a strong choice

• You have a common anxiety presentation (GAD, social anxiety, panic disorder, health anxiety, OCD) that is well within the evidence base for both tiers
• Minimising out-of-pocket cost is a priority, and you find a registered psychologist with specific experience in anxiety
• You prefer the broader pool of practitioners that comes with choosing from both tiers
• You have already worked with a registered psychologist and found a good fit

When a clinical psychologist may be worth considering

• Your presentation is complex or involves multiple co-occurring diagnoses (for example: anxiety plus PTSD, eating disorders, personality disorder features, significant trauma history)
• Previous treatment with a registered psychologist has not been sufficient and you want a practitioner with specialist postgraduate training
• You need formal psychological assessment or cognitive testing in addition to therapy
• Your GP or a specialist has specifically recommended a clinical psychologist for your presentation

These are considerations, not rules. The most important factor is the individual psychologist's experience with your specific presentation, not their tier. A registered psychologist with ten years of focused anxiety work will generally produce better outcomes than a clinical psychologist who has rarely treated anxiety.

Both Are Qualified and Effective

The tiered system in Australia sometimes creates a misperception that clinical psychologists are simply "better" than registered psychologists. This is not accurate, particularly for anxiety presentations.

The research base for anxiety treatment (CBT, exposure therapy, ACT, and related approaches) is primarily built on studies involving registered psychologists, clinical psychologists, and researchers working together. Outcome equivalence between the two tiers for common anxiety presentations is well-supported.

What matters most for outcomes:

• The psychologist's specific experience with your type of anxiety
• Their use of evidence-based approaches (CBT, ACT, exposure-based methods)
• Therapeutic fit: you feel comfortable enough to engage with the process
• Consistency: showing up and doing the between-session work

How Telehealth Works for Both

Telehealth psychology is available from both registered and clinical psychologists. The format is identical: a secure video call, typically 50 to 60 minutes, at a scheduled time. There is no functional difference in the telehealth experience between tiers.

Medicare rebates apply equally to telehealth and in-person sessions for both types, under the Better Access scheme. The MBS items are different (as shown in the table above) but the process is the same: your GP provides an MHTP, you see the psychologist, and you claim the rebate after each session via the Medicare app, MyGov, or a Medicare service centre.

This directory lists both registered and clinical psychologists who offer telehealth for anxiety in Sydney. We do not distinguish between tiers in our listings, because for most anxiety presentations the choice should be based on fit and availability, not tier alone.

Questions to Ask a Psychologist Before Booking

Whether you are considering a registered or clinical psychologist, these questions help assess fit before you commit to a session:

1. What experience do you have specifically with anxiety? Ask about the type (GAD, social anxiety, panic disorder) and the approaches they use.
2. What is your fee and what Medicare rebate applies? Get the full fee and confirm whether they have the AHPRA endorsement that determines the rebate level.
3. Do you have current AHPRA registration? Ask for their registration number if you want to verify independently.
4. What does a typical course of treatment look like for my presentation? A rough number of sessions and what the approach involves.
5. What video platform do you use for telehealth? Some people have strong preferences; this is a reasonable question to ask before booking.