How to become a psychiatrist
Curious about a career where medicine meets mental health? Discover what psychiatrists do and how to become one.
What is a psychiatrist?
Psychiatrists are medical doctors who specialise in diagnosing, treating and preventing mental, emotional and behavioural disorders. They work with and advocate for people affected by mental illness across a wide range of settings and disciplines, including substance use disorders, forensic psychiatry, child and adolescent psychiatry and geriatric psychiatry.
What does a psychiatrist do?
Psychiatrists diagnose and treat complex mental health conditions, using a range of medical and psychological approaches. Their work may involve conducting assessments and tests, prescribing medication, providing psychotherapy and recommending or performing certain medical procedures.
They commonly treat conditions such as depression, anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), eating disorders, substance use disorders and age-related or developmental mental health conditions.
Psychiatrists often collaborate with other health professionals, such as general practitioners, psychologists, nurses and social workers, to create holistic treatment plans tailored to each patient’s needs. They may also play a role in prevention, crisis intervention and long-term management of mental health across different stages of life.
How do you become a psychiatrist
To become a psychiatrist in Australia, you’ll follow a structured pathway that begins with medical training and continues through supervised clinical experience and specialist education. Below is an outline of the key steps in this journey.
- Step 1: Complete a medical degree
- Step 2: Internship (PGY1)
- Step 3: Prevocational training
- Step 4: Vocational training
- Step 5: Further study
Step 1: Complete a medical degree
The journey begins with obtaining a medical degree. At UNSW, the Bachelor of Medical Studies / Doctor of Medicine (BMed/MD) program is a six-year integrated course that provides:
- Clinical skills: Hands-on experience through hospital placements, developing proficiency in patient assessment, diagnosis and management.
- Medical knowledge: A comprehensive understanding of human biology, disease mechanisms and treatment modalities, combining general medical expertise with foundational mental health content.
- Research training: An Independent Learning Project (ILP) in the fourth year to develop research skills and critical thinking.
- Professional development: Emphasis on communication, ethics and teamwork in healthcare settings.
After completing the BMed/MD, you'll gain provisional registration from the Medical Board of Australia. This will allow you as a medical graduate to enter the workforce as an intern and pursue specialist training in psychiatry.
Step 2: Internship (PGY1)
After completing the medical degree, graduates undertake a one-year internship (PGY1) in a hospital setting. This year involves:
- Clinical rotations: Exposure to various medical specialties to gain broad clinical experience.
- Patient care: Direct involvement in patient management under supervision.
- Skill development: Enhancement of clinical decision-making, time management and communication skills.
Successful completion of the internship leads to general medical registration, allowing progression to specialty training in psychiatry.
Step 3: Residency/prevocational training (PGY2–PGY3)
Following the internship, doctors enter residency or prevocational training (PGY2–PGY3), which usually lasts 1–2 years. This phase includes:
- Specialty rotations: Opportunities to work in different medical fields, including psychiatry, to explore areas of interest.
- Advanced skills: Development of more complex clinical skills and increased responsibility in patient care.
- Preparation for specialty training: Gaining experience and insight into various specialties to inform the choice of career path.
This phase is crucial for building a diverse skill set and preparing for entry into psychiatric specialty training.
Step 4: Vocational psychiatry training
To specialise in psychiatry in Australia, doctors apply for vocational training through the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (RANZCP). This training typically lasts at least 5 years and involves:
- Structured education: A comprehensive curriculum covering various subspecialties of psychiatry.
- Supervised practice: Clinical placements in different psychiatric settings, including inpatient, outpatient and community services.
- Examinations and assessments: Regular evaluations to assess progress and competence.
Completion of this training leads to fellowship (FRANZCP) and qualification as a specialist psychiatrist.
Step 5: Further psychiatric study
Even after becoming a specialist psychiatrist, individuals may choose to further specialise or deepen their expertise. UNSW offers postgraduate programs such as:
- Graduate Certificate in Mental Health Practice: Provides foundational knowledge and skills in mental health assessment, treatment and management.
- Graduate Diploma in Forensic Mental Health: Focuses on the intersection of mental health and the legal system, preparing professionals for roles in forensic settings.
- Master of Forensic Mental Health: Offers advanced study in forensic psychiatry, including research opportunities and leadership training.
These programs are designed to enhance clinical practice and open pathways to specialised roles in mental health and forensic settings.
Careers in psychiatry
Workplace settings
- Hospitals and healthcare facilities
- Community health services
- Private practices
- Correctional and rehabilitation facilities
- Academic and research institutions
- Government departments and policy agencies
Potential careers
- Psychiatrist
- Consultant psychiatrist
- Liaison psychiatrist
- Inpatient care psychiatrist
- Forensic psychiatrist
- Geriatric psychiatrist
- Addiction psychiatrist
- Child and adolescent psychiatrist
- Disability psychiatrist
- Administrative psychiatry roles
- Emergency psychiatry
- Military psychiatry
- Psychiatric researcher
- Community and public health psychiatrist
Specialisations
- Age-based psychiatry: Child and adolescent psychiatry, geriatric psychiatry, perinatal psychiatry
- Condition or setting-based psychiatry: Addiction psychiatry, forensic psychiatry, emergency psychiatry, consultation-liaison psychiatry
- Academic and research psychiatry: Neuropsychiatry, community psychiatry, academic/research roles
FAQs
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Becoming a qualified psychiatrist is a long but highly rewarding journey, equipping students with the practical skills, knowledge and confidence needed for professional practice. Most pathways include a six-year medical degree, followed by internship, prevocational/residency training and vocational psychiatry training and typically takes 8–12 years to complete in full.
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Psychiatrists and psychologists are often confused, but they are distinct professions. While both focus on supporting people with mental health challenges, there are key differences:
Medical training and qualifications
- Psychiatrists are medical doctors who complete medical school, followed by internship, residency and vocational psychiatry training.
- Psychologists are not medical doctors. They usually complete a bachelor’s and honours degree, such as the Bachelor of Psychology (Honours), followed by a master’s degree, like the Master of Psychology (Clinical) or Master of Psychology (Forensic)
Medication prescription
- Psychiatrists can prescribe and administer medication as part of treatment.
- Psychologists do not prescribe medication.
Treatment approaches
- Psychiatrists often combine treatments, including medication, counselling, psychotherapy and medical procedures.
- Psychologists typically focus on talk therapy, behavioural interventions and psychological assessments to support mental health and wellbeing.
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Yes. As medical doctors, psychiatrists are qualified to prescribe medication as part of a patient’s treatment plan, in addition to providing therapies and interventions that other mental health professionals cannot offer.
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