Cairnmillar Institute Awarded Government Grant to Help Train More Psychologists

We’re excited to announce that the Cairnmillar Institute (CMI) has received a major grant from the Australian Government’s Department of Health and Aged Care. This funding will allow us to offer 200 psychology internships and 1000 training places for qualified psychologists who want to become supervisors. This support will help us continue our mission to grow Australia’s mental health workforce and ensure more people can access the care they need.

Tackling the Shortage of Psychologists

Australia is facing a shortage of mental health workers, which means many people struggle to get timely support. The government’s investment is focused on expanding the number of university places for psychology students and increasing the availability of internships and supervisor training. By addressing these bottlenecks, the goal is to make it easier for psychologists to complete their training and start helping communities in need.

At CMI, we’re proud to be the only organisation offering both internships and supervisor training through this program. We are committed to providing high-quality training to ensure psychologists are well-prepared to meet the growing demand for mental health services.

Who Can Apply?

Our programs will prioritise psychologists working with communities that need the most support. This includes:

  • First Nations people
  • Children and young people
  • Culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities
  • Those working in regional, rural, and remote areas (located in MMM3-7).

We want to ensure these essential services reach those who need them most, so we’re offering training both online and in-person, wherever possible. Eligible psychologists in these priority groups may also receive financial support to attend the training.

What’s Included?

  • 1000 Supervisor Training Sessions: Psychologists who want to become supervisors will receive training to guide and support future psychologists. This training will be available online or in-person and is approved by the Psychology Board of Australia.
  • 200 Psychology Internships: Eligible candidates will have the chance to complete their psychology training through hands-on internships, helping them move closer to becoming fully qualified psychologists.

How Cairnmillar is Helping Build the Future Workforce

CMI’s grant is part of a broader effort to expand the mental health workforce across the country. Along with CMI, other universities and organisations will also offer internships and supervisor training to boost the number of psychologists in Australia.

CMI is committed to providing the best training opportunities for future psychologists and supervisors. Below are some upcoming training dates:

Training the Effective Supervisor (Foundation Training)

Supervisor Master Class (Refresher Training)

For more information and to secure your place, visit https://www.cairnmillar.org.au/events/

Government Support for Mental Health

This funding is part of the Albanese Government’s larger plan to improve access to mental health services by increasing the number of trained psychologists in Australia. By providing more university places, internships, and supervisor training, the government is helping to ensure that more Australians can get the support they need, especially in communities that are currently underserved.

Take Advantage of This Opportunity

This grant is a significant step forward in addressing Australia’s shortage of mental health workers. CMI is proud to be part of this important initiative, and we encourage eligible psychologists and students to apply for these opportunities to help shape the future of mental health care in Australia.

Information on how to apply for the psychology internship program will be available soon. Submit your expression of interest here and we will be in contact with more information soon.