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Army

Psychologist

Develop your psychology expertise in unique situations, providing advice at all levels of our fascinating organisation.

Mō te tūranga

About the role

  • Specialisations

    Education & Support roles | Healthcare | Officers & Management

  • Entry type

    Officer entry

  • Under training

    $71,113

  • Location

    Varied

As a Military Psychologist, you’ll be employed as a Commissioned Military Officer. You will be involved in a broad range of organisational and military psychology activities. These range from conducting recruitment and selection activities, performance-orientated coaching, and supporting operational deployments, humanitarian relief, and peacekeeping activities.

Applicants must have a Master’s Degree in Psychology or be in their final year of study, preferably with at least one paper in Industrial and Organisational Psychology. A minimum of a B average in the last two years of full-time psychology study is required.

If already registered as a psychologist, you will be introduced to the role through a series of projects relevant to the Defence Force. If unregistered, the Directorate of Psychology will finance and supervise you through your journey to become an NZ-registered psychologist.

Requirements

Basics

  • Must be 18 years old by the time you graduate from recruit course.
  • Eligible to meet national security clearance criteria, as stipulated by the Government's Protective Security Requirements.
  • Pass a Selection Board.

Education

  • Hold a Master’s Degree in Psychology or be in your final year of study, preferably with at least one paper in Industrial and Organisational Psychology.
  • A minimum of a B average in the last two years of full-time psychology study is required.

Citizenship

There are strict citizenship and security requirements to gain the required SV security clearance for this trade.
Find out if you’re eligible here.

Period of Service

There may be a return of service period for this trade.

Please contact our 0800 number or talk to your Candidate Experience Facilitator for more information.

We offer guidance on entry requirements in our eligibility section. Apply if you're uncertain, as we’ll work through the criteria with you to determine if you can proceed.

NZDF Health | Psychology

“WATCH | How our Psychologists help enhance the performance of individuals and teams across the NZDF.”

  • Job on base

    Army Psychologists have a relatively autonomous role and also have high levels of responsibility from an early stage in their career. New Zealand Army Psychology Officers also undertake a host of research to help the NZ Army with our goal of becoming a world class Army with Mana.

    Specific duties include:

    • Support to Operational Deployments
    • Critical Incident Mental Health Support (CIMHS)
    • Officer Selection
    • Support to Recruiting Activities
    • Other Personnel Selection
    • Personnel Research
    • Performance Related Referrals
    • Training and Instruction
    • Performance Coaching
    • Assistance to other countries
  • Job on deployment

    The majority of the support a psychologist provides to an operational deployment is done during the pre-deployment and post deployment stages. This includes providing all the personnel deploying, and their families with various training packages and briefs prior to the deployment. Psychologists will also deploy overseas prior to personnel returning home from operations and will conduct in-theatre debriefing to prepare soldiers for their return to NZ. Currently Psychologists typically deploy to any of our larger operations for a period of several weeks at a time.

Career progression and training

01Basic Training

02Job Training

03Career progression

Benefits & allowances

Earn a competitive salary while training or learning your trade, along with additional allowances for time spent in the field, at sea, overseas, or deployed on operations.

In addition to salary and allowances, other benefits of joining the New Zealand Defence Force include:

  • Access to your Service marae or tūrangawaewae
  • Sponsored tertiary study programmes at all levels
  • Free access to gyms and swimming pools on camp and bases
  • Opportunities to travel
  • Free and subsidised medical and dental care
  • Subsidised food and accommodation on camps and bases
  • Free and subsidised insurance cover
  • Help to buy a home and save for retirement

Salary & benefits

Careers in the Army are well-rewarded, diverse and exciting. As you become more experienced and move up through the ranks, gaining additional skills and qualifications, your salary will rise accordingly.

  • Under training

    $71,113

  • Future potential earnings

    $140,784

20220909 NZDF R1055140 008 v2

Am I fit enough?

If you want to be part of the NZ Defence Force you need to be medically and physically fit for military duties worldwide.

Medical & Fitness
NZA soldiers 20230512 012 v2

The application process

Your step-by-step guide on what to expect at various stages of the application process, specifically for military roles.

Application process
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Ready to start your Army career?

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