Psychedelic Therapy Training in Australia: What You Need to Know
2026
Summary
Key facts:
- There is no official accreditation body for psychedelic therapy training in Australia (as of 2026).
- No program can offer an officially "accredited" psychedelic therapy qualification.
- CPD (Continuing Professional Development) accreditation is not the same as a qualification to practice.
- Only psychiatrists approved as Authorised Prescribers can prescribe psilocybin and MDMA.
- In practice, treatment is delivered by teams including therapists who have completed psychedelic therapy training.
Is Psychedelic Therapy Training Accredited in Australia?
No. There is currently no official body accrediting psychedelic-assisted therapy training in Australia.
This means no training program — regardless of provider — can offer an officially accredited qualification in psychedelic-assisted therapy. The regulatory framework for accreditation does not yet exist in this field.
When programs advertise "accreditation" or "certification," this typically refers to:
CPD accreditation: Continuing Professional Development points for maintaining professional registration (e.g., with AHPRA).
Internal certificates: Certificates of completion issued by the training provider.
International affiliations: Recognition by overseas bodies (which have no regulatory authority in Australia).
None of these constitute an official Australian qualification to practice psychedelic-assisted therapy.
What Is the Difference Between CPD Accreditation and a Qualification?
| Term | Meaning | Regulatory Status |
|---|---|---|
| CPD accreditation | Training counts toward Continuing Professional Development hours required to maintain professional registration. | Recognised by AHPRA and professional bodies for CPD purposes only. |
| Certificate of completion | Document showing you completed a training program. | No regulatory status; issued by training provider. |
| RTO Certificate | Qualification from a Registered Training Organisation. | Nationally recognised; however, no RTO certificate exists for psychedelic therapy. |
| Accredited qualification in psychedelic therapy | Does not exist. | No accreditation body has been established. |
What Qualifications Do You Need to Be a Psychedelic Therapist in Australia?
The Regulatory Framework
Since July 2023, psilocybin and MDMA can be prescribed in Australia under strict conditions set by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA):
1. Authorised Prescriber Scheme: Only psychiatrists approved as Authorised Prescribers can prescribe psilocybin (for treatment-resistant depression) or MDMA (for PTSD).
2. Ethics Committee Approval: Psychiatrists must be approved by a Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC).
3. Controlled Medical Setting: Treatment must occur in a controlled clinical environment.
What About Therapists?
The TGA does not explicitly mandate specific therapist training requirements in its published guidance. However, in practice:
- Authorised Prescribers must demonstrate appropriate clinical governance arrangements to their ethics committee.
- This typically means treatment is delivered by teams including therapists trained in psychedelic-assisted therapy.
- Ethics committees evaluate whether the treating team has appropriate training and experience.
The reality: Therapists working in psychedelic-assisted therapy treating teams have typically completed recognised psychedelic therapy training programs. Our graduates are currently working alongside Authorised Prescribers in both clinical trials and private practice settings.
Base Qualifications
Therapists in treating teams typically hold existing qualifications in:
Psychology.
Psychiatry.
Counselling.
Social work.
Mental health nursing.
Other related mental health fields.
Your existing professional qualification determines your scope of practice within a treating team.
The Evidence for Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy
Research supports the effectiveness of psychedelic-assisted therapy for specific conditions:
MDMA-assisted therapy for PTSD:
- In Phase 3 clinical trials, [71.2% of participants receiving MDMA-assisted therapy no longer met PTSD diagnostic criteria, compared to 47.6% in the placebo group
- MDMA has been administered to approximately 1,700 human subjects in research settings with only one serious adverse reaction.
- The FDA has designated MDMA-assisted therapy for PTSD a "Breakthrough Therapy".
Psilocybin-assisted therapy for depression:
- Multiple clinical trials have shown promising results for treatment-resistant depression.
- Phase 3 trials are ongoing internationally.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does psychedelic therapy training cost in Australia?
Training costs vary significantly depending on program length, in-person components, and provider. Evaluate what's included — particularly in-person practical hours and cohort sizes — rather than comparing price alone.
Do I need to be a psychologist to do psychedelic therapy?
No. Treating teams typically include mental health professionals such as psychologists, psychiatrists, counsellors, social workers, and mental health nurses. Your existing professional qualification determines your scope of practice within a treating team.
How long does psychedelic therapy training take?
Training program length varies from intensive short courses (days to weeks) to extended programs (several months). Longer programs are not automatically better — content quality, practical hours, and instructor experience matter more than duration.
Who can prescribe psilocybin and MDMA in Australia?
Only psychiatrists who have been approved as Authorised Prescribers by the TGA can prescribe these substances. Therapists work as part of the treating team but do not prescribe.
About Psychedelic Institute Australia
Psychedelic Institute Australia provides psychedelic-assisted therapy training for mental health professionals.
What we offer:
- Certificate of completion (we do not claim "accredited qualification" as none exists)
- Training delivered by practitioners with direct clinical experience in psychedelic-assisted therapy
- In-person, experiential training components
- Evidence-based curriculum covering practical skills, ethics, and safety
- Track record: our graduates currently work as psychedelic therapists with Authorised Prescribers in clinical trials and private practice
Our position:
When no official accreditation exists, training quality and instructor experience matter more than credential terminology.
Glossary of Terms
Authorised Prescriber (AP): A medical practitioner approved by the TGA to prescribe a specified unapproved therapeutic good (such as psilocybin or MDMA) to specific patients.
CPD (Continuing Professional Development): Ongoing learning activities that professionals undertake to maintain and develop their skills. Required for registration with bodies like AHPRA.
HREC (Human Research Ethics Committee): An ethics committee that reviews and approves research involving humans, including Authorised Prescriber applications.
MDMA-assisted therapy: Psychotherapy conducted with the support of MDMA (3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine), approved in Australia for treatment-resistant PTSD.
Psilocybin-assisted therapy: Psychotherapy conducted with the support of psilocybin (the active compound in certain mushrooms), approved in Australia for treatment-resistant depression.
Psychedelic-assisted therapy: An umbrella term for therapeutic approaches that incorporate psychedelic substances as part of a structured treatment protocol, including preparation, dosing sessions, and integration.
RTO (Registered Training Organisation): An organisation approved by the Australian government to deliver nationally recognised training and qualifications.
TGA (Therapeutic Goods Administration): Australia's regulatory authority for therapeutic goods, including medicines.
Treating team: The group of healthcare professionals involved in delivering psychedelic-assisted therapy, typically including an Authorised Prescriber (psychiatrist) and trained therapists.
Sources and References
TGA: MDMA and Psilocybine Official TGA information on access pathways.
TGA: Rescheduling Announcement July 2023 decision enabling prescribing.
AHPRA: CPD Standards Continuing Professional Development requirements.
Nature Medicine: MAPP2 Trial Phase 3 MDMA-assisted therapy for PTSD results.
MAPS: MDMA Research Overview of MDMA research and FDA status.