OSCA 261134: Psychotherapist
Provides diagnosis and treatment of mental and emotional disorders using psychotherapeutic methods, such as behavioural therapy, biofeedback, relaxation therapy and other techniques. This record sits in Counsellors and Psychotherapists. Related ANZSIC industry links are included for faster classification cross-checking. Skill level 1 is attached to this occupation record.
Should you use OSCA or ANZSCO?
OSCA 2024 is the current Australian occupation classification for storing, organising and reporting occupation information. Use this OSCA record for current Australian statistical and analytical classification work.
Some migration and administrative programs still specify ANZSCO 2022. Check the exact system named by the agency or form rather than replacing the code automatically.
Official ANZSCO correspondence
Role overview
Provides diagnosis and treatment of mental and emotional disorders using psychotherapeutic methods, such as behavioural therapy, biofeedback, relaxation therapy and other techniques.
Use this page to confirm the official title, the parent unit group, the task list and the related ANZSIC industry context before using the occupation in classification, reporting or migration-adjacent workflows.
Occupation facts
- Skill level
- 1
- Major group
- 2 Professionals
- Sub-major group
- 26 Health Professionals
- Minor group
- 261 Allied Health Counselling, Psychology, Social Work and Creative Therapy Professionals
- Unit group
- 2611 Counsellors and Psychotherapists
Tasks
- Conducts assessments and diagnoses mental and emotional disorders
- Works with clients to explore and understand conscious and unconscious aspects of their lived experience
- Develops and implements individualised treatment plans for clients
- Delivers psychotherapy sessions to clients using various therapeutic techniques to help change thinking patterns and improve coping skills
- Provides support and guidance to clients in managing their mental and emotional wellbeing
- Provides education and resources to clients and their families on mental health issues
Skill level guidance
Skill level helps place the occupation inside the ABS hierarchy. Use it as a classification cue, then check the actual task list and occupational context before making a decision for HR, visa or reporting work.
How to use this occupation page
Start with the official OSCA title and task list. Then confirm the parent unit group and compare the related occupations on this page if the job title is broad, overlapping or used differently across employers.
The ANZSIC links are there to help when the same occupation appears across several industries and you need the business-side classification as well.
Related occupations
Industry context
Alternative titles
No alternative titles are currently attached.
Compare before choosing
Compare OSCA 261134 with related occupations
Compare roles in the same OSCA unit group by their official definition, skill level, tasks and recognised alternative titles.
| Comparison point | Current code261134 Psychotherapist | 261131 Counsellor (General) | 261132 Alcohol and Other Drugs Counsellor |
|---|---|---|---|
| Official role definition | Provides diagnosis and treatment of mental and emotional disorders using psychotherapeutic methods, such as behavioural therapy, biofeedback, relaxation therapy and other techniques. | Provides counselling services to individuals, families and groups to assist in overcoming difficulties and improving overall quality of life through a range of therapeutic interventions. | Provides support and treatment for people struggling with substance abuse and addiction, identifies underlying causes of addiction, develops coping strategies to manage change, and provides community education. |
| Skill level | Skill Level 1 | Skill Level 1 | Skill Level 1 |
| Key tasks |
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| Alternative titles | Not stated | Not stated |
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Comparison uses occupation definitions, skill levels, tasks and title variants from the ABS OSCA data files.
Compliance risk score
4 of 4 factors passing
In this section
Frequently asked questions
What does OSCA 261134 do?
Psychotherapist is the current ABS occupation record used to describe a specific occupation. It sits in the OSCA hierarchy and carries skill-level context plus related titles and tasks.
How should I read the skill level?
The skill level tells you the educational or training depth that the ABS associates with the occupation. It is a classification signal, not a salary band or a qualification checklist on its own.
Why is industry context shown on an occupation page?
Industry context helps when the title is common or ambiguous. It shows where the occupation is typically employed so you can compare it with the right ANZSIC family.
Source and trust
- Official source
- ABS OSCA 2024 release and correspondence tables
- Last reviewed
- 2026-04-17
This site is an independent reference resource. It is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to the ABS, ATO or any Australian Government agency.
Please verify critical classification decisions with the official authority before using them for tax, payroll, licensing, immigration or compliance work.