CAREERS NEXT GEN JOB KIT
HUMAN BEHAVIOUR SPECIALIST
Improve lives by understanding why people think, feel and behave the way they do
Understand what drives human behaviour
The way we experience the world is shaped by how our brains develop, how we learn and interact, our memories, our personality and our mental health.
Prepare for a rewarding career. Study psychology at QUT.
Find out more
Professor
Change lives with science
Studying behavioural science and psychology is about gaining the ability to understand why people think, feel, and behave the way they do. It also teaches you how to support individuals and communities, including the workplace, so they can thrive. It’s a field where evidence-based science is used to improve lives. My own career in this area has taken me across research, practice, and leadership roles, each driven by a desire to improve health, safety, and wellbeing. For example, I have translated organisational psychology and workplace health and safety research into practical programs used by industry and government. These programs use behavioural science to improve worker safety, health, and wellbeing, and strengthen leaders’ skills in effective risk management.
Each role I’ve had has been rewarding, whether working with students and clients, conducting research, or shaping curriculum. It has all contributed to developing future professionals who have the knowledge, skills and motivation to create real-world impact.
If you are curious about people, motivated to solve complex problems, and want a career that makes a positive difference, becoming a human behaviour specialist could be the right study and career path for you.
There are so many benefits to kickstarting your path by studying at QUT too. The Bachelor of Behavioural Science (Psychology) program is practical, contemporary, and career focused.
Students have the benefit of learning from active researchers and practitioners.
Our students also gain foundational skills in psychological science, such as critical thinking, research literacy, digital competencies, ethical practice and evidence-based problem solving.
They engage with real world applications like mental health and wellbeing, health and safety, and applied psychological practice in community and industry settings.
Graduates can go on to pursue roles in mental health support, community services, human resources, behaviour support, research, policy, and health promotion. Further study opens up pathways in registered psychology, including clinical and educational and developmental, plus counselling and higher degree research studies.
I hope this Job Kit gets you excited about the opportunities that lie ahead for you in this space.
Professor Sharon Newnam Head of School, Psychology + Counselling, QUT
WHY DO WE DO WHAT WE DO?
Turn your curiosity about human behaviour into a high-reward, high-demand career!
What is a human behaviour specialist?
A human behaviour specialist looks at the way we act, with ourselves and with others. A career in this field can take you on many different paths, as psychology includes not only the study of the human brain (how it develops and works), but human behaviour (our observable and unobservable actions), and how we interact with others (how social contexts shape what we do). Explore your options on this page!
Human behaviour + X
Humans are complex, meaning there are lots of career pathways in human behaviour. Graduates of the Bachelor of Behavioural Science (Psychology) at QUT have gone on to work in robotics, childhood development, corrective services, youth/family support, mental health consultation, dementia support and more. Think about how you could combine a career in behaviour with your ‘X’ (that’s your hobby, interest or passion). Here are some examples:
Human behaviour + tech = entrepreneur
Human behaviour+business = organisational psychologist
Human behaviour + sustainability = business consultant
Human behaviour + fashion = fashion psychologist
Human behaviour + sport = director of coaching
Human behaviour + education = student wellbeing program mentor
Human behaviour + health = positive behaviour support practitioner
Human behaviour + retail = consumer psychologist
What to study
To become a human behaviour specialist, enrol in QUT’s Bachelor of Behavioural Science (Psychology). This degree allows you to build your study based on your interests and future career goals. You can choose from a wide range of elective units and take on a placement unit, where you will get hands-on experience in a workplace.
QUT also has great double degrees in this area:
1. Bachelor of Behavioural Science (Psychology) + Bachelor of Creative Arts – this could lead to a job in creative counselling, community facilitation, musical therapy, or art therapy (with further study).
2. Bachelor of Behavioural Science (Psychology) + Bachelor of Design (Visual Communication) – you could get a gig in human factors engineering, marketing, healthcare design, educational design or research.
Want to be a psychologist?
You’ll need to take this study path:
Bachelor of Behavioural Science (Psychology)
Bachelor of Behavioural Science (Psychology) (Honours)
Master of Clinical Psychology or a Master of Psychology (Educational and Developmental)
QUT perks
1Amazing minors
QUT offers Bachelor of Behavioural Science students the opportunity to do a minor in Counselling. This lets them develop practical counselling skills and gives them a preview of what it could be like working as a psychologist. There is also an Addiction and Trauma minor, which sets students up with the skills to work with people who are struggling and can lead to rewarding career outcomes.
2Awesome study experiences
Such as the QUT Health Clinics where students gain practical experience treating real clients.
3Supportprograms
QUT runs the Student Success Program, which offers one-on-one coaching and goal settings. There are also study support workshops, plus behaviour science groups like Conversations That Matter.
Learn more about Conversations that Matter: bit.ly/CTM_QUT
Careers + salaries
Behaviour specialist
Conducts behavioural assessments and supports patients with building healthy patterns.
Average annual salary
$150,000 - $170,000
Psychologist
Assesses and diagnoses mental health conditions to help people deal with life challenges.
Average annual salary
$100,000 - $115,000
Counsellor
Talks through challenges with clients, comes up with case plans for, and supports their clients in decision making or accessing further resources and assistance.
Average annual salary
$100,000 - $115,000
Market research analyst
Analyses customer behaviour in the sales world, collecting data on preferences, trends and how businesses can better sell products or services.
Average annual salary
$90,000 - $110,000
Community Engagement Officer
Acts as a link between an organisation (think goverments and non-profits) and the community to share information and gather feedback on projects.
Average annual salary
$85,000 - $95,000
Human resources consultant/ specialist
Focuses on issues within a workplace, improving employee happiness while aligning with business goals.
Average annual salary
$85,000 - $105,000
*
Psych student
Chloe Barnes shares the perks of studying behavioural science and psychology at QUT
Chloe never doubted she’d study psychology. The only big decision was where! After hearing lots of positive stories, she landed on a Bachelor of Behavioural Science (Psychology) at QUT.
“I was drawn to the option of completing a minor in counselling as part of my bachelor’s degree,” she says. “I feel that QUT’s psychology program gives you a solid foundation in psychology, whether you want to be a psychologist, researcher, or simply want to enhance your psychological knowledge in a different career.”
Chloe has now completed the Bachelor of Behavioural Science (Psychology), and her honours year, and is continuing her studies with a Master of Psychology (Educational and Developmental).
“The Master of Psychology differs from the bachelor’s and honours degrees, which focus on psychological theory and research skills, as it prepares you entirely for work as a psychologist,” she explains.
“After intensive training, I’ll be placed as a provisional psychologist at QUT’s Health Clinics, where I will support clients in the community.”
I was drawn to the option of completing a minor in counselling as part of my degree”
Her goal after completing her studies? To become an endorsed educational and developmental psychologist, working with clients of all ages. “Right now, I am particularly interested in supporting clients who are neurodivergent, have attachment-based concerns, or are experiencing obsessive compulsive disorder/anxiety/ phobia symptoms.”
Chloe’s top tip for anyone wanting to become a human behaviour specialist is to first figure out what you want from your degree. “If you want to become a psychologist, begin by researching the pathway options to registration. If you want to become a researcher, begin engaging with what scientists are doing in psychological research today and consider where your areas of interest may be! If you’re considering doing a double degree in psychology, ask people in your desired career, ‘How could a double degree in psychology help me?’”
Bachelor of Behavioural Science (Psychology), QUT
Bachelor of Behavioural Science (Honours Psychology), QUT
Master of Psychology (Educational and Developmental) (ongoing), QUT
chloe barnes master of psychology student
The power of lived experience
At age 19 and facing his own mental health struggles, Rahim Mohammadi decided on his future career path
Knowing the challenges of mental health on a personal level, Rahim found himself wanting a career where he could help others. “I wanted to do the right thing and to make sure that people who are vulnerable get the support and care they need,” he explains. His next step was enrolling in a Bachelor of Behavioural Science (Psychology) at QUT. Rahim chose this degree because it allowed him to find out the reasoning behind people’s actions and thoughts, and how he could best support others. He enjoyed collaborating with like-minded students and a highlight of the course was hearing from people already working in the mental health space about their experiences on the job.
After uni, he scored a role as Engagement and Project Lead at Mental Health Lived Experience Peak Queensland. They represent and amplify the voices of people with lived experience to drive systemic mental health reform across the state.
One of his favourite parts of the job is seeing people within the community who are grateful for the work Mental Health Lived Experience Peak Queensland are doing.
i’ve always wanted to make sure that people get the support they need”
Day in the life
“I log in each morning and work through my emails. I might receive anywhere from 20-50 emails in a day. I then work through projects. Currently, I am working on a project to try to get more culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) voices in mental health lived experience spaces and the sector. I reach out to members in the community that I consult regarding this topic, I get in touch with stakeholders in the community and I also look at trying to recruit a co-chair to help me through any consultations and advisory group meetings I might run.”
Rahim engagementMohammadi and project lead
Get the job!
Jumpstart your career as a human behaviour specialist with these resources
Choose this career if you…
✔ Want to be in-demand – there is a growing need for mental health workers and practicing psychologists across Australia ✔ Are curious about the human mind ✔ Like helping people and find it rewarding ✔ Want to work in a wide range of industries
Watch
Inside Out (2015)
Ever wondered what is going on inside your head? Inside Out presents human behaviour as colourful cartoons and suggests that all emotions – even sadness – shape our identity and actions.
The Mind, Explained (2019)
This docuseries explores human behaviour through topics such as dreams, memory, brainwashing and anxiety – and it’s narrated by Oscar winner Emma Stone.
Electives checklist
To prepare yourself for secondary study, choose Year 12 subjects like: ✔ Maths ✔ Biology ✔ English Interested in neuroscience? Take on subjects like Chemistry and Physics.
tour
Listen
Jamie Social Breaks down unwritten rules of human interaction in an uncomplicated way.
All in the Mind ABC’s weekly podcast looking into the mind, brain and behaviour.
Psychology Unplugged This podcast unpacks all aspects of psychology, neuropsychology, psychopharmacology, and mental health topics.
@drjulie
Tips and teachings from a psychologist and author.
@lindsay.fleminglpc
This licensed therapist supports children, teens and young adults’ mental health.
@rhemaspsyche
Get career insights from an aspiring psychologist.
Highlights things that affect our behaviour and how we can use this knowledge to our advantage. Read
Reset by Dan Heath
A guide on how to fix systems and processes, organisations and companies, and things in our daily lives that aren’t working.
The Housefly Effect by Tim den Heijer and Eva van den Broek