Psychiatrists and Psychologists: What's the Difference?

According to the Your Health in Mind website, there are three main differences between psychiatrists and psychologists:

· Psychiatrists are medical doctors, psychologists are not.

· Psychiatrists prescribe medication, psychologists can't.

· Psychiatrists diagnose illness, manage treatment and provide a range of therapies for complex and serious mental illness.

· Psychologists focus on providing psychotherapy (talk therapy) to help patients.

It would seem many people get psychiatrists and psychologists confused with each other.

Both psychiatrists and psychologists understand how the brain works, our emotions, feelings and thoughts. Both can treat mental illness with psychological treatments (talking therapies).

However, psychiatrists attend medical school and become medical doctors before doing specialist training in mental health – with up to 11 years of training. As they are doctors, psychiatrists understand the links between mental and physical problems, and they can also prescribe medications. Further information can be found at Your Health in Mind.

Employment Projections

Jobs and Skills Australia’s (JSA) employment projections are useful for understanding the impact of the current economic and labour market outlook on Australia’s future workforce needs. The projections give insights into trends and growth areas in the labour market and are used by industry and governments to inform policy decisions and workforce planning activities.

Students are recommended to stay across important information provided by Jobs and Skills Australia’s (JSA), to stay informed. Visit Jobs and Skills Australia’s (JSA) employment projections.

Games Design Courses in Victoria in 2025

Games Design courses are offered at a number of universities in Victoria. Often, they are specialised courses, other times games design is offered as a major in Computer Science and/or Information Technology degrees (see separate Matrices). Some courses have a specific maths requirement, so students are encouraged to browse the links provided.

(INSTITUTION = highlighted) (🟦= COURSE) (🔹= MAJOR STUDIES IN 2025)

JMC Academy:

🟦Bachelor of Creative Arts (Game Design) Art History...

🔹Art and Animation History, Character Modeling, Character design (2D), Clay sculpture, Colour and Design, Concept Art, Concept Development, Digital Sculpture, Digital concept art, Drawing, Environment Design (2D), Figure modelling, Game Design, Game Studies, Game asset creation (3D) , Game engine scripting [Programming], Game production, Game-play mechanics, Interactive Multimedia, Level design (Games), Motion Capture, Motion Graphics, Pixel art, Production (Games), Prototyping, Rendering, Scriptwriting, Sprite animation (2D), Studio skills, User Interface Design (Games).

RMIT University

🟦Bachelor of Design (Games)...

🔹3D, Animation, Design, Digital art, Game development and programming, Games, Graphic design.

🟦Bachelor of Design (Digital Media)...

🔹App design, Augmented reality, Design, Digital audio, Digital media, Digital product design, Digital video, Interactive media, Interface design, Internet and multimedia, Motion graphics, Sound design and effects, Special effects, User experience design, Virtual reality, Visual effects, Web design.

SAE Creative Media Institute

🟦Bachelor of Games Development...

🔹Business and Leadership Skills, Employability Skills in Screen Industry Contexts, Game Asset Production and Visual Effects, Game Design Principles, Game Scripting and Game Engine Architecture, Games Industry Best Practices, Project Management, Prototyping, User Experience and User Testing, User Interface Design.

🟦Associate Degree in Games Development...

🔹Business and Leadership Skills, Employability Skills in Screen Industry Contexts, Game Asset Production and Visual Effects, Game Design Principles, Game Scripting and Game Engine Architecture, Games Industry Best Practices, Project Management, Prototyping, User Experience and User Testing, User Interface Design.

Swinburne University

🟦Bachelor of Games and Interactivity...

🔹3D modelling for objects and environments, Behaviour and motivation in games, Digital game prototyping lab, Introduction to game studies, Introduction to games production, Pervasive game design lab, Principles of game design, Sound design and acquisition, User-centred design and evaluation, Writing for interactive narratives.

🟦Bachelor of Games and Interactivity / Bachelor of Animation...

🔹2D and 3D production techniques for animation, 3D modelling for objects and environments, Acting for animation, Action analysis and locomotion, Behaviour and motivation in games, Character and environment design, Character design for animation, Development and pre-production, Digital game prototyping, Genre and the moving image, History of animation, Pervasive game design, Principles of game design, Producing and production management for animation, Production and post-production, Screen writing, Sound design and acquisition, User-centred design and evaluation, Writing for interactive narratives.

🟦Bachelor of Games and Interactivity/Bachelor of Applied Innovation...

🔹3D modelling for objects and environments, Behaviour and motivation in games, Digital game prototyping lab, Exploring creativity and innovation, Fundamentals of innovation practice, Innovation for challenges of today, Innovation for the future, Innovation sandpit, Introduction to game studies, Introduction to games production, Leadership and facilitation of innovation, Pervasive game design lab, Principles of game design, Responsible innovation futures, Sound design and acquisition, User-centred design and evaluation, Writing for interactive narratives.

🟦Bachelor of Games and Interactivity / Bachelor of Computer Science...

🔹Artificial intelligence, Cyber security, Data science, Games and interactivity, Games development, Internet of Things, Software development.

The Australian Air Force Cadets 419 Squadron in Shepparton are now recruiting for their 2026 intake. There will be an information evening in Shepparton on Friday 21st Nov 25.

If you’re between 12 - 15 (must be in high school in 2026 and turning 13 in 2026) and have an interest in aviation, drones, STEM, leadership and personal development, fieldcraft, a career in the Australian Defence Force, or just want to make new friends, we’re keen to have you join our ranks. You’ll learn many new skills and have a lot of fun along the way.

We are sponsored by the Royal Australian Air Force and you will have the opportunity to fly and visit Defence Bases in Victoria, and so much more.

To register to attend the information evening or for more information email: co.419sqn@airforcecadets.gov.au

Expressions of interest to join can be completed at:

www.airforcecadets.gov.au/how-to-join

Taryn Kneebone

Careers Advisor

Office News