If you’ve started looking into hearing care in Australia, you’ve probably come across both terms. Both professionals work in audiology clinics, both conduct hearing tests, and both can fit hearing aids. So what actually separates them — and does it matter when choosing where to go for your hearing?

The short answer is: yes, it can matter — depending on what you need. Here’s a clear-eyed explanation of the differences.

What is an audiologist?

An audiologist is a university-trained hearing health professional who has completed a postgraduate degree in clinical audiology — typically a Master of Clinical Audiology (or equivalent) following an undergraduate degree in a health science. In Australia, the standard pathway requires at least six years of university education.

Audiologists are qualified to assess, diagnose, and manage the full spectrum of hearing and balance disorders across all age groups, from newborns to the elderly. Their scope of practice includes:

• Full diagnostic hearing assessments — including complex and paediatric testing
• Vestibular (balance) assessments
• Tinnitus assessment and management
• Auditory processing disorder (APD) assessment and management
• Cochlear implant candidacy assessment and mapping
• Hearing aid fitting and ongoing management
• Aural rehabilitation programs
• Industrial and occupational hearing assessments

In Australia, audiologists are eligible for membership with Audiology Australia — the peak professional body — and must meet ongoing continuing professional development requirements to maintain registration.

What is an audiometrist?

An audiometrist is a hearing health professional who has completed a diploma-level qualification — typically the Diploma of Audiometry. The training pathway is shorter than for audiologists, generally taking around two years.

Audiometrists are trained to conduct basic hearing screenings and pure tone audiometry, and to fit and manage hearing aids. Their scope of practice is more limited than that of an audiologist and does not include the diagnostic testing required for complex presentations.

In Australia, audiometrists can become members of Australian College of Audiology (ACAud). Some audiometrists work independently; many work alongside audiologists in multidisciplinary clinics or in hearing aid retail environments.

How do the qualifications compare?

Does it matter for hearing aid fitting?

Both audiologists and audiometrists can legally fit and program hearing aids in Australia. On paper, a hearing aid fitted by an audiometrist and one fitted by an audiologist could be the same device — but the process and the clinical depth surrounding that fitting can differ significantly.

A well-trained audiometrist working in a supportive environment can produce good hearing aid outcomes, particularly for patients with straightforward mild-to-moderate hearing loss. However, there are situations where seeing an audiologist matters:

• If your hearing loss is moderate, severe, or profound
• If you have tinnitus, balance problems, or a history of ear disease
• If you’ve had unsatisfactory results with hearing aids before
• If you need a Medicare rebate on your assessment (only available through audiologists)
• If you need a paediatric hearing assessment or have complex listening needs
• If you suspect an auditory processing disorder

What about the Hearing Services Program?

Both audiologists and audiometrists can be approved providers under the Australian Government Hearing Services Program (HSP), which subsidises hearing aids and services for eligible Australians. So for patients accessing subsidised care through HSP or DVA, the clinician’s title matters less — what matters is their skill, their independence, and the quality of the fitting process.

Canberra Audiology is an approved HSP and DVA provider. All our audiologists hold postgraduate university qualifications and are full members of Audiology Australia. Learn more about funding options ?

Who should I see for a hearing test in Canberra?

For the majority of adults seeking a hearing assessment — whether to investigate a concern, obtain a Medicare rebate, or explore hearing aid options — an audiologist is the recommended choice. Their broader training and diagnostic scope means they can identify the full range of underlying causes, rule out medical issues that require referral, and manage more complex presentations.

If your hearing concern is straightforward — a simple screening as part of a workplace health check, for instance — an audiometrist working in an appropriate setting may be perfectly adequate. But when in doubt, the additional qualification and diagnostic scope of an audiologist provides important reassurance.

The bottom line

The difference between an audiologist and an audiometrist is primarily one of training depth and clinical scope. Both can conduct hearing tests and fit hearing aids. But if your hearing needs go beyond a routine screen — or if you want to be certain that a medical cause hasn’t been missed, that your aids are programmed with real-ear measurement, and that your provider can manage whatever is found — an audiologist is the appropriate choice.

It’s also worth noting that “audiologist” is a protected title in Australia under national credentialing requirements, while “audiometrist” has some variation in how it’s used. When in doubt, ask your provider directly about their qualification and membership body.