With more awareness of speech therapy, more GP’s referring children on, and the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) increasing funding for speech services, the demand for speech pathologists is increasing. In NSW alone, they predict they need an extra 100 speech pathologists by 2040. With delays stretching into years for children accessing the service, these roles must be filled.

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Start your future now by contacting the education counsellors at IDP. We want you to be qualified, confident, and clear on your future career.

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Benefits of studying speech pathology

If you want a job that helps other people, can lead to PR in Australia, and is in demand, then speech pathology is an ideal career. For science-minded students who enjoy working closely with people, speech pathology roles are challenging but rewarding.

Speech pathology can help a huge range of people, from kids with speech impairments through to people with a brain injury.

  • Early intervention programs

  • Primary and secondary schools

  • Private practice

  • Hospital in and out patient

  • Rehab facilities

  • Home health agencies

  • Organisations requiring corporate services (such as accent reduction)

No two clients are the same, as everyone has unique needs and outcomes. However, the universal similarity is that your patients will improve, and their lives will be better—thanks to you.

There are two main careers that speech pathology covers:

252711 Audiologist

An audiologist tests, diagnoses, treats and rehabilitates hearing and balance problems. Tasks could include providing testing to assess and diagnose hearing loss, followed by reporting and referring patients to other providers. An audiologist also can provide solutions such as implantable devices, amplification, listening devices, or medical interventions when required. Currently Audiologists are not required to register with the Australian Health
Practitioner Regulation Agency.

252712 Speech Pathologist

A speech pathologist diagnoses speech, language, and swallowing disorders. This includes a range of difficulties swallowing, speaking, understanding language, reading, writing, listening, stuttering, using voice, and other affected social skills. They then go on to treat the problems using direct interventions, education, advocacy, or any combination of those. This includes evaluating the extent of the problems, reporting the results, and making referrals when appropriate, recommending solutions, and providing advice and information.

Job outcomes and future growth in speech pathology in Australia

Due to the recent shortage in audiologists and speech pathologists, more tertiary institutions are providing relevant degrees. Future growth is predicted to be very strong as the Australian population ages and the services and skills of a speech pathologist are required. In 2011, there were 5,300 practitioners, and in 2016, 7,300. These numbers have continued to grow. These roles are highly skilled and as a result, weekly pay, on average, is currently between AU$1750 and $1850.

Pathway to Australian PR

Speech pathologists and audiologists are both on the medium to long term Australian skill shortage list, making them an excellent pathway to permanent residency. Once you’ve qualified with an appropriate degree, you can apply for roles and enter Australia under a variety of visa types. This can make you eligible for Australian permanent residence.

Visa options for pathway to permanent residency for speech pathologists

Currently, the visas available for audiologists and speech pathologists on the medium term skills shortage list include:

  • 186 - Employer Nomination Scheme visa: This permanent visa allows you to stay in Australia as a resident

  • 189 - Skilled Independent (Points-tested): This permanent visa allows you to stay in Australia as a resident

  • 190 - Skilled Nominated: This permanent visa allows you to stay in Australia as a resident

  • 485 - Temporary Graduate Work: This gives you 18 months to four years to find a relevant mechanical engineering role

  • 489 - Skilled Regional (Provisional) visa: Family sponsored or State/ Territory nominated: This visa could be a pathway to a permanent visa

  • 482 - Temporary Skill Shortage – Medium Term Stream: : This visa could be a pathway to a permanent visa

  • 187 - Regional Sponsor Migration Scheme: This permanent visa allows you to stay in Australia as a resident

  • 494 - Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (provisional) Employer sponsored stream: This visa could be a pathway to a permanent visa

  • 491 - Skilled Work Regional (provisional) visa (subclass 491) State or Territory nominated, or family sponsored: This visa could be a pathway to a permanent visa

IELTS points needed

In order to study in Australia towards a relevant speech pathology degree, each institution will have different IELTS scores required. Check with the provider, but you can expect requirements of about six or more across all bands.

To qualify for many of the work visas available for speech pathology roles, you will be required to have an IELTS score of at least seven (or equivalent in other English language testing) across all bands.

Skill assessment for speech pathologists in Australia

  • In Australia, speech pathologists are required to have completed an undergraduate or Masters level university qualification from an accredited program provider.

  • Speech Pathology Australia is the recognised assessing authority for speech pathologists. This profession is self regulated, although the association requires continued professional development in order to renew as a certified speech pathologist. Renewal is required after two provisional years, then every five years thereafter.

  • If you gained your degree overseas, you will need to make a Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA) application. You must have a certification from or membership with a signatory MRA association.

    • Speech Language and Audiology Canada – Certified Speech-Language Pathologist (S-LP(C))

    • American Speech Language Hearing Association– Certificate of Clinical Competence– Speech Language Pathology (CCC-SLP)

    • Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists– Certified Member MRCSLT

    • New Zealand Speech Language Therapists’ Association– Full member joining after 1993.

    • Irish Association of Speech and Language Therapists – Full Member

  • If you are not eligible for an MRA application, you will need to submit an Overseas Qualification Competency Assessment. You must have proof of ID, paperwork that proves the following:

    • Meeting competency based standards of practice

    • IELTS score/ English fluency for Australian standards

    • At least 1000 hours of speech pathology work over the last five years

Popular Bachelor Programs in Australia

Bachelor of Speech Pathology or Bachelor of Science in Speech Pathology

This four-year course is available widely throughout Australia. The first two to three years are largely evidence-based academic course work. This covers health and biomedical science, psychology and linguistics. The remainder of the course focuses on clinical practice, with placements in the community so the student can learn the advanced knowledge required to successfully treat patients.

Popular Master Programs in Australia

Master of Speech Pathology or Master of Philosophy in Speech Pathology

This course can be completed full time over two years, or part time over three. You must first have a relevant undergraduate degree or work experience. It hones and refines the knowledge gained in the bachelor degree, developing clinical skills and research methods.

Top universities to study speech pathology courses in Australia

There are currently a number of institutions offering relevant speech pathology courses. Among the top providers are:

University of Queensland

  • Ranked number one in Australia for their speech pathology program

  • Excellent teaching quality and educational experience

  • Offers a Bachelor and Master of Speech Pathology

  • The final year offers placement in Vietnam or Timor Leste

Curtin university

  • Offers a Bachelor of Science in Speech Pathology and Master of Speech Pathology

  • Focuses on developing practical skills

  • On-campus clinic gives students opportunities to use their skills in real life

Australian Catholic University

  • Offers a Bachelor of Speech Pathology

  • More than 90% of students reporting an overall positive experience

  • Opportunities to work in the community