Speech pathologist
What does a speech pathologist do?
Ever wonder, what is speech pathology? Speech pathologists (also known as a speech therapists), play an important role in helping people who struggle with speech, language, communication, and swallowing. As a speech pathologist, you would help to improve outcomes and the overall quality of life of your patients though personalised treatment plans, therapy and education. Depending on your patient's specific needs, a speech therapy lesson might involve reading a book, playing a game, or oral exercises.
In this profession you have the opportunity to work with a diverse range of people in a variety of settings. You might choose to work with adults or as a paediatric speech pathologist specialising in children’s speech therapy. Depending on your interest area, your workplace could be a hospital, school, private practice, or a not-for-profit organisation.
Is a career as a speech pathologist right for me?
A successful speech pathologist combines strong communication skills with empathy, patience, and a genuine desire to help others. Being able to listen carefully, explain information clearly, and build trust with clients and their families is essential to assess communication challenges, develop treatment plans, and monitor progress over time.
Other skills and attributes beneficial for this role include:
An ability to analyse and interpret information.
Clear written and verbal communication skills, supported by strong interpersonal skills.
The ability to build positive relationships and support others effectively.
Effective time-management and prioritisation skills.
Problem-solving and decision-making
The ability to identify issues, evaluate options, and make informed decisions.
How to become a speech pathologist?
Becoming a speech pathologist involves completing an accredited university qualification that combines theoretical learning with practical clinical experience.
Here is one path you could take to becoming a speech pathologist:
- Complete an accredited bachelor’s or master’s degree in speech pathology.
- Develop your knowledge of speech, language, communication and swallowing through your studies.
- Complete supervised clinical placements to gain practical experience working with clients.
- Graduate with an accredited qualification and meet the requirements for professional practice.
- Continue developing your clinical skills and knowledge through professional experience and ongoing learning.
Accreditation and qualifications
UniSQ’s Bachelor of Speech Pathology (Honours) is professionally accredited (with conditions) by Speech Pathology Australia. This classification enables graduates to be eligible for certified practicing status of Speech Pathology Australia, assuming conditions are met in the prescribed timelines.
How long does it take to become a qualified speech pathologist?
Becoming a speech pathologist in Australia typically takes a minimum of four years to complete a bachelor qualification, such as UniSQ's Bachelor of Speech Pathology (Honours). Alternatively, you can study our two-year Associate Degree of Allied Health which can be used as a pathway into a speech pathology bachelor degree.
Start your journey with UniSQ
Prepare for a rewarding career as a speech pathologist with a UniSQ speech pathology degree and develop the clinical, communication and problem-solving skills sought by employers across healthcare, education and community services.
Responsibilities and work settings
Assessing speech, language, communication and swallowing difficulties to identify individual needs.
Developing and delivering personalised therapy and treatment plans.
Monitoring progress and adapting treatment to support client goals and outcomes.
Collaborating with families, carers and other health professionals to provide coordinated care.
Aged care providers
Community health organisations
Disability services providers
Primary and secondary schools
Private healthcare providers, clinics and practices
Public hospitals and health services
Speech pathologist FAQs
How to become a speech pathologist varies depending on your background and level of education, however there there are several paths to reaching your speech pathology career goals. At UniSQ, you can study our Bachelor of Speech Pathology (Honours) and become a qualified speech pathologist. You will graduate with a high-quality theoretical and clinical learning experience, ready for professional practice. At UniSQ, you will work alongside healthcare professionals to deliver healthcare plans to improve the lives of those living with communication disorders.
If you don't meet the entry requirements to gain entry into the Bachelor of Speech Pathology (Honours), our Associate Degree of Allied Health could be the right pathway for you. You can use this two year undergraduate qualification as a stepping-stone into a bachelor degree.
This will vary depending on the type of role you want and where you want to work. Generally speaking to practice as a Speech Pathologist, you need an undergraduate degree specifically in speech/language pathology, which includes both coursework and practical clinical experience.
At UniSQ, our Bachelor of Speech Pathology (Honours) is a 4-year full-time degree with research integrated learning and professional experience placement.
These practical experience courses will provide you with the opportunity to put the theory you learn into practice. When you study an Honours degree you enhance your knowledge by selecting from two Honours pathways with a focus on either partnership with industry or an individual research project.
Related careers
Stay in touch
UniSQ is collecting the personal information on this form for support for students and prospective students and for marketing purposes. By submitting this form, you consent to the terms of UniSQ's marketing privacy statement. Further information concerning privacy is available.
Welcome aboard! We've got your details.
Something doesn't look right. Try that one again.