Career Opportunities

Speech Pathology is a fascinating and challenging career with excellent job opportunities.

On successful completion of an accredited speech pathology course, graduates become a qualified speech pathologist and are eligible to apply for membership of Speech Pathology Australia.

Speech pathologists can find rewarding careers in a wide range of settings, including schools (ranging from kindergarten and preschool through to high school), community health centres, hospitals, rehabilitation units, nursing homes, private practice and specialist disability services.  It is also possible to work in academic, research and management positions.  There are opportunities for speech pathologists to specialise and diversify throughout their careers.

There are good prospects for immediate and ongoing employment within the profession.  Currently there is a national shortage of speech pathologists (Australian Job Search, 2005). Significant shortages are evident in education, paediatrics, disability services, locum positions and regional and outer metropolitan areas (Department of Employment and Workplace Relations, 2004).

Within the health and community sectors, these workforce shortages are compounded by the impact of the ageing population and changes in the burden of disease. It is predicted, “that by 2045, one quarter of all Australians will be aged 65 years or more, double the present level” (Australian Government Productivity Commission 2005). Whilst data is not available regarding other sectors, an increase in demand for services is also likely to occur in the Education, Community and Disability sectors with improved survival rates of premature, chronically ill and disabled infants, together with improvements in detection of early speech and language disorders.

Speech pathology is a growing profession with an ever increasing number of graduates entering the workforce and making significant contributions to the community.

For information concerning university training courses in speech pathology click here 

If you are a high school student or have an undergraduate degree in a different specialty and are interested in a career in speech pathology, find course and career information here.