SPA Documents
Speech Pathology Australia is the national peak body for the speech pathology profession in Australia.
On this page are key documents relating to Speech Pathology Australia (the Association) as an organisation.
Anti-Racism Position Statement
Speech Pathology Australia unequivocally condemns racism and recognises the ethical imperative for action to eliminate it at all levels of the profession. All members and staff of Speech Pathology Australia have a responsibility to take action to eliminate racism.
Charter
The Charter 
outlines the vision, mission and values of Speech Pathology Australia.
Code of Ethics
The Code of Ethics binds each member of the Association. As a result it contributes to responsible speech pathology practice and an ethical speech pathology community.
Members of the Association make a commitment to read, understand and then apply this Code of Ethics within all professional interactions. This commitment is renewed annually through the membership process of the Association.
Professional Standards
The Professional Standards detail the minimum standards for the speech pathology profession in Australia. This assures the public of the minimum standard they can expect from all practising speech pathologists in Australia from 1 January 2021.
Evidence-Based Practice for speech pathology in Australia
The new Evidence-Based Practice for Speech Pathology in Australia (2021) states that responsibility for Evidence-Based Practice is shared, requiring the successful interplay and contributions of the Association and its members, universities, speech pathology students and workplaces.
View Evidence-Based Practice for Speech Pathology in Australia.
Constitution and By-Laws
The Constitution outlines the structure, activities and rules of Speech Pathology Australia.
The Board of Speech Pathology Australia, from time to time, in accordance with clause 65 of the Constitution creates and adopts by-laws.
Policy and Procedures Manual
The Association's Policy and Procedures Manual is available, in full, to all members of the Association. All current policies are reviewed on a rotating basis. In addition the Board develops new policies where a need is identified.
Strategic Plan
The Association's Strategic Plan 2023 - 2025 outlines the vision, values and key objectives for the organisation for a three year period.
Competency Based Occupational Standards
The Competency Based Occupational Standards (CBOS) describes the minimum skills, knowledge base and professional standards required for entry level practice in speech pathology in Australia.
Scope of Practice
The Speech Pathology Scope of Practice in Australia (2022) is a core Association document that provides a contemporary definition of ‘practice’ and describes scope of speech pathology practice in relation to the roles, networks and range of practice settings in Australia.
This document does not provide a description of speech pathology activities, or the level of education, experience, skill or competency required to carry out those activities; rather it acknowledges that the scope of practice of speech pathologists will be shaped by their work context, personal competencies and ongoing professional development, in accordance with the Speech Pathology Australia Professional Standards and Code of Ethics.
Parameters of Practice
The Parameters of Practice provides a guide for clinical practice and information about delegation, collaboration and teamwork.
Position Statements
Position Statements state the position of the Australia relating to a particular topic relevant to the speech pathology profession and issues requiring immediate clarification.
Practice Guidelines
Practice Guidelines provide information on clinical and workplace issues relevant to the speech pathology profession.
Annual Report
The annual report is presented each year at the Association’s Annual General Meeting. View the Association’s most recent Annual Report .