Certified Practising Member Audits: Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to do an audit – is it compulsory?

Yes. Certified Practising members make a declaration when they renew their membership that they agree to supply forms and documentation on request for the purposes of verifying eligibility for Certified Practising status.

What documents do I need to submit?

Most members selected for an audit need to submit:

1. a CPD record (PSR log) for the previous membership year.
2. CPD evidence, and
3. evidence of recency of practice.

Some members do not need to provide evidence of recency of practice (e.g. Provisional-CPSP members, or those who graduated from the re-entry program less than four years prior to renewal).

Why do I have to submit a record of my professional development activities for the previous membership year?

At the time of your most recent membership renewal, you declared professional development activities to meet the minimum 20-point requirement. Continuing professional development activities and points earned during the preceding membership year are therefore included as part of the audit.

I’m currently a full CPSP but last membership year I was a Provisional member. If I am selected for an audit, do I have to provide additional evidence?

Yes. Members selected for an audit who declared that they were eligible to move from Provisional-CPSP to full CPSP at their last renewal, in addition to providing a record of continuing professional development activities, will need to submit evidence that they have met the specific eligibility requirements:

• 200 practice hours since course completion;
• Receipt of 12 hours of mentoring or supervision since course completion;
• Completion of the specified SPA Evidence-based practice module(s); and
• Completion of the specified SPA Ethics module(s).

How long do I have to submit documents?

Members have four weeks to submit requested documentation.

If I am not able to complete an audit at the moment, can I request an extension?

Yes, email the Advisor to request special consideration. Extensions may be granted on the same grounds as outlined in SPA Policy No 2.17 Special Circumstances. For example:

• sudden and unexpected events, such as natural disasters, family illness.
• changes in personal circumstances.

A standard extension is four weeks. However, longer extensions can be granted on a case-by-case basis depending on circumstances.

Do I have to send in original hard copy documents?

No, electronic versions are preferred. Email your documents to Speech Pathology Australia.

Do I have to get documents certified?

No, certification of documents isn’t required

Do I have to provide evidence of every hour I have worked as a speech pathologist?

No, evidence is only required to confirm you have met the applicable minimum requirement.

What does ‘within the five-year period prior to your last membership renewal’ mean?

For example, it’s currently 2020/2021, and you renewed your membership in June 2020. If you graduated five or more years prior to June 2020, you need to provide evidence that you accrued at least 1000 speech pathology practice hours between June 2015 and June 2020.

Rolling forward to 2023/2024, and you renewed your membership in July 2023. If you graduated five or more years prior to July 2023, you need to provide evidence that you accrued at least 1000 speech pathology practice hours between July 2018 and July 2023.

What happens to the documents I submit?

Documents are stored in a secure, password protected electronic file for five years after which they are deleted. View the Speech Pathology Australia’s privacy policy.

How will I be notified of the audit outcome?

If you have passed the audit, we will send you an email with a letter attachment within five to ten business days. If we need more information, we will contact you by email or phone as soon as we have reviewed your documents.

What are the consequences of failing an audit?

Members can fail an audit for any of the following reasons:

1. Failing to submit required documents by the nominated due date.
2. Not meeting the minimum CPD requirements
3. Not meeting the recency of practice requirements
4. Any combination of the above.

If a member fails an audit, is there an appeal process?

Yes, there is a 14-day appeal period. Appeals must be made in writing to the Chief Executive Officer of Speech Pathology Australia within 14 days of being notified of the audit outcome. If after the 14-day appeal period has lapsed either no appeal has been made or the original decision has been upheld, the member will be transferred to the Non Certified Member category.

Details regarding the appeal process and grounds for making an appeal can be found in Policy No: 10.06 Professional Self Regulation (PSR) and Certified Practising Speech Pathologist (CPSP) Requirements Nov 2020.

What does Non Certified membership mean?

Non Certified membership is time limited for a maximum of one renewal period or 12 months, whichever is the greater of the two.

Non-Certified members are not eligible to use the title Certified Practising Speech Pathologist or to use the post nominal CPSP. Non-Certified speech pathologists are also not eligible to provide services to individuals funded by Medicare, the Commonwealth Home Support Program or NDIS (if the speech pathologist is a registered provider or an employee of a registered provider).

Further detail regarding Non Certified Membership can be found in Policy No: 2.07: Non Certified Membership Nov 2020.