Background

In Australia, there has been a recorded increase in children with communication issues over the recent years. Close to 25% of Australia’s parents have displayed concerns regarding the development of communication and speech in their children (Lucas, 2021). Unfortunately, in the case of speech pathology experts, there is a vast disparity between demand and supply, with waiting lists beyond eighteen months, and vacancies on prominent platforms such as Medfuture receiving no response (Marozzi, 2022).

Importance of Speech Pathology

Difficulties with speech can have a considerable negative influence on one’s quality of life.  In addition to the influence difficulties in communication can have on one’s social life, they can also affect how an individual learns. If left untreated, speech and communication issues can lead to mental illnesses, behavioural disorders, and difficulties with employment.

Experts in the field of Speech Pathology identify, assess and treat speech and communication disorders in their various forms. These can include:

?      Difficulties in speech such as stuttering or slurring

?      Learning and listening disorders

?      Issues with reading and writing

?      Developmental delays

Issues with speech and communication aren’t necessarily exclusive to children and can occur gradually or without warning in adults. People get speech pathology therapy services to help them achieve their communication goals associated with disabilities, diseases, injuries and hearing loss.

Many adults around the world that have relied on the services of Speech Pathologists developed their issues due to trauma or age. Examples include:

?      Strokes

?      Brain injuries

?      Traumatic experiences

?      Dementia

The Situation in Australia

Despite the emergence of new technologies, such as telehealth consultants and the massive budget boost to extend such services, the speech pathology needs of Australians aren’t being met (Lucas, 2021). This is also true for Australian parents with children who have such needs, who often face long waiting lists, even if it’s for a Telehealth consultant. Given the growing number of Australian children, it is likely that the demand will only continue to increase.

Even today, for families situated in rural areas of the country, access to speech pathology services is close to impossible. This is a particularly tragic situation since Australia does have healthcare systems in place to offer medical services, including speech pathology, for free or at a very low cost. These systems, however, can vary from state to state.

In New South Wales, for example, speech pathologists employed by the state can work within the health-care system, through hospitals and community health centres. In states like Queensland, state-employed speech pathologists operate in the education system as well, which allows children to receive speech pathology treatments at school.

The main reason that the nation is having this particular crisis, is due to a shortage of professionals specialising in the subject. One of the key experts in the study that highlighted Australia’s speech pathology concerns, Dr Verdon, discovered that Australian families were willing to travel fifty kilometres at most, for speech pathology services. Unfortunately, a distressing 1.4% of neighbourhoods in non-metropolitan locations had access to relevant services within that criteria (Freya, 2021).

Even for that small percentage of families that have speech pathology services within their reach, they still have to face long waitlists before they can receive help.

According to recent statistics, most families end up having to wait for twenty months just to obtain an assessment on the condition of their child and then wait for a further twenty before they can commence treatment (McGill et al, 2020). This is extremely detrimental since early detection and action are crucial for the success of speech pathology treatments. Delays such as this deal tragic blows to not only those who need treatments but also their families. Waiting too long can also drastically reduces their chances of full recovery.

The option of private speech pathology treatments is available, but given the average rates are in the ballpark of 190AUD per hour, they are financially out of reach for most families. Especially since treatments need to be consistent in order to ensure success, requiring multiple regular sessions. This makes private treatments impractical for families in rural areas that can afford them, given the distance.

The Demand for Speech Pathologists

It can be said that the ability to communicate has a direct effect on one’s quality of life, and Australia’s massive demand for speech pathologists presents vast opportunities for medical professionals worldwide.

Medical and Healthcare recruitment agencies such as Medfuture are always on the lookout for speech pathology experts on an international scale. Despite that, it has become incredibly hard for organisations to fill vacancies for Speech Pathologists, with openings lasting for as long as four years. In 2021, job websites showcased more than two thousand ads for speech pathologists and over six thousand vacancies for occupational therapists.

The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), in particular, has been instrumental in facilitating the growth of speech pathology, with over $18 Billion allocated annually for disability services. This budget is double what was initially available prior to the introduction of the scheme.

Due to the increase in awareness regarding the need for Speech Pathologists, several prominent universities in Australia have also introduced courses specialising in the area. These are offered at several levels as well, such as the Bachelor of Speech and Language Sciences, and Master of Speech Pathology.

There was also a noticeable increase in professional Speech Pathologists in Australia, with numbers growing by the thousands (Marozzi, 2021). Employment settings can encompass anything from working in a children’s hospital to dealing with high-end clients in the private sector.

Speech Pathologists in Australia typically earn around 153,000 AUD per year. Salaries range from 81,000 AUD to 232,000 AUD per year and often include housing, transport, and other benefits depending on the years of experience, skills, and practice location.

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Conclusion

Australia’s shortage of Speech Pathology professionals presents a serious issue for the nation, affecting several demographics of her population, encompassing children of all ages, and adults. Although remedial initiatives have been activated, there’s still no sign of supply coming close to meeting demand. Some Australians have even stated the introduction of the NDIS made it harder for them to procure the services of a Speech Pathologist since they were driven into the private industry.

The massive demand for Speech Pathologists in Australia does however present a very lucrative opportunity for fresh graduates since they are highly employable immediately. For those with Master’s degrees in the subject, finding employment is a breeze. Several individuals even received job offers while on the final stretch of their Master’s program. Although it is uncertain whether Australia’s shortage of Speech Pathologists will be remedied in the short term, it is clear that the issue has opened floodgates for individuals interested in the industry, especially general practitioners.

References

?      - Lucas. F, 2021, Children are missing out because of a lack of support of communication, experts say, The Sector, May 19th (Available: https://thesector.com.au/2021/05/19/children-are-missing-out-because-of-a-lack-of-support-for-communication-experts-say/)

?      - Marozzi. M, 2022, Speech pathologist and OT demand soars with waitlists blowing out, job ads going unanswered, ABC News, May 11th.  (Available: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-05-11/job-ads-go-unanswered-as-demand-for-speech-pathologists-ots-soar/101041504)

?      Nicole McGill, Kathryn Crowe & Sharynne Mcleod (2020) “Many wasted months”: Stakeholders’ perspectives about waiting for speech-language pathology services, International Journal of Speech-Language Pathology, 22:3, 313-326, (Available: 10.1080/17549507.2020.1747541)