Speech Pathologists are experts in the field of communication, treating individuals of all ages, from babies, all the way to adults. They work with individuals who have issues with communication, as well as with swallowing.

A speech pathologist needs to be creative, have analytical thinking abilities, adopt clinical reasoning, and have a lot of compassion.

The Specialist Pathway in Australia is for International Medical Graduates who are either overseas-trained specialists who are in the process of applying for an assessment that compares their qualifications and expertise to that of a specialist trained in Australia, or overseas-trained specialists who are applying for a specialist level position in Australia in an area of need.

Speech Pathologists are not considered medical practitioners and therefore cannot be eligible for the Specialist Pathway in Australia that IMGs have as an option. However, there are a number of other pathways for registration to Australia as a speech pathologist, and Medfuture will assist you through every process!

Registration Pathways for a Speech Pathologist

The Speech Pathology Australia is the established and recognised national professional standards organisation for speech pathologists in Australia. It is also recognised as the assessing authority for speech pathologists who apply for skilled migration to Australia by the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations.

In Australia, the majority of the employers generally require potential employees to be eligible for the Practising membership of Speech Pathology Australia. For an individual to be eligible for the Practising membership of the Association, one must meet the standards for practise in Australia, while also ensuring that they are fluent in English in the context of Australian clinics.

If you are someone who graduated with their degree over five years ago, you must ensure that you have also worked as a speech pathologist in the last five years for at least 1000 hours. The competence, and qualifications of international applications are generally assessed against the standards of the Competency-Based Occupational standards 2001 (CBOS 2001).

There are two different types of applications that can be completed:

A Complete Application: When an individual is confident that the profession that they are applying to is the right one for them, while also holding sufficient evidence to demonstrate their competence and skill as a speech pathologist, this is the application that they can make. Whether or not a speech pathologist is eligible for the Practising Membership of SPA is determined by this application.

A Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA) Application: If an individual is currently a member in the specified membership category of ASHA [USA], CASLPA [Canada], IASLT [Ireland], NZSTA [New Zealand] or RCSLT [UK], and they believe that they are eligible and can meet the necessary requirements, then this is the application that they make.

There are a few other aspects as well that Australia requires of their applicants. A demonstration of competence in the area of dysphagia needs to be shown by all applicants. Not only do the speech pathologists in Australia need to be able to speak English as a form of communication, but they must also be able to speak it as the main focus of assessment and treatment. In the case that the first language of the applicant is not English, or that their education in the field of speech pathology was not conducted in English, they must be able to support themselves with evidence that they are able to competently use English in Australian speech pathology practices.

In order to provide this evidence, one must complete the Occupational English Test, and score relatively high. Additionally, with the consent of the applicant, the examination tapes and reports are reviewed by Speech Pathology Australia. This is done to ensure that the applicant is able to successfully and effectively use English in a professional and clinical setting in Australia.

In addition to this, all applicants must provide video evidence of themselves in a real or simulated clinical session.

Another pathway for registration as a speech pathologist to Australia is through ANZSCO. ANZSCO stands for “Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations”, and has a published list of occupations that Australia requires in order to meet the demand certain industries require, and fill market labour gaps. This is essentially a list of occupations that have a high chance of being eligible to qualify for residency in Australia. This list is exclusive, with only 176 occupations listed for potential skilled independent emigration to Australia. Speech therapists and speech pathologists are covered in this list. However, in order to qualify, one must be able to meet the numerous requirements mentioned to each of the qualifiers in order to be eligible for emigration to Australia.

The assessment, as mentioned previously as well, will be conducted by Speech Pathology Australia. The basic requirements for assessments for emigration include health, good character, and English language ability.

With regards to Licensing and registration requirements, many occupations require for you to be registered, or for you to obtain a licence from a local authority. This can be done in the state or area that you choose to practise your occupation. The only state here registration is compulsory, is Queensland.

Before you can get your skills and competency recognised, licensed and registered, you will most likely require additional training. You will also hold a competitive advantage by becoming a member of an industry association that is relevant to Speech Pathology. This in turn assists you with employment prospects, links you with contacts of other industry individuals, and gives you the opportunity to network. In the process, you may even receive important information, as well as unexpected support.

Benefits of Being a Speech Pathologist in Australia

As speech pathologists, individuals work more flexible hours. Some Speech Pathologists work part-time, while others work the normal full-time work day. At the same time, some choose to schedule their work hours in a way that best suits their lifestyle.

Speech pathologists get to exercise creativity, as well as their analytical thinking almost every day in this job. Speech pathologists have to come up with new creative strategies on almost a daily basis in order to cater to all of their clients

Speech pathologists receive the opportunity to work in a range of settings. This depends solely on the clients and their preferences. It is not often that you find flexibility and variety in your workplace!

In Australia, even as a speech pathologist, you will have ongoing opportunities for education. This is because Australia has requirements for annual professional development that they need met, in order to maintain your position as a Certified Practising Speech Pathologist with Speech Pathology Australia. No matter the circumstance, your employee will have to support the pursuit of your Continuing Professional Development opportunities.

If you have a family, and you wished you had more time to spend with them, and less time at work, Speech Pathology is for you. While you already do have flexible working hours, there are a number of workplaces that allow you to complete documentation, compilation of reports, as well as other administrative tasks that you may be required to do, from the comfort of your home.

As a speech pathologist, there are a range of services that you can choose from, to provide your clients with. This means that there is no monotony in the work that you do. Some of the support that you may provide your clients with are: Swallowing, Stroke, Early Language Intervention, Stuttering, Motor Speech Disorders, and Augmentative and Alternative Communication.

Where required, you may also receive the opportunity to work and collaborate with other Allied Health Professionals. This would include Occupational Therapists, Physios, Dieticians and Psychologists. Individuals who enjoy working in teams and constantly learning new things, particularly enjoy this aspect of their job as speech pathologists.

The Increasing Need for Speech Pathologists in Australia

Due to the proactive nature and increase in budget of the NDIS, there is an increase in demand for Speech Pathologists in Australia.

General Practitioners have started actively taking the initiative to assess, identify and refer their patients- especially children- to speech pathologists.

Experts discuss how the demand for speech pathology is at an all-time high, and despite the steady increase in the number of Speech Pathologists in the country, the demand still seems to exceed the clinicians available.

Look no further, for Medfuture, a reputed medical and healthcare recruitment agency, connects qualified and experienced healthcare professionals on a global scale, and will guide you through everything you need to know to make your way into the industry.

Join us in taking a step towards your dream career! For more information on open vacancies in healthcare administration, visit the Medfuture job board.