Speech Pathologist 2386-11
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Job description
Assesses and treats people with communication disorders including speech, language, voice, fluency and literacy difficulties or people who have physical problems with eating or swallowing.
Skill level
The entry requirement for this occupation is a bachelor degree or higher qualification. Registration or licensing may be required.
Note: If you are seeking a skills assessment for skilled migration purposes, different skill level requirements may apply. For information on skills assessment, see the relevant skills assessing authority below.
Skilled occupation information
Points awarded for General Skilled Migration purposes are shown in the table below.
The table also shows if this occupation is on the Skilled Occupation List (SOL) or part of the Employer Nomination Scheme (ENSOL).
| Points | SOL | ENSOL |
|---|---|---|
| 60 | Yes | Yes |
Skills assessment authority
Before you can migrate to Australia as a skilled migrant you must have your skills assessed by the relevant national assessment authority. The assessment authority for your occupation is:
Speech Pathology Association of Australia (SPAA)
Speech Pathology Australia is the professional body that represents speech pathologists in Australia. The Association is recognised as the national scientific and professional standards organisation for speech pathologists in Australia. Speech Pathology Australia is also the assessing authority for speech pathologists intending to apply for skilled migration to Australia. Most employers in Australia require prospective employees to be eligible for Practising membership of Speech Pathology Australia.
Speech pathologists who trained outside of Australia can have their qualifications and competence assessed by the Overseas Qualifications Assessment Team of Speech Pathology Australia to determine eligibility for Practising membership.
A comprehensive knowledge of English is essential to the practice of speech pathology in Australia.
It is a requirement that speech pathologists in Australia are able to work with English both as the form of communication and as the focus of assessment and treatment. Therefore, if your first language is not English or if your speech pathology education was not conducted in English, you will need to provide evidence that you can use English competently in Australian speech pathology practice.
To help provide this evidence you may choose to undertake the Occupational English Test (OET). You must achieve a high grading in this test (usually applicants will need to achieve grades of at least three A’s and one B). In addition, if you agree, the examination tapes and reports can be reviewed by Speech Pathology Australia to confirm that you use English effectively for professional purposes in Australia.
Assessment by Speech Pathology Australia that you can competently use English in clinical practice is accepted as evidence of competent English use for purposes of skilled migration.
Applicants must also demonstrate their competence in the area of dysphagia. For more information contact:
Speech Pathology Australia
2nd floor, 11-19 Bank Place
MELBOURNE VIC 3000
AUSTRALIA
Telephone: +61 3 9642 4899
Fax: +61 3 9642 4922
Email: office@speechpathologyaustralia.org.au
Website: http://www.speechpathologyaustralia.org.au
In addition to assessment by Speech Pathology Australia, speech pathologists wishing to work in the Australian State of Queensland must apply separately to the Speech Pathologists Board for registration. This is a legal requirement under The Speech Pathologists Registration Act 2001 (Queensland Government). Registration is not required in other States at present.
The Speech Pathologists Board of Queensland recognises Speech Pathology Australia as the assessing authority for speech pathology qualifications, and will refer you to Speech Pathology Australia for assessment of your overseas qualifications prior to consideration of registration.
If you are intending to migrate to Australia as a speech pathologist, you should be aware that only speech pathologists who can show that they hold or are eligible for current, Practising membership of Speech Pathology Australia will meet the skills level for migration purposes.
Licensing or registration requirements
In many occupations you must be registered with or obtain a license from a local authority in the state or territory where you wish to practise your occupation. Select from the following state links to find out details of the local authority in your state.
Duties and responsibilities of a specific occupation carry different licensing requirements. Select from the following state links to find out details of which licenses are required to practice in your state.
New South Wales
There is no legal requirement for licensing or registration for this occupation in New South Wales.
Victoria
There is no legal requirement for licensing or registration for this occupation in Victoria.
Queensland
Registration is compulsory.
Speech Pathologists Board.
Level 19, Forestry House
160 Mary Street
Brisbane Qld 4000
Telephone: +61 7 3225 2508
Fax: +61 7 3225 2527
Email: speechpathology@healthregboards.qld.gov.au
Website: http://www.speechpathboard.qld.gov.au/contactdetails/contactdetailspage.html
South Australia
There is no legal requirement for licensing or registration for this occupation in South Australia.
Western Australia
There is no legal requirement for licensing or registration for this occupation in Western Australia.
Tasmania
There is no legal requirement for licensing or registration for this occupation in Tasmania.
Northern Territory
There is no legal requirement for licensing or registration for this occupation in the Northern Territory.
Australian Capital Territory
There is no legal requirement for licensing or registration for this occupation in the ACT.
Additional training
You may require additional training in Australia before you can get your skills recognised, licensed or registered. For more information contact the relevant state or territory licensing or registration body listed above. You can also check with the Overseas Qualifications Unit in your state or territory.
See: Overseas Qualifications Unit
Industry association memberships
You may benefit from becoming a member of a relevant industry association for your occupation. This could help you with your employment prospects, networking, contact with industry and professional development and may provide you with important information and support.
New South Wales
Speech Pathology Australia
2nd floor, 11-19 Bank Place
Melbourne VIC 3000
Telephone: +61 3 9642 4899
Fax: +61 3 9642 4922
Email: office@speechpathologyaustralia.org.au
Website: http://www.speechpathologyaustralia.org.au
Victoria
Speech Pathology Australia
2nd floor, 11-19 Bank Place
Melbourne VIC 3000
Telephone: +61 3 9642 4899
Fax: +61 3 9642 4922
Email: office@speechpathologyaustralia.org.au
Website: http://www.speechpathologyaustralia.org.au
Queensland
Speech Pathology Australia
2nd floor, 11-19 Bank Place
Melbourne VIC 3000
Telephone: +61 3 9642 4899
Fax: +61 3 9642 4922
Email: office@speechpathologyaustralia.org.au
Website: http://www.speechpathologyaustralia.org.au
South Australia
Speech Pathology Australia
2nd floor, 11-19 Bank Place
Melbourne VIC 3000
Telephone: +61 3 9642 4899
Fax: +61 3 9642 4922
Email: office@speechpathologyaustralia.org.au
Website: http://www.speechpathologyaustralia.org.au
Western Australia
Speech Pathology Australia
2nd floor, 11-19 Bank Place
Melbourne VIC 3000
Telephone: +61 3 9642 4899
Fax: +61 3 9642 4922
Email: office@speechpathologyaustralia.org.au
Website: http://www.speechpathologyaustralia.org.au
Tasmania
Speech Pathology Australia
2nd floor, 11-19 Bank Place
Melbourne VIC 3000
Telephone: +61 3 9642 4899
Fax: +61 3 9642 4922
Email: office@speechpathologyaustralia.org.au
Website: http://www.speechpathologyaustralia.org.au
Northern Territory
Speech Pathology Australia
2nd floor, 11-19 Bank Place
Melbourne VIC 3000
Telephone: +61 3 9642 4899
Fax: +61 3 9642 4922
Email: office@speechpathologyaustralia.org.au
Website: http://www.speechpathologyaustralia.org.au
Australian Capital Territory
Speech Pathology Australia
2nd floor, 11-19 Bank Place
Melbourne VIC 3000
Telephone: +61 3 9642 4899
Fax: +61 3 9642 4922
Email: office@speechpathologyaustralia.org.au
Website: http://www.speechpathologyaustralia.org.au