Allied Health Physical and Sensory Therapy Professionals

How to become a Speech Pathologist

Also called: Speech Therapist

Provides diagnostic assessment and management of disorders of communication and swallowing through direct intervention, education, consultancy, advocacy, or a combination of these approaches.

Main tasks

Assesses and administers standardised and informal tests and observes the person to determine the nature and extent of communication disorders or swallowing difficulties
Provides services for the treatment and management of communication difficulties including speaking, listening, understanding language, reading, writing, social skills, stuttering and using voice across the lifespan
Provides services for the treatment and management of swallowing difficulties to assist with oral eating and drinking, sucking, saliva control, mealtime participation and protecting lungs from food, drink and saliva
Provides information to other Health Professionals, Early Childhood Educators and teachers
Provides support and counselling to individuals affected by communication and swallowing difficulties, and to their families and carers
Reports results of assessments and tests in writing, and makes referrals to Medical Practitioners and other services as required

Ways in

University: Allied Health degrees, Offered by 38 universities in Australia

Pay · Outlook · AI and this job

Typical full-time pay: $104,156 a year
About 22,100 people work in this job group now, and about 29,300 are projected by 2035. (+32.7%)
AI is more likely to help with parts of this job than to do it. Jobs and Skills Australia rates its automation exposure as low.

Questions people ask

How do I become a Speech Pathologist?

Ways in include: Allied Health degrees.

How much does a Speech Pathologist earn in Australia?

Median full-time pay is $104,156 a year (Jobs and Skills Australia).

Is a Speech Pathologist a growing career in Australia?

Yes. Employment is projected to grow 33% by 2035, from about 22,100 to about 29,300 people (Jobs and Skills Australia).

Do you need a degree to become a Speech Pathologist?

Usually. 98% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Will AI change the work of a Speech Pathologist?

AI is more likely to help with parts of this job than to do it. Jobs and Skills Australia rates its automation exposure as low.

Sources

Jobs and Skills Australia: Occupation data (ANZSCO), from ABS Labour Force and Census (February 2026), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
Jobs and Skills Australia: Generative AI Capacity Study, interactive table data (September 2025), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
Jobs and Skills Australia: Employment Projections (Victoria University) (May 2025 to May 2035), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
Australian Taxation Office: Taxation Statistics, Individuals Table 15A (2023-24), CC BY 2.5 AU, retrieved 2026-10-04

Updated 2026-10-04