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Help others communicate with a speech pathology degree.
Imagine a career where you can help people find their voice and improve their quality of life. Backed by over 50 years of speech pathology education and research, Flinders’ Bachelor of Speech Pathology will equip you with the skills to assist individuals with communication and swallowing needs.
⬆︎
34.7%
Employment Growth, Audiologists & Speech Pathologists.
(National Skills Commission, 2021 Employment projections for the five years to 2026).
No.3 in SA
in Health Services & Support for full-time employment, learner engagement
(The Good Universities Guide 2024 (undergraduate))
No.1 in SA
for overall experience, skills development and teaching quality
(The Good Universities Guide 2024 (postgraduate), public SA-founded universities only)
Join the high-demand field of speech pathology.
A Bachelor of Speech Pathology prepares you for a range of rewarding careers in this high-demand field. With your degree, you'll be ready to work in various settings, such as hospitals, schools, and private practices, helping people of all ages improve their speech, language, and swallowing abilities.
Salary
$93K
typical salary in Australia
Job opportunities
1,690
in Australia, 2025
Speech Pathologist
Assesses and treats communication and swallowing needs in individuals of all ages. They work to optimise speech, language, communication, swallowing, fluency, voice and meal-time skills to enhance overall quality of life.
Researcher
Conducts studies and analyses data to advance knowledge in speech pathology. This role often leads to academic or clinical research positions.
Policy advisor
Develops and advises on policies related to health and communication services. This role can lead to influential positions within government or non-profit organisations.
Manager
Oversees teams and operations within healthcare settings, ensuring effective service delivery. This role can lead to senior management positions.
Project officer
Supports the planning and implementation of health-related projects, often within community health settings. This role can be a stepping stone to management positions.
With further postgraduate study and work experience, careers could include:
- Clinical specialist
- Academic lecturer
- Health services manager
- Advanced practice speech pathologist
- Research director
- Policy development leader
- Consultant
- Rehabilitation director
Embark on a rewarding career with the Bachelor of Speech Pathology.
You'll become a client-centred, culturally responsive practitioner, ready to work in interprofessional teams. Embrace flexibility, innovation, and critical thinking as you apply current research to clinical practice.
- Year 1
- Year 2
- Year 3
- Year 4
In your first year you will study core topics which build a solid foundation for the rest of your studies.
Year 1 - Core topics
Your first year might include the following topics. For exact topic information, visit the course Handbook.
- Human bioscience
- Psychosocial aspect of speech pathology
- Linguistics and phonetics
- Child development and learning
In your second year, your core topics will develop your ability to integrate information from your learning and experiences in first year through learning in Evidence Based Learning tutorials.
You will also commence placement experiences which will provide invaluable insight into your understanding of a speech pathologists work in the real world.
Year 2 - Core topics
Your second year might include the following topics. For exact topic information, visit the course Handbook.
- Communication development and disorders
- Motor speech disorders
- Clinical skills and practice
- Voice and swallowing disorders
In your third year, as well as continuing with core academic topics, you will commence specific speech pathology placements providing hand-on experience with industry partners in the community. This includes a potential opportunity to complete a structured international placement.
Year 3 - Core topics
Your third year might include the following topics. For exact topic information, visit the course Handbook.
- Acquired language disorders
- Speech pathology practicum
- Complex practice
- Complex disorders - adults
In your fourth year, your time will increase in hands on placement opportunities as well as completing topics which prepare you for your transition to your exciting new career.
Year 4 - Core topics
Your fourth year might include the following topics. For exact topic information, visit the course Handbook.
- Research and practice in speech pathology
- Speech pathology practicum
- Transition to practice
Accreditation or Professional Recognition
Graduates will meet the standards of Speech Pathology Australia (SPA), the national accrediting body, which will enable them to practise in Australia and many other countries around the world including the UK and Asia.
⬆︎
34.7%
Employment Growth, Audiologists & Speech Pathologists.
(National Skills Commission, 2021 Employment projections for the five years to 2026).
No.3 in SA
in Health Services & Support for full-time employment, learner engagement
(The Good Universities Guide 2024 (undergraduate))
No.1 in SA
for overall experience, skills development and teaching quality
(The Good Universities Guide 2024 (postgraduate), public SA-founded universities only)
Get inspired.
Discover more about Flinders University’s Bachelor of Speech Pathology.
“The teaching team is extremely experienced and supportive. As an international student, I have always felt supported and welcomed... students receive the knowledge and the hands-on/practical experiences necessary for our future careers.”
Shang Yi Lim
Bachelor of Speech Pathology
“Studying speech pathology at Flinders University is full of fun, laughter, and friendships, alongside developing practical and academic knowledge.”
Erica Norman
Bachelor of Speech Pathology
“I chose to study at Flinders University as it has the longest running accredited speech pathology program in South Australia.... I was truly impressed by the amount of support I was offered and the effort Flinders puts into helping students achieve their dreams.”
Yan (Mary) Zhang
Bachelor of Speech Pathology
Flinders offers a vibrant, fun, supportive uni experience you’ll remember for a lifetime.
Need support?
From cultural, health and wellbeing services, to study and financial support, enrolment advice and more, we’re here to help.
Student clubs
Flinders University Student Association (FUSA) is the heart of the Flinders Experience. FUSA is where you’ll find out about events, club memberships and extracurricular activities.
Campus facilities
Flinders’ campuses are hubs of activity, with retail and food outlets, library spaces, study and chill spaces and more.
Learn from the experts.
Our incredible teaching and professional staff are experts in their fields and well-connected to the industry.
Academic Lead
Dr Jo Murray
Jo has over 25 years of clinical experience and is a senior lecturer in the area of acquired language disorders, rehabilitation of complex adult conditions, and research methods. Her passion is in using interactive and interprofessional learning opportunities to nurture students' personal and professional growth such that, as graduates, they are holistic, person-centred and work-ready.
Course Coordinator
Catherine Linnett-Young
Catherine is a Senior Lecturer and Clinical Educator with over 35 years' experience as a paediatric speech pathologist (specialising in working in early childhood and family teams with families with high levels of vulnerability, social disadvantage and trauma).. She brings real-world, relational insights to her teaching, focusing on trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and family and student-centred practice. Catherine is also training in Psychodrama through AANZPA.
Course Coordinator (Masters)
Tim Kittle
After graduating from Flinders, Tim has worked across a number of different settings across SA and spent five years in the UK, working with students and adolescents with Developmental Language Disorder. Tim was elected to the Board of Directors at Speech Pathology Australia, serving as President from 2019-2023. Tim's clinical interest lies in communication disorders across autism and adolescence, and the links between narrative ability and independence.
Concerned about your ATAR? If it doesn't meet the course requirement, or if you don't receive one, we offer alternative pathways to admission. Contact us to discuss your options—we're here to help.
Frequently asked questions.
Over the years, many questions have been asked by students before. For the quickest answers view our frequently asked questions or browse the full list @ Ask Flinders.
Yes! Speech pathology is an excellent career choice for those who wish to combine the scientific knowledge they gain for evidence-based practice, with the fulfilment of working relationally and connecting with people of all ages. Speech pathologists provide services across the lifespan to people whose educational, vocational, personal and social functioning is affected by communication or swallowing impairment resulting from developmental difficulties, social disadvantage, illness or accident.
Graduates will meet the entry-level standards of Speech Pathology Australia (SPA), the national accrediting body, which will enable them to practise in Australia and several other countries around the world, including the UK and Singapore*.
*Pending transfer of qualification; conditions may apply.
Yes. According to the National Skills Commission, Audiologists & Speech Pathologists will experience 34.7% employment growth (National Skills Commission, 2021 Employment projections for the next five years 2026).
According to SEEK, in Australia, the average annual salary for Speech Pathologist jobs ranges from $85,000 to $100,000.
The 2024 selection rank for our speech pathology course was 80.00.
Yes, Flinders Speech Pathology has one of the highest numbers of placement hours for a speech pathology degree in Australia, providing plenty of clinical practical experience prior to graduation.
Students complete placements in a variety of different settings providing services for clients across the lifespan. They cover multiple areas of practice including communication and swallowing.
Both the Bachelor and Master of Speech Pathology require full-time study and are not offered externally or on a part-time basis.
Speech pathologists provide services across the lifespan to people whose educational, vocational, personal and social functioning is affected by communication or swallowing impairment resulting from developmental difficulties, social disadvantage, illness or accident.
Yes, eligible applicants must have a Flinders equivalent GPA of 5.00 or above to be considered. As places in the course are limited, the GPA cut-off for offers may be higher depending on the pool of applicants each year.
- Applications are completed via SATAC
- Visit: satac.edu.au
The table below shows ATAR and Selection Rank data for students offered a place wholly or partly on the basis of ATAR commencing in Semester 1, 2024. It is limited to applicants that have recently completed secondary education (within the last two years). Data may reflect multiple courses available within a suite of courses.
Notes:
<5 – less than 5 ATAR based offers made
N/A – This course uses additional selection criteria and therefore Selection Rank is not published
| ATAR-based offers only across all offer rounds | ATAR - Excluding adjustment factors | Selection Rank - ATAR plus any adjustment factors |
|---|---|---|
| Highest rank to receive an offer | 99.35 | 99.95 |
| Median rank to receive an offer | 90.90 | 93.75 |
| Lowest rank to receive an offer | 62.70 | 74.65 |
The table below gives an indication of the likely peer cohort for new students in this course. It provides data on students who commenced study in this course in Semester 1, 2024 including those admitted through all offer rounds and international students studying in Australia. Applicant background groupings are based on educational background, not basis of admission. Data may reflect multiple courses available within a suite of courses.
Notes:
<5 – the number of students is less than 5
N/P – Not published: the number is hidden to prevent calculation of numbers in cells with less than 5 students
| Applicant background (Semester 1, 2024) | Number of students | Percentage of all students |
|---|---|---|
| Higher education study (includes a bridging or enabling course) | 5 | 10% |
| Vocational education and training (VET) study | <5 | <5 |
| Work and life experience | <5 | <5 |
| Recent secondary education - Admitted solely on the basis of ATAR (regardless of whether this includes the consideration of adjustment factors such as equity or subject bonus points) | 29 | 56% |
| Recent secondary education - Admitted where both ATAR and additional criteria were considered (e.g. portfolio, audition, extra test) | 8 | 15% |
| Recent secondary education - Admitted on the basis of other criteria only and ATAR was not a factor (e.g. special consideration pathways) | <5 | <5 |
| International Students | <5 | <5 |
| All students | 52 | 100% |