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Speech pathologists study, diagnose and treat communication and swallowing disorders, including difficulties with speech, language, fluency and voice. You will work with people who have difficulty communicating because of developmental delays, stroke, brain injuries, learning disability, intellectual disability, cerebral palsy, dementia and hearing loss, as well as other difficulties that can affect speech and language. People who experience difficulties swallowing food and drink safely can also be helped by a speech pathologist.
Throughout the course you will develop knowledge and core practical skills in anatomy and neurophysiology behind communication and swallowing impairments, science of speech and hearing, linguistics, language and healthcare. You will also learn how to identify and implement appropriate therapeutic treatments and management options. You will study foundation units in year 1 and 2 and specialise in one of two streams in year 3 and 4: Professional and Research. Both streams enable you to work as a Speech Pathologist in Australia. The Professional stream offers an honours project allowing you to pursue speech pathology interests in health or education disciplines. The Research stream also offers a research project in health or education disciplines, however eligibility for entry requires a high grade pass average (GPA). The clinical practice placement throughout the program will provide valuable and relevant workplace experience.
Our on campus and blended learning approach through face to face delivery and flexible delivery in Ballarat and Gippsland, offer tutorials, online engagement activities and practical learning, supported by our facilities in Gippsland, and our new Health and Sports Precinct in Ballarat.
As a Speech Pathologist you may work as a clinician, educator, researcher, policy advisor, manager, advocate or consultant in a variety of industries including government and non-government organisations, education, health, welfare, policy development, community-based organisations and private practice.
Please note, our speech pathology courses have been designed to meet the accreditation standards of Speech Pathology Australia and is currently in the provisional phase of accreditation. Federation University will seek accreditation of the award programs prior to the first cohort of students graduating. To view accreditation progress, please visit the Speech Pathology Australia website.
Sample structures are just one example of the many options available within your chosen course. Please contact Federation University for further information on available options.
Please note this is a sample structure only and is not to be used for enrolment purposes. To enrol, please refer to the information provided to you by Federation University for your individual course structure or view our enrolment information page.
To view current unit information and cost, click on the individual unit name below, or click here to view current unit information and cost for ALL units.
Contact hours can vary depending on requirements, however typical contact hours for full-time study are around 25-30 hours comprising of on-campus classes, online learning and self-directed study.
This course includes prescribed professional practice placements to ensure students meet entry level to the profession. Students may be required to undertake such placements away from the Gippsland or Ballarat campuses, at their own expense.
(Note: health professional programs generally involve extensive professional or clinical placements).
Pre-requisites
Units 3 and 4, a study score of at least 30 in English. Units 1 - 4: a study score of at least 25 in one of Chemistry, Physics, Biology, any Maths, Health Education or Physical Education.
The course uses the ATAR as part of its selection considerations.
Guaranteed ATAR
This course has a guaranteed ATAR.
If you meet the course pre-requisites and any 'Essential Requirements for Admission', we will guarantee you a place in this course with this ATAR. We use the adjusted ATAR, factoring in subject adjustments and SEAS as detailed below.
Subject Adjustments
A study score of 35 in Biology, Chemistry or Physics equals 3 aggregate pointes per study. Overall maximum of 5 units.
SEAS (Special Entry Access Scheme)
Applicants who have experienced educational disadvantage are encouraged to apply for the Special Entry Access Scheme (SEAS). Depending on eligibility and your circumstances, a SEAS application may provide support for your course application. For further information go to Federation University Australia SEAS information and the Federation University Australia website.
Admission criteria for applications with a Higher Education Study:
Compulsory: Previous higher education studies with results at a credit level. Applicants with relevant VET study or work experiences are encouraged to include this in their applications. These are the minimum requirements, admissions to this course are competitive and applicants may need to meet a higher requirement to be offered a place.
Applicants who complete the first year of either of the following Federation University degree courses will be eligible for consideration based on performance:
• Bachelor of Physiotherapy
• Bachelor of Occupational Therapy
• Bachelor of Education
• Bachelor of Nursing
Selection ranking: Entry into this course is competitive with only a limited number of places available at each campus. The volume of applications received exceed the number of places available and therefore meeting the minimum entry requirements does not guarantee an offer. Federation students who complete the first year of the Bachelor of Physiotherapy, Bachelor of Occupational Therapy, Bachelor of Education, or the Bachelor of Nursing may be given preference. All applicants will be ranked on the basis of past academic performance and relevant work experience.
IELTS minimum score of 8.0 in all components or English Language Proficiency declaration on enrolment.
Essential requirements for enrolment or graduation:
Immunisation
Compulsory: Prior to commencing clinical placements students are expected to provide evidence of current immunisation status. Full up-to-date immunisations are required. Required vaccinations are as per: Vaccination for Healthcare Workers Vic Dpt Health
Working with children check.
Compulsory: Applicants will be required to hold a valid Working with Children (WWC) Check prior to undertaking professional placements as part of this course. For more information see: http://www.workingwithchildren.vic.gov.au
Police record check
Compulsory: Applicants will be required to hold a valid National Police Record Check for professional placements as part of this course. For more information see: https://www.police.vic.gov.au/content.asp?Document_ID=274
Immunisations
Compulsory: Prior to commencing clinical placements students are expected to provide evidence of current immunisation status.
NDIS Work Screening Test:
Compulsory: Applications will be required to undertake a NDIS Work Screening Check prior to undertaking professional placements as part of this course.
Mask Fit Testing: Compulsory in some settings: Applicants will be required to complete mask fit testing prior to undertaking professional placements in some settings
Other: A study score of at least 25 in one of the following: Maths (any from units 1 -4), Chemistry, Physics, Biology, Health education or Physical Education.
The application method varies depending on your circumstances, please visit our How to apply page for further information.
VTAC application: Yes
VTAC code: 3700511491 (Mt Helen), 3700711491 (Churchill), 3701211491 (Flexible Delivery - Ballarat), 3701311491 (Flexible Delivery - Gippsland), 3701811491 (Berwick)
Direct application: Yes
Federation University code: ST8
$8,948 student contribution amount
A Commonwealth Supported Place is subsidised by the Australian Government. Your fees (student contribution amount) are set on an annual basis by the government and are determined by the discipline area and band of your individual units, not the overall course. Each unit falls into a band which determines the student contribution.
2024 annual student contribution amounts for 1 EFTSL (equivalent full-time student load) range between $4,445 Band 1 to $16,323 Band 4. To find the Band, EFTSL and contribution amount for each unit, check the Sample Structure or refer to the 2024 unit listing.
Fees are adjusted on an annual basis and the indicative amount should be used as a guide only. It is based on a typical enrolment for a student undertaking the first year of study in this course. For 0.5 EFTSL (60 credit point) courses the certificate fee is displayed. Total cost will vary depending on the units you choose, your study load, the time it takes to complete your course and any approved credit you receive.
You will also need to pay the Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF).
You may be eligible for a HECS-HELP loan, which can be used to defer payment of all or part of your student contribution. You may also be eligible to defer payment of your SSAF through a SA-HELP loan.
Our scholarships and grants can help with your study costs. Explore our scholarships to find an opportunity that's right for you.
Can your studies count towards a degree with us? Use our online Credit Search to get the details on completing your studies sooner.
Credit may be considered if you have already successfully completed higher education studies in a relevant area.
Entry via FAST
Successful completion of a tertiary preparatory program such as the Federation University Foundation Access Studies Program is not a direct pathway into this degree.
To help you get the most from your online learning experience, it's important that you own or have frequent access to a fast and reliable computer that's ideally not more than two years old.
You will also need frequent access to a reliable high-speed internet connection. You should expect to use approximately 5GB of data each month, per unit, just for study use.
For further information, visit the Minimum IT requirements for studying online webpage.
A range of student services are available at most campuses. For further information on these services or for course information, please contact us on 1800 333 864.
The commencement of all courses is subject to available funding and enrolment quotas.
All information contained in this course overview including the availability of courses and fees, is correct at the time of being published, however the University reserves the right to alter any course, procedure or fee. Students should check for any amendment prior to enrolment.
CRICOS Provider No.00103D
Please note: This training is delivered with Victorian and Commonwealth Government funding to eligible individuals.
National RTO Code: 4909