Being able to communicate with others and having the ability to swallow food and liquids are fundamental to experiencing a good quality of life.
Speech pathologists provide both diagnosis and treatment strategies to help people overcome a wide range of difficulties across the lifespan. They work with people who experience difficulty communicating due to developmental delays, brain injury, stroke, intellectual disability, dementia and other problems that can affect speech, language, fluency and voice. They also work with people who have swallowing issues such as babies with a cleft palate, people who have had a stroke and people with degenerative diseases.
Jobs and Skills Australia employment projections for the five years to 2029
The Good Universities Guide 2025 (undergraduate), public SA-founded universities only
The Good Universities Guide 2024 (undergraduate)
The Good Universities Guide 2024 (postgraduate), public SA-founded universities only
Based in regional South Australia but interested in studying Health?
Explore our new Allied Health Courses in Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy and Speech Pathology available in Renmark, Port Pirie and Mount Gambier from 2024.
This degree ensures graduates meet the standards of Speech Pathology Australia (SPA), the national accrediting body, which will enable them to practise in Australia and many other countries and regions around the world, including the UK and Asia.
“
It is an intensive but fulfilling program covering both theoretical knowledge and practical skills. I am grateful for the support from the lecturers and the University that helped me get through this challenging but rewarding journey.
”
Learn about Speech Pathology at Flinders with Associate Professor Rebecca Francis.
See how students from diverse healthcare fields collaborate to improve patient care and build leadership skills.
Flinders graduate and speech pathologist Rebecca Keeley is ready to transform the future of allied healthcare.
With a passion for helping people who find it difficult to communicate, speech pathologist Sarah Tilley was inspired to advance her skills in positive behaviour support and improve patient therapy outcomes.
Our incredible teaching and research staff are experts in their professions and well-connected to industry.
Academic Lead:
Dr Joanne 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 Kittel
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.
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.)
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 Masters of Speech Pathology require full-time study and are not offered externally or on a part-time basis.
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.
The current pandemic situation (COVID-19) will affect many aspects of your study, from topic availability on campus to how your classes are delivered. For detailed information about the impact of COVID-19 on your study please refer to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) information page.
I am an
International Student
I am a
Domestic Student
Sturt Rd, Bedford Park
South Australia 5042
South Australia | Northern Territory
Global | Online
CRICOS Provider: 00114A TEQSA Provider ID: PRV12097 TEQSA category: Australian University
Flinders University uses cookies to ensure website functionality, personalisation and a variety of purposes as set out in its website privacy statement. This statement explains cookies and their use by Flinders.
If you consent to the use of our cookies then please click the button below:
If you do not consent to the use of all our cookies then please click the button below. Clicking this button will result in all cookies being rejected except for those that are required for essential functionality on our website.