Bachelor of Speech Pathology

Course information for - 2025 entry

Offered at 4 locations

Duration
4 years full-time
CRICOS Code
078174M
IELTS
8.0 minimum overall score (with a minimum score of 8.0 in all bands)
Fees (first year)*
$43785
Start dates
February 2026, February 2027

Overview

Speech pathologists recognise the importance of communication and swallowing as activities that enable people to participate fully in their daily lives. They work with individuals, groups, families, and communities to support the development, rehabilitation and maintenance of effective communication and swallowing skills across the lifespan.

Our speech pathology program will prepare you to assess and diagnose difficulties with speech, language, voice, fluency, multi-modal communication and swallowing, and enable you to provide intervention and support that is person-centred, culturally-sensitive and evidence-based. You’ll recognise the dignity of the human person and your responsibility towards the common good, and have opportunities to put your values, knowledge and skills into action with professional practice and community engagement activities in Australia and overseas.

Work placement

Students in the Bachelor of Speech Pathology undertake a range of professional practice placements to ensure they meet Speech Pathology Australia's graduate entry competency with regard to the management of disorders of communication and swallowing.

As part of your course, you will be placed in a range of organisations to integrate the theory you learn with practical workplace experiences (placements).

You will undertake industry placements each semester, starting in first year. Our integrating practice units are designed to help you contextualise theoretical knowledge through clinical practice.

• Year 1: Observation day.

• Year 2: Two x 12 days (school-based placement and simulation experience) in both Semester 1 and 2.

• Year 3: Approximately 10 days of a simulation experience in Semester 1, 12-15 days placement (with adult clients) in Semester 2.

• Year 4: Approximately 30 days in each semester.

As part of your enrolment, you must complete the Faculty of Health Sciences pre-placement requirements. To ensure you meet these requirements you need to start as soon as possible. Visit ACU’s Work Integrated Learning (WIL) website to view your Pre-Placement Requirements checklist.

Professional recognition

Established programs are accredited with Speech Pathology Australia. The new Canberra program will undergo accreditation with SPA over the next 2 years.

Careers

Our graduates have pursued careers in:

  • early intervention services for children
  • schools
  • hospitals
  • rehabilitation centres
  • mental health services
  • community health services
  • aged care services
  • private practice research


Course details

Course structure

Course map

Open all

Please note: Course maps are subject to change.

Commencing Semester 1 2025

  • Inter-professional UnitsALHT106Psychology for Allied Health10 cp
  • Inter-professional UnitsHLSC120Indigenous Health and Culture10 cp
  • Speech Pathology Theory UnitsSPHY103Linguistics and Phonetics for Speech Pathology10 cp
  • Speech Pathology Integration and Practice UnitsSPHY101Introduction to Speech Pathology Practice10 cp
  • Speech Pathology Theory UnitsSPHY102Anatomy and Physiology for Speech Pathology10 cp
  • Core Curriculum UnitsCore Curriculum Unit 1See the ACU Core Curriculum page for details 10 cp
  • Speech Pathology Theory UnitsSPHY100Communication, Swallowing and Development Across the Lifespan10 cp
  • Speech Pathology Theory UnitsSPHY105Foundations of Speech Pathology Practice

    (Pre: SPHY101 & SPHY103)

    10 cp

All units are delivered in campus attendance mode.

Prerequisites (Pre:) are other units that you must have passed before enrolling in this unit. 

Commencing Semester 1 2025 Part Time

All units are delivered in campus attendance mode.

Prerequisites (Pre:) are other units that you must have passed before enrolling in this unit. 

Commencing ACU Term 1 2025 - Canberra only

Graduate statement

Insight

As an ACU graduate you have personal insight founded on an understanding of who you are as a professional, a citizen and a scholar. You embrace change and growth through critical self-awareness and learning autonomy. You are empowered to seek truth and meaning, drawing on the principles of justice, equity, and the dignity of all human beings.

Empathy

As an ACU graduate you value human dignity and diversity. This appreciation is founded on deep reflection, and empathy. You have experience of Indigenous Knowings and perspectives and can engage respectfully when working alongside Australia's First Peoples. You can connect with people and cultures and work with community in ways that recognise the dignity of the human person and all cultures

Imagination

As an ACU graduate you utilise imagination and innovation to solve problems. You critically analyse information from a range of sources to creatively solve practical problems and use critical thinking to make decisions and advance the common good. You appreciate the role of innovation and creative thinking in developing a better future for each person and community.

Impact

As an ACU graduate you recognise your responsibility to work for social justice and a sustainable world founded on a commitment to human dignity and the common good. You lead change through respectful collaboration and effective communication of ideas to diverse peoples, groups and communities in local and global contexts. You are empowered to positively impact your profession and the community.

AQF framework

Bachelor - AQF Level 7

Exit Points

A student who has successfully completed 220 to 230cp from the Bachelor of Speech Pathology units excluding the Core Curriculum units; and 10 to 20cp from the Core Curriculum units may exit with the following qualification:

  • Bachelor of Allied Health

Additional course information

Classes

Class size: In 2021, approximately 25 people were in each Bachelor of Speech Pathology tutorial. In 2021 we welcomed 69 new students to our Brisbane campus, 80 to our Melbourne campus and 71 to our North Sydney campus.

Contact hours: You can expect 10 - 15 hours of face-to-face contact each week for 12 weeks of the semester in first, second, and third year (on a full-time load). Online learning activities are also incorporated into the program. Additionally, you are required to complete professional practice placements.

For example, in second year you will be undertaking placement related activities one day per week for each week of semester and in fourth year you will have 30-32 days of placement each semester.

We understand the need for flexibility when it comes to your studies. We provide pre-recorded / online lectures for you to view in your own time. Lectures provide an opportunity to learn core content which can then be critically explored in tutorials. Tutorials are provided on campus. They allow you to consolidate and apply content from lectures and to develop attributes and skills required for professional practice. This is achieved through activities including group work, case-based discussions and role play.

Sample assessment: Online quizzes, oral presentations, posters, written examinations, written assignments, case studies, skills tests. Sample unit assessment criteria:

SPHY103 Linguistics and Phonetics for Speech Pathology

-       Transcription test (Hurdle)

-       Quizzes (20%)

allows students an opportunity to consolidate and demonstrate understanding of theoretical knowledge in linguistics.

-       Speech and language analysis report (40%)

enables students to demonstrate their application of linguistic knowledge to describe, analyse and explain human speech and language in context

-       Examination (40%)

enables students to demonstrate their understanding and application of knowledge and skills in linguistics

Overseas study available

Each year ACU’s Faculty of Health Sciences offers a number of destinations around the world where you can undertake a community engagement unit or clinical placement/professional practice abroad as part of your studies. These activities are facilitated through ACU’s overseas partners. Most of these experiences are offered to students enrolled in their third or final year of study.

You can also choose to study health sciences units at our Rome Campus over the June – July or December – January breaks.

Units on offer include Indigenous Health and Culture, and Justice and Change in a Global World.

To find out more, visit: www.acu.edu.au/study-at-acu/study-overseas/study-tours-and-short-programs/study-health-sciences-overseas/short-term-international-study-experience  

Please note: overseas travel opportunities are subject to public health restrictions in place at the planned time of travel.

Entry requirements

An applicant must also comply with the Admission to Coursework Programs Policy.

To be eligible for admission to the Bachelor of Speech Pathology, an applicant must have completed the following prerequisites at year 12 level, or equivalent:

StatePrerequisites

Australian Capital Territory

Pre-requisites: a study score of at least 133 in English-T (Major) or ESL (Major); and a study score of at least 97 in one of Biology-T, Chemistry-T, or Physics-T.

New South Wales

English (Standard) (Band 4) or English as an Additional Language or Dialect (Band 4); plus at least one of Biology, Chemistry, or Physics, (Band 2).

Queensland

English (Units 3 & 4, C); one of Biology, Chemistry, or Physics (Units 3 & 4, C)

Victoria

Units 3 and 4 - a study score of at least 30 in English (EAL) or 25 in any English other than EAL; and a study score of at least 25 in one of Biology, Chemistry, or Physics . 

International students need to meet the English Language Proficiency requirements as defined in the Admission to Coursework Programs Policy.

Disclaimer: The course entry requirements above are for 2025 Admission. Refer to your relevant Tertiary Admission Centre website for future years' entry requirements.

View transparency admission information

International applicants

Applicants require the equivalent of an Australian Year 12 Certificate, including studies in biology, chemistry or physics. Applicants must also comply with the Admission to Coursework Programs Policy and require an academic IELTS minimum overall score of 8.0 (with a minimum score of 8.0 in all bands), or an equivalent acceptable test score as outlined in the Admission to Coursework Programs Policy (Schedule 3).

Honours

The Bachelor of Speech Pathology (Honours) program is embedded into years 3 and 4 of the Bachelor of Speech Pathology (Pass) program. To be eligible to apply for admission to the honours program, a student must have completed 160 cp from years 1 and 2 of the Bachelor of Speech Pathology (Pass) degree, with a grade point average of at least 5.50.

Adjustment factors

If you’re currently completing Year 12 you may be eligible for adjustment factors that can boost your rank and help you get into your desired course.

Adjustment factors may be applied to your TAC application if you study particular subjects, attend schools geographically close to our campuses or in certain regional areas, apply as an elite athlete or performer or meet certain other criteria.

Learn more about adjustment factors

Inherent requirement

There are essential components of a course or unit that demonstrate the capabilities, knowledge and skills to achieve the core learning outcomes of that course or unit. You will need to be able to meet these inherent requirements to complete your course.

Learn more about inherent requirements for your course and how they affect you

Pathways

Pathways into course for international applicants

If you don’t currently meet the direct entry requirements for admission to your chosen program, don’t worry. Our range of pathway programs can help you build the language proficiency, academic skills and confidence you need to succeed.

Find out more about English language programs

Find out more about the ACU Foundation Studies program

Find out more about Diploma pathways

Further study

Honours graduates may be eligible to undertake a Master of Philosophy or Doctor of Philosophy.

Graduates may be eligible to progress to a postgraduate coursework degree within the Faculty of Health Sciences. ACU offers a number of postgraduate courses suitable for Bachelor of Speech Pathology graduates including:

Postgraduate programs in Rehabilitation

Postgraduate programs in Mental Health

You can find out more on postgraduate programs in Health Sciences here – https://www.acu.edu.au/about-acu/faculties-directorates-and-staff/faculty-of-health-sciences/postgraduate-study-in-health-sciences

Fees

Course costs

  • Unit fee: $5473
  • Average first year fee: $43785
  • Estimate total cost: $175136

The tuition fees quoted above are for commencing students in the current year who undertake a normal full-time load. The Unit Fee is based on a 10cp unit. Fees are reviewed annually.

Tuition fees for continuing students may increase by up to 3 percent each year for the minimum duration of the course as provided on your electronic Confirmation of Enrolment (eCOE). Students who continue to study beyond the minimum duration will have the relevant annual commencing rate applied to their fees for subsequent study periods.

Payment options

You should be able to concentrate on getting good marks instead of worrying about how you’ll pay your fees. We have a number of options that can help you ease the financial burden, including government assistance, scholarships and income support.

Explore your options

Scholarships

You could be eligible for one of the hundreds of scholarships we award each year to help students from across the university with the cost of studying, accommodation or overseas study opportunities. Some of our scholarships are awarded on the basis of merit, but these aren’t just for the academically gifted; ACU also recognises excellence in community engagement and leadership. We also offer a range of scholarships for those who may be struggling financially or who have faced other barriers to accessing education.

Search our scholarships

How to apply

International applicants

Brisbane

Apply through QTAC

QTAC code 115631

Direct application

Apply now

Information on the application procedure

International students undertaking an Australian Year 12 qualification should apply through the relevant tertiary admissions centre.

Deferment

Yes. See Defer your offer.

Students with a Student Visa will need to complete the program in minimum duration, study at least one subject on-campus each semester and must not undertake more than 33% of the program online.

Staff Profile

Associate Professor Jane McCormack

Head of Speech Pathology, Deputy Head of the School of Allied Health (NSW)

Associate Professor Jane McCormack is Head of Speech Pathology at ACU. She is a certified practicing member of Speech Pathology Australia and has worked in community health clinics, schools, and early intervention settings with children who have speech, language and communication needs. Associate Professor McCormack teaches and researches in paediatric speech and language, the application of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF; WHO, 2001) in speech pathology, interprofessional practice and alternative models of speech pathology education and service delivery. 

Testimonial

Hannah

I chose ACU as it is one of the most highly regarded universities for speech pathology, and I really liked the vibe that the campus had when I came for Open Day. I have found both the placements I’ve done so far really beneficial, as they allowed me to see how to apply the skills I learnt in classes in real-life practice. I think the staff at ACU are amazing, especially all of the speech pathology staff, as they have a wide range of industry and life experience. All the staff really try to learn who you are and to make the content course interesting and relevant.

Hannah
Speech Pathology student
 

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