SPA

Updated on 24 Nov 2020

Description:

Speech Pathology Australia (the Association) is recognised as the national professional standards organisation for speech pathologists in Australia. The Association is also recognised by the Australian Government, Department of Home Affairs as the assessing authority for speech pathologists intending to apply for skilled migration to Australia.

Overseas Trained Speech Pathologists

There are two types of application that you may make. These are:

Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA) Application:

To be eligible to apply you must hold certification from or have membership of one of the signatory MRA Associations. You must also have completed your professional education to become a speech pathologist in a country that is signatory to the MRA Agreement as below.

• American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) – Certificate of Clinical Competence– Speech-Language Pathology (CCC-SLP)
• Speech-Language & Audiology Canada (SAC) – Certified Speech-Language Pathologist (S-LP(C))
• Royal College of Speech & Language Therapists (RCSLT) – Certified Member (Cert MRCSLT)
• Irish Association of Speech and Language Therapists (IASLT) – Full Member
• New Zealand Speech-Language Therapists’ Association (NZSTA) – Full Member (with the exception of those who graduated before 1993, who are not eligible to apply under this agreement).

Overseas Qualification Competency Assessment Application:

If you are not eligible to submit a MRA Application (see above) and have the evidence to demonstrate your competence as a speech pathologist, you should complete the Overseas Qualification Competency Assessment.

You MUST read the guidelines that refer to your application.

You must be eligible for Certified Practising membership of Speech Pathology Australia to work in most organisations in Australia.

To be eligible for Certified Practising membership you MUST demonstrate that:

• you meet Competency Based Occupational Standards for practice;
• you are competent in the use of English in the Australia context; and
• you have worked as a speech pathologist for at least 1000 hours in the previous five years.

Further information regarding Immigration and the use of a registered Migration Agent can be obtained from the Department of Home Affairs.

Travelling to Australia for the purposes of work prior to your application being accepted is NOT recommended.

Competency Based Occupational Standards

The Competency Based Occupational Standards for Speech Pathologists – Entry Level (CBOS) describe the core competencies of speech pathologists working in Australia. CBOS outlines the standards against which the qualifications and competence of overseas applicants are assessed.

Some applicants depending upon their year of qualification or country of professional education will be required to provide additional evidence of competency with Dysphagia management.

Competent Professional Use of English

The Association is keen to increase the number of languages in which competent clinical practice is available, but this does not replace or remove the requirement for competent professional use of English.

Applicants are exempt from providing evidence of the Occupational English Test (OET) if they hold an entry level speech pathology qualification conducted in English from a university in the United Kingdom, Canada, New Zealand, United States of America, or the Republic of Ireland.

If any aspect of an application raises concerns about an applicant’s English language competence, they will be asked for additional information about their competence in English or directed to complete the OET, even if they have indicated that their dominant language is English.

All other applicants will need to provide evidence of successfully completing the OET.

Australian Trained Speech Pathologists

Australian trained Speech Pathologists with Australian Qualifications requiring a Skills Assessment for Migration must complete an Application for Skills Assessment for Migration Purposes Form .

If you have Australian qualifications and are considering working overseas please read this information:

• The Mutual Recognition of Professional Associations Credentials (MRA) has been developed to facilitate Australian and overseas trained speech pathologists gain membership of signatory Associations. The purpose of the MRA is to foster international collaboration and streamline processes. Please note some countries with licensure/regulatory bodies have additional requirements that you have to satisfy to be able to work. Membership of the country’s Association is not a permit or approval to work. Ensure you research the requirements for the state/province of the country you wish to work.

Guidelines:

FAQ

 Contact Details:

Address: Level 1 / 114 William Street
Melbourne, Victoria 3000
Australia

1300 368 835 (for the cost of a local telephone call outside Victoria)

Tel: [phone] 

Fax: [phone]