Bachelor of Speech Pathology
at Australian Catholic University, New South Wales.
A four-year full-time speech pathology degree at North Sydney (accredited by Speech Pathology Australia) and a newer Canberra offering. Ranks shown are for North Sydney; Canberra's 2026 figure was 75.90. Clinical placements start in first year. No prerequisites.
Lowest selection rank
The lowest selection rank (LSR) is the lowest ATAR plus adjustment factors (equity, subject and regional bonuses) that received an offer to the ACU Bachelor of Speech Pathology for that intake. Universities publish it in their admissions student profiles. Only intakes with a published figure are listed.
| Intake | Lowest selection rank | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 91.85 | uac.edu.au |
| 2025 | 86.55 | uac.edu.au |
| 2024 | 82.20 | uac.edu.au |
| 2023 | 84.90 | uac.edu.au |
A lowest selection rank describes a past intake, not a guaranteed entry score. Check the current entry requirements on the official course page before you apply through UAC.
Prerequisite Year 12 subjects
No formal Year 12 subject prerequisites; assumed knowledge may still apply.
What you will study
The degree covers communication and swallowing across the lifespan, including speech, language, fluency, voice and dysphagia, together with the health and behavioural sciences that underpin practice. Clinical placement starts in first year and becomes the major focus in fourth year. Honours is offered on merit and integrated across third and fourth years.
Placement and industry experience
Clinical placement is a major component of the degree and begins in first year. In the final year students complete clinical placements under the supervision of practising speech pathologists.
Career outcomes
- Graduates work as Speech Pathology Australia certified practising speech pathologists in hospitals, schools, NDIS providers and community-health settings.
- First-year jobs typically include hospital positions, schools-based speech pathology and paediatric practice in NDIS providers across Sydney and Melbourne.
- Many alumni move into specialty practice (paediatric language, dysphagia, voice, fluency) or roles in education departments, telehealth and private clinics.
Professional accreditation
- Speech Pathology Australia (North Sydney program accredited)
Typical first jobs
- Speech pathologist at NSW Health acute and community services
- Paediatric speech pathologist at NDIS-funded private practice
- School-based speech pathologist under NSW Education
- Adult acquired-disorder speech pathologist in rehab and community
- Multicultural-services speech pathologist in metropolitan Sydney
- Rural and remote speech pathologist under NSW Health pathways
Graduate starting salary
$70,000 - $80,000 per year
Source: health.nsw.gov.au. Last reviewed 2026-05-21.
After graduation
The North Sydney program is accredited by Speech Pathology Australia, so graduates can apply for membership and work toward Certified Practising Speech Pathologist status. Graduates work in hospitals, schools, disability services and private practice.
Is this the right degree for you?
You probably thrive here if
- Students with strong communication and listening skills
- Those interested in working with children and adults across health and education settings
- People comfortable with phonetics, linguistics and acoustics study
- Students willing to do unpaid clinical placements
- Those committed to the SPA professional standards
It is probably not for you if
- Students uncomfortable with paediatric or aged-care patient contact
- Those uninterested in linguistics and acoustic analysis
- Anyone unwilling to do 1000 hours of placement
Careers this leads to
Australian career pathways that name this Bachelor of Speech Pathology as an entry route. Each page shows uni, TAFE and apprenticeship alternatives.
Related courses at ACU
Sources
Course details are summarised by ExamExplained, not copied from the university. Confirm course content and selection ranks on the Australian Catholic University website and on UAC before applying.