Bachelor of Speech Pathology (Honours)
at La Trobe University, Victoria.
A four-year honours speech pathology degree, an entry-to-practice qualification, at Melbourne (Bundoora) and Bendigo (ranks shown are for Melbourne; Bendigo's 2026 figure was 81.65). VCE prerequisites are a study score of at least 25 in English other than EAL (or 30 in EAL) and at least 25 in one of Biology, Chemistry, Health and Human Development, any mathematics, Physical Education or Physics.
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 La Trobe Bachelor of Speech Pathology (Honours) 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 | 89.85 | delta.vtac.edu.au |
| 2025 | 89.75 | delta.vtac.edu.au |
| 2024 | 88.80 | delta.vtac.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 VTAC.
Prerequisite Year 12 subjects
Brush up on each prerequisite with our state-syllabus explainers and dot points.
What you will study
Students learn the anatomy behind speech and swallowing impairments and how to provide therapy and management. In fourth year they complete an industry project or research thesis aimed at improving speech pathology services and policy.
Placement and industry experience
Clinical placements run at La Trobe's on-campus speech pathology clinic and in metropolitan and regional hospitals, clinics and other health settings.
Career outcomes
- Graduates work as Speech Pathology Australia certified practising speech pathologists in Melbournes public hospitals, NDIS providers, schools and regional Victorian health services.
- First-year jobs typically include hospital roles, paediatric speech pathology in NDIS providers and rural roles in Albury-Wodonga, Bendigo and Mildura.
- Many alumni move into specialty practice (adult neurogenic communication, dysphagia, paediatric language) or pursue postgraduate research.
Professional accreditation
- Entry-to-practice speech pathology qualification (Speech Pathology Australia)
Typical first jobs
- Graduate speech pathologist in Victorian public hospitals
- Paediatric speech pathologist in NDIS practice
- School-based speech pathologist in Victorian schools
- Community-health speech pathologist
- Rural and regional speech pathologist on incentive programmes
- Adult neurogenic communication or dysphagia clinician in rehabilitation
- Private practice clinician with own caseload
Graduate starting salary
$70,000 - $85,000 per year
Source: jobsandskills.gov.au. Last reviewed 2026-05-21.
After graduation
Graduates can practise as speech pathologists; Research Honours graduates can apply for a Masters by Research and may be eligible for a PhD.
Is this the right degree for you?
You probably thrive here if
- People interested in language, communication and the brain
- Patient and warm communicators who can build rapport with children and adults
- Detail-oriented students who can analyse speech sound by sound
- Empathic listeners who can work with families in distress
- Self-starters who pursue specialty placements in dysphagia or AAC
It is probably not for you if
- Students wanting a primarily research or desk-based role
- Those uncomfortable with personal-care tasks and swallowing assessment
- People who dislike phonetics or detailed linguistic analysis
- Students unable to complete extensive placement
Careers this leads to
Australian career pathways that name this Bachelor of Speech Pathology (Honours) as an entry route. Each page shows uni, TAFE and apprenticeship alternatives.
Related courses at La Trobe
Sources
Course details are summarised by ExamExplained, not copied from the university. Confirm course content and selection ranks on the La Trobe University website and on VTAC before applying.