Bachelor of Speech Pathology (Honours)
at La Trobe University, Victoria.
A four-year Speech Pathology Australia accredited honours degree at the Bundoora and Albury-Wodonga campuses with placements across metropolitan Melbourne and regional Victoria. La Trobe is known for its strong adult neurogenic communication research program.
ATAR cutoff history
Published cutoff data for the La Trobe University Bachelor of Speech Pathology (Honours). We never invent figures; entries marked "not published" mean the university or admissions centre has not released a verified cutoff for that intake.
| Intake year | ATAR cutoff | Admissions centre |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 81.1 | VTAC |
| 2024 | ATAR cutoff not published | VTAC |
| 2023 | ATAR cutoff not published | VTAC |
Most recent published cutoff is 81.1 for the 2025 intake.
Prerequisite Year 12 subjects
Brush up on each prerequisite with our state-syllabus explainers and dot points.
What you will study
First year covers foundational subjects: linguistics, phonetics, anatomy and physiology of speech and swallowing, human development and an introduction to speech pathology practice. You start observing clinics from semester one. Second and third year cover the core areas: child language disorders, adult acquired neurogenic communication disorders (stroke, traumatic brain injury), dysphagia (swallowing disorders), voice disorders, fluency disorders (stuttering), augmentative and alternative communication and audiology basics. Clinical placement is paired with each block. Fourth year is the consolidation honours year with advanced electives, a research project and final placement. On graduation you are eligible for Speech Pathology Australia (SPA) certification as a Certified Practising Speech Pathologist (CPSP).
Example first-year subjects
- Introduction to Speech Pathology
- Phonetics and Linguistics
- Anatomy and Physiology for Speech Pathology
- Human Development
- Communication Sciences
- Audiology Foundations
How you will be assessed
- Supervised clinical placement assessments (around 1000 hours)
- Clinical case-study reports and treatment plans
- OSCEs in clinical skills
- Final exams in linguistics and pathology
- Honours research project
- Reflective practice journals from placement
- Group case-formulation seminars
Placement and industry experience
Speech Pathology Australia accreditation requires approximately 1000 hours of supervised clinical placement across the degree in adult and paediatric settings. La Trobe runs placements through Victorian public hospital networks, schools, NDIS practices and community-health services. Students must meet SPA fitness-to-practise and Working with Children Check requirements. The degree leads directly to Certified Practising Speech Pathologist eligibility.
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
- Speech Pathology Australia accredited
- Eligible for Certified Practising Speech Pathologist (CPSP) status
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: https://www.jobsandskills.gov.au/jobs/speech-pathologist. Last reviewed 2026-05-21.
After graduation
Graduates work as Certified Practising Speech Pathologists. Postgrad options include specialty practice in dysphagia, voice, paediatric language or adult neurogenic communication, the Master of Public Health, Master of Audiology (with bridging) and PhD pathways. Many speech pathologists progress to senior clinician, clinical educator or independent practice.
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 ATAR cutoffs on the La Trobe University handbook and on VTAC before applying. Page generated at https://examexplained.com.au/uni/latrobe/bachelor-of-speech-pathology.