Bachelor of Applied Science (Speech Pathology)
at The University of Sydney, New South Wales.
A four-year speech pathology degree at Camperdown/Darlington, accredited by Speech Pathology Australia. There is no guaranteed ATAR; the university expects most successful applicants to need 94.00 or higher. English Advanced is recommended. Clinical practice starts in second year.
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 USyd Bachelor of Applied Science (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 | 95.60 | uac.edu.au |
| 2025 | 95.35 | uac.edu.au |
| 2024 | 92.85 | uac.edu.au |
| 2023 | 94.00 | 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
Study areas are anatomy, audiology, linguistics and language development, neurobiology, phonetics, psychology and research methods, followed by speech pathology specialist areas such as aphasia, cleft palate, dysarthria, dyslexia, stuttering and hearing loss. Observation begins in first year and clinical practice starts in second year.
Placement and industry experience
Clinical education takes place in the on-campus clinic, hospitals, community health centres, developmental disability services, schools and specialist clinics. Observation starts in first year and hands-on clinical practice in second year.
Career outcomes
- Graduates work as Speech Pathology Australia certified practising speech pathologists in Sydney tertiary hospitals, NDIS providers and the NSW Department of Education schools.
- First-year roles typically include hospital positions at RPA, Concord and Westmead, paediatric speech pathology in NDIS practices and Department of Education itinerant roles.
- Many alumni progress to specialty practice in adult neurological communication, dysphagia, voice or paediatric fluency and pursue postgraduate clinical research.
Professional accreditation
- Speech Pathology Australia
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 degree is accredited by Speech Pathology Australia, so graduates can apply for practising membership and Certified Practising Speech Pathologist status. They work in hospitals, community health, 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 Applied Science (Speech Pathology) as an entry route. Each page shows uni, TAFE and apprenticeship alternatives.
Related courses at USyd
Sources
Course details are summarised by ExamExplained, not copied from the university. Confirm course content and selection ranks on the University of Sydney website and on UAC before applying.