Duration
2 years full time
Mode (Location)
On campus (Parkville)
Intake
February
Key dates
Key dates
Fees
Commonwealth Supported Places (CSPs) available
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Learn more
Entry schemes
Access Melbourne is available
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Learn more
Career outcomes
Overview
What are the career outcomes for Master of Speech Pathology graduates?
Your future career starts at Melbourne
Graduates of the Master of Speech Pathology are prepared for diverse and rewarding careers across several sectors. Speech pathologists work in a variety of settings, including hospitals, community health services, schools and early childhood settings, aged care, disability services and private practice. You may also pursue opportunities in research, education, advocacy, policy and leadership as your career develops.
What are the top career paths after completing a Master of Speech Pathology?
- Become a speech pathologist. Build a career supporting communication and swallowing across settings including hospitals, community health, disability services, schools, early childhood settings, aged care and private practice.
- Advance the field. Contribute to the future of speech pathology through research, evidence-informed practice, clinical education, teaching and further academic study.
- Lead and advocate for change. Pursue opportunities in leadership, health promotion, policy and advocacy, helping to improve communication access, inclusion and participation across healthcare and the wider community.
What is the expected salary for Master of Speech Pathology graduates?
The expected entry level salary for a Master of Speech Pathology graduate is $70,000-85,000 plus super. This can be higher for regional or international opportunities that have relocation costs.
The average salary after 3-4 years for a Master of Speech Pathology graduate is $93,000-$100,000 plus super, with more progression options to advanced or senior speech pathologists.
(Source: Fair Work Ombudsman 2026).
What can you do with a Master of Speech Pathology?
No matter your career ambitions, you will have the necessary assessment, diagnosis, and intervention skills across all areas of speech pathology practice. Speech Pathologists are incredibly versatile and increasingly in demand, with the role projected to grow 17% in the next five years (Jobs and Skills Australia).
Employers in this field include:
- Hospitals and rehabilitation services including public and private health services in metropolitan and regional settings.
- Community health and disability services supporting people with diverse communication and swallowing needs across the lifespan.
- Schools and early childhood settings including kindergartens, primary and secondary schools and other education services.
- Aged care services including residential aged care and services supporting older people in the community.
- Private practices and clinics working independently, alongside other speech pathologists or within interdisciplinary teams.
- Mental health and justice services supporting people with communication and swallowing needs in specialised settings.
- Universities and research organisations offering opportunities in research, teaching and clinical education.
What accreditation does a Master of Speech Pathology provide?
The Master of Speech Pathology is accredited by Speech Pathology Australia (SPA), the peak body for speech pathologists in Australia. Graduates are eligible to apply for membership of Speech Pathology Australia and Certified Practising Speech Pathologist (CPSP) status, subject to SPA requirements
How does a Master of Speech Pathology help to make industry connections?
The Master of Speech Pathology offers a wide range of opportunities to form professional connections through practice education and connect with the speech pathology profession.
- Engage in a wide range of clinical placements in fields such as health, education and early intervention, community and disability, and unique opportunities such as at our Melbourne Speech Pathology Clinic.
- Connect with practising professionals. Learn from speech pathologists, clinical educators and other professionals who bring contemporary practice and industry perspectives into your learning.
- Get involved with industry networking events and career panels through the University of Melbourne Speech Pathology Alumni (UMSPA).
What career support services are available for Master of Speech Pathology students?
Plan and achieve your goals with our career support services. Access these services to build your confidence and improve your career readiness while studying.
Support includes:
- Personalised career consultations
- Workshops on resume writing, LinkedIn optimisation, and interview skills
- Access to an exclusive job portal connecting students to industry opportunities
- Networking events with alumni and professionals
What further study options are available after this course?
Make a difference through graduate research
Build on your masters qualification to pursue a graduate research degree. Supported by a globally connected research community, you’ll collaborate with supervisors, experts and peers who share your passion for discovery and impact.
Profile
Lottie Morison
I’ve wanted to do speech pathology since I was young. Some of my cousins were diagnosed with autism and saw a speech pathologist and so did one of my grandparents, for help with swallowing.
The course is wonderful, I am loving it. We’re exposed to a big range of learning opportunities, a lot of clinical experiences and very impressive and inspiring guest lecturers.
It is making me re-evaluate what area I’d like to work in. I came in thinking I wanted to work with kids, but on my most recent placement I worked with adults with acquired neurological conditions, which was very complex and rewarding. So now I’m reconsidering.
Our coursework has also been very diverse and interesting – the people teaching us are passionate. I’m really looking forward to starting my thesis, which makes up 25 per cent of our second year. At Melbourne we have the chance do our thesis with supervisors from some of the country’s leading research institutes, which is particularly exciting.
I’m interested in researching speech and language impairments in children with genetic disorders, but there’s a lot of variety in the course for students to pursue their own areas of interest. I know some other students are interested in researching voice and performance, for example.
Our cohort is small – in my year there are 60 of us. I came from a very big undergraduate course and I didn’t know anyone! But this course is really lovely – we do everything together and so we all end up knowing and supporting each other.
The course has really ignited a passion in me to give back to society and make positive change. Speech pathologists are often the advocate for a patient when they are accessing other services, because communication underpins everything.
Graduate pathways
Once you've completed your undergraduate degree, you can go on to gain employment or begin a graduate degree and work towards a professional qualification such as law, engineering or medicine. Or you could join our graduate research community and contribute to our world-changing research.
Your graduate degree will be internationally recognised, and set you apart from those who study a traditional Australian single or double degree.
Explore the graduate pathways available once you complete your undergraduate degree here.