Course overview
Speech pathologists help people who have trouble communicating or difficulty drinking and eating safely.
The role of a speech pathologist can be very diverse. You may help a child develop speech, language and literacy; provide feeding advice to parents of a baby born with cleft palate; and support an individual who has experienced a stroke, traumatic brain injury or onset of illness.
In this course, you will learn about typical and atypical speech and language development, along with the mechanisms underlying acute and chronic conditions that can impair swallowing and communication. You’ll also gain clinical reasoning
and practical skills, applying them to diverse cases.
You’ll graduate with the expertise and confidence to commence your career in speech pathology.
Career outcomes
Speech pathologists often work alongside other health and education professionals in hospitals and communities. Overall, roles for speech pathologists, speech therapists and audiologists are expected to grow by almost 32% by 2035.¹
Careers
- Speech pathologist
Industries
- Education and training
- Healthcare
- Public administration and safety
- Social assistance
¹ Source: Jobs and Skills Australia – Employment Projections
Professional accreditation and recognition
This course is accredited by Speech Pathology Australia.
Why study at Curtin?
Highly ranked course
Curtin is the top-ranked WA public university for graduate salary, and is equal first for full-time employment for Rehabilitation (undergraduate). (Good Universities Guide 2026)
Work experience
You’ll gain the practical, job-ready skills you need to work in this field, including learning clinical practice skills in Curtin’s on-campus clinic and work placements or fieldwork.
Accredited course
This course is accredited by Speech Pathology Australia.
Hear from our students
"I chose to study speech pathology after attending work experience at a local hospital and watching speech pathologists work with clients. I really enjoyed my Speech Pathology course. It provided me with clinical skills and knowledge as well as authentic work experience with clients. These skills and experiences are helping me achieve my career goals of providing person-centred services and high-quality care for clients."
Varini Nair
Bachelor of Science (Speech Pathology) (Honours)
Your student experience
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Find your entry pathway to Curtin
You may be finishing high school, coming from TAFE, or just thinking of a career change; but whatever your background, there’s an entry pathway to Curtin for you.
Course structure
Year 1
In your first year, you’ll study communication science units and interprofessional course units with students from other health science disciplines.
Years 2–3
You’ll then delve into key practice areas, building the expertise needed to assess, diagnose and manage a range of client cases.
You’ll then apply your skills during supervised clinical placements in our on-campus clinics and various community settings. This includes opportunities for rural, remote and international fieldwork experiences.
Year 4
In your final year, you'll complete supervised clinical placements while undertaking an individual research or collaborative professional honours project.
This can be a physically and mentally challenging course. Please familiarise yourself with the inherent requirements before applying.
Detailed course structure and unit information
For detailed information and course structure, visit our Handbook.
Entry requirements
Ranking and Selection Process
Please note that entry into these courses is highly competitive and subject to available places. If you are not made an offer in an earlier round, your application will remain under consideration for subsequent rounds in January, dependent on place availability at that time.
- Round 1: 10 July 2025
- Round 2: 11 September 2025
- Round 3: 4 December 2025
School leaver applicants to refer to TISC – important dates
A limited number of at-school offers may be available to School leaver applicants with outstanding results.
Please note:
- Applicants will be ranked and selected based on published entry requirements and entire academic record.
- Applicants must provide all required documents and be assessed as eligible to be included in the ranking for an offer.
- Meeting the minimum entry requirements and course specific prerequisites, does not guarantee selection.
- Applicants with outstanding results will only be considered for an offer upon submission of the results.
- Eligible applicants will remain in the ranking pool until the conclusion of all offer rounds.
- In the event the course reaches capacity the University reserves the right not to proceed with subsequent offer rounds.
Minimum ATAR entry required
This course requires you to achieve a minimum ATAR/selection rank to be considered for entry, but does not guarantee selection.
Course-specific requirements
You’ll also need to meet any specific requirements to be eligible to apply for this course.
Additional information
Notes about this course
Make sure you check the course notes for any other important information.
Fees
2026 Domestic indicative fees
Commonwealth-supported first-year fee
$10,600*
*The indicative first-year fee is based on a standard full-time study load of 200 credit points.
This fee is a guide only. Your total fee may vary depending on the units you choose, your study load or if your course includes additional requirements. For more information on fees, see other fees and charges.
A CSP is subsidised by the Australian Government. They pay part of the course fees directly to Curtin and then the student pays the remainder (referred to as the “student contribution amount”). The student can defer this fee to their HECS-HELP loan.
All Australian students studying an undergraduate degree are automatically awarded a Commonwealth supported place. A limited number of Commonwealth supported places are also available for some postgraduate courses.
Learn more about CSPs and whether you’re eligible by visiting the Australian Government’s StudyAssist website.
Scholarships
Get the support you need to succeed with our diverse range of scholarships. Whether it’s financial support, assistance with relocation, or recognition for your academic achievements, we have scholarships tailored to your unique needs.
How to apply
Follow these steps to make sure you’re eligible, prepared and ready to apply for your course.
Check entry requirements
Entry requirements differ by course and your previous work and study experience.
Prepare your documents
The documents you need may vary depending on your course and application pathway.
Check application deadlines
Deadlines vary by course and whether you’re applying as a domestic or international student.
Choose your application pathway
I’m in year 12 or applying for Medicine
If you’re in year 12 or recently finished high school, you’ll need to apply through TISC.
You’ll apply through TISC no matter what you studied in high school, whether that was:
- ATAR
- General subjects
- Certificate IV
- or completing UniReady in Schools program.
TISC has different application dates to Curtin. Visit the TISC website for all important dates, including application deadlines.
I have finished high school
If you’re not a current year 12 student or recent graduate, you’re considered a non school leaver and you’ll apply directly to Curtin.
The only exception is Medicine, which must be applied for through TISC.
You’ll apply directly to Curtin if you are:
- a high school graduate who finished school last year or earlier
- transferring from another university
- returning to study or using your professional experience to qualify
- progressing from a VET or TAFE qualification or bridging program
- a current Curtin student changing courses or campuses.
Application deadlines can vary by course. Make sure to check application deadlines before you apply.
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