Average speech pathologist salaries across Australian states

If you're looking for a rewarding career that makes a real difference in people's lives, speech pathology might just be your calling.

Speech pathologists play a vital role across every stage of life, supporting toddlers with early language development, helping school-aged children build confidence in communication, and working with adults recovering from stroke.

Plus, the profession has experienced some of the strongest job growth over the past decade, with employment projected to grow by another 16.6% by May 2029 – that's more than double the average growth across all occupations.

With such great career prospects, let's get into how much you could potentially earn as a speech pathologist across different states and territories.

Speech pathology: stats at a glance
Average national salary	$100,016
In shortage?	In regional, rural and remote (RRR) areas, especially in SA, WA and NT
Employment growth – last year	+20%
Employment growth – last 5 years	+75%
Sources: Indeed, Jobs and Skills Australia

Four VU speech pathology students having a conversation

How much do speech pathologists earn in Australia?

On average, most speech pathologists in Australia earn between $90,000 and $100,000 per year. But keep in mind that this range is just a starting point. Your salary will also depend on:

whether you’re in an entry-level, experienced or leadership role
the sector you work in – government, hospitals or private practice
the location you work in – roles in more rural areas often include higher salary ranges, relocation support or additional allowances.

Using SEEK data, we've broken down typical full-time base salary ranges for each state/territory below (the most standardised pay).

Industry intel

Tile showing employment growth in speech pathology within Australia

Tile detailing average salary of speech pathologist in Aus – $90k-$100k

Tile showing shortage of speech pathologists in Australia

: ◆ Within the category of audiologists/speech pathologists, the workforce has grown 20% in the past year, and is projected to grow 17% in the next five years.
◆ The average national salary for a speech pathologist ranges from $90,000 to $100,000.
◆ Across Australia, all states and territories are in shortage for speech pathologists.
Sources: Jobs and Skills Australia/Seek, 2025

How much are speech pathologists paid in New South Wales?

In New South Wales, speech pathologists earn between $85,000 to $100,000 on average. Demand is higher in Lismore and the Far North Coast, with the average salary in these areas being $95,000 to $110,000.

There's also a high demand for speech pathologists in Greater Western Sydney, including suburbs like Penrith and Fairfield.

Speech pathologists have their pay stated through the NSW Health Service Health Professionals (State) Award:

Level 1 (early career): $76,364 to $89,232 (Years 1-4)
Level 2 (experienced clinician): $95,131 to $108,943 (Years 1-4)
Level 3-4 (senior): $116,892 to $129,591
Level 5-8 (advanced/principal): $135,884 to $189,779

How much are speech pathologists paid in Victoria?

In Victoria, speech pathologists earn between $90,000 to $100,000 on average.

Only a quarter of speech pathologists are based in regional and rural areas, leading to service gaps and higher demand outside major cities. There are also grants available for final year students to practise in regional and rural Victoria – a maximum of $15,000, paid in two instalments six months apart.

Victorian speech pathologists are usually paid on the Grade 1-7 scale base rates under the Fair Work enterprise agreement:

Grade 1 (early career): $69,232 to $88,434
Grade 2 (experienced clinician): $88,500 to $101,729
Grade 3-4 (senior): $101,734 to $136,256
Grade 5-7 (advanced/principal): $153,734 to $186,675

How much are speech pathologists paid in South Australia?

In South Australia, speech pathologists earn between $90,000 and $105,000 on average, with the highest average ($100,000 to $110,000) salary belonging to roles around Mt Gambier and the south east Limestone Coast.

SA Government/SA Health social workers are usually paid on the Allied Health Professional (AHP) scale:

AHP1 (entry/grad): $71,217 to $86,938
AHP2 (qualified/experienced clinician): $91,785 to $106,330
AHP3 (senior): $108,347 to $116,216
AHP4–AHP6 (advanced lead/manager/director): $118,887 to $159,050

How much are speech pathologists paid in Queensland?

Speech pathologists in Queensland earn an average of between $95,000 and $100,000 annually.

The state also houses some of the highest demand areas in Australia, including Hervey Bay and the Fraser Coast region, where speech pathologists earn an average of $120,000.

Speech pathologists are generally covered by the Health Practitioners and Dental Officers (Queensland Health) Certified Agreement, ranging from HP1 to HP8.

HP1: $61,385 to $72,194
HP2: $74,328 to $103,261
HP3: $79,051 to $119,823
HP4-HP8: $128,169 to $249,935

How much are speech pathologists paid in Western Australia?

Speech pathologists in WA have an average annual salary ranging from $95,000 to $105,000.

WA Health and government social workers are covered under PACTs Industrial Agreement – “Professional Division”:

P-1.1 to P-1.4 (early career): $75,718 to $89,746
P-2.1 to P-2.6 (experienced): $96,255 to $122,787
P-3.1 to P-3.4 (senior): $125,266 to $136,652
P-4.1 to P-4.2 (principal/manager): $151,871 to $159,055

How much are speech pathologists paid in the Northern Territory?

Demand and pay are higher for speech pathologists in the Northern Territory, who earn an annual average salary of between $95,000 and $115,000.

NT speech pathologists are usually paid on the NTPS Professional (P) stream:

P1 (entry/grad): $70,971 to $90,331
P2 (qualified/experienced): $92,910 to $110,781
P3 (senior): $114,199 to $127,898
SP1-SP2 (advanced/principal): $132,408 to $166,487

How much are speech pathologists paid in Tasmania?

The average annual salary for Tasmanian speech pathologists ranges from $80,000 to $95,000.

Speech pathologists working in Tasmania are typically paid on the Allied Health Professional (AHP) scale:

AHP Level 1-2 (entry/clinician): $73,834 to $111,364
AHP Level 3 (senior/clinical lead): $110,425 to $121,907
AHP Level 4 (principal/manager): $123,717 to $134,336
AHP Level 5-6 (advanced lead/manager/director): $143,677 to $195,566

How much are speech pathologists paid in the ACT?

Similar to Tasmania, the average annual salary for a speech pathologist in the ACT is around $85,000 to $95,000.

ACT speech pathologists are paid under the ACT Public Sector Health Professionals Enterprise Agreement 2023-2026:

HP1 (new grad): $80,861 to $97,932
HP2 (qualified clinician): $91,026 to $108,691
HP3 (senior/clinical leadership): $111,639 to $126,060
HP4 (principal/manager): $127,597 to $141,511
HP5 (senior manager): $149,172 to $167,151
HP6-8 (senior specialist/principal): $172,246 to $196,156

Australian speech pathologist salaries by state & territory

State/territory	Average speech pathologist salary
Northern Territory	$105,000
Western Australia	$97,500
Victoria	$96,124
ACT	$95,000
New South Wales	$95,000
Queensland	$95,000
Tasmania	$95,000
South Australia	$93,970

[source: Seek data, Jan 2026]

Note: these are rounded average figures sourced using Seek data and may not capture the full picture of salary trends – experience, specific location, seniority and setting have a big influence on earnings.

What does a speech pathologist actually do?

As a speech pathologist, your role will change depending on the patients you work with, but here are some of the typical things you'll be doing:

addressing speech production (articulation, stuttering, voice issues, etc.)
improving social skills with neurodivergent individuals
assessing and managing swallowing disorders (dysphagia)
improving literacy by helping with reading, spelling and writing
teaching augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) systems.

And your typical work environment may include:

hospitals
kindergartens, primary and secondary schools
residential aged care facilities
universities
rehabilitation services
community health centres
private practices/clinics.

What affects how much a speech pathologist earns?

While speech pathologists are in high demand, some factors will affect your overall pay and career progression.

: Most public health roles are paid according to an enterprise agreement or classification structure.
As you gain experience and take on more responsibility, you'll eventually progress through incremental pay grades (e.g. HP1 to HP3).
: Your employer can make a big difference when it comes your salary.
Public health roles follow government enterprise agreements with structured salary tiers.
Private practice salaries can vary more broadly depending on their business model and patient numbers.
Not-for-profit organisations may offer a lower salary, but you'll have the opportunity to do meaningful work that aligns with your values.
: Where you choose to work matters – especially when it comes to salary.
Rural and regional areas often offer:
Higher base salaries (depending on state)
Rural incentives and/or allowances
Relocation support
While metropolitan areas may offer more roles overall, speech pathologists are in high demand in rural areas, which could increase your earning potential.
: Further study, specialising (learning advanced clinical skills) and taking on additional responsibility can also bump up your salary. Some examples include:
Taking on a senior clinician or team leader role.
Becoming a clinical educator.
Specialising in a certain area like complex disability or early intervention.
Taking on extra management or leadership duties.

Is speech pathology for me?

We know salary is always a hot topic when it comes to career choice. The good news? You don’t have to choose between meaningful work and financial stability.

Many speech pathologists are drawn to the profession because they want to make a genuine difference. Whether it’s helping a child say their first words, supporting someone to communicate after injury, or improving safe swallowing, speech pathologists create real, lasting change in people’s lives and communities.

If you:

are passionate about helping people find their voice and be understood
want a career with strong demand and opportunities to grow
enjoy science, problem-solving and working closely with people

… then speech pathology can offer a rewarding, stable and deeply impactful career pathway.

How to become a speech pathologist

To work as a speech pathologist in Australia, you must complete an accredited four-year Bachelor's or a two-year Master's degree in Speech Pathology, including extensive clinical placements.

You'll then need to register with Speech Pathology Australia to attain Certified Practising Member (CPSP) status.

Dive into a dual degree at VU

Complete a Master's Degree at VU

Keeping the west in good health

Speech pathologist student Daisy Shaw was drawn to the various ways her future career can help others, from traumatic brain injuries to nursing home care. She's one of many VU students representing the next generation of healthcare workers in the west.

Why study speech pathology at VU?

Wherever you aim to work in speech pathology, VU gives you the skills, experience, and support to help you get there.

Build industry connections from day one and gain hands-on experience through real-world placements.
Study one subject at a time with the VU Block Model®, in small, supportive classes that help you stay focused, manage your workload and build strong relationships with your lecturers and classmates.
Easily access support at every step, with mentoring, academic advisors and wellbeing services to help you stay on track.

Graduate with practical experience, confidence and adaptable skills, ready to step into one of Australia’s most in-demand health professions.

Apply now