Speech pathology

  • ​​Speech pathologists are allied health professionals with expertise in the assessment, diagnosis and treatment of communication and swallowing/feeding difficulties across the lifespan, supporting individuals to maximise function and optimise quality of life through holistic clinical care, collaboration, advocacy, community education, and research. Speech pathology is practised in a wide variety of settings and across  a broad range of clinical areas.

    Download as PDF

    Workforce characteristics for NSW Health speech pathology workforce in 2040

    2272
    Headcount

    98.2%
    Female

    27.9
    Work hours per week

    38.4
    Years average age

    7.1%
    Future 60+

    3.4%
    Aboriginal workforce target

    ​​Demand is expected to grow 1.4% (low demand scenario) to 1.5% (high demand scenario).

    *Significant career opportunities

    ​​Workforce modelling indicates the need to  grow the NSW speech pathology workforce by around 12 to 13 new professionals per annum to meet community need in 2040 across both demand scenarios.

    Projected FTE growth for NSW Health speech pathology workforce to 2040

    20212022202320242025202620272028202920302031203220332034203520362037203820392040
    High Demand582586593611630650667683697708717728736744750754759763767771
    Status Quo582586593601611621630636642646649654657660662663664665666667
    Low Demand582586593610628647663678691701710720728735740745749753756760

    Workforce characteristics for NSW Health speech pathology workforce in 2021

    788
    Headcount

    28.2
    Work hours per week

    38.2
    Years average age

    97%
    Female

    2.4%
    Aged 60+

    0.5%
    Aboriginal

    Metropolitan Sydney

    436
    Headcount

    29
    Work hours per week

    37.1
    Years average age

    1.0%
    Aged 60+

    Non-Metropolitan Sydney

    360
    Headcount

    27.1
    Work hours per week

    39.5
    Years average age

    1.4%
    Aged 60+

    Speech pathology junior entrant positions into NSW Health

    Year20172018201920202021
    Graduates7247423735

    Workforce distribution for NSW Health speech pathology workforce in 2021

    The geographic distribution of the public workforce by local health district/network, by facility and per 100,000 population.

Legends

Per local health district

0 1-25 26-50 51-75 76-100 100+

Per 100,000 population

0 1-5 6-10 11-15 16-20 20+

Per facility

0 1-25 26-50 51-75 76-100 100+

Other networks

  • Sydney Children's Hospitals: 20 to 50 | 1 to 5 per 100,000
  • Enable NSW: 0 to 00 | 0 per 100,000
  • Justice Health and Forensic Mental Health: 0 | 6 to 10 per 100,000

  • Workforce considerations

    • ​Population demographics and increasing incidence of complex and chronic disease may increase demand for speech pathology services.
    • New government funding initiatives e.g. 'Brighter Beginnings – the first 2000 days of life' will influence speech pathology workforce movement (gains / attrition) in NSW Health (i.e. Medicare Benefits Scheme, National Disability Insurance Scheme).
    • Engaging the next generation to meet new challenges through career progression and continuing professional development.
    • Ensuring sustainable training pipelines, graduates, and workforce to reflect the future workforce requirements of the community, by both location, speciality and skills.
    • Improvements in data capture and demand (met and unmet) is a prioritised need for the workforce.
    • Potentiating top of scope opportunities such as supporting ENT clinics, is a priority for the workforce.

    Notes

    • Data included is limited to the workforce employed under the relevant health professional award.
    • Specialty health networks are not displayed geographically in the workforce distribution maps.
    • NSW Health may engage therapists on a sessional basis.
    • LHD/SHN may engage in sessional arrangements in selected circumstances.
    • Workforce that cannot be aligned to a physical location have been attributed to a pre-determined facility within each LHD/N. This may impact on Headcount shown at these facilities within the distribution map.
    • NSW Health does not make any representations or warranties whether expressed or implied with respect to the accuracy and completeness of the information contained in the fact sheet.

    * Note: The inclusion of added qualitative inputs within career opportunities varies from standard modelling methodology calculations and hence differs to standard modelling outcomes.


Current as at: Monday 29 May 2023
Contact page owner: Workforce Planning and Talent Development