Skills Assessment Authority
Speech Pathology Australia
Speech Pathology Australia
Speech Pathology Australia assesses speech pathologists, also called speech language therapists, for Australian skilled migration through mutual recognition and competency assessment routes. Visa Plan Lawyers prepares and lodges Speech Pathology Australia applications.
Assessment Fees
$150 to $1,050 AUD per OSQCA stage
Overseas Speech Pathology Qualification Competency Assessment: Stage 1 $150, Stage 2 $400, Stage 3 $1,050, Stage 4 $400, payable per submission with up to three submissions per stage. Mutual Recognition fees are not stated in the April 2026 guide.
Fees as published by Speech Pathology Australia, checked September 2026
Processing Time
OSQCA outcomes within 3 weeks (Stage 1), 7 weeks (Stages 2 and 3) and 3 weeks (Stage 4) of each submission; an appeal may take up to three months.
Official Website
www.speechpathologyaustralia.org.auOccupations assessed by Speech Pathology Australia
Speech Pathologist, also called Speech Language Therapist (ANZSCO 252712), the occupation assessed by Speech Pathology Australia.
Key Occupations
Speech Pathologist
Always verify the designated assessing authority for your specific ANZSCO occupation code on the Department of Home Affairs skilled occupation list before applying.
Assessment requirements
Two assessment routes
The Mutual Recognition route is limited to graduates from the United States, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand and the United Kingdom holding full membership and good standing with ASHA, SAC, IASLT, NZSTA or RCSLT; SAC members are currently not accepted. All other applicants use the four-stage Overseas Speech Pathology Qualification Competency Assessment (OSQCA).
Four OSQCA stages
Stage 1 checks identity, qualifications and English; Stage 2 sets learning tasks; Stage 3 is a portfolio of evidence; Stage 4 is a recorded online interview of about 45 minutes. Up to three submissions are permitted per stage, each attracting the stage fee.
English requirement
IELTS Academic overall 8 with no band below 7.5, or OET overall 1800 with no element below 400, achieved within two years of the application. Online tests are not accepted.
Appeals and validity
An appeal must be lodged in writing with the Chief Executive Officer within 28 days; the appeal fee is 25 per cent of the application fee and is refunded only if the appeal is upheld. The April 2026 guide states that a successful outcome may be used for migration for two years from approval.
How Speech Pathology Australia assesses
The Mutual Recognition Agreement pathway is open only to applicants who qualified in the United States, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand or the United Kingdom and who hold current full membership, with a letter of good standing, of ASHA (CCC-SLP), SAC, IASLT, NZSTA or RCSLT, according to the OSQCA Guide for Applicants (April 2026). The same guide states that, following licensing changes in Canada, SAC members are not currently accepted under the MRA and are directed to the OSQCA pathway instead.
The OSQCA pathway has four stages: Stage 1 identity, qualification and English evidence (outcome within 3 weeks of payment), Stage 2 learning tasks, Stage 3 portfolio of evidence (outcome within 7 weeks) and Stage 4 a recorded online interview of about 45 minutes (outcome within 3 weeks), with up to three submissions permitted per stage, per the OSQCA Guide. English is evidenced by IELTS Academic overall 8 with no band below 7.5, or OET overall 1800 with no element below 400; online tests are not accepted.
A successful assessment keeps the applicant eligible for Certified Practising credentialling for two years from approval, during which it may be used for migration, as stated in the OSQCA Guide. Non-English documents need a professional translation showing the translator’s name, title, address and signature. An appeal must be lodged in writing to the Chief Executive Officer within 28 days of the unsuccessful letter, carries a fee of 25 per cent of the application fee refundable only if upheld, and may take up to three months to decide.
Visa Plan Lawyers and Speech Pathology Australia assessments
Speech pathologists from countries with a mutual recognition agreement follow a shorter Speech Pathology Australia route than other applicants. Visa Plan Lawyers confirms which route applies and prepares the employer sponsored or points-tested application that relies on the outcome.
Reviewed by Visa Plan Lawyers · Last updated: September 2026 · Assessment fee and processing time information is approximate and subject to change. Always verify current fees and processing times directly with Speech Pathology Australia at https://www.speechpathologyaustralia.org.au before applying. This page provides general information only and does not constitute legal advice. Contact Visa Plan for advice specific to your circumstances.