Position Statements

Speech Pathology Australia (the Association) produces a suite of practice documents to support professional practice and provide current best evidence and best practice recommendations. Practice documents include Core Association documents, Position Statements and Practice Guidelines.

A Position Statement:

  • provides a short summary of workplace areas of focus in a specific area of practice;
  • may be complemented by a Practice Guideline
  • reflects available evidence at a point in time
  • outlines the position of Speech Pathology Australia on a particular topic
  • has an intended audience of external stakeholders, consumers, employers, other professional associations, funding bodies and policy makers and speech pathologists.

A Position Statement may be complemented by a Practice Guideline. A Practice Guideline provides a comprehensive outline on professional practice and workplace issues in a specific area of practice and is written for speech pathologists, however may also be referenced by stakeholders that include management and consumers.

Position Statements may reference other Association core documents such as:

Accessing Documents

Electronic versions are available to members free of charge. Due to current COVID-19 restrictions hard copies are not available at this time.

Position Statements

Autism Position Statement  This graphic is associated with the hyperlink that precedes it and indicates the document is in PDF. This is an animated Gif that flashes the word new in red out of a yellow background.
This Position Statement has been developed to guide and assist speech pathologists in their provision of evidence-based services to autistic people. This statement affirms the essential role speech pathologists play in supporting autistic people to achieve meaningful goals across the lifespan and in relation to all life activities. In doing so, this Position Statement affirms the right of all autistic people and their families to have access to timely, individualised, evidence-based assessment and support services. See also: Autism Practice Guideline.

Credentialing This graphic is associated with the hyperlink that precedes it and indicates the document is in PDF.

Dual Servicing in Speech Pathology This graphic is associated with the hyperlink that precedes it and indicates the document is in PDF.

Entry to the Speech Pathology Profession in Australia This graphic is associated with the hyperlink that precedes it and indicates the document is in PDF. 

International Telepractice in Speech Pathology  This graphic is associated with the hyperlink that precedes it and indicates the document is in PDF. This is an animated Gif that flashes the word new in red out of a yellow background.

Literacy This graphic is associated with the hyperlink that precedes it and indicates the document is in PDF.

Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation  This graphic is associated with the hyperlink that precedes it and indicates the document is in PDF.

Practice (clinical) education: The importance and value of practice education for the speech pathology profession This graphic is associated with the hyperlink that precedes it and indicates the document is in PDF. This is an amimated Gif that flashes the word updated in black out of a yellow background.

Professional support, supervision and mentoring This graphic is associated with the hyperlink that precedes it and indicates the document is in PDF. This is an amimated Gif that flashes the word updated in black out of a yellow background.

Speech Pathology in Education This graphic is associated with the hyperlink that precedes it and indicates the document is in PDF. 
See also: Practice Guideline

Speech Pathologists working with older people This graphic is associated with the hyperlink that precedes it and indicates the document is in PDF.

Speech Pathology in Justice This graphic is associated with the hyperlink that precedes it and indicates the document is in PDF.
See also: Clinical Guidelines

Speech Pathology in Mental Health This graphic is associated with the hyperlink that precedes it and indicates the document is in PDF.
See also: Clinical Guideline

Stuttering Management This graphic is associated with the hyperlink that precedes it and indicates the document is in PDF.
See also: Clinical Guideline

Telepractice in Speech Pathology This graphic is associated with the hyperlink that precedes it and indicates the document is in PDF. This is an amimated Gif that flashes the word updated in black out of a yellow background.

The Role of the Speech Pathologist in Supporting Informed Choice and Shared Decision Making in Dysphagia This graphic is associated with the hyperlink that precedes it and indicates the document is in PDF.

Transdisciplinary Practice This graphic is associated with the hyperlink that precedes it and indicates the document is in PDF.

Volunteering in Speech Pathology This graphic is associated with the hyperlink that precedes it and indicates the document is in PDF.

Working in a Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Society This graphic is associated with the hyperlink that precedes it and indicates the document is in PDF. (under review)
See also: Clinical Guideline

Working with Support Workers This graphic is associated with the hyperlink that precedes it and indicates the document is in PDF.