Speech Pathologist - Early Start Australia Graduate Program

About the graduate program

This graduate pathway is designed to help new Speech Pathologists settle in smoothly, with structured onboarding, close supervision, and continued support. You’ll begin with a manageable caseload, be paired with a dedicated buddy, and take part in fortnightly technical training to strengthen your clinical capability and confidence.

You’ll also be guided by an experienced clinician while working across a mix of settings, including fully equipped clinics, clients’ homes, schools, and telehealth. In addition, you’ll receive one-to-one mentoring from a senior clinician to support your longer-term career growth.

With more than 45 clinics across the country, the organisation offers strong professional connections and exposure to highly experienced clinicians. You’ll work within supportive multidisciplinary teams alongside allied health and client support professionals, collaborating on treatment planning and sharing knowledge to provide holistic care.

The role also offers a blended way of working, combining clinic-based and community-based practice.

Benefits and support

The employer offers a competitive salary together with flexibility and a broad range of benefits that support development, wellbeing, and work-life balance.

• A collaborative service approach that recognises all client-related work, allowing more time for the additional tasks that help clients reach their therapy goals
• More than 100 rostered CPD hours each year, including monthly in-house learning, daily team collaboration time, national and state clinical meetings, paid professional development leave, and a personal development allowance
• Up to 12 weeks of annual leave per year through an additional purchased leave option
• Discounts and benefits on everyday items and leisure purchases, from groceries to movie tickets
• Paid parental leave
• Allocated time for therapy support tasks so you can follow up, communicate, and collaborate with clients more effectively

Role overview

As a graduate Speech Pathologist, you will support children in building the communication and functional skills they need for everyday life. This includes helping them express wants and needs, participate with friends and family, and develop language for day-to-day interaction.

You will work with parents, carers, and other important people in the child’s life to support communication and language development. The role also involves helping children improve pronunciation, address stuttering and articulation concerns, and develop confidence in fluency and speech clarity.

In addition, you will support literacy-related challenges such as reading and writing, working alongside teachers and schools where needed. You will also help children build the skills required to manage a variety of food and drinks safely.

Armadale clinic highlights

The Armadale clinic is based in brand-new premises and includes a sensory gym, large rooms, and a shared working space. The site also provides full administrative support and future opportunities for growth and leadership.

Technology and innovation

The organisation plans to introduce Heidi Health in 2026. This is an Australian-developed tool built by therapists for therapists, designed to capture sessions and generate accurate, efficient notes and reports. It is intended to help clinicians stay on schedule and spend more meaningful time with clients.

Who they are looking for

The ideal candidate is a graduate who is motivated to make a positive difference and who enjoys creating therapy experiences that are engaging, practical, and meaningful for families. You should be enthusiastic, open to fresh ideas, and comfortable contributing to a collaborative team environment.

Eligibility and requirements

• A Speech Pathology degree
• Eligibility for SPA registration after graduation
• Graduation within the last 12 months, or completion expected in early 2026
• A current full driver’s licence and access to a personal vehicle with third-party insurance
• A valid Working With Children Check, or willingness to obtain one
• A current clear Police Check, or willingness to obtain one
• NDIS Worker Screening Clearance, or willingness to obtain one
• First Aid and CPR certification, or willingness to obtain these if not already held
• Strong communication and time management abilities, plus strong attention to detail

About the organisation

Early Start Australia is a national multidisciplinary allied health organisation focused on building a brighter future for Australians. Its team includes Speech Pathologists, Occupational Therapists, Physiotherapists, and Psychologists who deliver therapy across all ages, needs, and abilities, with a strong emphasis on supporting children.