Ashburton College
Speech-Language Therapist Kaihaumanu Reo ā-Waha
Speech-language therapists assess and treat people who have problems with verbal communication or swallowing. This may include difficulties with speech, language, listening, reading or writing.
Registration with the New Zealand Speech-language Therapists' Association (NZSTA) is recommended. NZSTA provides Annual Practising Certificates for members.
Speech-language therapists may do some or all of the following:
- assess and diagnose communication problems such as stuttering
- co-ordinate and plan treatments
- help clients learn to speak, listen, read or write
- lead group therapy sessions
- help children and adults learn to swallow and eat
- report on their clients
- educate and advise clients and their families.
Useful Experience
Work with young children is useful experience.
Personal Qualities
Speech-language therapists need to be:
- patient and supportive
- able to put people at ease
- good communicators
- able to relate to people of all ages, and from a range of cultures and backgrounds.
Skills
Speech-language therapists need to have knowledge of:
- English or other languages
- how the brain, mouth, throat and voice box function
- medical conditions that can affect speech
- psychology and education theory, and child development and health
- community and family support services, and where to refer their clients.
Conditions
Speech-language therapists:
- usually work regular business hours, but may also work evenings
- work in therapy clinics or at locations such as schools, rest homes and hospitals.
Subject Recommendations
A tertiary entrance qualification is required to enter further training. Useful subjects include biology, chemistry, English, languages and te reo Māori.
Speech-Language Therapists can earn around $55K-$119K per year.
Pay for speech-language therapists varies depending on experience and where they work.
Speech-language therapists working for Te Whatu Ora Health NZ (former DHBs)
- Speech-language therapists usually earn $58,000 to $86,000 a year.
- Senior speech-language therapists who supervise staff can earn $87,000 to $119,000.
Speech-language therapists working in schools
- Speech-language therapists working as interns usually earn $55,00 a year. In April 2024 this will rise to $57,000 a year.
- Speech-language therapists can earn $68,000 to $115,000 a year. In April 2024 this will rise to $70,000 to $118,000 a year.
Sources: Auckland Region District Health Boards/PSA, ‘Allied, Public Health, Scientific & Technical Multi Employer Collective Agreement, expires 30 June 2023’, District Health Boards/PSA, ‘Allied, Public Health, Scientific & Technical Multi Employer Collective Agreement, expires 30 June 2023’, 2022; and NZEI, 'Ministry of Education and NZEI Te Riu Roa Collective Agreement for Field Staff from 2023 - 2025'.
Speech-language therapists may progress to work in managerial or research roles. They may also move between work in the education and health industries.
Speech-language therapists may specialise in a field of work, or work with particular groups of people such as:
- children (paediatrics)
- the elderly
- children and adults who have physical disorders such as difficulties swallowing, or cleft lips or palates.
Years Of Training
4-5 years of training required.To become a speech-language therapist you need to have one of the following:
- Bachelor's degree in speech and language pathology (Hons)
- Bachelor's degree in speech and language therapy (Hons)
- Master's degree in speech and language pathology
- Master's degree in speech-language therapy practice.
- Vulnerable Children Act
The Vulnerable Children Act 2014 means that if you have certain serious convictions, you can’t be employed in a role where you are responsible for, or work alone with, children.
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