Mt Helen speech pathology clinic to ease regional shortages

Federation University Australia is responding to regional demand for speech pathology services with the opening of a new student-led speech pathology clinic at its Mt Helen campus.

The Federation Speech Pathology Clinic will provide accessible, high-quality speech pathology services, in-person and via telehealth, and give students valuable hands-on experience under the supervision of qualified speech pathologists and Federation staff.

The launch comes as speech pathologists are celebrated across Australia during Speech Pathology Week from 24 - 30 August for the difference they make to people’s lives and follows the opening of similar clinics at Federation’s Berwick and Gippsland campuses.

A Speech Pathology Australia workforce analysis report in 2023 highlighted that services in Australia were not meeting demand, resulting in delayed care for many patients, especially in regional areas.

Federation University is addressing this gap by training more students locally and embedding them in the community through supervised placements like those offered at the clinic.

The Federation Speech Pathology Clinic provides a range of low-cost services, including paediatric screenings at pre-schools and primary schools, assessment and treatment for young people aged three to 16 years, addressing issues such as pronunciation, early literacy skills, and language skills.

The clinic can also support adults with communication and swallowing difficulties, individual and group therapy.

These needs have been identified in partnership with health services across Western Victoria, Southeast Melbourne and Gippsland through an advisory group, ensuring the clinic provides locally needed services and develops best practice referral pathways and relationships with clinicians to support their health service and caseloads.

Across the University, two Master of Speech Pathology cohorts have graduated, while the first group of Bachelor of Speech Pathology students will complete their studies at the end of 2025 and enter the workforce in 2026, further bolstering community healthcare across regional Victoria.

Speech pathology enrolments have grown significantly, nearly doubling over two years to 200 students studying undergraduate or postgraduate speech pathology courses in 2025 across Berwick, Mt Helen and Gippsland campuses and online.

Quotes attributable to Federation University Speech Pathology Head of Discipline, Professor Chyrisse Heine OAM

“This clinic represents a significant milestone in our commitment to providing real-life experiences for our students – preparing them to enter the profession of speech pathology, while offering essential allied health services to those in need."

“Our students are eager to apply their knowledge and skills in the clinic, making a positive impact on the lives of our community members, and we look forward to seeing the clinic thrive and grow.”

Quotes attributable to speech pathology student Nikita Fammartino

 “My experience at the Mt Helen Speech Clinic has been extremely rewarding, allowing me to serve my local community and make a meaningful contribution to client care.”

“Working with both adults and children has been a great opportunity to develop my clinical skills and confidence.”