Return to Practice Program

If you have had an extended break from speech pathology practice, the Return to Practice program has been designed to support you to return to the workforce. The Return to Practice program is intended for speech pathologists who were previously eligible for Certified Practising Speech Pathologist (CPSP) status but have not met the eligibility criteria for between five and fifteen years, allowing them to regain their CPSP eligibility.

The Return to Practice program has been designed to:

  • be completed in 12 months
  • provide practical and relevant tasks to prepare for return to the speech pathology profession
  • allow for flexible and independent learning to suit your lifestyle
  • allow choice to design your learning plan according to your preferred return to practice work context
  • meet the requirements of the National Alliance of Self-Regulating Health Professions (NASRHP) Standards.

As a Return to Practice program participant, you will receive:

  • support from staff at National Office
  • opportunities to connect with other speech pathologists completing the program
  • access to member resources
  • access to member benefits

The Return to Practice program aligns with Speech Pathology Australia’s core documents including:

 

PROGRAM ELIGIBILITY

Eligibility requirements

Applicants must meet the following eligibility criteria:

  • Previously eligible for Practising membership status (up to 2015) or Certified Practising Speech Pathologist (CPSP) status (2016 onwards), and
  • Have not been eligible for Practising membership status (up to 2015) or full Certified Practising Speech Pathologist (CPSP) status for 5-15 years.

Eligibility requirements for Practising membership status (up to 2015) or Certified Practising Speech Pathologist (CPSP) status (2016 onwards) can be found here.

PROGRAM CONTENT

The Return to Practice program has been designed to ensure speech pathologists returning to practice have:

  • Completed a learning plan and undertaken learning activities relevant to their intended practice context.
  • Met the certification requirements of CPSP membership (including cultural learning and professional support).
  • Demonstrated the ability to reflect on learning, critically evaluate, interpret and synthesise information from a variety of sources.

The program is divided into three phases:

Phase 1

Updating Knowledge of Core Requirements including the Professional Standards, Ethics and EBP

Phase 2

Updating Knowledge in Speech Pathology Practice

Phase 3

Demonstrating Readiness to Return to Practice

The specific requirements for each phase will vary depending on the length of time an applicant has not been eligible for CPSP.

There is no mandatory requirement for a supported clinical experience, however participants are required to incorporate a pre-approved element of live participation which may take the form of a supported clinical placement or observation. These are independently organised by the individual.

RETURN TO PRACTICE GUIDE

For further information about the program refer to The Return to Practice Guide.

Download PDF

MEMBERSHIP REQUIREMENTS

Return to Practice program participants must join Speech Pathology Australia and maintain Re-entry membership while completing the program.

Re-entry is a non-practising and non-voting membership category.

Re-entry members are not eligible to receive Medicare or Private Health Fund provider status nor provide services where CPSP status is required.

Once a member has successfully completed the Return to Practice program they are eligible for Provisional* Certified Practising Speech Pathologist (CPSP) status.

Eligibility for full CPSP membership requires that within three years of completion of the Return to Practice program, Provisional CPSPs must:

  • accrue a minimum of 200 practice hours, and  
  • receive at least 12 hours of supervision or mentoring from an experienced speech pathologist 
  • At least six of the minimum 12 hours of supervision or mentoring must be in a 1:1 setting.

Please note: Provisional CPSP status does not:

  • have workforce implications in terms of remuneration or workplace classification.
  • impact clinician eligibility for a Medicare provider number or access to other funding sources such as the NDIS, DVA etc.
  • appear on the member certificate
  • is not disclosed to any external parties by SPA

For more information about membership categories click here.

CONTACT US

Have questions or need help? Reach out to us at [email protected]

APPLY HERE

  1. Complete the Re-entry Membership Application.
  2. Email the application form and required evidence to Speech Pathology Australia.