Speech Pathology Graduate Program
Allied health graduate program - designed for learning and growth
The jump from speech pathology student to practising clinician is one of the biggest you’ll make.
You’ve learned the theory. Now comes the part where you actually do it – with real clients, real complexity, and real stakes. At Ignite, we know that it can feel daunting. Our clinical leads, founder, and supervisors have all been there.
That’s why our bespoke speech pathology graduate program has been made exclusively by people who understand what it takes to do speech pathology well, and who genuinely want to make it easier for you to do the same.
Our program is built for new grads who are ready to grow , you don’t have to not grads have it all figured out; just a want to get started and a “can do” attitude.
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What to expect from your caseload
Your caseload in your graduate year is deliberately varied. This isn’t to overwhelm you; it’s how you figure out what kind of speech pathologist you want to become. You don’t need to know from day one. That’s what the year is for.
Paediatric speech and language
Paediatric work is at the heart of what our SPs do.
You’ll support children with speech sound disorders, language delays, autism, and complex communication needs; in homes, schools, clinics, and community settings.
If paeds is where you see your career heading, you’ll build a strong foundation here.
If you’re not sure yet, time in paediatrics usually helps you work it out.
AAC - Augmentative and Alternative Communication
AAC is one of the most meaningful and in-demand areas of speech pathology within the NDIS, and one where new grads rarely get real exposure in their training.
At Ignite, AAC is part of your caseload from early in your graduate year. You’ll learn to conduct feature match assessments, trial devices, write NDIS AT reports, and support implementation with participants and their families.
Adults & acquired communication disorders
You’ll also work with adults living with acquired communication disorders, including stroke, brain injury, and progressive neurological conditions.
Seeing speech pathology across the lifespan in your first year makes you a stronger clinician and gives you the context to decide where you want to specialise.
Feeding & swallowing
Dysphagia and feeding support is a clinical area that many new graduate speech pathologists are nervous about, and rightly so, it’s complex.
At Ignite you’ll be introduced to feeding and swallowing work with proper supervision and support, so you build competence at a pace that feels safe.
What you'll need to apply
- A completed Bachelor or Masters of Speech Pathology
- Current or pending SPA registration
- NDIS Worker Screening Check (or willingness to obtain prior to starting)
- A valid Australian driver's licence and access to a reliable vehicle
- Working with Children Check (or willingness to obtain prior to starting)
- Police Check (or willingness to obtain prior to starting)
- A genuine interest in community-based, person-centred care with NDIS participants
Are you ready to apply?
We’re currently taking applications for our 2026 cohort. Spots are limited, if this sounds like the right start to your career, we’d love to hear from you.
Call Nikita on 0450 306 496 for a confidential chat, or fill in the application form below.
Meet some of the people around the hub
As one of our Grad Program alumni, Samuel knows exactly what it’s like to be in your shoes.
He loves all things physiotherapy, and he’s just as happy talking anime, sport, or whatever random topic pops up in the hub. He’s got that easy-going vibe that makes people feel comfortable straight away, and he’s genuinely excited about helping people.
Emma joined Ignite as a student on placement and has been with us ever since. Ticking over three years as an Igniter, she’s become a steady, trusted part of the team.
She’s the epitome of cool, calm, and collected, with an air of quiet confidence, kind energy, and genuinely lovely to work with.
Frequently asked questions
You’ll need to have applied for and received your registration from SPAbefore your start date. We can help you understand what’s required and time your application to align with your start.
No two weeks look exactly the same, which is part of what makes community-based speech pathology so rewarding.
You’ll spend time seeing participants across a mix of settings, homes, schools, our clinic and other community spaces, working on communication, language, social skills and more. Alongside your appointments, you’ll have dedicated time for report writing, supervision, and learning.
Plus, in your early weeks the focus is on getting comfortable, asking questions and building confidence before your caseload ramps up.
Absolutely, your graduate year at Ignite is intentionally varied.
Working across NDIS community caseloads means you’ll encounter a genuine mix of presentations, age groups and communication needs. AAC and paediatric work are a natural part of the caseload.
Dysphagia exposure will depend on your participants, but we’ll support you to build those skills through our induction program as well as as opportunities arise and through your PD budget.
It’s completely okay… and honestly, expected.
Feeding and swallowing is one of the areas that makes most new grad speechies nervous, and for good reason. It’s complex, it’s high stakes, and university can only take you so far.
At Ignite you won’t be thrown in the deep end. Your supervisor will support you through your first dysphagia cases, and you’ll have the Clinical Excellence Team behind you when things feel tricky.
Asking for help here isn’t a weakness, it’s exactly what good clinical practice looks like.
Yes. We accept applications on a rolling basis. If you’re graduating in the coming year, and interested in joining our team, get in touch and we’ll talk through timing.