To put some context around this, did you know that in Australia, Certified Practising Speech Pathologist (CPSP) status is granted by Speech Pathology Australia (SPA) and reflects that a speech pathologist meets national standards for clinical practice and ongoing professional development. Not all speech pathologists have CPSP status for several reasons:
1️⃣ Membership with SPA is Voluntary
▪ CPSP status is only available to members of SPA. While it is highly recommended, joining SPA is not legally mandatory for practising speech pathologists.
▪ Some speech pathologists choose not to join SPA due to personal reasons or the annual membership cost.
2️⃣ Recency of Practice
▪ CPSP status requires proof of recent practice and professional development.
▪ Speech pathologists returning to practice after a long break may not initially have CPSP status until they meet the criteria.
3️⃣ New Graduates or International Practitioners
▪ Recent graduates or international speech pathologists may not have CPSP status right away. They need to apply for SPA membership and meet the criteria to receive this certification.
4️⃣ Career Focus
▪ Some speech pathologists working in research, policy, or management roles may not maintain CPSP status if clinical practice is not a requirement for their work.
So back to our question at hand, to cater to this, Speech Pathology Australia (SPA) recommends the following minimum requirements if you are engaging, employing or contracting a Speech Pathologist.
🔹 Be a current practising member of Speech Pathology Australia (SPA)
🔹 Hold Certified Practising Speech Pathologist (CPSP) status
🔹 Maintain up-to-date Professional Indemnity insurance at an adequate level
🔹 Possess the necessary provider numbers for Medicare and Private Health Fund rebate services
🔹 Be an approved provider for DSS-funded services (if applicable)
🔹 Hold a valid Police Check and any additional required checks (e.g., Working With Children Check)
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