Speak Out February 2021 DIGITAL EDITION

Why does SPA have Professional Standards? The Professional Standards (SPA, 2020) detail the minimum standards for the speech pathology profession in Australia. This assures the public of the minimum standard they can expect from all practising speech pathologists in Australia from 1 January 2021. See also: ‘Use of the Professional Standards’ p6 of the Professional Standards Sue McAllister's video explores how the Professional Standards enable us to think broadly about what the unique knowledge and skills are that speech pathologists have. Why are there new standards? Speech Pathology Australia is committed to ensuring the standards for the profession reflect current practice. SPA has undertaken a review of the standards as per SPA policy and in alignment with requirements of the National Alliance of Self-Regulating Health Professions (NASRHP). The new Professional Standards reflect the voice of the profession and acknowledge that speech pathology FAQs

practice has continued to change in Australia. The new Professional Standards articulate the breadth of speech pathology practice and support a broader definition and scope of practice for the profession. See also: The Professional Standards p8 and p17.

How are the Professional Standards different from CBOS?

The Competency Based Occupational Standards for Speech Pathologists: Entry level (CBOS) were first developed in 1994, revised in 2001, 2011 and updated in 2017. Their purpose was to detail the competencies for entry level speech pathology practice in Australia. The most recent review of CBOS has resulted in new standards and a new framework to describe the standards. The standards are now titled Professional Standards for Speech Pathologists in Australia (Professional Standards) (SPA, 2020). The Professional Standards describe the knowledge, skills and attributes for all practising speech pathologists throughout their career. The Professional Standards are structured under three

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Speak Out | February 2021