Speech Pathology Australia recognises the Australian Government’s focus on financial sustainability in the 2026–27
Federal Budget and welcomes targeted investments across health, early childhood and veterans’ services.
However, Speech Pathology Australia warns that cost containment and reform must not compromise access to vital speech
pathology services for children, families and people with communication and swallowing needs.
The Budget includes investment in services for veterans, alongside initiatives such as Thriving Kids, foundational
supports and early screening for measures for young children through a Medicare-funded 3-year-old GP check. These
investments provide an important platform, but their success will depend on how effectively access to allied health
services, including speech pathology, is embedded within reform design and implementation.
Early intervention in communication is critical
One in four children are not developmentally on track with their communication skills when they start school.
Communication is foundational to learning, social participation, mental health and future employment outcomes.
Early speech pathology intervention delivers long‑term productivity gains, supporting children to succeed at school,
reducing downstream pressure on health, education and justice systems, and enabling people to achieve lifelong goals
and independence.
SPA welcomes the government’s focus on early childhood development through Thriving Kids and foundational supports.
However, speech pathology must be recognised as essential within these initiatives, particularly in early childhood
education and care settings, to ensure children receive timely, evidence‑based support.
Reforms must be informed by the speech pathology profession
To support successful reform, Speech Pathology Australia is calling for:
- Formal inclusion of Speech Pathology Australia on the Technical Advisory Group supporting NDIS reform, to ensure
changes are practical, evidence‑based and protect access to services.
- Further consultation with the speech pathology profession on the design and implementation of Thriving Kids
investments, including how speech pathology services will operate in early childhood education and care
settings.
- Clear pathways outlining how the Medicare 3‑year‑old GP check will connect children to appropriate speech
pathology assessment and therapy, when speech pathology support needs are identified.
Without clear pathways between identification and intervention, children and families risk missing out on the support
they need at critical developmental stages.
Workforce sustainability is essential to reform success
The speech pathology workforce is currently in undersupply and under significant pressure. Ongoing reforms and cost
containment measures introduced without workforce sustainability strategies risk destabilising service delivery across
health, disability, education and aged care systems.
As many speech pathologists operate as sole traders or small businesses, Speech Pathology Australia also welcomes the
support for small business contained in the Budget, including the permanent extension of the instant asset tax
write-off provisions.
But more targeted action is needed to support workforce sustainability. Without this, reforms risk longer wait times,
reduced service availability and inequitable access, particularly for regional, rural and underserved
communities.
Speech Pathology Australia stands ready to work with government
Speech Pathology Australia emphasises that successful reform depends on meaningful consultation with service users and
the profession, and on protecting access to essential services when and where they are needed.