Program Leader – Speech Pathology 

About the Role

Lead Clinical Excellence. Shape Service Innovation. Influence Lifelong Outcomes.

We are seeking an exceptional and visionary Program Leader – Speech Pathology to provide strategic leadership and professional governance of speech pathology services across our organisation.

This leadership role is responsible for advancing clinical excellence, workforce capability, service quality, innovation, and sustainable growth across lifespan autism services. The Program Leader will provide oversight of speech pathology practice across children's and adult services, with particular responsibility for Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC), mealtime management and dysphagia, communication development, and broader speech pathology service delivery.

Working collaboratively with operational leaders, multidisciplinary teams, autistic individuals and their families, and external stakeholders, you will drive strategic initiatives that strengthen participant outcomes, enhance workforce capability, and support organisational objectives. You will ensure services remain contemporary, evidence-based, neurodiversity-affirming, and responsive to the evolving needs of autistic people and the broader disability sector.

The role also leads the development of the speech pathology workforce pipeline through oversight of student education programs, university partnerships, and final-year speech pathology placements, helping to shape the next generation of speech pathology professionals.

As the professional lead for speech pathology, you will champion best practice, support innovation, and contribute to the organisation's vision of enabling autistic people to achieve meaningful outcomes and participate fully in their communities across all stages of life.


In this role you will be supported to:  

• Drive excellence in key areas of practice, including Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC), mealtime management, dysphagia, and communication supports.
• Provide expert clinical consultation and guidance on complex presentations, supporting best-practice service delivery and participant outcomes.
• Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing speech pathology workforce, fostering a culture of learning, innovation, and clinical excellence.
• Oversee professional supervision, workforce capability development, and succession planning for speech pathology staff.
• Lead the organisation's speech pathology student placement program, including university partnerships and future workforce development initiatives.
• Contribute to organisational strategy, service innovation, and multidisciplinary collaboration to enhance outcomes for autistic people across the lifespan.
• Lead the strategic direction, growth, and continuous improvement of speech pathology services across children's and adult programs.
• Provide professional leadership and clinical governance to ensure high-quality, evidence-based, neurodiversity-affirming practice across the organisation.

About You

You are an accomplished speech pathology leader with extensive experience working within disability, autism, health, or community services.
You bring a combination of strategic thinking, clinical expertise, operational leadership, and a deep commitment to improving outcomes for autistic people and their families.

In addition, you will have:

• Significant clinical experience working with autistic individuals across a range of ages and support needs.
• Demonstrated expertise in AAC and/or mealtime management.
• Experience providing professional supervision, mentoring, and clinical leadership.
• Experience managing complex clinical matters and supporting evidence-based practice.
• Strong stakeholder engagement, communication, and leadership skills.
• Tertiary qualification in Speech Pathology.
• Eligibility for membership with Speech Pathology Australia.
• Current Working with Children Check and relevant clearances.

To join our team you will have

• The opportunity to shape the future of speech pathology services across an organisation-wide portfolio.
• Meaningful work that positively impacts autistic individuals, families, and communities.
• A values-driven and collaborative leadership environment.
• Opportunities to influence practice, innovation, workforce development, and sector change.
• Professional development and leadership growth opportunities.

If you are a strategic and passionate speech pathology leader ready to influence practice and drive excellence across lifespan autism services, we encourage you to apply.

Benefits

Furthering your career at the Autism Association of WA offers many benefits including:

Grow your skills: Take advantage of extensive training, growth and development opportunities 
Love your team: Join a positive work environment with a passionate team
Make an impact: Be a part of the team who make a difference every day to individuals with Autism
Salary packaging: Staff can salary package up to $15,900 per annum PLUS up to $2,650 for meals and entertainment. Salary packaging allows you to pay for your expenses with money from your salary before tax is taken out. Pay less tax and increase your take home pay.
Financial benefits: Save on everyday expenses with unique access to discounts with Westpac, Medibank, and Other major brands and retailers.
Fitness Passport: Heavily discounted access to multiple gyms, group fitness and aquatic facilities across Perth metropolitan area
About Us

The Autism Association is one of Australia’s largest For-Purpose Specialist Autism Service Providers, providing a range of services to individuals of all ages. We are inspired every day to make a difference in the lives of people with Autism and are deeply committed to assisting them to achieve the life and opportunities they choose.

We are an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to upholding our values on equity, diversity and inclusion in our recruitment and workplace culture – a place where everyone feels valued, heard and supported. We strive to make our roles and workplace accessible to people with disability and culturally appropriate to individuals of an Aboriginal and Torres Strait background.

Apply Now

To apply, click “Apply Now” below to upload your resume and cover letter

Last date to apply - 08 July 2026