Australian PR Points for Speech Pathologist, ANZSCO 252712
If you're a Speech Pathologist (ANZSCO 252712), you're in a fantastic position for Australia's General Skilled Migration programme. You guys are among the most highly sought-after allied health professionals across the country. Because your occupation is sitting proudly on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL), you've got access to the 189, 190, and 491 visa pathways. The recent 189 cutoff hit 80 points, but the state-nominated routes often welcome folks with just 65 base points.
Subclass 189: Skilled Independent
Speech Pathologist, MLTSSL
In the June 2026 round, the 189 invitation cutoff for ANZSCO 252712 was 80 points. It's a great independent visa, but you'll need a solid score to get over the line.
→ Subclass 189 guideSubclass 190: State Nominated
With +5 state nomination points
A ripper alternative. Speech Pathologists often need just 65 base points for competitive 190 consideration because every state is crying out for healthcare workers.
→ Subclass 190 guideSubclass 491: Regional
With +15 regional bonus points
Those +15 regional points make the 491 highly accessible, serving as an excellent safety net if you're keen to live outside the major cities.
→ Subclass 491 guideYour Speech Pathologist Score Across All Three Visa Pathways
| Subclass 189 | Subclass 190 | Subclass 491 |
|---|
| Nomination bonus | +0 | +5 | +15 |
| Target cutoff (ANZSCO 252712) | 80 pts | 65+ pts | 65+ pts |
| Occupation list | MLTSSL | MLTSSL | MLTSSL |
| Invitation frequency | High | High | High |
| Assessing body | SPA | SPA | SPA |
Just remember, invitation cutoffs can bounce around depending on the round and occupation ceilings. These figures give you a good benchmark based on recent SkillSelect data.
→ Have a look at our monthly invitation round trackerGetting Your Skills Assessment Sorted
Before you can even think about submitting an EOI in SkillSelect, you'll need a positive skills assessment in your back pocket.
For Speech Pathologists (ANZSCO 252712), the assessing body is Speech Pathology Australia (SPA).
| Assessing body | Speech Pathology Australia (SPA) |
| Official website | speechpathologyaustralia.org.au |
| Processing time | Around 7 weeks (No fast-track available) |
| Approximate fee | AUD $825 (MRA pathway) |
| Main pathways | Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA) or Overseas Qualification Competency Assessment (OSQCA) |
| Baseline requirement | Bachelor degree or higher in Speech Pathology |
SPA requires applicants to demonstrate cracking English language proficiency (e.g., Academic IELTS, OET, PTE Academic) and provide solid evidence of clinical practice. Your qualification must be assessed as comparable to an Australian Bachelor degree or higher in Speech Pathology.
⚠ Quick Heads Up: Your skills assessment must remain valid on the exact day you RECEIVE your Invitation to Apply, not just when you lodge your EOI. If your assessment is nearing its expiry date, make sure you renew it so you don't get caught out.
State Nomination Options for Speech Pathologists
State nomination is a brilliant way to snag an extra +5 points (190) or +15 points (491). Luckily, you're in an occupation that everyone wants.
| State | 190 Active? | 491 Active? | What to keep in mind |
|---|
| NSW | Yes | Yes | Massive demand for allied health professionals across all NSW health districts. |
| VIC | Yes | Yes | Healthcare is absolutely central to Victoria's skilled migration programme. |
| QLD | Yes | Yes | You'll often see priority processing applied for health workers here. |
| SA | Yes | Yes | Heaps of opportunities, especially for health graduates and offshore applicants. |
| WA | Yes | Yes | Eligible under the WA State Nomination schedule for health professionals. |
| TAS | Yes | Yes | A critical shortage means you'll be a high priority for Tasmanian nomination. |
| ACT | Yes | Yes | The Canberra Matrix applies, but health occupations score very well. |
| NT | Yes | Yes | The Territory is actively hunting for healthcare professionals to relocate. |
Note: State occupation lists are updated periodically. Always verify at each state's official migration portal before taking the plunge.
As a Speech Pathologist, you genuinely have the luxury of choice. Almost all states view allied health professionals incredibly favourably. If you have 65 points and can meet the basic state criteria, state nomination is highly likely to lead to an invitation.
How to Improve Your Score as a Speech Pathologist
Here are the highest impact ways to bump up your points for ANZSCO 252712.
1. Superior English
Smashing the English test to get Superior (IELTS 8.0/PTE 79) adds a massive 10 points over Proficient. If you're chasing that 80-point cutoff for the 189, this is usually the best way to get there.
→ English points guide2. State Nomination (190)
Targeting a 190 visa adds 5 points right off the bat and places you in a much more forgiving state-based queue. It's a lifesaver if you're struggling to hit the high 189 thresholds.
→ 190 visa guide3. Partner Skills & NAATI
Don't forget the easy wins. Claiming 5 points for NAATI CCL (if you speak another language) or sorting out partner skills (+5 to +10) is heavily utilised by successful applicants.
→ Partner points guide| Strategy | Points Gained | Time Required | Reform Risk |
|---|
| Superior English (if at Proficient) | +10 | 2-6 months | Low |
| State nomination (190) | +5 | 2-12 weeks | Low |
| Regional sponsorship (491) | +15 | 2-12 weeks | Low |
| Australian work exp (1 more year) | +5 | 1 year | Low |
| NAATI CCL (if bilingual) | +5 | 3-6 months | Medium |
How the 2026 Reforms Could Affect You
⚠ Just a heads up: The 2026 points test reforms are currently just proposals. The existing system remains fully in effect until Parliament says otherwise.
Healthcare workers like Speech Pathologists are heavily prioritised under the proposed 2026 points test reform. Because of the critical shortage in allied health, you'll likely be shielded from any broader minimum point threshold increases and stand to benefit from expedited pathways designed specifically for Core Skills within the care economy.
→ Catch up on the 2026 points test reform