Employment Type: Temporary Full Time until December 2027

Position Classification: Speech Pathologist Level 3

Remuneration: $121,568 - $125,507 Per Annum + Super + Salary Packaging

Hours Per Week: 38

Requisition ID: REQ704248

Location: Taree Community Health Service

Closing Date: Sunday 15 November 2026

Make a meaningful difference in the lives of older people by helping them maintain their independence, communication and quality of life.

Are you an experienced Speech Pathologist looking for a rewarding opportunity to make a real difference in your community?

Join Hunter New England Local Health

District (HNELHD) and become an integral part of our collaborative Aged Care Services team in Taree.

With a focus on person-centred care, rehabilitation and supporting older people to remain living independently, this is an opportunity to use your clinical expertise while enjoying the variety and flexibility of community-based practice.

About The Team

You will join a dynamic and highly functioning Aged Care Services team based in Taree, alongside the beautiful Manning River, servicing the Lower Mid North Coast region.

Our service includes Aged Care Community Services and the Transitional Aged Care Program (TACP), supported by a large and collaborative multidisciplinary team committed to delivering personalised care and achieving the best possible outcomes for older people in our community.

You will work alongside Registered Nurses, Enrolled Nurses, Aged Care Assessors, Allied Health clinicians and other support staff, with access to clinical guidance and ongoing support.

Although you will work autonomously as the Speech Pathologist within the service, you won't be working in isolation. You will receive face-to-face orientation and onsite training to help you transition confidently into the role, with ongoing support from the wider Aged Care Services team.

You will have access to guidance and collaboration with the TACP Care Coordinator, NUM ACA & TACP, Aged Care Service Manager, Aged Care Assessors, Psychogeriatric team, Aged Care Allied Health clinicians and administrative staff.

About The Role

As our Speech Pathologist, you will play an important role in supporting older people experiencing speech, communication and swallowing difficulties. You will provide comprehensive assessments and tailored interventions to help clients maximise their independence, participation and quality of life.

You will also contribute to the Transitional Aged Care Program (TACP), supporting older people following hospital discharge for a period of up to 12 weeks. Through a restorative and goal-focused approach, you will help clients regain function, build confidence and maintain their ability to live independently at home.

Your Responsibilities Will Include

- Assessing and managing clients with speech, communication and swallowing difficulties.
- Developing and implementing individualised, client-centred treatment plans.
- Supporting older people to achieve their rehabilitation and functional goals.
- Providing clinical recommendations and interventions to promote safety, independence and quality of life.
- Working collaboratively with the multidisciplinary team to coordinate and deliver optimal patient care.
- Managing your community-based caseload and exercising sound clinical judgement when working independently.

This is a rewarding opportunity to work autonomously within your clinical discipline while remaining connected to a supportive multidisciplinary service.

About You





We are looking for a motivated and experienced Speech Pathologist who is passionate about aged care and improving outcomes for older people.

You Will Bring

- A recognised Speech Pathology qualification and at least three years of clinical experience.
- Experience or a strong interest in working with older people and age-related conditions.
- The ability to work independently, demonstrate initiative and manage a community-based caseload.
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build positive relationships with clients, families and colleagues.
- The ability to collaborate effectively within a multidisciplinary team.
- A commitment to delivering high-quality, person-centred care.

Experience in aged care, rehabilitation or managing age-related speech, communication and swallowing conditions will be highly regarded.

Essential Critiera

- Must hold a bachelor or post graduate degree in speech pathology which provides eligibility for membership of Speech Pathology Australia, or other qualification deemed equivalent by the employer.

What We Can Offer You

- Meaningful work: Make a genuine difference in the lives of older people, helping them maintain their independence and remain connected to their community.
- Supportive team environment: Join an established multidisciplinary team with access to clinical guidance, training and ongoing support.
- Community-based practice: Enjoy a varied role providing services across the Lower Mid North Coast region.
- Practical work resources: Access to fleet vehicles for community visits, an HNE-issued mobile phone, laptop and workstation.
- Employment opportunity: Temporary full-time position until 31 December 2027, with the possibility of extension.

The Manning Valley and Lower Mid North Coast offer an enviable regional lifestyle, combining beautiful beaches, picturesque waterways, national parks and welcoming country communities. Based in Taree, you'll enjoy easy access to coastal towns such as Forster and Old Bar, alongside the relaxed pace of regional living. Whether you enjoy exploring the outdoors, fishing, swimming or spending time with family, the region offers plenty of opportunities to enjoy life outside of work.

If you're an experienced Speech Pathologist looking for an opportunity to apply your skills, work collaboratively and make a meaningful contribution to the lives of older people, we'd love to hear from you.

Join our Aged Care Services team and help older people live healthier, more independent lives.

How To Apply

- Click apply online, submit your information and resume, and address the criteria listed below providing examples that demonstrate your ability. Extensive specialist or broad knowledge, clinical proficiency and ability to work with minimal supervision, and collaboratively as a member of a multidisciplinary team.
- Post graduate speech pathology experience working with adults with swallowing and/or communication difficulties.
- Demonstrated skill in the comprehensive assessment of older adults, and people with physical disabilities and the development of relevant care plans.

Why join Hunter New England Health?

- Be part of one of the largest and most diverse Local Health Districts in NSW




- Influence digital solutions that directly support patient care and clinical outcomes
- Salary packaging options
- Work collaboratively with passionate clinicians and digital health professionals
- Enjoy career development opportunities within NSW Health
- Make a real difference across a large, complex health service
- Fitness Passport for you and your family

What You'll Be Doing Provide a high quality clinical service to patients and their families/carers, to ensure the provision of optimal health outcomes for patients of the service. Need more information?

- Click here for the Position Description
- Find out more about applying for this position

For role related queries or questions contact Kimberley Bailey on [email protected]

Information For Applicants

Applicants will be assessed against the essential requirements and selection criteria contained within the position description (link below).

For assistance addressing selection criteria visit: https://bit.ly/3vL5fq2

Stepping Up Website is a resource designed to help indigenous job applicants apply for positions in NSW Health. For more information, please visit: https://bit.ly/HNEHealthSteppingUp

This is a Category A position. Recommended applicants will be reviewed for compliance with NSW Health policy directive PD2024_015: Occupational Assessment, Screening and Vaccination against Specified Infectious Diseases for Category A positions prior to offer. All new employees must agree to comply with the requirements outlined in the policy.

Salary Packaging: is beneficial to most Hunter New England Health employees and may increase your take-home pay!

Salary package a range of personal expenses including novated motor vehicle leases, relocation expenses, and HECS/HELP debt. Find out more by contacting SalaryPackagingPLUS! via [email protected] or 1300 40 25 23.

To be eligible for permanent employment in this position you must be an Australian Citizen, or a permanent resident of Australia, or a Recent Zealand citizen with a current Recent Zealand Passport. Employment of a temporary visa holder may only occur if no suitable local candidate is identified for the position; in this instance, you may only be offered employment in line with the conditions and expiry date of your visa.

We are unable to accommodate visa sponsorship for applicants requiring a visa for this position.

At Hunter New England Local Health District, we are an inclusive employer dedicated to fostering a diverse, inclusive, and welcoming workplace. Our commitment to a workforce that reflects the community we care for is essential for delivering the highest quality healthcare to our community. We encourage people with diverse lived experiences to apply.

If you require any accommodations or adjustments to the recruitment process please let us know when you apply or at any stage of the process. We will work with you to meet your needs and create the best possible experience. Please contact [email protected] for confidential support to ensure an equitable, barrier-free application process.

Hunter New England Health employees may be eligible for a range of benefits such as allocated days off (ADO) for full time employees, long service leave, paid maternity leave, and salary packaging options including meal expenses.

An eligibility list will be created for future temporary full or part time vacancies.

Job share / part time arrangements will be considered.

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📌 Speech PathologistAged Care Services & Transitional Aged Care Program (Taree)
🏢 Hunter New England Local Health District
📍 Taree