What does a speech pathologist do?
There are different areas in communications that speech pathologists are specialised in: language, speech, literacy, cognitive-communication, swallowing, and voice.
For gender-affirming voice, speech pathologists focus on the following four areas.
- Voice Training: Supports individuals in aligning their voice and communication with their gender identity or desired gender presentation.
- Informational counselling: Provide information on surgical and hormonal methods that may affect individuals’ voices.
- Pre- and post-surgical voice care
- Voice therapy after gender-affirming hormone therapy using testosterone: Therapies might target vocal hoarseness, reduced vocal range, vocal fatigue, and even the voice sounding too young for the person’s age.
For more information, visit: https://healthsciences.unimelb.edu.au/news-and-events/archived-news/setting-up-melbournes-gender-affirming-voice-clinic
What services are available?
Speech pathologists offer a range of services, such as assessments, individual or group therapies. These sessions can be held either in person, or via telehealth.
Will the speech pathologist know about GAVC?
Some clinics may have different specialisations. For example, they may be a bilingual clinic, early childhood/early intervention clinic, adult-focused clinic, etc. Some speech pathologists have additional training and experience in gender-affirming voice and communication. Therefore, it is always okay to ask whether a clinic offers gender-affirming voice services!
Do I need a referral?
In most cases, you don’t need a referral to see a speech pathologist. However, some services or funding schemes may require one.
Where do I go?
The Australian Professional Association for Trans Health (AusPATH) maintains a list of providers who are committed to providing sensitive gender-affirming healthcare.
Speech Pathology Australia is the national peak body for speech pathologists, and maintains a list of speech pathologists with filters for location, funding model and area of specialisation.
Gender Identity in Voice (GIIV)
Gender Identity in Voice are a special interest group of speech pathologists committed to helping individuals seeking gender-affirming services and providing some self-directed resources.
Melbourne Speech Pathology Clinic
The clinic provides gender-affirming voice therapy aiming at supporting clients to achieve their ideal vocal expression congruent with their gender expression safely. As it is a teaching clinic providing group student-led care with the support of experienced professionals, it provides more affordable care to clients. One-on-one sessions are also available, delivered by a qualified speech pathologist.
Located at the Victorian Pride Centre, the Monash Health Clinic provides care for transgender, non-binary and gender diverse Victorian residents over 16 years of age. You must have Medicare or Private Health Insurance and be an Australian Citizen or Permanent Resident to access care.
A referral from a GP is required before attending sessions. If you are concerned that your GP will not refer you, you can contact Trans and Gender Diverse Services at Your Community Health under the Victorian Government for a referral. For more information, click here.
Barwon Health Speech Pathology Clinic
Barwon Health provides public gender-affirming speech pathology services in Geelong and surrounds. A referral from a GP is required before attending sessions.
The Communication Clinic’s gender-affirming voice clinic aims to curate a personalised voice training program for transgender, non-binary, and gender diverse peoples. It is supported by speech professionals as well as speech pathology students.
No referral from health professionals is required. You can refer yourself to the clinic by filling in the form found by clicking this link.
A referral is not required. However, if you wish to attend the session with a reduced rate, you can:
- Request a GP Plan. You can request a Chronic Disease Management Plan via your GP. This plan will allow you to attend 5 sessions for $60 each. However, you will get charged for $120 first, after that you can claim your money back from MyGov. The sessions are 30 minutes each
- Choose the private pathway. Each private session is $120 for 30 minutes.
- Choose to go through the NDIS. The NDIS plan offers $145.5 for 45 minutes, and $193.99 for 60 minutes respectively. This can be covered under Capacity Building for plan managed or self-managed plans.
What happens during my first appointment?
During your first session, your speech pathologist will ask about your concerns, medical history, communication needs and goals. Depending on your reason for attending, they may complete some assessments based on the concerns that you raised. However, most services will ask you to complete a questionnaire before attending your first session. This helps the speech pathologists to further understand and prepare materials to address your concerns.
For example, if you are seeking voice therapy, your speech pathologist may assess your voice through speaking tasks and questionnaires. In some cases, they may suggest you work with an ENT specialist for additional examination.
These examinations will help the speech pathologist to understand your strengths and areas that support may help. This information will help the speech pathologist to discuss your goals and develop a plan that suits your needs.
We acknowledge the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung people as the Traditional Owners of the unceded lands on which these resources were developed.
This resource hub was funded by a 2026 University of Melbourne Student Services and Amenities Fee grant.