Internationally trained speech pathologists and speech & language therapists need Grade B across all four OET sub-tests for HCPC (UK) or AHPRA (Australia) registration. The Writing sub-test asks for prose communication of swallow and communication findings.
Quick answer
Internationally trained speech pathologists need Grade B (350) in each of the four OET sub-tests for HCPC (UK, registered as Speech and Language Therapist) and AHPRA (Australia) registration. The Writing sub-test tests your ability to communicate dysphagia and communication findings to a non-specialist addressee in 250 words of prose. Most marks are lost on Genre & Style: uncontextualised IDDSI codes and dysphagia classifications.
Sent to a GP, MDT, or specialist communicating dysphagia or communication assessment findings and recommending intervention or onward referral.
Marking watch-out: Genre & Style — translate IDDSI levels and dysphagia classifications for non-specialist readers.
Sent to a community speech pathology service or another setting for ongoing intervention. Addressee is typically another speech pathologist or MDT.
Marking watch-out: Organisation — outcome-first handover, with intervention plan logically structured.
Stop using IDDSI codes, dysphagia subtypes, or aphasia classifications without context for non-specialist addressees. Expand on first use. Mapped criterion: Genre & Style.
Stop listing recommendations as bullet points. Rewrite as connected sentences. Mapped criterion: Conciseness & Clarity.
Stop opening with assessment chronology. State the outcome and recommendation in the first sentence. Mapped criterion: Purpose.
The UK HCPC (where the profession is registered as 'Speech and Language Therapist') and Australian AHPRA / Speech Pathology Australia both accept OET. Grade B (350) is required across all four sub-tests. Combined sittings within the validity window are accepted.
Speech pathologists typically write a referral or assessment letter (recommending dysphagia management, communication support, or further specialist input) or a transfer letter for ongoing therapy. Case notes commonly include swallow assessment outcomes, IDDSI levels, communication functional status, and intervention plans.
Two patterns recur. First, addressee mismatch — using IDDSI codes, dysphagia subtypes, or aphasia classifications without context for a non-specialist addressee (Genre & Style). Second, over-listing intervention recommendations rather than structuring as prose (Conciseness & Clarity).
Yes. Swallow assessments, dysphagia diet textures, and communication intervention planning have profession-specific conventions that generic medical case notes won't prepare you for. Profession-aware correction ensures feedback covers these areas accurately.
Marked against the six OET criteria by a corrector aware of dysphagia, communication intervention, and MDT conventions. 24-hour turnaround.
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