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.
Get My Letter CorrectedWant an expert's eyes on your speech pathology? Dr Mariam's OET writing correction service marks every letter against all six OET writing criteria and returns line-by-line corrections within 24–72 hours.
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