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How to Become A Pediatric Audiologist

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What is a Pediatric Audiologist

If you love working with kids and want to make a real difference, Pediatric Audiology could be for you. A Pediatric Audiologist tests and treats hearing problems in children, from tiny newborns to teenagers.

Your daily toolkit includes some impressive technology. You will use ABR testing, OAE tools, and behavioural hearing tests to assess what is happening with a child’s hearing. Then you build a care plan. That might mean fitting hearing aids, recommending a cochlear implant, or running auditory therapy sessions.

A big part of the job is supporting families. You explain what the tests mean and guide parents through next steps. You also work alongside speech pathologists and teachers to help each child thrive. No two days are the same.

You will also get involved in community work, like running hearing screenings in schools. And knowing your work helps children communicate, learn, and connect with the world is what makes this career truly rewarding.

Career Outlook for Pediatric Audiologist

Pediatric Audiologists are in strong demand across Australia. Around 2,600 audiologists are employed nationally, with very strong future growth forecast (yourcareer.gov.au, 2025). Most roles are full-time (63%), with a typical 40-hour working week. The workforce is around 77% female, with a median age of 37.

Pay is strong for a health profession. The average weekly wage is $1,971, or roughly $102,000 per year (yourcareer.gov.au, 2025). Entry-level audiologists typically start near $75,000. Senior paediatric specialists can earn $120,000 or more.

The outlook for this career is excellent. Awareness of childhood hearing loss is growing. Cochlear implant programs are expanding, and early intervention is a growing focus. These trends all support continued demand for paediatric audiologists. Audiology Australia has a dedicated Advanced Paediatric Certification pathway for those who want to specialise further.

On this Article

Introduction

Average Salaries

Resources

Steps to Become a Pediatric Audiologist

Step 1: Complete a relevant undergraduate degree

Start with a Bachelor degree in a science or health field. Good choices include a Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Health Science, or Bachelor of Biomedical Science. These degrees take three years full-time at an Australian university. They give you a strong base in biology, anatomy, and human development before you move into postgraduate study.

Step 2: Enrol in a Master of Clinical Audiology

Complete a Master of Clinical Audiology at an accredited Australian university. This two-year full-time degree is the standard entry qualification for audiologists in Australia. It covers paediatric audiology, hearing aid fitting, cochlear implant management, and clinical rehabilitation. Programs are offered at Macquarie University, the University of Melbourne, and the University of Western Australia, among others.

Step 3: Complete supervised clinical placements

As part of your Master’s program, you will complete supervised clinical placements in hospitals, clinics, and community health services. Aim to gain experience in paediatric settings during these placements. Seek feedback from accredited audiologists on your clinical skills. Practise paediatric assessment and explaining results to families.

Step 4: Apply for accreditation with Audiology Australia

After graduating, apply for accreditation with Audiology Australia. It is the peak professional body for audiologists in Australia. Accreditation confirms you meet the national standards for independent practice. It is also needed to work in government-funded programs such as the Australian Government Hearing Services Program. The process involves submitting your qualifications and clinical hours.

Step 5: Pursue Advanced Paediatric Certification to specialise

To build your career as a Pediatric Audiologist, apply for Advanced Paediatric Certification through Audiology Australia. This certification shows you have specialist-level skills in assessing and managing hearing in children. You will need to meet minimum paediatric clinical hours and pass a formal review. It is highly regarded by hospitals, specialist clinics, and paediatric services across Australia.

What does a Pediatric Audiologist do?

On a typical day, a Pediatric Audiologist might test a newborn’s hearing in hospital. They might also fit a toddler with their first hearing aid, or support a family after a new diagnosis. They use ABR testing, OAE tools, and behavioural hearing tests to assess each child’s hearing. They build care plans, work with speech pathologists and teachers, and stay in touch with families as children grow. They also run community hearing screening programs and keep up with the latest research. It is active, varied, and genuinely rewarding work.

Tasks

Pediatric Audiologists help children hear and communicate. Their work combines clinical testing, device management, family support, and community outreach.

  • Conduct Hearing Assessments – Use behavioural tests, OAE tools, and ABR testing to check how well a child can hear.
  • Diagnose Hearing Disorders – Work out the type and degree of hearing loss through a full clinical evaluation.
  • Fit Hearing Devices – Recommend, fit, and manage hearing aids or cochlear implants for children who need them.
  • Support Families – Explain test results, talk through options, and guide parents on how to help their child at home.
  • Run Newborn Hearing Screenings – Screen newborns for hearing loss as part of Australia’s national hearing screening program.
  • Work with Other Professionals – Team up with speech pathologists, teachers, and doctors to give each child the best support.
  • Monitor Progress – Review each child’s hearing and communication over time and adjust care plans as needed.
  • Get Involved in Research – Take part in studies that improve how hearing conditions in children are diagnosed and treated.

Skills for Success

Being a great Pediatric Audiologist takes more than just knowing the science. You need a solid grounding in how hearing works. Being skilled with ABR and OAE tools is also key. You also need the people skills to put children at ease and explain test results clearly to worried parents.

Patience is a big one. Young children do not always sit still or follow instructions. You need to be creative and calm to get the results you need. And because you work with a whole team of health professionals, strong communication and teamwork skills matter a lot.

Skills & Attributes

  • Knowledge of audiometry and hearing assessment techniques
  • Proficiency in ABR and OAE diagnostic equipment
  • Ability to conduct and interpret hearing tests for children
  • Understanding of paediatric hearing disorders and their management
  • Clear communication with children, parents, and carers
  • Empathy and patience when working with young patients
  • Problem-solving skills to develop tailored treatment plans
  • Ability to work with speech pathologists, teachers, and paediatricians
  • Attention to detail in diagnosis and clinical documentation
  • Commitment to continuing professional development
  • Knowledge of hearing aid fitting and cochlear implant management
  • Ability to educate families about hearing health and intervention options
  • Counselling skills to support families through diagnosis and treatment
  • Adaptability to work across hospitals, clinics, and community settings

Average Salaries

Pediatric Audiologists in Australia earn around $102,000 per year on average (yourcareer.gov.au, 2025). This is based on a weekly wage of $1,971. Entry-level audiologists typically start near $75,000. Senior paediatric specialists can earn $120,000 or more. Pay rises with experience, qualifications, and Advanced Paediatric Certification.

min $75 K

max $120 K

av $102 K

About the author

Laura Atkinson - Course Finder Groups
Laura Atkinson

Laura Atkinson is an Account Management and SEM specialist at Course Finder Group with six years' experience in the Australian education sector. She works day to day with universities, TAFEs and independent training providers, which gives her a close view of how courses map to real career outcomes. She writes practical guidance on career pathways, choosing the right qualification and what to expect when moving into a new field.