Tristan Nickless, PhD

BA(Hons)/BBus(Mgmt), MSpPath, PhD, MSPAA, CPSP 

Tristan offers his clients extensive knowledge in a range of communication disorders. Tristan’s areas of interest include accent modification; language impairments, auditory processing deficits, phonological/articulation disorders, stuttering and specific learning difficulties (Dyslexia/Dysgraphia).

Tristan is involved in a range of research and development projects for the speech pathology profession. Over a four year period, Tristan served as National Advisor – Private Practice for Speech Pathology Australia, the peak national body representing the profession to government and other stakeholders. This role utilised his strategic planning, advisory and lobbying skills. In May 2015, Tristan served as a Member of the Ethics Board, Speech Pathology Australia for two terms (2015-2021). He was then invited to be a reserve Ethics Board Member for another two years. As part of his position on the Ethics Board, he held membership on a sub-committee to review the profession’s Code of Ethics (2020).

Tristan has been an advisor to University of Melbourne’s Master of Speech Pathology program. He held a lectureship/subject coordinator position for this degree. He regularly engages in clinical education and offers students clinical experience with his team at Word By Mouth.

In 2025, he completed his PhD at The University of Melbourne. Tristan’s research investigated Australian public funding models for speech-language pathology and their alignment with scientific evidence. His research identified barriers and facilitators affecting access to private services for children and adolescents. His findings inform policy improvements, ensuring future models are equitable, efficient, acceptable, and more closely aligned with scientific evidence. Tristan is co-author of peer reviewed journal articles and continues to be involved in research, both at a clinical and academic level. 

Amongst his speech pathology knowledge, Tristan compliments his clinical skills with a breadth of diverse business skills. He has had extensive experience in international marketing and project management (Robert Bosch Australia Pty Ltd; Bosch Siemens HA GmBH); local government; and economic development and tourism.

At Word By Mouth Pty Ltd, Tristan leads his team in specialist clinical skills in the assessment and management of communication disorders. He is currently developing Word By Mouth’s consultancy arm, providing strategic solutions to organisations involved in the delivery of speech pathology services.

Publications