Undergraduate Physiotherapy Schools in Australia

Physiotherapy, or physical therapy as it is also known, is a profession concerned with the prevention, assessment and treatment of human movement disorders and the promotion of movement and health. Physiotherapists—also known as physical therapists—require an extensive understanding of physical, structural and physiological aspects of human form and movement, as well as factors relating to human functioning and the acquisition of skills.

Clinical problems encountered by the physiotherapist are wide-ranging, and usually involve musculoskeletal, neurological or cardiorespiratory disorders. Physiotherapists must have effective interpersonal communication skills and highly developed problem-solving skills, in addition to proficient manual skills. There is currently a high demand for physiotherapists, both in Australia and in Canada.

In Australia, professional degrees are normally undertaken straight from high school at the undergraduate level. Bachelor of Physiotherapy degrees in Australia are four years in duration, and suitable to those students who wish to gain entry into a physiotherapy program directly from high school, or who have completed an undergraduate degree in an area other than science/health science area.

If you have already completed a bachelor degree and wish to undertake a professional physiotherapy qualification at the postgraduate level, please visit OzTREKK's Master of Physiotherapy/Doctor of Physiotherapy web page.

Students who have already completed a bachelor degree in kinesiology, health sciences or science can apply to a Bachelor of Physiotherapy program. Credit for previous studies may be awarded for introductory science subjects, such as anatomy, physiology or biology; however, due to the structure of the physiotherapy programs and the fact that credit can be awarded for only a few year-one subjects, students with another bachelor degree normally do take four years to complete a Bachelor of Physiotherapy.

The following OzTREKK Australian universities offer Bachelor of Physiotherapy programs:
James Cook University
University of Newcastle
University of Queensland

Graduate qualifications in physical therapy from Australian universities are recognized internationally. Canadian students who wish to practice as a physiotherapist upon their return to Canada should visit the Canadian Alliance of Physiotherapy Regulators' website for accreditation and certification information: http://www.alliancept.org/

Scholarships

Every student who applies (and accepts) via OzTREKK and commences his/her studies at an OzTREKK Australian university will receive a $500 scholarship from OzTREKK. Click here for more information about the OzTREKK Scholarship!

OzTREKK Physiotherapy Admissions Officer: Shannon Tilston