The Bachelor of Health Sciences/Master of Physiotherapy requires 5 years of full-time study. Part-time may be considered under extenuating circumstances, and will be considered on a case by case basis.

The course is offered by the Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences.

Admission requirements

The minimum requirements for consideration for entry to all undergraduate courses are specified in detail in the University Entry Requirements.

There will be a specific sub-quota for rural and remote applicants.

A knowledge of SACE Stage 2 Biology and Physics is assumed.

Course aims

Graduates of the double degree program will be able to practice as Physiotherapists across a range of settings, including rural and remote areas.  Emphasis will be placed on preparing a contemporary health professional able to be client-centred and to work effectively within an interdisciplinary team.

Learning outcomes

Graduates of the double degree will be able to:

  • identify and apply key theoretical and practice approaches within physiotherapy
  • integrate physiotherapy knowledge and skills to manage disorders across the lifespan in a wide variety of settings including rural and remote locations, with both individuals and various populations
  • collaborate and communicate with clients to meet their health needs in a culturally sensitive manner
  • select physiotherapy interventions relevant to the needs of clients using reflective and evidence-based practice
  • apply physiotherapy skills in the diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of clients and in health promotion and disease prevention
  • collaborate and communicate effectively with other health professionals in providing high quality health care; and
  • reflect on their practice and plan their ongoing professional development as life-long learners.

Program of study

To qualify for double degree of Bachelor of Health Sciences, Master of Physiotherapy, a student must complete 180 units with a grade of P or NGP or better in each topic, according to the program of study below.  Students must also achieve a Grade Point Average of 5 or better in the 108 units of the Bachelor of Health Sciences in order to progress to the Master of Physiotherapy.

Students who have successfully completed the first three year of the program (108 units) may exit with the Bachelor of Health Sciences.

Except with the permission of the Faculty Board, a student may not proceed to higher year core topics unless they have satisfactorily completed the previous years core topics.

The award of a grade of Fail (F) in the same topic on more than one occasion or failure to complete the course within eight consecutive years may constitute prima facie evidence of unsatisfactory progress for the purposes of the University''s Policy on Student Progress.

Bachelor of Health Sciences (Principles of Physiotherapy)

Core - Year 1 topics

36 units comprising:

 HLTH1003  Legal and Ethical Aspects of Health Care  (4.5 units)
 HLTH1004  Human Bioscience  (4.5 units)
 HLTH1101  Health Promotion for Health Professionals  (4.5 units)
 HLTH1304  Communication and Interprofessional Practice  (4.5 units)
 HLTH1305  Health Practitioner Practice 1  (4.5 units)
 HLTH1306  Health Practitioner Practice 2  (4.5 units)
 PHYT1001  Introduction to Physiotherapy  (4.5 units)
 PHYT2001  Exercise and Musculoskeletal Physiology  (4.5 units)

Core - Year 2 topics

36 units comprising:

 DSRS1216  Introduction to Principles of Learning  (4.5 units)
 HLPE3531  Skill Acquisition and Biomechanics for Physical Educators  (4.5 units)
 HLTH2101  Critical Social Analysis of Health (4.5 units)
 HLTH2102  Indigenous Health for Health Sciences  (4.5 units)
 HLTH2105  Health: a Psychological Perspective  (4.5 units)
 MMED3932  Body Systems  (4.5 units)
 REHB2001  Neuroscience for Therapists (4.5 units)
 REHB2002  Rehabilitation Studies 1  (4.5 units)

Core - Year 3 topics

36 units comprising:

 ENGR2742  Biomedical Instrumentation  (4.5 units)
 HLTH3102  Qualitative Methods of Social Health Research  (4.5 units)
 HLTH3105  Quantitative Methods of Social Health Research  (4.5 units)
 MMED2931  Human Physiology  (4.5 units)
 MMED3941  Human Musculoskeletal Anatomy  (4.5 units)
 PHYT3001  Introduction to the Science of Physiotherapy  (4.5 units)
 PHYT3003  Pain, Posture & Movement  (4.5 units)
 REHB3001  Rehabilitation Studies 2  (4.5 units)

Master of Physiotherapy

Core - Year 4 topics

36 units comprising:

 PHYT8001  Musculoskeletal Practice 1  (9 units)
 PHYT8002  Performance of Movement and Function   (4.5 units)
 PHYT8003  Cardiorespiratory Practice   (4.5 units)
 PHYT8007  Musculoskeletal Practice 2  (9 units)
 PHYT8011  Physiotherapy Clinical Practice  (4.5 units)
 REHB8101  Interprofessional Practice  (4.5 units)

Core - Year 5 topics

36 units comprising:

 AGES9026 Design and Ethics in Research with Vulnerable Populations  (4.5 units)
 PHYT8004  Neurological Rehabilitation  (4.5 units)
 PHYT9006  Complex Case and Advanced Practice  (4.5 units)
 PHYT8008  Clinical Practicum 1 (Clinical Placements 3 and 4)  (9 units)
 PHYT9009  Clinical Practicum 2 (Clinical Placements 5 and 6)  (9 units)
 PHYT9010  Health Promotion and Chronic Disease Management (4.5 units)