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Clinical Rehabilitation

Elevate your career and lead with impact.

Flexible study options for health professionals ready to specialise, research and lead.

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Advance your expertise in clinical rehabilitation. 

Our clinical rehabilitation programs are designed to transform your impact in allied health. Whatever your profession, this program equips you with advanced skills in patient assessment, evidence-based interventions, and multidisciplinary care. You'll not only deepen your clinical expertise but also open doors to leadership roles, specialisation pathways, and research opportunities, making you a sought-after professional in hospitals, private practice, and community health settings.

Why study clinical rehabilitation?

Demand for skilled rehabilitation professionals is growing as people live longer with complex health needs. Learn to deliver innovative, evidence-based interventions - including emerging technologies - to help people regain function and participate fully in life.

Who can apply?

Flinders’ clinical rehabilitation programs are designed for qualified health professionals who want to expand their expertise and make a lasting impact in rehabilitation.

 

Program benefits

Whether you’re an allied health practitioner, nurse, doctor, or working in related fields, our courses will help you:

  • broaden your knowledge of neurological, cardiorespiratory, musculoskeletal, spinal cord injury, and other rehabilitation specialties.

  • learn from experienced clinicians, researchers, industry partners and bioengineers in an interdisciplinary environments.

  • apply the latest evidence-based practice and emerging technologies to improve outcomes for people with complex health conditions.

  • choose from flexible on-campus, online, full-time, or part-time study options, ideal for busy professionals across Australia and internationally.

#1 in SA

Rehabilitation for student support and teaching quality.
Ranked by The Good Universities Guide 2025 (postgraduate), public SA-founded universities only

#2 in Australia

Rehabilitation for overall educational experience.
Ranked by The Good Universities Guide 2024 (postgraduate).

#1 in Australia

Rehabilitation for full-time employment.
Ranked by The Good Universities Guide 2025 (undergraduate).

Graduate certificate and master's programs

Flinders offers a range of clinical rehabilitation graduate certificate and master’s programs for health professionals ready to take the next step in their career. Build your expertise, explore innovative rehabilitation practices and make a meaningful difference in the lives of others. 

Short course options

Graduate Certificate in Clinical Rehabilitation

  1 core & 3 option topics

  6 months

  Online or in person

Aimed at health professionals from any background, this program builds advanced knowledge and skills in rehabilitation practice.

You’ll learn core principles, apply evidence-based approaches, and strengthen collaborative problem-solving. You can also tailor your studies to an area that matches your personal or professional interests.

Learn more

Apply now

Master of Clinical Rehabilitation (1.5 years)

  3 core, 5/6 option & 3/4 research topics

  18 months

  In person or online plus placement/intensive

For health professionals with at least two years’ clinical experience in Australia or a Graduate Certificate in Clinical Rehabilitation.

You’ll build advanced skills and knowledge in clinical rehabilitation, applying them across diverse settings and contributing to the field.

Learn more

Apply now

Master of Clinical Rehabilitation (2 years)

  4 core, 7/8 option & 3/4 research topics

  24 months

  In person or online plus placement/intensive

This program is for health professionals seeking experience in an Australian health care context.

You’ll develop advanced skills and knowledge in clinical rehabilitation, apply learning across diverse settings, and contribute to the field. The pathway includes two optional topics and a clinical placement.

Learn more

Apply now

Master of Clinical Rehabilitation (Neurological Physiotherapy)

  Specialisation

  18 months

  In person or online plus placement/intensive

This specialisation is for physiotherapists who want to advance their expertise in neurological physiotherapy.

You’ll deepen your understanding of rehabilitation principles, apply evidence-based practice, and enhance your skills in clinical management and collaborative problem-solving.

Learn more

Apply now

Master of Clinical Rehabilitation (Neurological Occupational Therapy)

  Specialisation

  18 months

  In person or online plus placement/intensive

This specialisation is for occupational therapists looking to advance their expertise in neurological occupational therapy.

You’ll gain advanced knowledge of rehabilitation principles, apply evidence-based practice, and refine your skills in collaborative problem-solving and clinical management.

Learn more

Apply now

Short course options.

Flinders offers a variety of online and in person postgraduate clinical rehabilitation short courses in areas such as cardiac rehabilitation, upper limb rehabilitation, and OT driver assessment. Most courses are offered annually or based on demand, and online courses can be completed at your own pace, making them flexible for busy professionals.

We regularly introduce new short courses based on demand. If you’re interested in an area not currently listed, or would like to register your interest, please email us at rehabilitation@flinders.edu.au

Occupational Therapy Driver Assessment and Rehabilitation



Starts in March
11 week course
Online/In-person
Tonsley & FMC
 

This short course equips occupational therapists to assess and retrain drivers with medical conditions. Learn on-road assessment, functional evaluation, vehicle modifications, and report writing in line with national standards.

Learn more.

Stroke Rehabilitation



 

 

Annually based on demand
4 week course
Online plus 2 days intensive 

Explore the clinical features and neurophysiology of stroke, from acute care through to long-term recovery. Learn about the factors influencing functional outcomes, current evidence-based interventions, and emerging innovations in stroke care.

Contact us.

Rehabilitation of Degenerative Neurological Conditions


 

Annually based on demand
4 week course
Online plus 2 days intensive

Gain insight into evidence-based approaches for supporting people with degenerative neurological disorders. Review the causes, clinical features, and current recommendations for conditions such as Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, and Motor Neurone Disease, along with their psychological and social impacts.

Contact us.

Dementia Rehabilitation

 


 

 

Annually based on demand
4 week course
Online plus 2 days intensive

Examine patterns of functional and cognitive decline across dementia types. Learn strategies for assessing and managing cognitive changes, behavioural and psychological symptoms, and supporting caregiver wellbeing through practical case studies.

Contact us.

Upper Limb Rehabilitation

 


 

 

Annually based on demand
4 week course
Online plus 2 days intensive

Focus on neurological and musculoskeletal recovery of the upper limb, particularly the shoulder. Discover strategies to maximise function, reduce pain and spasticity, and design effective exercise programs for inpatient, outpatient, and community settings.

Contact us.

Rehabilitation of Traumatic Brain Injury

 


 

Annually based on demand
4 week course
Online plus 2 days intensive

Review the clinical and functional presentations of traumatic brain injury. Explore evidence-based approaches for managing amnesia, cognitive and behavioural changes, and understand key priorities in assessing and treating concussion and mild TBI.

Contact us.

Get inspired.

Discover more about Flinders' clinical rehabilitation courses.

Kathleen

Master of Clinical Rehabilitation (Neurological Physiotherapy)

Georgia

Master of Clinical Rehabilitation (Neurological Occupational Therapy)

The GC offered the flexibility I needed to balance study with work, supported by engaged lecturers who encouraged growth.

Kathleen's photo

Flinders’ flexible online structure and incredibly supportive lecturers helped me stay on top of study while working.

Georgia's photo

Kathleen

Master of Clinical Rehabilitation (Neurological Physiotherapy)

Georgia

Master of Clinical Rehabilitation (Neurological Occupational Therapy)

Kathleen's photo

The GC offered the flexibility I needed to balance study with work, supported by engaged lecturers who encouraged growth.

Georgia's photo

Flinders’ flexible online structure and incredibly supportive lecturers helped me stay on top of study while working.

Learn from the experts.

Jill Garner
Academic Lead

See full profile

Jill is a physiotherapist with more than 35 years’ experience across acute and rehabilitation settings and continues to work part-time in clinical practice. She brings deep insight into both public and private health care, and values the role of clinical research in informing practice.

Jill’s expertise lies in neurological physiotherapy and the intersection of education and practice. She is an active member of the Australian Physiotherapy Association and currently chairs its Neurology Group in South Australia.

Dr Heather Weber
Course Coordinator

See full profile

Heather is the Course Coordinator for Clinical Rehabilitation at Flinders University. Drawing on extensive clinical and academic experience, she is passionate about supporting the career development of health professionals.

Heather’s interests include interdisciplinary advanced practice, leadership, and the use of technology in rehabilitation. She also serves on the State Branch Council of the Australian Physiotherapy Association.

Have a question?

Yes. Most of our clinical rehabilitation programs can be completed fully online, allowing you to study from anywhere.

An optional topic is available that includes two days per week of work-integrated learning in Adelaide. This is best suited to students who want to strengthen their knowledge of the Australian rehabilitation system.

We recommend allocating about 10 hours per week for each 4.5-unit topic (including classes, readings, and assessments).

A full-time load is 18 units, which equates to approximately 40 hours per week.

If your circumstances change, you can apply to exit early once you’ve met the requirements for either the Graduate Certificate or Graduate Diploma of Clinical Rehabilitation.

These programs are designed for qualified health professionals, including allied health practitioners, nurses, medical doctors, and related clinicians, who want to enhance their rehabilitation expertise.

Applications are submitted online via SATAC.

Yes. We offer flexible full-time and part-time study options so you can balance your professional and personal commitments.

Absolutely. Students can progress to a Master of Health and Clinical Research or undertake supervised research projects alongside their coursework.

Professional registration (where applicable) is recommended to ensure you can integrate your learning into clinical practice, but it’s not always a requirement, contact us to discuss your individual circumstances.

Sign up for exclusive access to clinical rehabilitation opportunities

Fill out the form to book a one-on-one chat with an academic, or download our brochure.

Once you’ve submitted the form, you’ll also be added to our mailing list to receive updates about upcoming clinical rehabilitation events, seminars, workshops and short courses.

Need help? Call us on 1300 354 633 or email ask@flinders.edu.au.

Speak with a clinical rehabilitation expert

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Get personalised advice on:

✓ Program selection and specialisations

✓ Study timeline and work integration

✓ Employer funding and career outcomes

✓ Application process and requirements  

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South Australia 5042

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CRICOS Provider: 00114A      TEQSA Provider ID: PRV12097      TEQSA category: Australian University

Last Updated: 13 Oct 2025