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Introduction

Do you know that physiotherapy began in Australia in World War I? Many soldiers needed physical rehabilitation, so they were treated by physiotherapists. Since then, as physical therapy became widely known, the term “physiotherapy” was adopted in the late–1930s. Physiotherapists are experts in the structure and movement of the human body. They assess, treat and prevent disorders in human movement caused by injury or disease. Physiotherapists work in various environments such as hospitals, private clinics, health centres, schools, sports teams, and the military.

Why study Physiotherapy in Australia?

  1. Top Rankings

Australian universities are well-known for their teaching quality, and their qualifications are recognised worldwide. According to QS Ranking 2021, there are three universities in Australia listed among the world’s Top 100 providing Master of Physiotherapy. 

  1. Job Opportunities & Growth

As per the Australian Job Outlook report, there will be 26,900 job openings for physiotherapists in Australia by 2025. The number of workers is expected to grow strongly over the next five years. 

  1. Pathway to Permanent Residency (PR)

Qualified physiotherapists can immigrate to Australia because Physiotherapy is on the Medium & Long Term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL) as an occupation that Australia needs. This means that physiotherapists are eligible for Permanent Residency in Australia. 

Career outcomes after graduation

  • Physiotherapist 
  • Community physiotherapist 
  • Rehabilitation Therapist  
  • Sports Physiotherapist 

Course Options

  • Bachelor of Physiotherapy – 4 years 
  • Master of Physiotherapy – 2 years 
  • Doctor of Physiotherapy – 2-3years 

Entry Requirements

  • For the Bachelor’s course, normally applicants are required to have completed Year 12 or a Diploma course and attained an IELTS Academic score of 7.0 (with no sub-score less than 7.0). Some universities require prerequisites such as Biology, Chemistry or Physics.  
  • For the Master’s/PhD course, normally applicants are required to have completed a Bachelor’s degree and attained an IELTS Academic score of 7.0 (with no sub-score less than 7.0). Most universities require prerequisites such as Human Anatomy, Human Physiology, Exercise Physiology, or Neuroscience. 

What courses might you study for your Physiotherapy degree in Australia?

  • Anatomy 
  • Physiotherapy 
  • Human Biology
  • Health Psychology 
  • Health Sciences  
  • Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy 
  • Cardiothoracic Physiotherapy 
  • Neurological Physiotherapy. 

Professional Accreditation

For most universities in Australia, their Physiotherapy degrees are accredited by the APC (Australian Physiotherapy Council). Students will be eligible to register as a Physiotherapist if they successfully complete their studies at an accredited school.

Expected salary as a Physiotherapist in Australia

Australia is the second-highest paying country for physiotherapists. According to Job Outlook, full-time workers on an adult wage earn around AU$1,444 per week. The annual salary is approximately AU$75,000 per year. Earnings tend to be lower when starting out and higher as experience grows. 

School Recommendations

Bachelor’s Level  

  • Australian Catholic University 
  • University of Queensland 
  • University of South Australia 
  • Curtin University 
  • Griffith University 
  • James Cook University 
  • Monash University 
  • University of the Sunshine Coast 
  • Deakin University

Master’s Level 

  • University of Melbourne 
  • University of Queensland 
  • University of Sydney 
  • University of Technology, Sydney 
  • Curtin University
  • University of South Australia 
  • Flinders University 

Interested in studying Physiotherapy in Australia?

Contact SOL Edu today for free counselling, and a free application process!