Bachelor of Physiotherapy

The Bachelor of Physiotherapy is a four-year, full-time degree that focuses on the physiotherapist-client relationship and is highly practical in its orientation. As a student in the School of Physiotherapy, you will undertake a comprehensive program, including specialised physiotherapy studies, behavioural and health sciences, and professional development. Upon graduation, you will be eligible for registration as a physiotherapist with the Physiotherapy Board of Australia and full membership of the Australian Physiotherapy Association.

Are you the kind of person who wants to make a career helping others get back on their feet? Do you dream of joining a profession that makes exciting therapeutic advancements every day? Or perhaps you want to help top athletes recover from injury and regain their place in a top international sporting competition?

At Notre Dame, we explore every avenue of physiotherapy practice in your on-campus studies and through 1200 hours of clinical practice (practicum). In fact, from the first year of your degree, you will be exposed to clinical practice through our Pre-Clinical Experience Program. This unique program has been integrated into your degree structure from the outset, and prepares you for formal clinical placements.

The formal clinical education program then commence in your second year, continues through your third year, and culminates in almost full-time clinical practice in your final year. You will develop clinical assessment and treatment skills in laboratories, simulated learning environments, and through exposure to patients in physiotherapy practices, hospitals or community health settings, as well as urban and rural centres.

Career opportunities

The following careers are open to graduates of this program:

• Cardiorespiratory
• Musculoskeletal
• Neurology
• Paediatrics
• Research
• Clinical
• Academic teaching

Professional accreditation

The fully accredited Physiotherapy course offers a formal curriculum that contains all of the elements required for professional registration. Graduates are eligible to register as physiotherapists with the Australian Health Practitioner Registration Agency (AHPRA) allowing them to work throughout Australia and New Zealand.

Registration allows graduates to work across all states and territories in Australia, with mutual recognition also permitting registration in New Zealand. Although each country has its own registration processes the standard of Australian physiotherapy qualification is highly regarded internationally.

Applicants must meet High school qualifications (or equivalent) to apply for undergraduate program. Academic minimum entry requirements for international applicants vary from country to country.

IELTS (Academic) – 7.0 overall, with no individual band score lower than 7.0; OET – B in all sections; PTE Academic – 65, with no individual band score lower than 65; TOEFL (iBT) – 94, with no score lower than 24 in reading and listening, no lower than 23 in speaking, and no lower than 27 in writing.