Bachelor of Physiotherapy

Physiotherapists work to prevent injury and disability and to rehabilitate those already injured; they work with people experiencing problems with their cardiorespiratory, musculoskeletal or neurological systems. The Bachelor of Physiotherapy will equip students with the necessary skills to optimise movement and function, helping people overcome movement disorders, either present at birth or associated with ageing or life-changing events. Students undertake clinical placements throughout the program, starting in year one. Fourth-year students undertake four to six placements of five weeks' duration, encompassing a range of clinical physiotherapy areas including musculoskeletal outpatients, neurology and cardiorespiratory plus a selection of specialised and/or elective areas. An embedded honours program is available from third year for high-achieving students.

Areas of study

Physiotherapy.

Career opportunities

Rehabilitation, paediatrics, women's health, sports physiotherapy, cardiorespiratory, orthopaedics, gerontology and ergonomics, hospitals and rehabilitation units, community health centres; private practice in educational, government and industrial institutions.

Professional recognition

Graduates will be eligible for registration with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (Ahpra). Read the Registration Standards for Physiotherapy. Graduates will also be eligible for membership of the Australian Physiotherapy Association.

Practical experience

Clinical placements throughout the program, starting in year one. Fourth-year students undertake four to six placements of five weeks' duration, encompassing a range of clinical physiotherapy areas, including musculoskeletal outpatients, neurology and cardiorespiratory, plus a selection of specialised and elective areas. Before students begin professional experience for this course, they should review the mandatory state or territory legal and industry policy requirements. An overview of these requirements can be found via the ACU Work Integrated Learning Search tool.

Honours

A place in the honours program is offered to students based on academic merit and integrated across the third and fourth years of the program. Honours is awarded on the basis of successful completion of coursework and preparation of a paper for publication.

Fees and charges

Visit the ACU website for general information about tuition fees.