Physiotherapy
- Mar 21, 2023
- 5 min read
Updated: Mar 21, 2025
Physiotherapy is a healthcare profession that focuses on improving mobility, movement, and quality of life through various techniques and exercises. Physiotherapists diagnose, treat, and prevent a range of conditions, from back pain to neurological disorders, using interventions such as exercise prescription and manual therapy. This rewarding career involves working closely with patients to help them recover from injuries and manage pain, among other things.
1. QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025: Sports-Related Subjects (Including Physiotherapy)
Several Australian universities have been ranked among the top institutions in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025 for Sports-Related Subjects, including Physiotherapy. The University of Queensland, The University of Sydney, and The University of Melbourne secured the highest rankings in this field, followed by Deakin University. These rankings highlight the strong reputation, quality of research, and excellence in sports science and physiotherapy programs across Australian universities, reinforcing their global standing in the field.
Rank | Australian University |
2 | The University of Queensland |
3 | The University of Sydney |
6 | The University Melbourne |
14 | Deakin University |
32 | The University of Western Australia |
45 | Edith Cowan University |
51-100 | Griffith University |
2. Admissions Guide for Physiotherapy in Australia
This diagram provides a brief guide to the admission process for high school and university graduates who wish to study Physiotherapy in Australia.
3. Entry Requirements for Physiotherapy Studies in Australia
The table below outlines the minimum entry requirements for international students who are interested in pursuing studies in Physiotherapy in Australia. Entry requirements are categorized into academic and English language requirements. For detailed admission requirements, please consult with an Australian Study Abroad Counselor (QEAC).
Note: These requirements may vary depending on the institution.
Qualification | Duration | IELTS | Academic Requirement |
Bachelor's degree | 4 years | 7.0 (no band less than 7.0) |
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Master's degree | 2 - 3years | 7.0 (no band less than 7.0) |
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4. Structure of Physiotherapy Courses in Australia
The following table provides an overview of the structure of a Physiotherapy course for international students in Australia. It outlines the key components of the course and briefly describes what each component covers. This information can be useful for students who are interested in pursuing a career in physiotherapy and want to gain a better understanding of the different areas of knowledge and skills that they will acquire through the course.
Note: The components and course structure may vary depending on the institution and specific course.
Component | Description |
Anatomy and Physiology | Overview of human anatomy and physiology, including the musculoskeletal, neurological, and other body systems relevant to physiotherapy. |
Exercise Science | Study of the physiological and biomechanical principles underlying exercise prescription and application to various patient populations. |
Biomechanics | Understanding of the mechanical principles of movement and how they relate to the human body, including the analysis of movement dysfunction and its correction. |
Pathophysiology | Examination of various pathological processes and their impact on the human body, including the musculoskeletal, neurological, and cardiovascular systems. |
Physical Assessment | Training in various physical assessment techniques, such as gait analysis, range of motion testing, and palpation, to evaluate patients and design appropriate treatment plans. |
Rehabilitation | Study of various rehabilitation techniques, including manual therapy, electrotherapy, and exercise prescription, to help patients recover from injury or illness. |
Clinical Practice | Practical experience in clinical settings, where students can apply the knowledge and skills learned in the classroom to real-world patient cases under the supervision of qualified physiotherapists. |
5. APC (Australian Physiotherapy Council) Accredited Programs List
The APC (Australian Physiotherapy Council) maintains a list of accredited physiotherapy programs offered by various institutions across different states and territories in Australia. The accreditation process ensures that the programs meet the required standards for physiotherapy education and training in Australia. Prospective physiotherapy students or physiotherapists seeking to practice in Australia should consult this list to ensure they enroll in an accredited program.
State/Territory | Institution | Program | Duration |
NSW | Australian Catholic University |
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NSW | Charles Sturt University |
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NSW | Macquarie University |
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NSW | University of Newcastle |
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NSW | University of Sydney |
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NSW | University of Technology Sydney |
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NSW | Western Sydney University |
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VIC | Australian Catholic University |
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VIC | La Trobe University |
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VIC | Monash University |
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VIC | Swinburne University of Technology |
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VIC | University of Melbourne |
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QLD | Australian Catholic University |
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QLD | Bond University |
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QLD | Central Queensland University |
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QLD | James Cook University |
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QLD | The University of Queensland |
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SA | Flinders University |
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SA | University of South Australia |
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ACT | University of Canberra |
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WA | Curtin University |
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TAS | University of Tasmania |
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6. Hierarchy of Physiotherapy Positions and Descriptions
The table outlines the positions in the physiotherapy hierarchy in Australia, from Physiotherapy Assistant to Senior Physiotherapist. Responsibilities and required skills increase with each position, with higher positions requiring experience in managing a team, leading complex cases, and providing advanced physiotherapy expertise.
Note that the positions and descriptions may vary depending on the physiotherapy institution or organization.
Position | Description |
Physiotherapy Assistant | Assists physiotherapists in providing patient care, performing exercises, and managing equipment. |
Junior Physiotherapist | Provides basic physiotherapy care under the supervision of a senior physiotherapist. |
Physiotherapist | Provides physiotherapy assessment, diagnosis, treatment, and management of patients' conditions. May specialize in areas such as sports, neurology, pediatrics, or musculoskeletal therapy. |
Senior Physiotherapist | Manages complex cases, leads a team of physiotherapists, and provides advanced physiotherapy expertise. May also be involved in research or teaching. |
7. Registration and Career Information for Physiotherapy in Australia
The table below shows the process and future directions for becoming a physiotherapist in Australia. Additionally, it provides information on the employment size, future job growth rate, average salary, employee percentage, female employment rate, and the average age of the physiotherapy profession in Australia.
Occupation | Physiotherapists (ANZSCO ID 2525) |
Job Type | Professionals |
Skill Level | Very high skill |
Unemployment | Below average |
Employed | 34,100 |
Future Growth | 28.7% |
Weekly Earnings | A$1,701 |
Full - Time Share | 63% |
Female Share | 67% |
Average Age | 35 |
8. Immigrating to Australia through Physiotherapy
The diagram below provides an overview of the general process for immigrating to Australia through the Australian Physiotherapy Program, including available visa options and physiotherapy occupation information.
Skilled Independent visa (Subclass 189) | Skilled Nominated visa (Subclass 190) | Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (Subclass 491) | Temporary Skill Shortage visa (Subclass 482) | Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa (Subclass 494) |
O | O | O | O | O |
Occupation | ANZSCO | List | Visa | Accessing Authority |
Physiotherapist | 252511 | MLTSSL | Subclass 186 Subclass 189 Subclass 190 Subclass 482 Subclass 187 Subclass 491 Subclass 494 | APC |
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