Master of Physiotherapy

School of Health Sciences

Do you wish to practice as a physiotherapist? The University of Notre Dame Australia’s Master of Physiotherapy degree is a 2-year full-time program that prepares you to become an effective, culturally-appropriate practitioner focusing on the physiotherapist-client relationship. This program includes key physiotherapy-specific courses and clinical placement experiences meaning you are work-ready upon completion of the degree. There is a strong focus on ethical and professional communication and behaviours as well as on developing high-level communication skills with clients and as part of collaborative multi-disciplinary practice. Graduates from this program will be eligible for registration as a physiotherapist with the Australian Health Practitioner Registration Agency (AHPRA).

• Why study this degree?

  Are you the person who wants to make a career helping others be the best they can be? Do you dream of joining a profession that bases its decisions on scientific evidence and makes exciting therapeutic advancements daily?

  In our Master of Physiotherapy program, you explore every avenue of physiotherapy practice in your on-campus studies and approximately 750 hours of clinical practice (practicum).

  You will develop clinical assessment and intervention skills in laboratories, simulated learning environments and exposure to clients in physiotherapy practices, hospitals or community health settings in urban and rural locations.

  The program also strongly focuses on evidence-based and reflective practice ensuring graduates will be well prepared to meet the challenge of current and future health provision across the many clinical and non-clinical areas in which Physiotherapists are employed.

• Program summary

  Year One

  • PHTY5006 Fundamentals for Physiotherapy
  • ABOR5000 The Silent History
  • PHTY5007 Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy (Peripheral I)
  • PHTY5008 Applied Neuroscience
  • PHTY5009 Principles of Clinical Rehabilitation
  • PHTY5010 Research and Evidence in Physiotherapy
  • PHTY5011 Clinical Education I and Practitioner Preparation
  • PHTY5012 Cardiorespiratory Physiotherapy Sciences I
  • PHTY5013 Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy (Peripheral II)
  • PHTY5014 Physiotherapy across the Lifespan I
  • PHTY6016 Clinical Education V (international student only)

  Year Two

  • BESC6000 Psychosocial Determinants of Health and Wellbeing
  • PHTY6006 Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy (Spinal I)
  • PHTY6007 Rehabilitation for the Neurosciences
  • PHTY6008 Cardiorespiratory Physiotherapy Sciences II
  • PHTY6009 Professional and Complex Issues in Physiotherapy Practice 1
  • PHTY6010 Physiotherapy across the Lifespan II
  • PHTY6011 Clinical Education II
  • PHTY6012 Clinical Education III, Practitioner Development, and Professional Issues
  • PHTY6020 Ethical Issues in Professional Life
  • PHTY6013 Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy (Spinal II)
  • PHTY6014 Physiotherapy across the Lifespan III
  • PHTY6015 Complex Issues in Physiotherapy Practice II and Clinical Education IV

  Full details of the program are contained in the Program Requirements; access the requirements suspended from 31 December 2024 Program Requirements and the requirements effective from 1 January 2025 Program Requirements.

  More information regarding courses can be found at the course descriptions page.

  Please note: the availability of these courses is indicative only and may be subject to change.

• Entry requirements

  To be eligible for admission to The University of Notre Dame Australia, all applicants must meet the University’s minimum requirements for admission for postgraduate programs.

  International students must have a qualification that is recognised as equivalent to an Australian Bachelor’s degree, AQF Level 7, or to be in the final year of an eligible Bachelor’s degree.

  Specific Program Requirements for Admission

  To be eligible for admission to the program, an applicant must meet the following requirements:

  • A Bachelor of Exercise and Sports Science* with a minimum GPA of 2.5**;
    OR
  • A Bachelor of Science* with a major or specialisation in Exercise and Sports Science, with a minimum GPA of 2.5**;
    OR
  • Any Bachelor's degree* with a minimum GPA of 2.5**,
    AND which includes assessed studies in the following specific areas:
    • Human Anatomy and Physiology
    • Human Pathophysiology
  • Inherent requirements as listed in the Program Requirements.

  *Including two semesters of human anatomy and one semester of pathophysiology covering the following indicative study areas: see PHTY1005, 1006 and PHTY1007.

  **GPA of 2.5 is based on a 4-point scale.

  Applicants who have successfully completed subjects at another University, which are relevant to the selected program of study, may be eligible for Advanced Standing.

• Learning outcomes

  Upon successful completion of the Masters of Physiotherapy graduates will be able to:

  1. Apply advanced verbal and written communication skills with clients, families, carers and service providers
  2. Practice professional and ethical behaviour, demonstrating respect and sensitivity to clients with diverse social, cultural and spiritual beliefs
  3. Autonomously apply critical reflection and expert judgement to identify limitations in knowledge, skills and abilities in order to plan and implement lifelong learning strategies
  4. Synthesise complex information when accessing, and integrating best available evidence into physiotherapy practice
  5. Apply advanced and integrated knowledge and skills to practice safe, effective entry-level physiotherapy across a range of settings
  6. Employ critical analysis and expert judgement to formulate and conduct effective, efficient and adaptable physiotherapy practice
  7. Develop and communicate physiotherapy-based health promotion and collaborative management strategies to empower clients to participate in healthcare decisions and behaviours
  8. Contribute to healthcare delivery through culturally safe, effective inter-professional communication, advocacy and practice.

• Practical component

  You will complete a variety of formal practicum experiences within the clinical setting as a part of the program. Clinical Placements operate in accordance with the Health and Universities Agreement for Allied Health Student Clinical Placements (2005) and Schedules to that agreement or its substitute in place at the time. You will complete approximately 750 hours of clinical practicum in this program.

  The following courses are specific to clinical placement experiences:

  • PHTY5011 Clinical Education I and Practitioner Preparation
  • PHTY6011 Clinical Education II
  • PHTY6012 Clinical Education III, Practitioner Development, and Professional Issues
  • PHTY6015 Complex Issues in Physiotherapy Practice II and Clinical Education IV

• Career opportunities

  Graduates of this program can follow diverse career paths in the private and public health sectors. Career opportunities range from working in physiotherapy practices, hospitals or community health settings in both urban and rural locations in the fields of aged care, cardiorespiratory, disability, musculoskeletal, neurology, paediatrics, rehabilitation, research, clinical and/or academic teaching .

• Real-world experience

  You will learn from academics who are industry leaders and, through our practicum placements and internship programs, you will gain real professional experience and make valuable contacts with potential employers.

• Professional accreditation

  The Master of Physiotherapy is accredited by the Australian Physiotherapy Council.

  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.

• Fees and costs

  Domestic students

  This Program has the following loan scheme(s) available for eligible students:

  Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP)
  A Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) is a place at a university where the Australian Government pays part of your fees. This part is a subsidy, not a loan, and you don’t have to pay it back. However, this subsidy does not cover the entire cost of your study. Students must pay the rest, which is called the ‘student contribution amount’.

  In a Commonwealth Supported Place, your fees are subsidised by the Australian Government. Your fees will be split into two portions:

  The Commonwealth contribution, which is the portion paid by the Australian Government.

  The student contribution, which is the portion you pay. You may choose to pay upfront or defer your student contribution with a HECS-HELP Loan. The HECS-HELP loan scheme assists eligible students with the payment of all, or part, of their tuition fees, not including additional study costs such as accommodation or textbooks. Your HECS-HELP debt will be indexed each year in line with the Consumer Price Index.

  Eligible students will be offered a CSP – you do not need to apply.

  Domestic Fee-Paying
  A domestic fee-paying place is a place at university where the student is responsible for the full cost the program.

  Eligible domestic fee-paying students may apply for the FEE-HELP loan scheme which assists eligible fee-paying students with the payment of all, or part, of their tuition fees, not including additional study costs such as accommodation or textbooks. Your FEE-HELP debt will be indexed each year in line with the Consumer Price Index.

  For indicative fees and information on how to pay, including Government loan schemes and our online calculator, visit our Fees, costs and scholarships page.

  International students

  Indicative Fee: $55,000
  For indicative fees and information on how to pay, including Government loan schemes and our online calculator, visit our Fees Page.

  The figure quoted is the indicative annual fee for 2024 for international students. The exact fee for an individual student will depend on the mix of courses studied. All costs and fees are provided in Australian Dollars (AUD$).

• More information

  Considering your uni options?
  Our advisors provide support while choosing a program of study and completing our application process.

  If you need advice about studying at Notre Dame, the Prospective Students Office can help. Talk to one of our career advisors for a personalised advice session.

  Phone: 1800 878 916
  Email: future@nd.edu.au
  Address: 23 High St, Fremantle, WA 6160

  International students
  If you need advice about studying at Notre Dame you can book a session with an International Student Advisor at international@nd.edu.au.

  Fremantle and Broome

  Phone: +61 8 9433 0873
  Address: 19 Mouat St, Fremantle, WA 6160
  Postal address: PO Box 1225, Fremantle WA 6959

  Sydney and Melbourne

  Phone: +61 2 8204 4229
  Address: 140 Broadway, Chippendale, NSW 2008
  Postal address: PO Box 944, Broadway NSW 2007