Bachelor of Physiotherapy

School of Health Sciences

Do you wish to practice as a physiotherapist? The University of Notre Dame Australia’s Bachelor of Physiotherapy degree is a 4-year full-time program that prepares you to become an effective, culturally-appropriate practitioner focusing on the physiotherapist-client relationship. This program includes foundational courses aligned with specialised physiotherapy-specific courses and clinical placement experiences. 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?

  At Notre Dame, we explore every avenue of physiotherapy practice in your on-campus studies and approximately 1000 hours of clinical practice (practicum).

  You will develop clinical assessment and intervention skills in laboratories, simulated learning environments, and exposure to patients 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

  • HLTH1000 Human Structure and Function
  • ABOR1000 Aboriginal People
  • PHTY1006 Functional Anatomy for Physiotherapy B
  • PHTY1008 Therapeutic Exercise After Injury: Physiological and Practical Foundations
  • PHTY1004 Movement Sciences for Physiotherapy
  • PHTY1007 Pathophysiology for Allied Health
  • BESC1003 Psychosocial Determinants of Health and Wellbeing
  • CORE1000 Foundations of Wisdom

  Year Two

  • PHTY2000 Evidence Based Practice
  • PHTY2006Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy (Peripheral I)
  • PHTY2010 Principles of Clinical Rehabilitation
  • PHTY2002 Applied Neuroscience
  • PHTY2012 Cardiorespiratory Physiotherapy Sciences I
  • PHTY2001 Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy (Peripheral II)
  • PHTY2011 Physiotherapy across the Lifespan I
  • PHTY2008 Clinical Education I and Practitioner Preparation

  Year Three

  • PHTY3000 Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy (Spinal I)
  • PHTY3001 Rehabilitation for the Neurosciences
  • PHTY3002 Cardiorespiratory Physiotherapy Sciences II
  • PHTY3007 Physiotherapy Across the Lifespan II
  • PHTY3004 Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy (Spinal II)
  • PHTY3009 Clinical Education II and Practitioner Development
  • PHTY3008 Physiotherapy Across the Lifespan III
  • One (1) Core Elective Course

  Year Four

  • PHTY4013 Clinical Education III
  • PHTY4014 Clinical Education IV & Professional Issues
  • PHTY4015 Clinical Education V & Professional Issues
  • PHTY4016 Clinical Education VI & Professional Issues
  • PHTY2012 Complex Issues in Physiotherapy Practice

  Core Curriculum

  • CORE I: Foundations of Wisdom
  • CORE II: Elective
    • Electives in philosophy and\or theology
    • Professional embedded electives that integrate studies in a profession with philosophy and\or theology
    • An option to undertake a pilgrimage embedded in the study of the philosophy and theology of pilgrimage, e.g., World Youth Day
    • An option to undertake a course that integrates philosophy & theology with community service and charity work
    • An option to undertake an elective in philosophy, theology, and the liberal arts contained within an international experience

  Full details of the program requirements are contained in the 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

  Entry requirements WA

  Academic requirements for this program are outlined below. In addition, to be eligible for admission, all applicants need to satisfy the Minimum University Admission Requirements outlined. These include those relating to minimum age and English Language Proficiency. We also consider your application more broadly – your non-academic achievements (such as any previous leadership roles, volunteering, work, church and/or community involvement) as well as personal qualities - your aspirations and interests and your capacity to complete your chosen program. See Individual Factors for further details regarding this.

  Applicants with recent Secondary Education

  Indicative ATAR/Selection Rank* of 90

  OR

  International Baccalaureate (IB) score of 34

  *Selection Ranks include ATAR plus Adjustment Factors.

  Note: In order to be a competitive applicant, it is strongly preferred that school leavers have studied an ATAR course or equivalent in English and Mathematics and at least one ATAR course in the sciences that include:

  • Physics;
  • Chemistry;
  • Human Biology, and/or
  • Physical Education studies

  Applicants with Higher Education

  • Successful completion of at least 8 subjects at an undergraduate level or higher*, with an average grade of 65% or higher.

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

  Note: In order to be a competitive applicant, it is strongly preferred that previous studies undertaken be in a health or science related area, at either an undergraduate or postgraduate level.

  Note: Tertiary Preparation Programs are not accepted for entry.

  Applicants with Vocational Education and Training (VET) study

  • VET qualifications are not accepted for entry.

  Applicants with Work and Life Experience

  • Work and Life Experience is not accepted for entry.
  • STAT is not accepted for entry.

• Learning outcomes

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

  1. Apply effective 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. Reflect on limitations in knowledge, skills, and abilities in order to plan and implement lifelong learning strategies.
  4. Apply an evidence-based approach to physiotherapy practice by accessing, critically appraising, and implementing best available evidence.
  5. Demonstrate a broad range of knowledge and skills to practice safe, effective entry-level physiotherapy across a range of settings.
  6. Conduct effective assessment and critically analyse findings to formulate and prioritise physiotherapy practice.
  7. Contribute to 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, collaborative inter-professional communication and practice.

• Practical component

  You will complete a variety of formal practicum experiences within the clinical setting as a part of these Awards commencing in Year 2 of the Awards. 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.

• 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 cardiorespiratory, musculoskeletal, neurology, paediatrics, research, clinical, 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 Bachelor of Physiotherapy and Bachelor of Physiotherapy (Honours) 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.

  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.

• Honours

  An Honours award is available for this program. Further information can be found in the Bachelor of Physiotherapy (Honours) regulations or by contacting the School of Health Sciences.

• Opportunities and experiences

  At the University of Notre Dame, we believe that gaining a global perspective is an important part of your university education.

  Students can immerse themselves in other cultures with Study abroad, through our international exchange programs, study tours, and professional placements. These experiences provide valuable academic and personal growth while earning credit toward your degree.

  You can also engage with the world through Global experiences, volunteer opportunities and cross-cultural initiatives designed to develop your global citizenship and broaden your understanding of international communities.

  Visit Opportunities and experiences to find out more.

• Scholarships

  Scholarships provide financial support to students while they are completing their studies. There are various scholarships available to prospective and current students, across all study levels and campuses.

  These can be funded by Notre Dame, industry, individuals and non-profit organisations, to provide financial assistance to students to support costs associated with study. This could include buying food, paying rent, transport, and household bills, raising children as single parents, being a single-income household, becoming unemployed or caring for a sick loved one.

  Please visit the Scholarships Finder to see which scholarships are available to Undergraduate students.

• Fees and costs

  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.

  International Full-Fee Paying
  Tuition costs depend on an international student’s study load and discipline. Fees are payable each semester at least four weeks prior to the commencement of your program.

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

• Student profile data

  ATAR and selection rank profile

  The University of Notre Dame Australia offers clear and transparent information regarding ATAR and selection rank for domestic students beginning in Semester 1. This data includes the highest, median and lowest ranks required for admission to assist you in making informed study decisions.

  Explore our detailed overview of ATAR offers and student profiles to find the ideal degree that matches your interests and aspirations.

  View our ATAR and selection rank profile data.

• 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, fill out our Make an Enquiry form, and you can book a session with one of our friendly International Student Advisors.

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

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