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.

Year One

• Functional Anatomy for Physiotherapy A
• Aboriginal People
• Developmental Psychology and Mental Health in Physiotherapy
• Functional Anatomy for Physiotherapy B
• Medical Sciences
• Therapeutic Exercise After Injury: Physiological and Practical Foundations
• Movement Sciences for Physiotherapy

Year Two

• Research and Evidence in Physiotherapy
• Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy (Lower Limb)
• Principles of Clinical Rehabilitation
• Applied Neuroscience
• Cardiorespiratory Physiotherapy Sciences I
• Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy (Upper Limb)
• Physiotherapy in Gerontology
• Clinical Education I
• Physiotherapy in Gender Health

Year Three

• Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy (Spinal I)
• Rehabilitation for the Neurosciences
• Cardiorespiratory Physiotherapy Sciences II
• Physiotherapy in Paediatrics
• Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy (Spinal II)
• Clinical Education II and Practitioner Development

Year Four

• Clinical Education III
• Clinical Education IV
• Clinical Education V
• Clinical Education VI
• Professional Issues in Physiotherapy Practice
• Complex Cases

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

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

Full details of the program requirements are contained in the Program Requirements.

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 count

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.