The Bachelor of Prosthetics and Orthotics (Honours) is a four-year undergraduate allied health degree that prepares students to become qualified prosthetists and orthotists — health professionals who design, fabricate, and fit artificial limbs (prostheses) and supportive devices such as braces and callipers (orthoses) for people with physical disabilities, amputations, musculoskeletal weaknesses, and neurological conditions. The course delivers a balanced mix of clinical skills, healthcare knowledge, human physiology, technical fabrication skills, and research competencies. Students study core subjects including anatomy, physiology, neuroscience, pathology, biomechanics, materials science, and prosthetic and orthotic prescription, design and fabrication. An honours component is typically offered in two streams — an industry stream or a research stream — allowing graduates to complete either a major industry-relevant project or a research honours project in the final year of the degree. Upon graduation, students are eligible for professional membership with the Australian Orthotic Prosthetic Association (AOPA), which is the peak body regulating the profession in Australia.

Prosthetists and orthotists work with patients across the entire age spectrum — from children with congenital limb differences to older adults managing chronic conditions or recovering from surgery. Their scope of practice includes client assessment and care, intervention prescription, treatment planning, the design and manufacture of custom devices, and modifying devices for optimal outcomes. Graduates divide their time between consulting patients in clinic settings and constructing devices in workshop and laboratory environments. The profession is prominent across a wide range of settings including public and private hospitals, community-based organisations, aged care facilities, private health clinics, rehabilitation centres, and academic or research institutions. Key employers include major public hospital networks, private prosthetics and orthotics practices, the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) service sector, the Department of Veterans' Affairs, sporting organisations, and medical device manufacturers.

Entry requirements for the Bachelor of Prosthetics and Orthotics (Honours) vary between institutions but typically require completion of Year 12 with a competitive ATAR — generally around 70 or above, though cut-offs may vary by intake and provider. Recommended prerequisite subjects at Year 12 level include English, Biology, and at least one additional science or mathematics subject (such as General Mathematics, Chemistry, or Physics). English language proficiency is a key requirement, with most institutions requiring a minimum study score of at least 25 in English (other than EAL) or at least 30 in English as an Additional Language. International students are typically required to provide an IELTS score (or equivalent) to demonstrate English proficiency, with IELTS sometimes being the only accepted English test for certain providers.

Alternative entry pathways are available for students who do not meet standard ATAR requirements. These may include Tertiary Preparation Pathway (TPP) programs, VET qualifications, credit transfer based on prior study or relevant work experience, early offer guarantee schemes for Year 12 students based on principal recommendations, and pathways through enabling or bridging programs. Students from a higher education background — such as those who have completed another university degree or diploma — may also be considered for direct entry or advanced standing. All applicants are typically required to hold or obtain a National Police Record Check and meet health and immunisation requirements before commencing clinical placements. Some institutions may also require students to demonstrate core participation capabilities — including physical, cognitive, and communication abilities — that are essential for safe clinical practice.