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The Master of Human Movement is a postgraduate qualification designed to deepen scientific understanding of how the human body moves, performs, and adapts to physical demands across a range of health, sport, and rehabilitation contexts. Building on undergraduate knowledge in exercise science, sport science, kinesiology, or allied health, this degree takes an interdisciplinary approach — covering advanced exercise physiology, biomechanics, motor control, performance psychology, sport nutrition, ergonomics, and exercise prescription. Graduates are equipped not only to assess and optimise human movement in healthy populations but also to design evidence-based interventions for clinical, athletic, and community settings. The course prepares students for leadership roles across a broad spectrum of applied and research-oriented careers in the health and sport sciences sector in Australia.
This qualification is offered by a range of Australian universities and typically spans 1.5 to 2 years of full-time study. It suits practising professionals looking to advance their credentials as well as recent bachelor's graduates seeking deeper scientific expertise. Specialisation options may include clinical exercise physiology, strength and conditioning, sports coaching, health promotion, biomechanics, motor learning, and physical education leadership. Employers of graduates include hospitals, sports academies, professional sporting clubs, community health centres, corporate wellness providers, government health agencies, universities, and national sporting organisations such as Sport Australia and state sports institutes.
Australia's ageing population, growing burden of chronic disease, and increasing investment in elite and community sport are driving strong demand for qualified human movement professionals. Exercise and Sport Science Australia (ESSA) has established robust accreditation pathways for graduates, and Accredited Exercise Physiologists (AEPs) are increasingly embedded in Medicare-funded chronic disease management programs — making postgraduate qualifications in this field more valuable than ever. With Australia consistently investing in physical activity as a public health strategy, employment opportunities for human movement specialists in clinical, community, and high-performance settings are projected to grow significantly in the coming decade.
A master's-level qualification in human movement provides a competitive edge in an increasingly credentialed sector. It opens pathways to ESSA accreditation at a higher level, enables access to Medicare provider numbers for exercise physiologists, and positions graduates for research, management, and specialist roles not accessible with a bachelor's degree alone. The diversity of career pathways — from elite sports science and rehabilitation to corporate wellness and health policy — means this qualification offers both professional versatility and long-term career resilience in one of Australia's fastest-growing health sectors.
Most Australian universities require applicants to hold a relevant bachelor's degree (or equivalent) in human movement, exercise science, sport science, kinesiology, physiotherapy, or a closely related health or science discipline. A minimum GPA is typically required — commonly a credit average (5.0 on a 7-point scale) or above — though this varies by institution and program. Some programs may accept applicants from adjacent fields such as nursing, occupational therapy, or education, provided they can demonstrate relevant academic or professional background. Work experience in exercise science, allied health, or sport performance settings may be considered in lieu of meeting GPA thresholds or as a supplementary application element.
For international applicants, English language proficiency requirements must be met. Most programs require an IELTS Academic overall score of at least 6.5 to 7.0, with no individual band typically falling below 6.0 to 6.5. Applicants from countries where English is the primary medium of instruction may qualify for an exemption if their undergraduate studies were conducted in English. Some programs also require applicants to hold or be eligible for professional accreditation — such as ESSA student membership — prior to commencing placement components. Pre-placement compliance requirements, including a current Working with Children Check, Criminal History Clearance, First Aid and CPR certification, and relevant immunisation records, are typically mandatory before students can undertake clinical or industry placements.
This course may be offered in different study modes depending on the university, campus location, course structure and student type. Students should check the available delivery mode before applying, as not every study option is available at every institution.
On-campus study is the traditional mode of delivery where students attend classes, lectures, tutorials, workshops or seminars at the university campus. This option may suit students who prefer face-to-face learning, access to campus facilities, networking with classmates, practical workshops, group projects and direct engagement with academic staff.
Some universities may offer programs fully online or with online subject options. Online study can be attractive for students who need flexibility due to work, family, location or other commitments. Online study may suit domestic students, working professionals or students who want to study from outside Australia.
Hybrid or blended study usually combines online learning with some on-campus classes, workshops, intensive sessions or practical components. This mode may suit students who want flexibility but still want some face-to-face interaction. The exact structure varies between institutions.
Programs in Australia may have different intake structures depending on the university. The most common intake systems are semester, trimester and block mode.
Many Australian universities follow a two-semester academic calendar. The main intakes are commonly Semester 1 (around February or March) and Semester 2 (around July). Semester-based study usually allows students to complete a set number of subjects over approximately 12 to 14 weeks.
Some universities use a trimester system, which generally provides three study periods a year — around February/March, June/July and October/November. Trimester study may provide more flexibility and may help some students complete their course faster.
Some institutions may offer selected subjects or programs in block mode, where students focus on one subject at a time over a shorter, more intensive teaching period. Block mode may suit students who prefer concentrated learning or working professionals managing study around employment.
Some online or professionally focused programs may offer more frequent start dates or flexible entry points throughout the year. Students should not assume that every course has monthly or multiple intakes — availability depends on the institution, course structure and student type.
Graduates of the Master of Human Movement in Australia can pursue a diverse range of careers across elite sport, clinical health, community wellbeing, education, and research. Employers span professional sporting clubs, hospital systems, private allied health clinics, universities, government agencies, defence forces, corporate health providers, and national sporting organisations. The depth of postgraduate training opens doors to senior, specialised, and management-level roles not typically accessible with a bachelor's degree alone, and many graduates go on to achieve accreditation as Accredited Exercise Physiologists (AEP) through ESSA, enabling Medicare rebate eligibility and expanded clinical scope.
Entry Level
Graduate / Assistant
Graduate Exercise Physiologist, Junior Sports Scientist, Fitness Coordinator, Exercise Science Assistant, Graduate Health Educator
Early Career
Officer / Coordinator
Exercise Physiologist, Sports Science Coordinator, Strength and Conditioning Assistant Coach, Health and Wellbeing Officer, Rehabilitation Coordinator
Mid-Level
Adviser / Specialist
Senior Exercise Physiologist, Human Performance Specialist, Clinical Exercise Specialist, Biomechanist, Corporate Wellness Consultant, Sports Development Specialist
Senior Level
Manager / Senior Adviser
Head of Sport Science, Clinical Services Manager, Senior Strength and Conditioning Coach, Performance Science Manager, Health Promotion Manager
Leadership
Director / Head / Principal
Director of Human Performance, Head of Athlete Services, Academic Program Director, National Sport Science Director, Head of Health and Wellness Programs
Salaries for human movement graduates in Australia vary by specialisation, sector, and level of experience, with clinical and high-performance roles typically commanding the highest pay.
Melbourne
Melbourne is home to a thriving elite sport ecosystem including AFL clubs, Cricket Australia, Tennis Australia, and a dense network of private exercise physiology and allied health clinics — making it one of Australia's premier cities for human movement graduates seeking diverse employment. The city's world-class sporting infrastructure and large university sector also provide strong research collaboration opportunities and access to high-performance environments.
Sydney
Sydney offers human movement graduates access to one of Australia's largest and most diverse health and sport employment markets, spanning NRL clubs, NSW Institute of Sport, major hospital networks, and a growing corporate wellness sector. The city's concentration of allied health providers and government health agencies supports strong demand for Accredited Exercise Physiologists and health promotion specialists.
Brisbane
Brisbane is experiencing significant growth in sport science and health services infrastructure off the back of preparation for the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, creating expanding career opportunities for human movement professionals in high-performance sport, rehabilitation, and community health. The Queensland Academy of Sport and a strong network of NRL, A-League, and cricket organisations make Brisbane an exciting city for those targeting elite sport careers.
Perth
Perth has a strong sport science sector anchored by the Western Australian Institute of Sport (WAIS) and leading universities with globally ranked sports science programs, offering excellent graduate employment pathways in both elite performance and clinical exercise physiology. The city's mining and resources sector also creates unique demand for occupational health and human performance professionals working in FIFO and industrial settings.
Adelaide
Adelaide is home to the South Australian Sports Institute (SASI), which provides graduates with direct access to elite sport environments and collaborative research opportunities, particularly in exercise testing and applied sport science. The city's supportive, close-knit health and sport community and comparatively affordable lifestyle make it an attractive destination for postgraduate study and early-career professional development.
Canberra
Canberra is the home of the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) — one of the world's most prestigious high-performance sport organisations — making it a unique and highly sought-after location for aspiring sports scientists and human performance professionals seeking exposure to elite national sport programs. The city also offers opportunities within federal government health agencies and the Australian Defence Force, where human movement expertise is increasingly valued.
Before choosing a course, students should compare:
International students who want to study in Australia should also consider additional requirements before applying.
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