Master of Physiotherapy Practice

All applicants:

Successful completion of an Australian bachelor degree (or equivalent).

Applicants must have completed their degree within the last five years.

International applicants to complete and attach Prerequisite information form to their application.

Specialisation - Compulsory: Tertiary-level subjects in musculoskeletal anatomy (2 units) and human physiology (1 unit).

Specialisation - Recommended: Tertiary-level subjects in neuroanatomy, pathophysiology, psychology, pharmacology, evidence-based practice, research methods or statistics, determinants of health, human movement, biomechanics, communication or education are also desirable.

WAM - Weighted Average Mark (WAM) at least 65%

Applicants who completed their degree more than 5 years ago may be considered on the basis of postgraduate study and/or relevant work experience.

Academic entry requirements

• Applicants may supply their resumé if completed degree more than 5 years ago.

Inherent requirements

Behavioural and relational skills

Physiotherapy students must behave ethically and in accordance with relevant laws and professional codes of conduct to ensure safe, consensual and professional practice in all contexts. Physiotherapy students require the maturity and capacity to manage their own emotions and behaviour effectively when working with people in educational and practice settings, including in situations that can be challenging, unpredictable and stressful. Physiotherapy students are required to be physically examined by their peers in mixed-gender practical classes, and to interact with and physically examine their peers and clients (of all ages, genders, linguistic and cultural backgrounds) in teaching and clinical / hospital environments. With consent, students will be required to remove layers of clothing, which may include to the level of their underwear, when practicing physiotherapy assessment and treatment techniques on each other for learning purposes. Students will be required to administer physiotherapy treatment to clients in teaching and clinical settings who, with consent, will also remove layers of their clothing. The ability to effectively detect, interpret and apply verbal and non-verbal communication are fundamental to physiotherapy practice. For example, displaying appropriate facial expressions, gestures and eye contact, while being mindful of space and time boundaries, promotes the development of rapport and trust in academic and professional relationships. The ability to observe and interpret verbal and non-verbal cues is essential for safe and effective assessment and treatment of clients in healthcare settings. Interactions with clients also need to be respectful, culturally sensitive, clear, accurate, attentive, empathetic, and non-judgemental. Being sensitive to individual differences displays respect and empathy to others and develops trusting relationships.

Physiotherapy students also need to receive and maintain an agreed schedule of vaccinations to meet the requirements of clinical placement providers in various healthcare settings – students must attend clinical placements in a variety of healthcare settings to fulfill the course requirements.

Physiotherapy Board of Australia Code of Conduct: https://www.physiotherapyboard.gov.au/Codes-Guidelines/Code-of-conduct.aspx Physiotherapy Practice Thresholds: https://www.physiotherapyboard.gov.au/documents/default.aspx?record=WD15%2f16750&dbid=AP&chksum=LWuk27uBUFj5MTUort6Qug%3d%3d

Cognition

Safe and effective delivery of physiotherapy practice is based on comprehensive knowledge that must be sourced, understood, recalled and applied appropriately; this includes conceptualising and applying appropriate knowledge in response to academic assessment tasks. It also includes appropriately applying knowledge of theory, research evidence, policies and procedures in the class and practice settings. Literacy skills are required to: convey spoken and written messages accurately and effectively in learning and practice settings; paraphrase, summarise and reference in accordance with appropriate academic conventions in written assignments. Additionally, effective written communication is required to ensure written and electronic clinical documentation meets professional and medico-legal requirements. Competent application of numeracy skills is essential in physiotherapy to facilitate the safe and effective delivery of care. Examples include accurately measuring and recording physiological characteristics in client notes; completing accurate arithmetic calculations of outcome measures; prescribing adaptive equipment that correctly meets client measurement requirements e.g. wheelchair or gait aid prescription.

Physiotherapy service delivery requires sufficient physical and mental endurance and resilience to effectively perform detailed and/or multiple tasks over sustained and repeated periods, independently and autonomously. Sustained concentration and alertness is required to ensure consistently effective and safe implementation and monitoring of physiotherapy practice. Examples include: participating in face-to-face and virtual lectures, tutorials and practical classes; remain in an upright position for sustained periods of time in practical classes and clinical settings; provide consistent physiotherapy service delivery for the required number of hours while completing clinical placements.

Physiotherapy Practice Thresholds: https://www.physiotherapyboard.gov.au/documents/default.aspx?record=WD15%2f16750&dbid=AP&chksum=LWuk27uBUFj5MTUort6Qug%3d%3d

Sensory (visual, auditory, tactile, olfaction)

Physiotherapy students require sufficient visual acuity to demonstrate the required range of skills, tasks and assessments to maintain consistent, accurate and safe care to self and others. Visual observations, examinations and assessment are fundamental to safe and effective physiotherapy practice. Examples include observing and detecting subtle changes in a client's anatomical appearance, posture, movement and functional activities during assessment; closely monitoring a client during treatment; viewing medical records including written test results and radiological imaging films; and using electronic devices to aid assessment and treatment. Sufficient auditory ability is necessary to monitor, assess and manage individual health needs consistently and accurately. Auditory assessments and observations are fundamental to safe and effective physiotherapy practice, with examples including: listening to normal and abnormal breathing and heart sounds through a stethoscope; detecting emergency cues such as buzzers, alarms, public address announcements, or calls for help; accurately monitoring a client's verbal and non-verbal responses during assessment and treatment such as expressions of pain or verbal feedback. Sufficient tactile ability is necessary to monitor, assess and detect clients' physical characteristics and act on any abnormalities detected to provide appropriate physiotherapy management. Tactile assessments and treatments are fundamental to safe and effective physiotherapy practice, with examples including: palpating and manipulating precise anatomical structures including joints, muscles, soft tissues, and pulses to detect and correct abnormalities.

Strength and mobility

Physiotherapy students require sufficient gross and fine motor skills to provide effective healthcare over sustained periods of time. This includes the ability to appropriately position self, equipment, and clients to perform tasks consistently and safely to reduce risk of harm to self and others. Tasks that involve gross motor skills include lifting, carrying, pushing, pulling, standing, twisting, and bending. Examples of gross motor skills that are important for physiotherapy include: maintaining own and client's balance / support during assessment and treatment; transferring and mobilising people in a safe manner; handling or supporting a client's limbs, trunk, head or whole body; demonstrating and facilitating aerobic, balance and strength exercises including the use of weights, springs, pulleys and resistance bands; evaluating and facilitating movement of clients in a safe and effective manner who have varying physical capacity, who are positioned on plinths and hospital beds, on mats on the floor, on chairs and when standing/walking. Tasks that involve fine motor skills include being able to grasp, press, push, turn, squeeze and manipulate various people and objects. Examples of fine motor skills that are important for physiotherapy include: demonstrating, measuring and facilitating exercises, movements and daily activities that involve precise movement of individual joints and muscles; palpating and manipulating precise anatomical structures for assessment and treatment purposes; safely operate tools and devices used in the assessment and treatment of clients (eg. stethoscope, goniometer, dynamometer).

International students:

English language requirements

Please refer to our Language requirements page for details of other accepted English proficiency tests and additional recognised English language proficiency measures, such as English as the language of instruction.

7.0 IELTS (Academic) with no individual band less than 7.0.

IELTS, TOEFL and PTE are the only English Proficiency tests accepted for entry into this course.