Bachelor of Physiotherapy (Honours)
If you’re seeking a rewarding career helping others maximise their physical wellbeing regardless of age, injury, illness or disability, UniSC’s Bachelor of Physiotherapy (Honours) may be your perfect fit. In this program, you will learn how to work with people to optimise their movement and function, prevent injury and encourage healthy exercise to enhance their health and mobility.
Completion of this program will open doors to a rewarding career helping others achieve their health-related goals through clinical practice. Through the Honours degree, you may also choose to pursue a research and academic career to inform and drive change, innovation and improvements in health care and education.
In this program you will:
- Undertake 1000+ hours of hands-on, work-integrated learning/clinical placement with industry partners
- Obtain valuable experience as a sports trainer and allied health assistant early in your training, and graduate work-ready for a range of work settings and roles, such as in private practice, hospital, aged care, disability, sports and community health.
- Our curriculum is new, evidence-based, practical, and unique with its focus on employability and interprofessional learning and collaboration
UniSC is currently seeking accreditation from the Australian Physiotherapy Council for the Bachelor of Physiotherapy (Honours) Program, and once accredited graduates will be able to apply to register to practice physiotherapy in Australia.
Location
Entry threshold
ATAR/RankDuration
Full-time only Only a full-time option is available to international students on a Student visa. Online programs are not available to Student visa holders.Indicative fees
Indicative 2025 fees (A$)
QTAC code
Start
- Semester 1
Full-time only. Program to be rolled out. 1st year 2025, 2nd year 2026, 3rd year 2027, 4th year 2028.
*The minimum selection threshold for this program is yet to be determined as there has been no prior intake. An indicative adjusted ATAR/Rank score of 92.00 is anticipated however the minimum threshold will be dependent on the competitiveness of the overall applicant pool.
New applications lodged after 9 December 2024 may not be assessed in time for the January offer round.
- Start
-
- Semester 1
- Delivery mode
-
- Blended Learning
- Total courses
- 32
- Total units
- 384
- Duration
- 4 years 4 years
- UniSC program code
- BH001
Introductory courses (8) 96 units
HLT140 Think Health
HLT150 Indigenous Wellbeing Foundations
LFS103 Introductory Bioscience
LFS112 Human Physiology
LFS122 Human Anatomy
PSY100 Introduction to Psychology A
PTY100 Introduction to Physiotherapy Practice A
PTY101 Introduction to Physiotherapy Practice B
Developing courses (8) 96 units
HLT205 Health Research and Evidence
HLT209 Pharmacology for Allied Health
PTY200 Core Physiotherapy Skills A
PTY201 Core Physiotherapy Skills B
SPX201 Functional Anatomy
SPX202 Biomechanics I
SPX211 Exercise Physiology I
SPX231 Motor Control and Learning
Graduate courses (8) 96 units
HLT304 Health Care in Regional, Rural and Remote Areas
PTY300 Cardiorespiratory Physiotherapy
PTY301 Neurological Physiotherapy
PTY302 Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy A
PTY303 Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy B
PTY304 Paediatric Physiotherapy
PTY305 Physiotherapy for Aging and Disability
PTY406 Physiotherapy for Complex Cases and Unique Populations
Pathway (8) 96 units
Select 1 pathway from:
Physiotherapy Research Pathway
Physiotherapy Clinical Pathway
Note: Program structures are subject to change. Not all UniSC courses are available on every UniSC campus.
Minimum entry threshold
Applicants must meet the minimum ATAR/Rank.
| Location | ATAR/Rank |
|---|---|
| Sunshine Coast | TBA* |
Special selection criteria
All Access UniSC adjustment factors of ATAR will apply for entry into the Bachelor of Physiotherapy (Honours) program.
A limited number of places in this program may be set aside for:
- applicants who identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander. Refer to Indigenous Health Admissions Pathway to check eligibility.
- applicants who reside in a local area. Refer to the Regional Health Workforce Scheme to check eligibility.
Post admission requirements
Fit for Placement Requirements
To maintain their enrolment in the Bachelor of Physiotherapy (Honours) and to be able to access mandatory clinical placements, physiotherapy students will need to meet “Fit for Placement” requirements by the end of first year and maintain currency throughout their study. Associated documentation needs to uploaded to SONIA to enable enrolment into PTY200 Core Physiotherapy Skills A in the first semester of second year.
Fit for Placement requirements include:
1. National Police Check from the Australian Federal Police (as well as International Police Check in country of residence for International Students) (lasts 3 years)
2. Combined Working with Children Check (Blue Card) and NDIS Worker Screening Card (Yellow Card) (or else separate Blue Card and NDIS Worker Screening Card)
3. Completion of the Mental Health First Aid Course
4. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and Provide First Aid certificate (HLTAID011) in year 1 of physiotherapy [Note CPR certificate needs to remain valid throughout program - HLTAID009 needs to be undertaken each year after completion of HLTAID011]
5. Level 1 Sports Trainer Certificate (SISSS00118) before Semester 1 Year 2
6. Mandatory immunisation and health record requirements including vaccination against:
Hepatitis B (full schedule)
Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR)
Diphtheria/Tetanus/Pertussis-Whooping Cough (dTpa)
Chicken pox/varicella COVID 19 – minimum 3 doses Influenza (annual)
Completion of QHealth Tuberculosis Risk Assessment for Students
Respirator/mask fit testing prior to first clinical placement
Meeting “Fit for Placement” requirements will enable students to access clinical sites and interact with clients and the community in courses early within the program, as well as prepare for clinical placements from Year 2 onwards. While the flu vaccine is not yet mandatory for clinical sites, it is strongly recommended students also obtain this for the protection of themselves and vulnerable clients. Some sites may also require COVID 19 screening tests before starting placements, in addition to COVID 19 vaccination evidence. Students are also required to comply with infection control practices, safe manual handling, privacy and confidentiality principles and other relevant policies and procedures at each clinical site. Students also are advised that they need to be vaccinated against COVID-19 to attend classes at Sunshine Coast Health Institute and so they should undertake this vaccination as soon as they accept their offer to study the Bachelor of Physiotherapy as classes may commence here as early as Semester 1 in Year 1.
Students will also need to complete additional paperwork, tasks and training associated with work-integrated learning/clinical placements as they progress through the program. For example, mandatory tasks to be completed in relation to each clinical placement include:
1. The UniSC Code of Conduct Form and uploading to SONIA before each placement
2. Placement Agreement Forms and uploading to SONIA before each placement
3. iLearn modules before Queensland Health placement (e.g. orientation checklist, building emergency procedures, prevention of musculoskeletal disorders, health safety and wellbeing, code of conduct and student deed poll)
4. Clinical Experience Log and uploading to SONIA after each placement
(The log includes a de-identified record of the clients students are involved in assessing and treating i.e. age, diagnosis, location, physio assessment and treatment skills -this is required for accreditation, and will inform placement allocations so that students meet practice threshold requirements )
Students are responsible for all costs associated with meeting “fit for placement” requirements and travel, accommodation, and parking associated with clinical placements. Where available, the placement office will advertise relevant scholarships and low-cost accommodation options for students on placements. Students will also need to purchase and wear their approved physiotherapy clinical uniform during clinical placements, as well as practical viva assessments and clinical simulations. The navy ‘Physiotherapy Student’ embroidered short sleeve ladies' blouse, men’s shirt or unisex tunic must always be worn whilst on placement. Shirts, blouses, and tunics can be ordered online from Game Clothing and will be shipped directly to students. Orders may take up to four weeks to arrive.
Note Additional USC Uniform requirements:
- Navy or black tailored trousers or shorts (knee-length)
- Navy, charcoal or black closed-in shoes
- USC Student cards must always be worn and visible whilst on placement
- A plain, dark coloured jacket, jumper or cardigan may be added in cool weather
- Jewellery, make-up and scent (e.g. perfume, deodorant, aftershave) is to be kept to a minimum.
- Hair, whatever the style, should be professional looking and tidy.
- Fingernails kept short, clean, and free of nail polish. No artificial nails of any kind.
Additional entry information
English language requirements
Non-standard English language requirements apply.
- Prerequisites
English (Units 3/4, C)
- Recommended prior study
- General Mathematics or Mathematical Methods or Specialist Mathematics (Units 3/4, C); At least one of the sciences: Biology, Chemistry or Physics
To graduate from BH001 Bachelor of Physiotherapy (Honours), a student is required to:
- Successfully complete 384 units as outlined in the program structure
- Complete a clinical or research pathway
- Achieve at least 50% in practical assessments (e.g. objective structured clinical examinations) that screen student readiness to safely assess and treat clients under supervision on clinical placement. These assessements are embedded within:
- PTY101 Introduction to Physiotherapy Practice B
- PTY201 Core Physiotherapy Skills B
- PTY300 Cardiorespiratory Physiotherapy
- PTY301 Neurological Physiotherapy
- PTY302 Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy A
- PTY303 Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy B
- PTY304 Paediatric Physiotherapy
4. Students must submit clinical experience logs and reflections associated with clinical placements and fieldwork. These requirements are embedded within:
- PTY200 Core Physiotherapy Skills A
- PTY201 Core Physiotherapy Skills B
- PTY304 Paediatric Physiotherapy
- PTY305 Physiotherapy for Aging and Disability
- PTY400 Physiotherapy Practicum A
- PTY401 Physiotherapy Practicum B
- PTY402 Physiotherapy Practicum C
- PTY403 Physiotherapy Practicum D
- PTY404 Physiotherapy Practicum E (clinical pathway students only)
5. Students in the clinical and research pathway must participate in journal club and successfully complete the ethical, legal and professional practice quiz. These requirements are embedded within
- PTY408 Evidence Based Practice and Innovation in Physiotherapy B (clinical pathway)
- HLT400 Research Dissertation A- Literature Review and Research Questions in Health (research pathway)
- PTY405 Graduate Work Readiness and Professional Issues in Physiotherapy (clinical pathway)
- HLT404 Research Dissertation D – Completing Your Thesis and Communicating Research Findings in Health (research pathway)
Physiotherapy Clinical Pathway and Research Pathways
At the end of second year of physiotherapy study at UniSC, high achieving students (with a minimum GPA of 5.0) will have the option of applying to transfer into the research pathway within the Bachelor of Physiotherapy (Honours) and undertake a supervised individualised honours project over years 3 and 4. Otherwise students will undertake the clinical pathway.
Honours Classification and Calculation
Physiotherapy graduates on the research pathway will be eligible to receive a classified honours qualification calculated on the marks acheived across research dissertation courses.
The determination of the class of honours received is based on the following:
- Class I: overall grade in the range 80% - 100%
- Class IIA: overall grade in the range 70% - 79%
- Class IIB: overall grade in the range 60% - 69%
Graduates in the research pathway who score less than 60% across research dissertation courses, and graduates in the clinical pathway will receive an unclassified honours award. This means that physiotherapy gradutes who undertake the research pathway may be eligible for direct entry into a Doctor of Philosophy program (AQF10), while all other students would be eligible for entry into Masters of Philosophy research program (or similar) (AQF9).
WIL notes
Clinical placements
Bachelor of Physiotherapy (Honours) students will undertake 1000+ hours of supervised clinical placements over the four years of the program. Close monitoring of student experiences on clinical placement will be undertaken so that students have adequate clinical experience across core domains of physiotherapy practice (e.g. musculoskeletal, neurological, cardiorespiratory) with different age groups (i.e. children to older adults) and in different contexts (e.g. hospital, private practice, aged care facilities, community settings). Student competency on placement in years 3 and 4 will be assessed using the standardised assessment tool for physiotherapy – Assessment of Physiotherapy Practice (APP). A modified clinical placement assessment will be utilised in second year. Clinical placements may be sourced anywhere in Australia, although the predominant focus will be on sourcing placements in Queensland, Sunshine Coast and regional areas in Australia.
Academic and Clinical Calendar
Second year physiotherapy students will undertake 120 hours of clinical placement (i.e. equivalent to 3 weeks full time) which will be scheduled in a flexible manner across the year according to clinical partner and student availability. This may include part time placement during semester around classes, or else full time placement blocks scheduled within semester breaks. Clinical placement in second year is embedded within PTY200 Core Physiotherapy Skills A and PTY201 Core Physiotherapy Skills B.
In third year physiotherapy students will undertake their first graduate level placement – a 5-week full time placement in Trimester 3 or Session 1 (PTY400 Physiotherapy Practicum A). In fourth year, physiotherapy students will undertake another 15-20 weeks of clinical placements in 5-week full time placement blocks (PTY401 Physiotherapy Practicum B, PTY402 Physiotherapy Practicum C, PTY403 Physiotherapy Practicum D, PTY404 Physiotherapy Practicum E). The timing of 5-week clincal placement blocks will align with the national physiotherapy placement calendar (ie across 9 blocks).
Teaching in Year 4
Students will be allocated to placements based on clinical partner availability therefore academic courses in fourth year will be taught flexibly around clinical placement allocations. Academic courses in fourth year will therefore have a blended learning design with flexible online learning modules and intensive on-campus workshops. Intensive on-campus workshops will be scheduled across the semester within different clinical placement blocks to accomodate variable student placement allocations.
Fit for placement requirements
To maintain their enrolment in the Bachelor of Physiotherapy (Honours) and to be able to access mandatory clinical placements, physiotherapy students will need to meet “Fit for Placement” requirements by the end of first-year and maintain currency throughout their study. Associated documentation needs to be uploaded to SONIA to enable enrolment into PTY200 Core Physiotherapy Skills A – the first clinical placement is embedded in this course.