University of South Australia

Physiotherapy

Interested in Physiotherapy?

Study at the No.1 university in South Australia for graduate careers in physiotherapy.1

Start your unstoppable career helping people to reach their bodies’ full potential. As a registered physiotherapist you’ll be at the forefront of care, being eligible to work as a first contact professional and valued member of allied healthcare teams. UniSA's physiotherapy programs will develop your capability to assess, treat and prevent human movement disorders, enabling people to lead healthy and functional lives.

UniSA's Bachelor of Physiotherapy (Honours) was South Australia's fully accredited undergraduate four-year physiotherapy honours. This degree will give you the opportunity to build industry networks through 45 weeks of practical experience in metropolitan, rural and regional health settings. 

Graduates of health-related bachelors degrees may be eligible for the Master of Physiotherapy (Graduate Entry), a two-year program designed to meet the registration requirements to practice as a physiotherapist.

If you're a practising physiotherapist seeking to gain advanced knowledge and clinical skills, take your unstoppable career further with a Graduate Certificate in Advanced Clinical Musculoskeletal and Sports Physiotherapy or a Master of Advanced Clinical Physiotherapy. You'll complete supervised placements with personal mentoring from advanced clinicians in your area of practice.

1ComparED (QILT) Graduate Outcomes Survey 2019-21, Rehabilitation – Full-time Employment Indicator (Undergraduate). SA public universities.

Key features

  • Become an expert in the structure and function of the human body, and learn how to maximise its performance and treat chronic conditions and acute injuries.

  • Join the in-demand physiotherapy profession with South Australia’s first fully accredited degree from a university with more than 50 years of experience in allied health education.

  • Gain hands-on experience in UniSA's student-led physiotherapy clinics, and through clinical placements in industries including acute care, rehabilitation, paediatrics, aged care and disability, musculoskeletal and sports physiotherapy.

  • Benefit from our strong industry partnerships and alliances.

  • Graduate competent and confident to work across all areas of physiotherapy's scope with a respected honours degree, with opportunity to specialise in research or professional practice.

  • Learn from internationally-renowned teachers and clinicians who are experts in their field.

  • Study a contemporary and culturally diverse curriculum informed by above world-class research in physiotherapy.1

  • Join a Top 10 university in Australia for graduate careers in physiotherapy.2

1Results in Clinical Sciences – 2018 Excellence in Research for Australia (ERA). 2Ranked equal #9, ComparED (QILT) Graduate Outcomes Survey 2021-23, Rehabilitation – Overall Employment Indicator (Domestic
Undergraduate). Public universities

Why UniSA?

UniSA is an unstoppable university for unstoppable people. As one of the World’s Top Young Universities,1 we’ll ensure you get the experience your future profession demands so it’ll feel like you’re studying one minute and in a career the next.

Benefit from a university with more than 50 years of experience in physiotherapy teaching and research. At UniSA, you're encouraged to build industry relationships from day one of your degree. You’ll advance your knowledge and skills through supervised clinical placements across metropolitan, rural and regional health settings.

UniSA is Australia’s youngest university with a five-star rating for excellence,2 and this excellence shines through our teaching. You’ll be taught by registered practicing physiotherapists and award winning academics at the top of their fields, and have the opportunity to put this knowledge into practice in UniSA's student-led physiotherapy clinics under their guidance.

1Ranked #43, 2024 THE Young University Rankings. 22023 QS Stars Ratings.

UniSA offers the following Physiotherapy degrees

Choose your level of study

Short programs

Are you after a career change or looking to upgrade your existing skills? Or perhaps you just have an interest in a particular subject area and want to further your experience, skills and knowledge. We offer a suite of short programs that will allow you to build your knowledge and skill set.

Designed in collaboration with expert academics, program content is industry-relevant and up-to-date. Short programs include:

World-class partners for a world-class university

We are a globally connected university with over 2,500 industry and professional relationships that support student internships, research and community engagement.

SA Health logo
Calvary logo
Adelaide Crows logo
Port Power logo
Cancer Council logo>
	
	
</div><div class= Helping Hand logo
Mayne Pharma logo
The Road Home logo

Your career

As experts in biopsychosocial practice, physiotherapists can work across management, administration, education, research, policy development, advisory and regulatory roles in:

  • private practice
  • clinics
  • sport and exercise services 
  • rehabilitation centres
  • hospitals
  • home and community services 
  • disability services
  • aged care facilities 
  • women's health and paediatric services 
  • occupational and health promotion units
  • research
Your Career

Global networks

As a globally connected university, our staff and students come from over 90 countries. We have more than 2,500 industry and professional relationships that support student internships, research and community engagement.

Our students have completed placements and internships with organisations like:

  • Aged Care and Housing Group (ACH)
  • Antipodeans Abroad
  • Back in Motion Health Group
  • Department for Education and Child Development
  • Flinders Medical Centre
  • Helping Hand Aged Care
  • Novita Children’s Services
  • Royal Adelaide Hospital.

Industry facts

job-listings

Employment for physiotherapists in Australia is projected to increase by 28.7% by November 2026.

Australian Government National Skills Commission Employment Projections 2021

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To November 2026, healthcare and social assistance is projected to make the largest contribution to employment growth in Australia – an increase of 301,000 jobs.

Australian Government National Skills Commission Employment Projections 2021

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Healthcare and social assistance has been the primary provider of new jobs in the Australian labour market since the 1990s.

Australian Government National Skills Commission Employment Projections 2021

Ask UniSA

  • How do I apply? minus-thick plus-thick

    There are a number of ways to apply to study UniSA's undergraduate and postgraduate coursework degrees.

    You can access our online International Application System through our How to Apply page. The International Application System is an easy and secure online application and acceptance process. You will have visibility of your application through the secure online portal with the ability to download offer documents, submit your acceptance and make a payment.

    Alternatively you can submit an application through one of the University's registered Education Agents.

    If you are completing an Australian year 12 qualification in Australia or overseas, or the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme in Australia, you must apply through SATAC http://www.satac.edu.au/.

    If you are applying for the UniSA Study Abroad or Study Abroad Plus program, you can submit your application online here.

    Postgraduate study by research
    For information on applying to do postgraduate study by research, including Masters by Research, PhDs or Doctorates, please visit http://unisa.edu.au/resdegrees.

  • Is there a closing date for applications? minus-thick plus-thick

    There is no closing date for submitting your application however the admissions process takes between one and three weeks from the date that we receive your application and all required supporting documentation.

    If you are completing an Australian year 12 qualification in Australia or overseas, or the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme in Australia, you must apply through SATAC. Key dates for applications can be found here.

  • What credit can I receive for previous studies? minus-thick plus-thick

    You may be eligible to receive credit or advanced standing for your chosen UniSA degree based on your previous studies, if they are in a related area at an equivalent or higher level. Receiving credit will reduce the number of courses you undertake within the degree, and may also reduce the overall duration of your degree.

    The amount of credit you may be eligible to receive is assessed on a case-by-case basis by the Admissions team.

    The best way to determine your eligibility to receive credit or advanced standing is to apply using our International Application System which can be found on our How to Apply page. You will need to supply detailed syllabus documents with your application.

  • Can I speak to someone regarding my study options? minus-thick plus-thick

    UniSA welcomes the opportunity to speak with you regarding your study options. Our staff are able to talk to you about degree information, career outcomes and pathways, entry requirements, applications, and student life, so that you are able to make the best study decision for your future.

    Click here to book a 1:1 appointment with one of our enquiries team.

    We also have many events throughout the year in Australia and overseas where you can speak with UniSA representatives about your area of interest. View our calendar of events in your home country by selecting the 'International' filter.

More FAQs

What others are saying

UniSA provides students with the opportunity to work onsite in the real world, through practical placements. This was the highlight of my degree, particularly working with Port Adelaide Football Club where I got to analyse injury data and assess the relationship with injuries.

Leigh Schneebichler

Bachelor of Physiotherapy

Leigh Schneebichler

Leigh Schneebichler

Bachelor of Physiotherapy

I always knew I wanted to be on my toes and work outside an office, which is why physiotherapy was a good fit for me. I also like the idea of working in the health industry and helping other people. Physiotherapy is a broad profession, with many different areas like sport injuries, rehabilitation, acute care and paediatrics.

Liam McAuliffe

Bachelor of Physiotherapy (Honours)

Liam McAuliffe

Liam McAuliffe

Bachelor of Physiotherapy (Honours)

Why study at UniSA?

As one of the most innovative universities in Australia and Asia, there are many reasons to study with us. Here are just three:

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Accessible, helpful and flexible

We have six campuses, a 24/7 online learning environment, and we offer flexible study options like online and evening courses.

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Graduate success

UniSA is South Australia's number one university for graduate careers.*
*ComparED (QILT) Graduate Outcomes Survey 2019-21 – Full-time Employment Indicator (Undergraduate). SA public universities.

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A five star university

Five stars for research, employability, teaching, facilities, internationalisation, inclusiveness and innovation*
*2023 QS Stars Ratings