Physiotherapy education in Australia

[TobiM]

Hello !
I`m interested in the organization and run of the education of physiotherapists in Australia. Who can give me some information ?
Thanks
TobiM

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[davidbradshaw]

Hi TobiM,

There is some good basic information at the Australian Physiotherapy Association website: www.physiotherapy.asn.au. There are links from there to the various educational facilities.

Some general information:

Physiotherapy is a regulated health profession, meaning that a person requires registration (or an "authority to practice") from a statutory authority. These authorities are regulated by the various Australian states and territories.

Physio education typically requires a four year bachelor degree, or a two year master degree following a related bachelor degree (eg exercise physiology). Enter into physio courses is highly competitve, typically requiring high school leaving scores in the top ~5% of the state). There are systems for accrediting overseas trained physios, typically requiring exams to be sat.

Physio is an autonomous health profession, with physios being able to act as primary care practitioners (ie they don't need a refererral to assess and treat a patient).

Physios may work either in public health systems or private practice.

Cheers, Dave.