Bachelor of Physiotherapy

Do you wish to practice as a physiotherapist? The University of Notre Dame Australia’s Bachelor of Physiotherapy degree is a 4-year full-time program that prepares you to become an effective, culturally-appropriate practitioner focusing on the physiotherapist-client relationship. This program includes foundational courses aligned with specialised physiotherapy-specific courses and clinical placement experiences. There is a strong focus on ethical and professional communication and behaviours as well as on developing high-level communication skills with clients and as part of collaborative multi-disciplinary practice. Graduates from this program will be eligible for registration as a physiotherapist with the Australian Health Practitioner Registration Agency (Ahpra).

Why study this degree?

• Are you the person who wants to make a career helping others be the best they can be? Do you dream of joining a profession that bases its decisions on scientific evidence and makes exciting therapeutic advancements daily?
• At Notre Dame, we explore every avenue of physiotherapy practice in your on-campus studies and approximately 1000 hours of clinical practice (practicum).
• You will develop clinical assessment and intervention skills in laboratories, simulated learning environments, and exposure to patients in physiotherapy practices, hospitals or community health settings in urban and rural locations.
• The program also strongly focuses on evidence-based and reflective practice ensuring graduates will be well prepared to meet the challenge of current and future health provision across the many clinical and non-clinical areas in which Physiotherapists are employed.

Learning outcomes

• Upon successful completion of the Bachelor of Physiotherapy, graduates will be able to:
• Demonstrate effective verbal and written communication skills with clients, families, carers and service providers across a range of clinical contexts
• Practice professional and ethical behaviour, demonstrating respect and sensitivity to clients with diverse social, cultural, and spiritual beliefs
• Recognise limitations to current knowledge, skills and abilities through reflective practice and demonstrate commitment to ongoing professional development and lifelong learning
• Apply an evidence based approach to physiotherapy-based healthcare management developed through the use of contemporary information communication technology and management skills by accessing and critically appraising best available evidence
• Demonstrate a broad range of theoretical knowledge and clinical skills to practice safe, effective entry-level physiotherapy-based healthcare management across a range of clinical settings
• Conduct effective assessment and critically analyse findings to formulate and prioritise healthcare management within the scope of practice for physiotherapy
• Develop physiotherapy-based health promotion and management strategies based on collaborative client-centred goals and empower clients to participate in healthcare decision making
• Contribute to healthcare delivery through effective inter-professional communication and practice; and
• Articulate objective and universal truth, appreciate the intrinsic dignity of the human person, and exhibit good intellectual, moral and theological habits.

Career opportunities

• Graduates of this program can follow diverse career paths in the private and public health sectors; career opportunities range from working in physiotherapy practices, hospitals or community health settings in both urban and rural locations in the fields of cardiorespiratory, musculoskeletal, neurology, paediatrics, research, clinical, academic teaching.

Real-world experience

• You will learn from academics who are industry leaders and, through our practicum placements and internship programs, you will gain real professional experience and make valuable contacts with potential employers.