Overview 2024
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- CRICOS: 106189A
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This course will give you the qualifications and skills you need to become a practicing physiotherapist. Developed in collaboration with health professionals, industry leaders and professional bodies, this course will equip you with the future facing capabilities required to adapt and respond to rapidly occurring changes in health, and the health system.
Through problem-based and practical learning experiences, you will be introduced to a range of health care settings that have widespread community health impact. You will be challenged to reflect on your views, and to consider how your values and strengths influence your practice as an emerging physiotherapist.
You will participate in community-based projects and authentic experiential learning activities that develop and apply lean and system thinking skills, preparing you to respond to complex health care problems. These are distinctive areas of professional development that will build your capacity for work readiness, ensuring client-centred, quality and safe health care across diverse service delivery settings experienced in regional, rural and metropolitan landscapes.
It is a full- time course that runs over four semesters, with 50 credit points (4 units) each semester. Alternative pathways can be discussed with the Course Coordinator. The Master of Physiotherapy has it’s ‘home base’ in Launceston but, where possible, it is place-based, so that you can complete elements of study from wherever you reside in Tasmania.
Throughout the four stages of the course, you will engage in online and independent learning, including weekly, one day, face-to-face workshops with staff in Launceston or Hobart. You also need to be available to attend two week-long Residential Schools in Launceston each semester, and engage in Work Integrated Learning (WIL) opportunities throughout the course as part of the units. These include a supervised professional experience placement (PEP) in each semester of the program, which are collocated to your place of residence where possible.
Block placements will occur across Tasmania, and travel to participate in these activities may be required over the duration of the course. Please note this mean you are unable to undertake the course from interstate.
You will also be expected to complete formal manual handling training and first aid certification prior to commencing their PEP placements.
Graduates of the Master of Physiotherapy complete the degree equipped with the theoretical and practical skills required by for their future career as a registered Physiotherapist.
Course objectives
The Master of Physiotherapy is designed to set up a new generation of agile health professionals, with capability in leadership and future-focused health care.
With many graduate job opportunities currently available and anticipated to grow, our objective is to prepare students to be leaders in current and emerging jobs, by forging relationships with communities, mentors and health and social care facilities to apply their skills across healthcare sectors.
In preparing for modern practice, students will be digitally equipped, and have the right mindset to become leaders of future health care improvements across private and public practice settings as they develop in their career.
Learning Outcomes
Practical experience
Undertake immersive hands-on learning in real healthcare environments with experienced physiotherapy practitioners and learn about contextual aspects of population health and service delivery. Your professional experience placements will span a range of physiotherapy settings (paediatrics, youth, aged, rural, community, aged and acute), as well as musculoskeletal, cardiorespiratory and neurological areas of physiotherapy practice.
You will build vital professional skills such as client-centered care, clinical reasoning, quality assurance, evidence based practice, interprofessional teamwork and leadership by engaging in authentic case and problem based learning.
Through our on campus simulated learning environments, you will have the opportunity to practice your physiotherapy assessment and intervention skills and enhance your clinical reasoning, organisation, time management, communication and conflict resolution skill.
Safety in Practice Compliance
This course includes compulsory Professional Experience Placements. You must meet the College of Health and Medicine's Safety in Practice Requirements before census date of the first semester of your course. The safety in practice requirements are completed separately to the course admission application.
Career outcomes
Allied Health professionals are in high demand across the health sector with employment for Physiotherapist projected to increase in Australia by 14% by November 2025*.
Our Master of Physiotherapy will provide you with qualifications that can lead to various job opportunities in Tasmania, Australia and overseas. As a physiotherapist, you can work across a range of different industries including;
- Aged Care
- Cardiothoracic
- Emergency
- Government sector
- Musculoskeletal
- Neurological
- Oncology
- Paediatrics
- Private Industry
- Sports health
- Women’s health
*Australian Government Department of Education, Skills and Employment, 2020 Occupational Projections.
Professional Accreditation
The Master of Physiotherapy is a professionally accredited degree. This course is accredited by the Australian Physiotherapy Council.
Graduates may meet the requirements for registration with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) as a Physiotherapist. There may be additional requirements for registration beyond the completion of the course. For further registration requirements, please visit the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency website.
If you have any queries about the accreditation process, please contact us for further information.
Course structure
The course comprises sixteen (16) core units, is studied full time, and uses a semester structure.
Year 1
This unit introduces the scope of public health practice in the 21st century and the social, political and economic context within which public health practitioners operate. The unit combines theoretical and practical material to assist students to understand the social…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 1 | ||||
| Hobart | Semester 2 | ||||
| Online | Semester 1 | ||||
| Online | Semester 2 | ||||
This unit introduces students to an interprofessional framework and foundational concepts related to joining a regulated profession and that are shared across allied health disciplines. Within the interprofessional framework, allied health students develop an understanding of the professional contexts in…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Launceston | Semester 2 | ||||
View all details for CXA705 Becoming an Allied Health Professional
This unit builds upon the foundational knowledge and skills introduced in the previous units to examine musculoskeletal physiotherapy (CXA705, CXA736, and CXA737). It therefore retains the focus on applying the biopsychosocial model of practice, person-centered practice, evidence-based practice, reflective practice,…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Launceston | Semester 1 | ||||
This professional experience placement unit brings together core foundational physiotherapy practice knowledge and skills and requires students to apply them to work in supervised practice with clients who present with neuro-musculoskeletal conditions. There is a retained focus on the application…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Launceston | Semester 1 | ||||
View all details for CXA709 Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy Practice
This unit introduces students to foundational knowledge and skills required for physiotherapists to perform their roles as resilient, confident, and autonomous practitioners in the delivery of safe, quality, person-centered, evidence-based practice. The scope of physiotherapy practice is examined, and students…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Launceston | Semester 2 | ||||
This professional experience placement unit brings together core foundational physiotherapy practice knowledge and skills and requires students to apply them to work in supervised practice with clients who are in aged care, are orthopaedic inpatients or who have lower limb…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Launceston | Semester 2 | ||||
This unit builds upon the foundational knowledge and skills introduced in the previous units to examine cardiorespiratory physiotherapy. It, therefore, retains the focus on applying the biopsychosocial model of practice, person centred practice, evidence-based practice, reflective practice, critical thinking and…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Launceston | Semester 1 | ||||
This unit explores how historical, cultural and social elements, as well as previous and contemporary policy frameworks, shape the health and wellbeing of Australia’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today. Cultural safety, self-determination and collaboration are central concepts within…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 1 | ||||
| Launceston | Semester 1 | ||||
| Cradle Coast | Semester 1 | ||||
| Online | Semester 1 | ||||
View all details for HGA746 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health and Wellbeing
Year 2
This unit will equip students with an understanding of the research methods used in health disciplines in order to interpret published research, and design research of their own. The Unit content includes the theoretical underpinning of both qualitative and quantitative…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 2 | ||||
| Online | Semester 1 | ||||
| Online | Semester 2 | ||||
This unit consolidates knowledge and skills related to collaborative leadership and public health, and synthesises them with skills and shared frameworks critical for allied health professionals working in community-based settings. Principles of population health and prevention and promotion strategies are…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Launceston | Semester 1 | ||||
View all details for CXA713 Transitioning to Community-Based Allied Health Practice
This professional experience placement unit brings together core developing physiotherapy practice knowledge and skills and requires students to apply them to work in supervised practice with clients who present with cardiorespiratory conditions. There is a retained focus is on the…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Launceston | Semester 2 | ||||
View all details for CXA739 Cardiorespiratory Physiotherapy Practice
This unit consolidates knowledge and skills related to professional practice issues and communication in physiotherapy. The unit retains the focus on client assessment, planning and interventions using a clinical reasoning approach. Physiotherapy approaches are studied in relation to prevention, management…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Launceston | Semester 1 | ||||
| Launceston | Semester 2 | ||||
This professional experience placement unit consolidates physiotherapy practice knowledge and skills and requires you to apply them to work in supervised practice with clients who present with complex neurological conditions. The focus is on your professional experiential learning, including clinical…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Launceston | Semester 1 | ||||
View all details for CXA741 Neurological Physiotherapy Practice
This unit consolidates knowledge and skills related to professional practice issues and communication in physiotherapy. The unit retains the focus on client assessment, planning and interventions using a clinical reasoning approach. Physiotherapy approaches are studied in relation to prevention, management…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Launceston | Semester 1 | ||||
View all details for CXA742 Physiotherapy Across the Lifespan
This professional experience placement unit brings together core foundational physiotherapy practice knowledge and skills and requires you to apply them to work in supervised practice with clients who present with complex and/or chronic conditions across the lifespan. There is a…
Credit Points: 12.5
This unit is currently unavailable.
View all details for CXA743 Physiotherapy Across the Lifespan Practice
This unit is the second of three interprofessional units in the program, and builds on knowledge and skills related to client-centred care, client safety and quality, and interprofessional collaborative practice. You will develop the necessary knowledge, skills, and professional attributes…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Launceston | Semester 2 | ||||
View all details for CXA746 Developing as Allied Health Collaborators
Entry requirements
For Domestic students
APPLICATION SUBMISSION DEADLINE: Please note the closing time and date for receipt of applications for first-round offers is 11:59PM (AEDST) Thursday 30th November 2023. Applications submitted after this date will only be assessed and offers made if places remain.
Admission to the Master of Physiotherapy is highly competitive and achieving the entry requirements does not guarantee an offer for this course.
Applicants who meet the entry requirements are ranked and offers are made based on the number of places available.
This course uses a minimum credit average GPA requirement for prior tertiary education and equivalent ranks as part of the admission process.
Applicants must have completed a Bachelor or Master degree (other than Physiotherapy) from an Australian university in the last 10 years, having completed the equivalent of:
- two units (25 credit points) of human physiology, ideally including exercise physiology
- two units (25 credit points) of human anatomy, including detailed musculoskeletal, cardiorespiratory and neurological anatomy
- one unit (12.5 credit points) of study in psychology, and
- one unit (12.5 credit points) of study in research methods and/or evidence-based practice.
Bachelor degree in study fields such as exercise science, biomedical or other health science is recommended.
Applicants requiring additional study to meet prerequisites should see 50G Undergraduate Certificate in Allied Health
SAFETY IN PRACTICE REQUIREMENTS
This course includes compulsory Professional Experience Placements. You must meet the College of Health and Medicine's Safety in Practice Requirements before census date of the first semester of your course. The safety in practice requirements are completed separately to the course admission application.
For International students
APPLICATION SUBMISSION DEADLINE: Please note the closing time and date for receipt of applications for first-round offers is 11:59PM (AEDST) Thursday 30 November 2023. Applications submitted after this date will only be assessed and offers made if places remain.
English Language Requirements
IELTS Academic minimum score of 6.5 overall and a minimum score of 6.5 in each individual band OR successful* completed a minimum of 12 months of full time (or equivalent) studies undertaken at institutions in Australia, UK, US, Singapore, Canada or NZ within the previous 24 months.
* Good academic progress must have been made with passes in more than 50% of enrolment in any given semester
The IELTS result must be no older than two years and six months at the expected course commencement date.
All Other Requirements
Admission to the Master of Physiotherapy is highly competitive and achieving the entry requirements does not guarantee an offer for this course.
Applicants who meet the entry requirements are ranked and offers are made based on the number of places available.
This course uses a minimum credit average GPA requirement for prior tertiary education and equivalent ranks as part of the admission process.
Applicants must have completed a Bachelor or Master degree (other than Physiotherapy) from an Australian university or equivalent in the last 10 years, having completed the equivalent of:
- two units (25 credit points) of human physiology, ideally including exercise physiology
- two units (25 credit points) of human anatomy, including detailed musculoskeletal, cardiorespiratory and neurological anatomy
- one unit (12.5 credit points) of study in psychology, and
- one unit (12.5 credit points) of study in research methods and/or evidence-based practice.
Bachelor degree in study fields such as exercise science, biomedical or other health science is recommended.
SAFETY IN PRACTICE REQUIREMENTS
This course includes compulsory Professional Experience Placements. You must meet the College of Health and Medicine's Safety in Practice Requirements before census date of the first semester of your course. The safety in practice requirements are completed separately to the course admission application.
Credit transfer
Applications for credit can be made in your course application. Find out more information about how to apply for a credit transfer/advanced standing at Recognition of Prior Learning.
Articulation
There is no articulation from or to any other course.
Alternative entry pathways
We encourage you to apply for the courses you most want to study. If you are not eligible to enter your chosen course right now, the admissions teams will work with you to find the best pathway option.
Students who require pre-requisite units are encouraged to enrol in the Undergraduate Certificate in Allied Health. This degree has a flexible structure allowing students to choose their required pre-requisite units.
Fees & scholarships
Domestic students
Cost shouldn’t get in the way of you studying.
If you’re a domestic postgraduate student, you might be eligible for a Commonwealth supported place in this course. This means your fees will be subsidised by the Australian Government. You’ll only need to pay the student contribution amount for each unit you study within the course.
You may also be able to defer payment of the student contribution amount by accessing a HECS-HELP loan from the Government. If eligible, you’ll only have to pay your tuition fees once you start earning above a specific amount.
Further information is available at Scholarships, fees and costs.
Student contributionStudent contribution amounts are charged for each unit of study. This means that how much you’ll pay will depend on which units you choose. Find out more about student contribution amounts.
An important note on Youth Allowance and AustudyThe Department of Social Services has approved some accredited and professionally-oriented Master courses for student payments through Youth Allowance or Austudy. This means if you enrol in one of these courses, you may be eligible for student payments. However, please be aware that this is not the case for all Master courses. Please visit our Scholarships, Fees and Costs website for further information.
Further informationDetailed fee information for domestic students is available at Scholarships, fees and costs, including additional information in relation to the compulsory Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF).
Domestic students enrolled in certain postgraduate coursework programs may not be eligible for student payments through Youth Allowance and Austudy. Visit the Department of Social Services website to find out more about eligibility for Centrelink support and the list of eligible courses
International students
2024 Total Course Fee (international students): $ 91,473 AUD *.
Course cost based on a rate of $44,950 AUD per standard, full-time year of study (100 credit points).
* Please note that this is an indicative fee only.
International students
International students are charged the Student Services and Amenities Fee but this fee is incorporated in the annual rate. International students do not have to make any additional SSAF payments.
Scholarships
For information on general scholarships available at the University of Tasmania, please visit the scholarships website.
How can we help?
Do you have any questions about choosing a course or applying? Get in touch.
- Domestic
- 13 8827 (13 UTAS)
- International
- +61 3 6226 6200
- Course.Info@utas.edu.au
- Online
- Online enquiries