Graduate Diploma in Physiotherapy (Paediatrics)

What you will study

To earn the Graduate Diploma in Physiotherapy (Paediatrics), students must complete eight subjects or 100 credit points. Each subject is worth 12.5 credit points.

Entry requirements

To be considered for entry into this course, you must have:

• Completed an undergraduate degree (or equivalent).
• Be qualified as a physiotherapist and registered to practice as a physiotherapist.
• Have at least two years of relevant post-entry to practice professional experience in paediatric physiotherapy.

English language requirements

All applicants to the University of Melbourne must satisfy the English language requirements. This may be achieved in several ways, including a recognised previous study taught and assessed entirely in English or an approved English language test. If you are from a non-English speaking background, the required standard of English for this degree is one of the following English proficiency test scores:

• IELTS (Academic) – 7.0, with no band less than 7.0
• TOEFL – 94+, with writing 27; speaking 18; reading 13; listening 13
• Pearson – 72+, with written communicative skill of 75 and no other communicative skill below 60
• Cambridge – 185+, with no less than 185 in writing and no less than 169 in each other's skill

Contact the university or visit their website for more information.

Recognition of Prior Learning

Prior studies may be credited towards your degree and potentially reduce the duration of your course. This is known as Advanced Standing (also known as credit or recognition of prior learning).

Outcomes

Learning outcomes

• Evaluate and synthesise information from a complex body of knowledge in the assessment, provision of intervention and family-centred care for infants, children, adolescents and their families.
• Critically integrate evidence in providing intervention, education and health promotion in diverse paediatric patient populations.
• Discuss principles and frameworks of professional and ethical practice in paediatric physiotherapy; integrating interdisciplinary practice models within own professional and ethical practice frameworks.
• Utilise technical and communication skills to design, implement, evaluate, analyse and theorise about developments that contribute to practice advancement in paediatric physiotherapy.
• Plan and manage independent learning and develop sustainable strategies for lifelong learning and reflective practice.
• Design advanced clinical management plans to optimise functional independence, promote participation and enhance quality of life for infants, children and adolescents with conditions relevant to paediatric physiotherapy.
• Critically evaluate the scope of practice and expertise of other relevant health professionals, leading to appropriate referral, information communication and a high standard of professional and ethical practice.
• Research and organise evidence-based theory in clinical case management.
• Integrate theory, evidence and clinical reasoning in astute clinical decision making in patients of all ages and conditions related to paediatric physiotherapy.
• Critically evaluate research methodology and evidence quality in paediatric physiotherapy, including critical analysis of practice and research evidence, identification of questions for further investigation and synthesis of current evidence for best practice in service delivery and resource management.
• Explain the application of research and evidence to clinical practice in the field of paediatric physiotherapy.
• Analyse, synthesise and evaluate literature to address questions relevant to managing infants, children and adolescents, emphasising evidence-based practice and critical discussion of the potential of incorporating new developments into clinical practice.

Career outcomes

Graduates from this course can move into more specialised practice areas, focusing on treating physical conditions in young people.

This specialised qualification provides a strong foundational understanding of key paediatric areas. Through completion, you can embrace new opportunities, such as:

• Senior positions at major paediatric hospitals
• Placements in trauma centres
• Specialised positions in community rehabilitation centres

Fees and FEE-HELP

Indicative first-year and total course fee in 2026: $36,000 (domestic full-fee paying place)

Unless otherwise noted, the indicative total course fee shown above assumes a study load of 1 EFTSL (equivalent full-time student load) commencing semester one of the listed year, except for courses with a duration of less than 1 EFTSL.

Fees are subject to annual review by the University, with any new rates effective from the beginning of each calendar year.

A student’s fee may vary depending on:

• The number of subjects studied per term.
• The choice of major or specialisation.
• Choice of subjects.
• Credit from previous study or work experience.
• Eligibility for government-funded loans.

You may also need to pay the student services and amenities fee.

FEE-HELP loans are available to assist eligible full-fee paying domestic students.