University of Notre Dame Australia
Master of Physiotherapy
- Delivery: Face to Face
- Study Level: Postgraduate
- Duration: 24 months
Develop your clinical assessment and intervention skills in laboratories, simulated learning environments and exposure to clients in physiotherapy practices, hospitals or community health settings in urban and rural locations.
Course overview
The University of Notre Dame Australia’s Master of Physiotherapy degree is a two-year full-time program that prepares you to become an effective, culturally-appropriate practitioner focusing on the physiotherapist-client relationship. This program includes key physiotherapy-specific courses and clinical placement experiences, meaning you are work-ready upon completing the degree. 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).
In this program, you explore every avenue of physiotherapy practice in your on-campus studies and approximately 750 hours of clinical practice (practicum). 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.
CSP Subsidised Fees Available
This program has a limited quota of Commonwealth Supported Places (CSP). The indicative CSP price is calculated based on first year fees for EFT. The actual fee may vary if there are choices in electives or majors.
Key facts
What you will study
The Master of Physiotherapy program requires the completion of the following courses, which are equivalent to 600 units of credit. Unless otherwise indicated, each course is valued at 25 units of credit (UOC).
Compulsory courses
- Fundamentals for Physiotherapy
- The Silent History
- Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy (Peripheral I)
- Applied Neuroscience
- Principles of Clinical Rehabilitation
- Research and Evidence in Physiotherapy
- Clinical Education I and Practitioner Preparation
- Cardiorespiratory Physiotherapy Sciences I
- Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy (Peripheral II)
- Physiotherapy across the Lifespan I
- Psychosocial Determinants of Health and Well-being
- Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy (Spinal I)
- Rehabilitation for the Neurosciences
- Cardiorespiratory Physiotherapy Sciences II
- Professional and Complex Issues in Physiotherapy Practice 1
- Physiotherapy across the Lifespan II
- Clinical Education II
- Clinical Education III, Practitioner Development and Professional Issues (50 UOC)
- Ethical Issues in Professional Life
- Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy (Spinal II)
- Physiotherapy across the Lifespan III
- Complex Issues in Physiotherapy Practice II and Clinical Education IV (50 UOC)
Entry requirements
To be eligible for admission, all applicants must meet the University of Notre Dame Australia’s minimum requirements for admission to postgraduate programs.
Specific Program Requirements for Admission
To be eligible for admission to the program, an applicant must meet the following requirements:
- A Bachelor of Exercise and Sports Science* with a minimum GPA of 2.5; or
- A Bachelor of Science* with a major or specialisation in Exercise and Sports Science, with a minimum GPA of 2.5; or
- Any Bachelor's degree* with a minimum GPA of 2.5 and which includes assessed studies in the following specific areas:
- Human Anatomy and Physiology
- Human Pathophysiology
- Inherent requirements that are listed in the University's Program Requirements.
Recognition of Prior Learning
Advanced Standing is a way the university recognises the studies you've already completed. Instead of repeating subjects, you get credit for them, saving you time and money. You might be eligible for this credit if you've completed studies at any university (even here at Notre Dame), including single subjects. Contact the university for more information.
Outcomes
Learning outcomes
Upon successful completion of the Master's of Physiotherapy, graduates will be able to:
- Apply advanced verbal and written communication skills with clients, families, carers and service providers.
- Practice professional and ethical behaviour, demonstrating respect and sensitivity to clients with diverse social, cultural and spiritual beliefs.
- Autonomously apply critical reflection and expert judgement to identify limitations in knowledge, skills and abilities to plan and implement lifelong learning strategies.
- Synthesise complex information when accessing and integrating the best evidence into physiotherapy practice.
- Apply advanced and integrated knowledge and skills to practice safe, effective entry-level physiotherapy across various settings.
- Employ critical analysis and expert judgement to formulate effective, efficient, adaptable physiotherapy practice.
- Develop and communicate physiotherapy-based health promotion and collaborative management strategies to empower clients to participate in healthcare decisions and behaviours.
- Contribute to healthcare delivery through culturally safe, effective inter-professional communication, advocacy and practice.
Career outcomes
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 urban and rural locations in aged care, cardiorespiratory, disability, musculoskeletal, neurology, paediatrics, rehabilitation, research, clinical and/or academic teaching.
Fees and CSP
Estimated total fee in 2025: $29,856 (Commonwealth Supported Place)
The estimated total fee is based on a full-time study load of 600 units of credit.
Student fees may vary per:
- The number of courses studied per term.
- The choice of major or specialisation.
- Choice of courses.
- Credit from previous study or work experience.
- Eligibility for government-funded loans.
- Student fees shown are subject to change. Contact the university directly to confirm.
Commonwealth Supported Places
The Australian Government allocates a certain number of CSPs to the universities each year, which are then distributed to students based on merit.
If you're a Commonwealth Supported Student (CSS), you only need to pay some of your tuition fees. This is known as the student contribution amount – the balance once the government subsidy is applied. This means your costs are much lower.
Limited CSP spaces are offered to students enrolled in selected postgraduate courses.
Your student contribution amount is:
- Calculated per course you're enrolled in.
- Depending on the study areas they relate to.
- Reviewed and adjusted each year.
HECS-HELP loans are available to CSP students to pay the student contribution amount.
