Master of Physiotherapy

What you will study

To qualify for the Master of Physiotherapy award, students must complete 200 credit points comprising twelve (12) theory units of study (150 credit points) and four (4) clinical placement units of study (50 credit points).

Students are required to complete a total of 800 hours of clinical practice across both core and clinical placement units.

Core units

• Functional Anatomy for Physiotherapists
• Foundations of Physiotherapy Practice
• Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy
• Cardiorespiratory Physiotherapy
• Neurological Physiotherapy
• Sports, Exercise and Rehabilitation
• Research and Evidence-Based Practice A
• Leadership and Management For Health Professionals
• Chronic Disease, Health Promotion and Practice
• Integrated Physiotherapy Practice
• Lifespan Health and Wellbeing for Physiotherapy
• Research and Evidence-Based Practice B
• Physiotherapy Clinical Practice A
• Physiotherapy Clinical Practice B
• Physiotherapy Clinical Practice C
• Physiotherapy Clinical Practice D

Entry requirements

Applicants must meet both of the following criteria:

• A completed bachelor's degree in a health science-related discipline;
• Tertiary level studies in a minimum of 2 units of each of human anatomy and human physiology.

Health science disciplines include exercise science, exercise physiology, exercise and sports science, biomedical science, occupational therapy, nursing, osteopathy, chiropractic, paramedicine and physiotherapy. They do not include health science or applied science degrees, unless anatomy and physiology prerequisites are met or educational degrees (e.g. Bachelor of Physical Education).

Course prerequisites

Applicants are required to have completed their degree in the last 10 years or have undertaken subsequent Postgraduate studies and obtained a minimum 70% GPA across their studies.

English language requirements

All Swinburne students must be able to meet the English language requirements. You’ll be able to provide evidence of your English language skills if you have one of the following:

• Completed the Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) or another type of secondary qualification taught in English.
• Completed some types of university or vocational education studies (tertiary studies).
• Completed English language tests, such as TOEFL, IELTS, Pearson or C1. IELTS overall band of 7.0 (Academic Module) with no individual band below 7.0
• Completed an English language (ELICOS) course.
• Lived and worked in an English-speaking country for at least four years (domestic applicants only).

These requirements vary for prospective undergraduate and postgraduate students, depending on your chosen course.

Recognition of Prior Learning

If you have gained extensive and relevant knowledge through formal training or acquired relevant skills through work or through life experience, you may be eligible for recognition of prior learning (RPL).

Contact the university or visit their website for more information.

Outcomes

Learning outcomes

Students who successfully complete this course will be able to:

• Exhibit contemporary knowledge, critical thinking, skills and behaviours that meet the professional threshold standards for autonomous entry-level physiotherapy practice in a range of contexts across the lifespan.
• Critically analyse and apply an ethical and evidence-based approach to inform sound clinical reasoning for safe and effective person-centred practice in local, national and global contexts.
• Communicate appropriately and responsively across oral, written and digital modalities to develop therapeutic and professional relationships with individuals and within and across teams.
• Adopt a commitment to lifelong learning, including the ability to critically evaluate one's own and peers’ skills, to continually develop as reflective physiotherapists prepared to adapt within the emerging and rapidly changing local, national and global healthcare environment.
• Employ an inclusive, person-centred approach to practice through appropriately and effectively collaborating with culturally and linguistically diverse clients, families, the community and interprofessional colleagues.
• Professionally articulate cultural capability, including respect, communication, reflection, advocacy, safety and quality that is inclusive of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander diversity
• Educate and empower others, including clients, families, communities and interprofessional colleagues, to promote and optimise health and well-being.
• Organise and prioritise workload and resources using critical thinking skills to provide safe, effective and efficient autonomous entry-level healthcare.

Career outcomes

Potential opportunities include:

• Physiotherapist
• Private practice physiotherapist
• Mobile physiotherapist

Fees and CSP

Estimated yearly fees in 2026:

• $9,537 (Commonwealth Supported Place)
• $49,400 domestic full-fee paying place)

Estimated total fees in 2026:

• $19,074 (Commonwealth Supported Place)
• $98,800 (domestic full-fee paying place)

The student tuition fees as published are subject to change based on individual circumstances at the time of enrolment. These fees apply to units studied in 2026 only and may change for units studied in future years. If part-time study is permitted, annual fees will be proportionally lower based on the number of units taken per semester.

Student fees may vary in accordance with:

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

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

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'll only need to pay a portion 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 the unit you're enrolled in.
• Dependent 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.

FEE-HELP loans are available to assist eligible full-fee paying domestic students with the cost of a university course.