How to become a physiotherapist
1. Complete a university degree in physiotherapy
Straight from high-school
You can apply to study physiotherapy as an undergraduate student straight from high school if you meet the minimum ATAR, assumed knowledge and English language requirements.
At the University of Sydney you can study the Bachelor of Applied Science (Physiotherapy) (4-year degree), where you will learn to safely, effectively and professionally assess, diagnose, and provide treatment/management plans for individuals with a variety of health conditions impacting their movement and function, and across the lifespan.
After completing a bachelor’s degree at university
If you have already completed a bachelor’s degree, you can apply to study the Doctor of Physiotherapy (DPT). This is a new three-year professional extended master’s degree, that provides advanced clinical training, allowing our graduates to enter the industry with extensive skills and the professional confidence to provide high quality care.
The Master of Physiotherapy will no longer be offered at the University of Sydney and the final intake is in 2023. The new DPT will become our postgraduate physiotherapy offering from 2024.
DPT applicants will not need to meet prerequisite knowledge for admission. However, human anatomy and physiology are assumed knowledge.
To be eligible to apply for the DPT, you need an undergraduate degree and a minimum Average Mark of 70 over 100 (credit average)*.
* This does not guarantee an offer as places are limited and offers are made based on academic merit.
2. Register to become a certified practicing physiotherapist
Our courses in physiotherapy are accredited by the Australian Physiotherapy Council (APC).
After completing your degree, you need to register with the Physiotherapy Board of Australia (PBA), overseen by the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA), before you can practice.
More information can be obtained from the Australian Physiotherapy Council.
3. Meet the Continuing Professional Development requirements required for ongoing certification
To continue practising as a physiotherapist in Australia, you will need to complete a minimum of 20 hours of Continuing Professional Development (CPD) activities each year.