Facts & figures
Global leaders in allied health
- #4 in the world for sport, physical therapy and rehabilitation, 2023 QS Subject Rankings
Brand new education and research facilities
in the Susan Wakil Health Building
Study area_
Discipline of Physiotherapy
Enabling free movement across communities
We're committed to educating people-centric physiotherapists through a 'scaffolded' degree structure that helps build clinical experience over time.
Courses in physiotherapy
Learn how to assess, diagnose and treat people with movement problems caused by a wide variety of joint, muscle and nerve disorders. Our curriculum incorporates international, local and indigenous perspectives to ensure a breadth and depth in students' knowledge.
Our courses in physiotherapy are accredited by the Australian Physiotherapy Council (APC), which qualifies graduates to register with the Physiotherapy Board of Australia and practice as a physiotherapist in Australia.
Undergraduate courses
Postgraduate courses
Postgraduate research
What is physiotherapy?
Physiotherapy is a clinical allied health profession that aims to rehabilitate and improve the physical well being of patients with movement disorders resulting from a wide variety of joint, muscle and nerve disorders.
Physiotherapists are responsible for assessing, diagnosing, treating and preventing injuries utilising drug-free techniques such as exercise, adapted equipment, education, and motivation.
Physiotherapy is used to manage a wide range of conditions including neurological illnesses, movement disorders in children, rehabilitation after injury, post-operative recovery, and chronic conditions such as asthma.
Career opportunities
Physiotherapists work in diverse settings including hospitals and healthcare organisations, private practice, sports settings, workplaces, schools, universities and research institutions.
Career paths include a range of specialised clinical areas such as sports medicine, paediatrics, orthopaedics, musculoskeletal physiotherapy, neurological physiotherapy, cardio-respiratory physiotherapy and more.
Research opportunities
Applied research in physiotherapy at the University of Sydney is aimed at improving evidence-based treatment and prevention strategies to improve the lives of people with physical disorders or disabilities. Our research staff support higher degree research candidates to develop research expertise.
Research Supervisor Connect matches your research interests to available PhD and master's research opportunities and supervisors.
Why study with us?
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Graduate career-ready and in demand
we’re 1st in Australia for graduate employability and 3rd in the world for sports related subjects
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Finish in 3 years as a postgraduate student
our Doctor of Physiotherapy degree offers advanced clinical training and streamlined entry requirements.
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Hands-on clinical training
gain comprehensive professional experience with clinical placements embedded throughout your studies
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Learn from highly respected practitioners and researchers
Our research ranks "well above world-class" (ERA level 5)
Our people
- Associate Professor Elizabeth Dylke, Head of Discipline
- Honorary Professor Evangelos Pappas
- Professor Jennifer Alison
- Professor Jim Elliott
- Professor Josh Burns
- Professor Kathryn Refshauge
- Professor Paulo Ferreira
- Professor Sarah Dennis
- Professor Sharon Kilbreath
- Associate Professor Alison Harmer
- Associate Professor Debra Shirley (Bachelor’s Course Director)
- Associate Professor Martin Mackey
- Associate Professor Milena Simic
- Associate Professor Trudy Rebbeck
- Associate Professor Zoe McKeough
- Emeritus Professor Colleen Canning
- Emeritus Professor Louise Ada
- Honorary Professor Roberta Shepherd
- Dr Allan Fu
- Dr Anita Amorim'
- Dr Claire Hiller
- Dr Fereshteh Pourkazemi
- Dr Jane Grayson
- Dr Justin Sullivan
- Dr Kerry Peek
- Dr Leanne Hassett
- Dr Maree Milross
- Dr Marina De Barros Pinheiro
- Dr Marita Dale
- Dr Marnee McKay
- Dr Mi-Joung Lee
- Dr Natalie Allen
- Dr Paula Beckenkamp
- Dr Robert Boland
- Dr Serene Paul
- Dr Tiffany Dwyer (GEM coordinator)
- Dr Susan Coulson
- Mr Kevin Ho
- Mr Mohammad Fauzan Bin Maideen
- Ms Christina Darwell
- Ms Julie Bampton
- Dr Sally Wootton
- Ms Lisa Pagano
- ABC Life quoted Professor Paulo Ferreira from the Sydney School of Health Sciences and Charles Perkins Centre in an article about looking after your body when working physically demanding jobs.
- Sydney Morning Herald quoted Professor Evangelos Pappas from the Sydney School of Health Sciences on whether surgery to repair the anterior cruciate ligament in the knee is more beneficial than rehabilitation without surgery.