Study Physiotherapy at Flinders - Flinders University

Physiotherapists help people to move well, stay well, and live full lives.

What does a career in Physiotherapy look like?

Physiotherapists bring together expertise in a range of body systems and work to assess and manage people with musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, respiratory or neurological conditions or impairments. They often work in a team of healthcare professionals to provide patient-centred care. The profession is highly innovative with the integration of advanced technology, research, and evidence-based practice.

With such a broad range of healthcare settings and employment opportunities in the public and private sectors, this accredited health profession has opportunities for an exciting and varied career.

⬆︎
30.7%
Employment Growth, Physiotherapists.

(National Skills Commission, 2024 Employment projections for the five years to 2033).

No.3 in Australia
in Health Services & Support for full-time employment, learner engagement

(The Good Universities Guide 2024 (undergraduate))

Five stars
in Health Services & Support for full-time employment, learner engagement and student support

(The Good Universities Guide 2024 (undergraduate)).

Health Care and Social Assistance is Australia’s largest industry and is projected to have strong employment growth through to May 2033.

(Jobs and Skills Australia 2024).

Study Options

Bachelor of Health Sciences / Master of Physiotherapy

Master of Physiotherapy

Up to 80% off fees due to Government subsidies*

Explore a range of postgraduate Public Health courses with up to 80% off fees, including the Master of Physiotherapy.

^{*Government subsidies enable Flinders to offer domestic applicants a reduction of up to 80% off full course fees through Commonwealth Support Places. Not all courses. Offer subject to change.}

Explore our Regional Allied Health Courses

Based in regional South Australia but interested in studying Health?

Explore our new Allied Health Courses in Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy and Speech Pathology available in Renmark, Port Pirie and Mount Gambier from 2024.

Learn more

Your potential employers

Private practices
Hospitals
Rehabilitation centres
Aged care facilities
Community and home care services
Disability support organisations
Paediatric services
Sports clubs and teams

Accreditation

The Master of Physiotherapy component of this course is accredited by the Australian Physiotherapy Council and satisfies the academic requirements for registration as a physiotherapist with the Physiotherapy Board of Australia.

Why study at Flinders?

Connect with industry leaders

Flinders University enjoys strong partnerships with many organisations, including all SA Health local health networks in both metropolitan and regional South Australia, Ashford and Flinders Private Hospitals, Novita, ECH, PhysioXtra and other private practices, Adelaide United Football Club, and many more.
The majority of our staff are working in senior clinical physiotherapy roles, including in private practices, public and private hospitals, with sporting teams and specialist areas such as womens’ and mens’ continence and pelvic health,
Over 1000 hours of clinical placement experience are built into the Master of Physiotherapy which is in addition to practical skill and clinical simulation teaching.
Rewarding industry opportunities are available in a range of locations, in metropolitan, regional and remove areas, including across South Australia and the Northern Territory with support from Flinders’ extensive campus locations.

Learn in state-of-the-art facilities

Flinders offers state of the art facilities including physiotherapy practical laboratories, anatomy laboratories, gym and exercise physiology laboratories and a large acute hospital simulation facility. Combined with use of technologies in our teaching such as VR headsets, we can accelerate learning in a realistic way.
We have our very own purpose-built working interprofessional clinic, Health2Go, on site at our Sturt campus giving you the opportunity to work with clients alongside professional clinicians to gain real-life experience in a modern multidisciplinary environment.

Enjoy a supportive, student-centred learning environment

Smaller cohort teaching ensures a personal approach to learning. The relationships we have with our students and graduates are highly supportive and long-lasting.
We focus on student development to build confidence, sound communication skills and to nurture the importance of holistic, patient-centred care.
Our program is highly innovative with focuses around interprofessional practice, cultural awareness, leadership and communication, exercise and behaviour change.
Students receive employment and job seeking support throughout their degree and at graduation.

Become a sought after, multi-skilled and career-ready graduate

Our graduates have an excellent understanding of whole-of-health management and are well equipped to deliver patient-centred care.
Practical components are taught throughout the program. Students have practical components to examinations to ensure they are career-ready at graduation.
Flinders graduates have an excellent reputation in the health industry and are principled leaders.
Graduates will enhance their skill set with inter-professional practice and learning alongside and with students and supervisors from other disciplines on campus and on clinical placements.

Be equipped with the knowledge of the latest evidence-based practice

Many of our teaching staff are also active researchers and members of Flinders University’s Caring Futures Institute.
We ensure our programs always have the latest evidence-based learning outcomes.

Hear from our students

“

I've found that the Flinders Health2Go clinic has been a highlight and something that is unique to the University.

Oscar Wright, Master of Physiotherapy graduate

”

“

We are in such an incredible position to have access to the calibre of teaching staff here at Flinders. All along the course, you feel the input of these dedicated and intelligent people, in shaping our experience and you feel you are in very competent hands. I myself also feel very lucky to be given the opportunity to enter physio. It's a position of profound trust and responsibility, i'm immensely grateful to be at Flinders, doing what I'm doing, alongside those I'm doing it with.

Andrew Lees, Bachelor of Health Sciences / Master of Physiotherapy

”

Get inspired

Physiotherapy at Flinders

Master of Physiotherapy student Oscar Wright talks about his experience studying at Flinders.

Physiotherapy

Learn about Physiotherapy at Flinders with Associate Professor Stacey George.

Improving holistic well-being with a career in physiotherapy

From helping people to stand unaided for the first time in years to supporting clients as they work toward achieving goals, Elyse Bell says her role as a physiotherapist is extremely rewarding.

From classroom to physiotherapy practice on the front line

Practical learning geared this student up for the transition from the classroom to real-life, enabling him to thrive while on placement.

Teaching staff

Our incredible teaching and research staff are experts in their professions and well-connected to industry. Get to know the physiotherapy team below.

Academic Lead: Matt Sutton

Matt is the Academic Lead and a Senior Lecturer for the Physiotherapy programs at Flinders University. With a special interest in Musculoskeletal health, Matt brings over a decade of experience as an Advanced Scope Physiotherapist in the Emergency Department. His commitment to advancing physiotherapy education and practice is demonstrated through his innovative contributions and leadership. Matt has been instrumental in developing and practicing in multiple Advanced Scope Physiotherapy roles, including Orthopaedics, Neurosurgery, and Emergency Department care.

Course Coordinator: Claire Baldwin

Claire is the Course Coordinator and an Associate Professor for the Physiotherapy programs at Flinders University. Claire is a researcher-teacher-clinician with experience in education from the classroom to the clinic. Her area of teaching and clinical practice expertise is cardiorespiratory and physiotherapy, working with older adults and in acute hospital settings including the intensive care unit. She also enjoys teaching about evidence-based practice and professional practice/leadership. Claire has held a number of leadership roles at state and national levels of the Australian Physiotherapy Association and is a Senior Fellow of Advanced HE, recognising excellence in teaching that she brings to the program. Her research focusses on physical activity and sedentary behaviour, helping older adults to ‘move more and sit less’ when in hospital and the community. She enjoys getting to know students and connecting them with industry clinicians, for all to achieve excellence in patient outcomes and their own practice.

Placement Education Coordinator: Kelly Huxley

Kelly is the Placement Education Coordinator and a Lecturer in Physiotherapy for the Masters of Physiotherapy at Flinders University. Kelly is a physiotherapist with extensive experience in hospital-based rehabilitation of neurological conditions, which has included as a Senior Physiotherapist in stroke and mixed inpatient rehabilitation for the Southern Adelaide Local Health Network. Kelly thoroughly enjoys working with clients in the early weeks of neurological recovery and preparing them to return home after hospital.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need any pre-requisite topics in Year 12 to be eligible for entry?

No, but knowledge of SACE Stage 2 Biology and Physics or equivalent is recommended, as a foundation to studying human bioscience, anatomy and exercise physiology topics.

Are there jobs in Physiotherapy?

According to the National Skills Commission (2021 employment projections for the five years until 2026), employment growth for physiotherapists is 28.70%,

Will I be able to register with the relevant registering body for my profession/group at the end of the course?

All Master of Physiotherapy program graduates are eligible for registration as a Physiotherapist in Australia. Registration requirements in other countries vary from country to country.

Will I attend Physiotherapy placements during my course?

Yes, students are required to complete clinical placements in the Masters of Physiotherapy program.

Please refer to the placement page for further information about the Master of Physiotherapy placement program and core participation requirements. In the degree, you will be required to complete placements in a range of clinical practice areas, types of settings (hospital, rehabilitation, community) and with people at various ages and stages of life.

Can this course be studied online?

Both the Bachelor of Health Sciences/Master of Physiotherapy and the Master of Physiotherapy require two years of full-time study and are not offered externally or on a part-time basis.

However, the teaching in many topics includes online sessions, in addition to tutorials workshops and practical sessions held on campus.

What if my ATAR is too low for the double degree?

You can undertake either a Bachelor of Health Sciences (Therapy Studies) which is available both at Bedford Park campus and in the city at Festival Plaza. You can also undertake a Bachelor of Exercise Science. Both of these degrees contain topics that meet the content pre-requisites to be eligible for entry into the Master of Physiotherapy.

Please note, completion of these alternative degrees does not guarantee entry into the Masters of Physiotherapy, and entry is competitive based on Grade Point Average (GPA). More information about requirements for entry to the Master of Physiotherapy is available here.

How do I apply?