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Course snapshot
Domestic snapshot
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Start Date
March
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Duration
4 years full-time; 8 years part-time
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Location
Coffs Harbour, Gold Coast
*Gold Coast availability subject to professional accreditation. -
Placement
Yes Learn more
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ATAR
85
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Inherent Requirements
Yes Learn more
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Language Requirements
IELTS Overall Score 7.0
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Entry Requirements
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Course abbreviation
BPhty
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Course code
3007320
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Credit points
384
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Equivalent units
32
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Scholarships
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Indicative fee
Please note, some locations may not have all intake periods available. See the full availability details for further information.
Overview
The Bachelor of Physiotherapy develops physiotherapists who have the knowledge and skills required to operate effectively and ethically as primary contact practitioners.
You will study functional human anatomy, physiology, biomechanics, neuroscience, pain sciences, therapeutic exercise, psychology, pharmacology and develop an understanding of acute, chronic, acquired and developmental diseases and injury across the lifespan.
Throughout your degree you will learn and implement strategies and programs to prevent and manage illness and injury and optimise well-being, function and performance, using a person-centred and evidence-based approach.
Graduates will be progressive, adaptive, innovative, and able to incorporate up-to-date evidence and effective technologies, working autonomously and within a team in diverse health care settings, with people of all ages, abilities and cultural backgrounds.
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“Wherever you go as a physiotherapist, you need empathy, an ability to communicate and a desire to help. The rewards you get may not be tangible, but they are immense, and they will be with you for the rest of your life.”
The Southern Cross Model is a game-changer in higher education study.
Our students now engage in shorter, six-week unit structures designed around immersive and interactive learning experiences. The shorter unit structure gives students a greater sense of momentum as they achieve milestones quickly, resulting in increased student success rates, and course and teacher satisfaction. Lectures are a thing of the past - students will be engaged in active, interactive and discussion-based learning.
On-campus students experience a variety of teaching approaches including lectures, tutorials, online activities and video-linked or podcast virtual classes.
Our online study option is highly interactive and may include a combination of podcast or video-linked lectures, electronic study materials, workshops, online discussion forums and virtual classes.
The method of teaching and assessment may vary from unit to unit.
Course Learning Outcomes express learning achievement in terms of what a student should know, understand and be able to do on completion of a course. These outcomes are aligned with the graduate attributes (GA).
| Course Learning Outcome |
|---|
GA1: Intellectual rigour Demonstrate competencies that meet the Physiotherapy Practice Thresholds (Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand), incorporating academic knowledge and skills, to enable registration for autonomous physiotherapy practice in a range of contexts across the lifespan. |
GA2: Creativity Apply digital literacy skills to ethically, critically, and effectively utilise and adapt current and emerging technologies within health care delivery. |
GA3: Ethical practice Demonstrate skills in leadership, management and advocacy within the relevant legal, ethical, cultural, clinical and professional frameworks. |
GA4: Knowledge of a discipline Analyse, synthesise and apply an evidence-based approach to provide person-centred, ethical, and culturally responsive practice in the management of people of all health status, across the lifespan. Work autonomously and collaboratively in interprofessional teams and with all relevant stakeholders to deliver innovative and effective person-centred evidence-based physiotherapy practice. |
GA5: Lifelong learning Apply reflective practitioner skills, life-long learning and quality improvement to facilitate adaptability within diverse health care environments. |
GA6: Communication and social skills Demonstrate effective communication and relationship skills that are culturally responsive and inclusive of all people across diverse contexts. Educate and empower others, including clients, families, communities, interprofessional colleagues and other stakeholders to promote and optimise health and wellbeing. |
GA7: Cultural competence Demonstrate cultural capability that is inclusive of Indigenous Australians and the wider multi-cultural community. |
This course includes professional placements of approximately 1,000 hours.
Human anatomy, physiology, biomechanics, neuroscience, pain sciences, therapeutic exercise, psychology, pharmacology.
| Location | Teaching period |
|---|---|
| Coffs Harbour | Term 1 |
| Gold Coast | Term 1 |
Career Outcomes
Physiotherapists work with people from all backgrounds and all ages, from children to the elderly in settings that could include hospitals, private practice, rehabilitation, sporting teams with athletes, aged care and in collaborative health care teams.
The Bachelor of Physiotherapy has been approved by the Physiotherapy Board of Australia for the purpose of registration of graduates. *Gold Coast availability subject to professional accreditation.
In order to register to practise, the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency [Ahpra] standards for English language must be met. See the Ahpra website for further information.
As a Physiotherapy student it is important to be aware of the registration standards required by the Physiotherapy Board of Australia. See the details on the Physiotherapy Board website.
Students enrolled in the Bachelor of Physiotherapy will be registered by Southern Cross University with the Physiotherapy Board of Australia as an enrolled student and will remain registered for the duration of study. Please see the Ahpra website for more details.
Ahpra is responsible for the registration and accreditation of various health professions in Australia. If you are enrolled in a course to enter one of these professions, we will provide Ahpra with your details for student registration.
You do not need to apply or pay for your student registration. We will provide all the required information to Ahpra directly. You can find more information about Ahpra student registration and what we are required to report to Ahpra on their website.
Please be aware that as part of the registration process, Ahpra will collect your personal information (including your USI). Ahpra’s Privacy Policy explains how you may access and seek correction of your personal information held by Ahpra; complain to Ahpra about a breach of your privacy; and how a complaint will be dealt with.
Requirements
We encourage you to apply for the courses you most want to study. If you are not eligible to enter your chosen course right now, our team will work with you to find the best pathway option.
Before applying, make sure you double check all entry requirements, gather required documentation and review the University’s Rules Relating to Awards, noting any specifics listed below.
Entry requirements
To meet the University’s minimum English Language Proficiency requirement an applicant must have achieved:
- satisfactory completion of at least six years of primary and secondary education taught and assessed in English in one of the Recognised Countries (see below), including at least two years between years 7 and 12; or
- completed at least two years (full-time equivalent combined secondary and/or tertiary and/or vocational education taught and assessed solely in English, in one of the Recognised Countries; or
- the IELTS (academic module) with a minimum overall score of 7 and a minimum score of 7 in each of the four components: or
- the OET with a minimum score of B in each of the four components; or
- the PTE Academic with a minimum overall score of 65 and a minimum score of 65 in each of the four communicative skills; or
- the TOEFL iBT with a minimum total score of 94 and the following minimum score in each section of the test: 24 listening, 24 reading, 27 writing, and 23 speaking; or
- successful completion of the English for Academic Purposes 3 program at SCU College. Applicants who enrol via this pathway will need to separately meet the English language requirements of registration to practice.
Recognised Countries means the following countries: Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Republic of Ireland, South Africa, UK and USA.
Please note, Rule 2 ELP IELTS Equivalency Schedule does not apply to this course.
Language requirements
English language requirements apply to International applicants and other applicants whose previous study was undertaken in a language other than English. The minimum English language requirements for such applicants for entry to this course are as follows
| Category | Score |
|---|---|
| Overall Score or equivalent | 7.0 |
| Reading | 7.0 |
| Writing | 7.0 |
| Listening | 7.0 |
| Speaking | 7.0 |
Course requirements
To be eligible to receive the Bachelor of Physiotherapy, students must complete the equivalent of 32 units (384 credit points), comprising:
- All 28 core units (384 credit points).
Work Integrated Learning
This course includes work integrated learning. Pre-requisites to meet national and state-based regulatory requirements, as detailed on Faculty of Health Work Integrated Learning page, must be met prior to attending placement. All work integrated learning hours must be completed and professional behaviour and conduct must be demonstrated.
Progression
Students are not permitted to have an extended period of more than 12 months between study of any two (2) units with work integrated learning.
Students are not permitted to have an extended period of more than 12 months between study of a theory unit that relates specifically to a particular unit with work integrated learning.
Students who have an interrupted study sequence of more than 12 months will be assessed on a case-by-case basis and may be required to undertake a specified supported work integrated learning to ensure professional experience currency prior to continuation of the course.
Inherent Requirements
Inherent Requirements apply to this course as defined on the Student Equity and Inclusion website. Students who have a disability or health condition which may impact on their ability to meet these requirements are encouraged to visit the Student Equity and Inclusion website for further information and contact details.
Other things to consider
As part of our commitment to admissions transparency, the University provides a snapshot of how students were admitted to their courses and the profile of students studying with us.
There are different pathways into an undergraduate degree.
Whether you are returning to study after some time or you have just finished school and you need some extra academic preparation before embarking on a degree, Southern Cross University offers two excellent, fee-free academic preparation programs that develop the skills you need to be successful at university.
SCU College also offers a range of one-year Diplomas that provide extra academic support as you commence university. Diplomas are a great pathway to a degree and may also prepare you for diverse paraprofessional roles.
Credit for Prior Learning, also referred to as ‘Advanced Standing’ or Recognition for Prior Learning (RPL), is the process of looking at your prior study and/or experience to assess if you can be awarded academic credit or gain entry to a course on the basis of your existing knowledge and skills.
The Early Offer program allows Year 12 students to secure a place in a Southern Cross University undergraduate degree before Year 12 results are released. It’s designed to remove some of the pressure from Year 12 and provide a pathway directly into university study that is not based solely on Year 12 results.
Course structure
Why study Physiotherapy at Southern Cross University
Top 800 worldwide
We're ranked in the global top 800 universities for Clinical and Health
Times Higher Education World Rankings by Subject 2025Graduates in high demand
84.6% of Southern Cross University graduates are employed full-time four months after completing their course
Good Universities Guide 20205 (Rehabilitation, Undergraduate)Graduate job-ready
A substantial professional placement builds invaluable on-the-job experience
Fees and Scholarships
Domestic students
You are a domestic student if you are an Australian citizen or permanent resident, New Zealand citizen, or Australian humanitarian visa holder. Your course will either be a Commonwealth Supported Place or a full fee-paying place. This is noted in the course snapshot.
Commonwealth Supported Places:
In a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP), the Government pays some of your fees and you pay the rest as the Student Contribution Amount (SCA).
SCA is calculated per unit, not per course. Eligible students can defer the SCA through a HECS-HELP loan.
Full Fee-Paying Places:
A full fee-paying place is where you pay the full (unsubsidised) tuition fee for your course. Eligible students can defer the payment of their tuition fees through the FEE-HELP scheme (including employer-reserved places for The Hotel School courses).
Also known as SSAF, the Student Services and Amenities Fee is a compulsory fee for most students used to provide important services and amenities to students both on and off campus. It’s charged per unit, based on the unit’s credit point value. Eligible domestic students have the option of deferring this fee through the SA-HELP loan scheme. More about SSAF
Depending on your course, your costs could also include computer equipment and software, books, stationery, field trips, uniforms or other course-specific expenses such as art materials, musical equipment or travel for practicums, internships, vaccinations or industry experience.
Scholarships vary in amount, from a few hundred to several thousand dollars each year. Eligibility isn't limited to top-performing students or those facing financial challenges; there are opportunities for individuals from diverse backgrounds and with different accomplishments. This ensures that education remains accessible to all, changing lives and helping individuals achieve their goals for a brighter future.
Dates for the diary
Our shorter, more focused six-week unit structure gives students a greater sense of momentum and motivation as they achieve milestones quickly. Application dates per Term are shown on each course page however refer to our key dates and teaching calendar for detail on when enrolment opens, studies commence and when grades are published. There are also Dual Term and Tri Term calendars for those who have specific subjects.
How can we help?
Credit Transfer
Get a head start on your degree. Find out if you’re eligible for credit from previous studies.
Go to credit assessorEntry Pathway
We believe in equal access to further education, so we offer a range of pathways to university.
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