Master’s in Physiotherapy in Australia

Highlights

1. Australia offers over 53 postgraduate physiotherapy programs across 23 universities, with a strong focus on integrating academic study and apprenticeships.
2. Graduates of Master of Physiotherapy programs in Australia can earn competitive salaries, starting at AUD 102,000 annually, with potential growth up to AUD 235,000 per year.
3. Physiotherapists are in high demand in Australia, with the profession listed as a skill shortage area by the Australian government.

Students with a medical education can earn a Master of Physiotherapy degree from one of Australia’s over 23 institutions if they meet the prerequisites. It ranges from one to three years in length and includes an apprenticeship component that is combined with academic study. There are around 53 different postgraduate physiotherapy programs available through various universities in Australia.

Physiotherapists make up 4.6% of the total number of certified health practitioners in Australia. According to the Physiotherapy Board of Australia, the number of these individuals has likewise increased, going from 22,384 in 2011 to 39,781 in 2021.

• To be eligible for admission to the Master of Physiotherapy program in Australia, candidates need a bachelor’s degree in physiotherapy or a discipline closely linked to it.
• Additionally, students with undergraduate degrees in any discipline are welcome to apply to certain universities, including Curtin University, provided they have relevant job experience.
• The annual cost of tuition for master’s programs in physiotherapy at Australian institutions ranges from 37,000 to 59,000 Australian Dollars (AUD).
• In Australia, a graduate of a Master of Physiotherapy program can expect to earn a yearly salary of 163,000 Australian Dollars (AUD).

#Why study Masters in Physiotherapy in Australia?

• According to the report titled “Australian Job Outlook,” between the years 2017 and 2023, there will be a total of 2,600 job openings available in the field of physiotherapy in Australia.
• The Australian government’s Department of Education, Skills, and Employment includes physiotherapists on a list of occupations that are experiencing a scarcity of skilled workers.
• Up until the year 2023, it is anticipated that the number of available positions for physiotherapists in Australia will increase by more than 13,000.
• Physiotherapists in Australia earn an annual salary of 83,000 Australian Dollars on average, making it the second best-paying country in the world for the profession.
• When a student in Australia earns their Master of Physiotherapy degree instead of their Bachelor of Physiotherapy degree, their potential salary jumps by 33 percent.
• A physiotherapist in Australia can earn up to 170,000 AUD per year after 5 to 10 years of experience on top of the average pay of 102,000 AUD per year that they make.

More and more international students are enrolling in physiotherapy programs at Australian universities to take advantage of the attractive salary options and burgeoning employment opportunities in the field.

#Top Universities

The following universities in Australia have been ranked as having the best Master of Physiotherapy programs, according to the QS News World University Ranking of 2022:

QS Ranking 2022	University	Program Duration	Total Tuition Fees (in INR)
#37	University of Melbourne	3 years	76.42 lakhs
#38	University of Sydney	2 years	63.54 lakhs
#47	University of Queensland	2 years	65.68 lakhs
#133	University of Technology, Sydney	2 years	55.91 lakhs
#=194	Curtin University	1 year	20.74 lakhs
#=326	University of South Australia	2 year	51.08 lakhs
#321	Swinburne University of Technology	2 year	46.39 lakhs
#=362	La Trobe University	2 year	51.74 lakhs
#407	Flinders University	2 year	47.97 lakhs
#=436	University of Canberra	2 year	53.54 lakhs

#Course Curriculum

As part of the curriculum for the Master of Physiotherapy degree program, students gain experience in both manual and therapeutic exercise, as well as the application of electrophysical modalities. The following is a list of the topics that are studied in this program at some of Australia’s most prestigious educational institutions:

• Foundations of Physiotherapy- Fundamentals of Examination & Measurement
• Theory, Practice & Research: Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy – Upper and Lower Limb, Lumbar Spine, Cervical and Thoracic Spine,
• Theory, Practice & Research: Cardiothoracic Physiotherapy
• Clinical Practice & Professional Studies – Intro Musculoskeletal & Acute Care
• Foundations of Physiotherapy- Fundamentals of Communication, Movement & Exercise
• Health Sciences Research Discovery
• Practice & Research in Physiotherapy Across the Lifespan
• Health Promotion, Participation, and Preparation for Physiotherapy Practice
• Theory, Practice & Research: Neurological Physiotherapy.

#Admission process

Students can apply for the Master of Physiotherapy program in Australia if they have experience or a degree in a healthcare-related profession, such as a degree in any of the healthcare disciplines, or if they have worked in a field linked to healthcare.

• Where to apply: Students can submit their applications to universities in Australia immediately through the official website of each institution.
• When to Apply: The months of February and July are typically the admissions periods for universities in Australia. Other universities accept applications during March and August.

Eligibility

• A bachelor’s degree in physiotherapy or a field linked to it, with a grade point average of at least 60 % at the undergraduate level.
• Evidence that you are proficient in English.

English proficiency requirements

University	Minimum IELTS Score Required	Minimum TOEFL (iBT) Score Required
University of Melbourne	7.0	79
University of Sydney	7.0	96
University of Queensland	7.0	100
University of Technology, Sydney	7.0	79
Curtin University	7.0	79
University of South Australia	7.0	94
Swinburne University of Technology	6.5	79
LaTrobe University	7.0	94
Flinders University	7.0	94
University of Canberra	7.0	79

#Documents required

For admission into the Master of Physiotherapy program at some colleges, you may additionally be required to submit the following supplementary documents:

• Resume
• Statement of purpose
• Enrollment in the Physiotherapists Board in Australia
• Letters of recommendation 
• Certificate of immunization.

#Cost of studying

The cost of living and the cost of tuition are two of the many expenses that must be paid while studying in another country. In addition to this, students also have additional costs, known as pre-arrival costs, that they are responsible for paying while applying to a university.

Pre-arrival costs

This comprises the registration fees for several tests that are required to study in Australia, as well as application fees, the registration fee for an Australian student visa, and other payments. A quick look at these expenditures can be had by consulting the table that follows:

Expense Type	Amount (in AUD)
Application Fees	50-100
Australian Student Visa Fees	606
Medical	106-120
Health Insurance	450-600
IELTS Registration Fee	282-300
TOEFL (iBT) Registration Fee	245-380
PTE Registration Fee	280-300
Air Travel	900-1700

#Cost of living

The cost of living in Australia for overseas students includes things like the cost of housing, food, utilities, and transportation, among other things. The following is a breakdown of each category of monthly costs:

• Accommodation:
  • 450–1200 dollars for a homestay
  • Student residence halls, ranging from 440 to 1100
  • Rent an apartment: 750-1700
• Food: 500-1000
• 30-70 For the Transportation
• Internet: 70-120
• Books and other reading materials cost between 500 to 1000.

#Scholarships

Scholarships are a form of financial assistance provided by universities in Australia to international students, to reduce the overall cost of attending school in this country. While students are automatically eligible for some of these scholarships just by applying for admission to the school, other awards require students to submit separate applications to be considered.

University	Scholarship	Amount (in AUD)
University of Melbourne	Melbourne Mobility Awards	Up to 6000 AUD
	Graduate Research Scholarships	100% fee waiver up to 1,10,000
	Gates Cambridge scholarships	Fully paid study
University of Sydney	Sydney Scholars India Equity Scholarship	Up to: 60,000 AUD
University of Queensland	Alfred and Olivia Wynne Memorial Scholarships	3,000
	UQ future students a PG scholarship for high achievers- India	10,000 in two equal installments
University of Technology, Sydney	International PG Coursework Full Tuition Scholarship	Full Tuition Scholarship
	UTS PG Academic Excellence Scholarship	5000 for the first year
	UTS Grant for Masters by Coursework	3000 for the first year
Curtin University	Curtin Alumni and Friends International Scholarships	25% of Tuition Fees
	Meng Fei Innovative Future Leader Scholarship	25% of Tuition fees- up to 10,000 AUD
University of South Australia	International Merit Scholarship	25% of the Tuition fees
	International Excellence Scholarships	50% of the Tuition Fees
Swinburne University of Technology	Swinburne International Scholarship	50% of Tuition fees
	Swinburne International Postgraduate Excellence Scholarship	21,000 for 2-year coursework degree
La Trobe University	Excellence Scholarships	25% of Tuition Fee
University of Canberra	University of Canberra International Course Merit Scholarship	25% of Tuition Fee
	University of Canberra International High Achiever Scholarship	20% of Tuition Fee

Students who have demonstrated exceptional ability may apply for external grants and awards through the foreign student offices of their respective universities. These opportunities are made available by the Australian government and a variety of other organizations.

#Career prospects

The annual pay of a physiotherapist in Australia is, on average, equal to 162,000 Australian Dollars. The salaries for entry-level positions begin at 102,000 AUD per year, while the earnings for the majority of experienced professionals can reach up to 235,000 AUD per year.

The following is a list of some of the employment opportunities that are open to physiotherapy graduates in Australia:

Position	Job Responsibility	Average Salary (in AUD)
Physiotherapist	Assisting people in their recovery from injuries caused by accidents by means such as massage and physical activity	94,000
Occupational therapist	Utilizes activities of daily life as a kind of treatment for patients	75,000
Sports Therapist	Provides treatment for injuries sustained while participating in sports	87,116
Acupuncturist	Using techniques of acupuncture to treat conditions such as hypertension or anxiety	66,675
Exercise Physiologist	Creating workout routines and strategies for individual clients	81,041

After completing the Master of Physiotherapy program in Australia, students are then qualified to apply for registration with the Physiotherapists Board in Australia. The board receives information about the students from the university free of charge; this service is not compensated in any way. However, to register with the board, you might need to provide particular papers or go through an immunization process.

Because sedentary lifestyles can lead to a variety of health problems, developed countries are seeing an increase in the number of people enrolling in physiotherapy programs. Because of this, getting a Master of Physiotherapy degree is an attractive choice for students all over the world.

Key Takeaways

1. Global Recognition of Degrees: Australian universities provide internationally recognized physiotherapy degrees, making graduates highly employable worldwide.
2. High Earning Potential: With average salaries of AUD 163,000 annually and significant growth opportunities, Australia is one of the best-paying countries for physiotherapists.
3. Diverse Career Opportunities: Graduates can explore roles in hospitals, private clinics, sports organizations, and rehabilitation centers.
4. Scholarship Opportunities: International students can access numerous scholarships to reduce tuition costs, such as government-funded and university-specific awards.
5. Flexible Entry Requirements: Students from non-physiotherapy backgrounds with relevant work experience can also apply to some universities like Curtin University.