Study Bachelor of Physiotherapy (Honours) (Whyalla) at the University of South Australia (UniSA). Information for Australian students.

Entry requirements

Admission criteria

The admission criteria have been grouped to assist you to easily find the information most relevant to your circumstances. However, you may fit into more than one and the university will consider applicants against each of the relevant criteria.

Certain conditions apply. For more information refer to Appendix 4 of the University's Selection and Entry policy.

Applicants are required to meet one of the following criteria with a competitive result, and demonstrate that they fulfil any prerequisite requirements and essential requirements for admission:

Recent secondary education
Meet any prerequisite requirements with a minimum grade of C- or equivalent
AND
- Qualify for the South Australian Certificate of Education (SACE), and achieved a competitive Selection Rank (ATAR), or
- Complete secondary qualifications equivalent to SACE, or
- Complete the International Baccalaureate Diploma with a minimum score of 24 points
Applicants who have not achieved the Selection Rank required for automatic selection may be selected for any remaining places based on the grades of their year 12 subjects.

Recent secondary education ATAR profile

OR
Higher education study
- Complete or partially complete a recognised higher education program at Bachelor or higher level at a recognised higher education institution, or
- Complete a Diploma level program at a recognised higher education institution, or
- Complete at least four Open Universities Australia (OUA) courses at undergraduate level or above
OR
Vocational Education and Training (VET)
- Complete an award from a registered training organisation at Advanced Diploma level or above
OR
Work and life experience
- Qualify for Special Entry, or
- Complete a 12-month UniSA Foundation Studies program or equivalent, or
- Hold completed secondary qualifications equivalent to SACE obtained more than 2 years in the past
Essential requirements for admission
Prerequisites
None

Assumed Knowledge

SACE Stage 2 Physics
SACE Stage 2 Biology
View full entry requirements Hide full entry requirements

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Degree overview

Become an expert in the structure and function of the human body, and help enable people of all ages to lead healthy lives.
Graduate ready to register as a physiotherapist with the Physiotherapy Board of Australia.
Complete 45 weeks of practical experience in local, industry-based clinical placements in areas like acute care, rehabilitation, paediatrics, aged care and disability, musculoskeletal and sports physiotherapy.
Graduate competent and confident to work across all areas of physiotherapy's scope with a respected honours degree, with opportunity to specialise in research or professional practice.
Experience quality face-to-face teaching, and benefit from the relaxed environment, small class sizes and strong community connections of our Whyalla campus.
Immerse yourself into the local workforce while studying and benefit from our established links with industry to kick-start your career.
Study a contemporary and culturally diverse curriculum informed by above world-class research in physiotherapy.¹
Learn from award-winning teaching staff, including practising health professionals and expert researchers at the forefront of their fields.
UniSA is an unstoppable university for unstoppable people. As one of the World’s Top Young Universities,² we’ll ensure you get the experience your future profession demands so it’ll feel like you’re studying one minute and in a career the next.

¹Results in Clinical Sciences - 2018 Excellence in Research for Australia (ERA). ²Ranked #43, 2024 THE Young University Rankings.

Snapshot

Kickstart your unstoppable career helping people to reach their full potential, and lead healthy, functional lives as a physiotherapist. This four-year honours degree will develop your expertise in the prevention, assessment and management of health conditions across the full lifespan.

Allied health professionals play an integral role in improving the health and wellbeing of regional South Australians. 1 As a registered physiotherapist, you’ll be one of the most sought-after allied health professionals in Australia. Pursue careers in a range of areas such as working with children, disability, brain injury, spinal cord injury, musculoskeletal, sports and aged care.

Further study opportunities to specialise your scope of practice or increase your research capacities include a Master of Research, doctoral studies or the Master of Advanced Clinical Physiotherapy (Sports or Musculoskeletal).

Applicants who are overseas trained physiotherapists should explore their eligibility for registration with the Australian Physiotherapy Council before they apply for this degree.

¹SA Rural Allied and Scientific Health Workforce Plan 2021–26, Government of South Australia

What you'll need

Students who undertake activities where interaction with patients/the public is required for their degree, such as field or clinical placements/visits and in University clinics and gyms, must demonstrate they meet mandatory pre-placement conditional requirements. These include criminal history clearance, a Working with Children Check and immunisation requirements.

Please visit the Clinical Placement Unit for information on key requirements, and to access the full student checklists.

Physiotherapy is a physically and cognitively demanding profession. Please refer to the degree’s Rules and Notes for further information on requirements to successfully complete this degree.

All students enrolled in a program leading to professional registration must be registered with the relevant national board. The registration process is undertaken by the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) with the University providing notification to AHPRA following enrolment in the program.

What you'll learn

The Bachelor of Physiotherapy (Honours) (Whyalla) will teach you to assess, treat and prevent health conditions across various areas of practice, including sport, musculoskeletal, cardiorespiratory and neurological disciplines.

You’ll start practical courses from day one and will learn foundational medical sciences in courses such as human anatomy and physiology. You also begin your training in physiotherapy-specific skills, starting with biomechanics and movement assessment.

You’ll also study important aspects of pharmacology and pain sciences; courses that will challenge your understanding of the mechanisms and management of pain in the biomedical model of health, and how to work collaboratively with patients to help them achieve their best outcomes. Experiential teaching is delivered through clinical placements that develop and refine your reflective physiotherapy practice.

You’ll graduate with qualifications to not only work as an autonomous practitioner concerned with prevention and management of movement disorders in the workplace or community, but also as a member of a multidisciplinary healthcare team. This holistic view of a patient’s health is critical, especially across the different types of care needed for people of all ages.

You can gain an extra qualification and broaden your career prospects by completing a Diploma in Languages.

Degree structure

Course name	Area and cat no.	Units	Reference
FIRST YEAR
First Semester (Study Period 1, 2 or 3)
Human Anatomy 100	HLTH 1020	4.5
Human Physiology 100	BIOL 1049	4.5
Aboriginal Health: Culture, Community and Country	HLTH 1063	4.5
Physiotherapy Studies 100	REHB 1026	4.5
Second Semester (Study Period 4, 5 or 6)
Human Anatomy 101	HLTH 1030	4.5
Human Physiology 101	BIOL 1050	4.5
Introduction to Evidence Based Practice and Research in Health Sciences	HLTH 1049	4.5
Physiotherapy Studies 101	REHB 1027	4.5
SECOND YEAR
First Semester (Study Period 1, 2 or 3)
Human Anatomy 200	HLTH 2022	4.5
Fundamentals of Pharmacology	PHAR 2019	4.5
Physiotherapy Studies 200	REHB 2041	4.5
Exercise Physiology 1	HLTH 2006	4.5
Second Semester (Study Period 4, 5 or 6)
Neurosciences in Physiotherapy	REHB 2048	4.5
Biopsychosocial Practice	REHB 2047	4.5
Physiotherapy Studies 201	REHB 2042	4.5
Physiotherapy Practice with Older Adults	REHB 2012	4.5
THIRD YEAR - PROFESSIONAL STREAM
First Semester (Study Period 1, 2 or 3) or Second Semester (Study Period 4, 5 or 6)
Applied Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy	REHB 3065	9
Pain Sciences	REHB 3009	4.5
Advanced Evidence Based Practice	HLTH 3057	4.5
Second Semester (Study Period 4, 5 or 6) or First Semester (Study Period 1, 2 or 3)
Acute Care	REHB 3007	9
Rehabilitation	REHB 3011	9	Note(s): 1
FOURTH YEAR - PROFESSIONAL STREAM
First Semester (Study Period 1, 2 or 3) or Second Semester (Study Period 4, 5 or 6)
Physiotherapy with Children and Families	REHB 4057	4.5
Clinical Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy	REHB 4056	9
Health Promotion in Physiotherapy B	REHB 4035	4.5
Second Semester (Study Period 4, 5 or 6) or First Semester (Study Period 1, 2 or 3)
Advanced Physiotherapy Practice B	REHB 4050	9
Work Health and Safety Practice	REHB 4011	4.5
Ethics and Communication	REHB 4034	4.5
THIRD YEAR - RESEARCH STREAM			Note(s): 4
First Semester (Study Period 1, 2 or 3)
Applied Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy	REHB 3065	9
Pain Sciences	REHB 3009	4.5
Health Science Honours Preparation	REHB 3010	4.5
Second Semester (Study Period 4, 5 or 6)
Acute Care	REHB 3007	9
Rehabilitation	REHB 3011	9	Note(s): 1
FOURTH YEAR - RESEARCH STREAM
First Semester (Study Period 1, 2 or 3)
Physiotherapy with Children and Families	REHB 4057	4.5
Work Health and Safety Practice	REHB 4011	4.5
Health Science Honours Thesis	REHB 4012	9
Second Semester (Study Period 4, 5 or 6)
Advanced Physiotherapy Practice B	REHB 4050	9
Clinical Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy	REHB 4056	9

Rules & notes

Rules

1. To undertake field/clinical placements students are required to have current criminal history and screening checks as published by the Clinical Placement Unit (unisa.edu.au/CPU). These checks will list disclosable court outcomes that may prevent field/clinical placement involvement and subsequently may prevent completion of the program.

2. Student registration with the relevant board of the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) is required in order to study this program. Students who do not meet registration criteria and are refused registration by AHPRA, or who have their registration rescinded during the program, will be unable to continue in the program. Further information will be provided by the University with offer letters.

3. Students will be required to satisfy the standard of dress and behaviour prescribed by institutions in which the clinical placements are undertaken. Failure to satisfy such requirements may prevent them satisfying the requirements for the completion of the program.

4. Students must have a 'Provide First Aid' Certificate and a Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) Certificate or equivalent before they will be allowed to commence the clinical section of the program.

5. Attendance requirements apply to the clinical components of the program. Students enrolled in courses with a clinical component will need to attend on a full-time basis for the duration of the clinics.

6. The program requires participation in practical classes where manual skills are practiced. Essential learning activities in some classes may require that students partially remove their clothing to a level that is appropriate to the learning activity. Students may also be asked to act as subjects for their peer group members. If a student is unable to meet these requirements they may be at risk of being unable to successfully complete course objectives and assessments and progress through the program.

7. Participation is required in practical classes and clinical placements where students are required to physically handle people including lifting and supporting people with disabilities.

8. Students must meet the vaccination requirements for health professionals prior to commencing the program. Failure to meet vaccination requirements will limit placement opportunities.

9. Students who do not maintain continuous enrolment in this program after commencing work integrated learning placements, or are returning from a period of absence of more than 12 months will be required to undertake a competency assessment and/or recency training at an upfront cost, in addition to the program tuition fees. This is to ensure students have maintained competency in the required skills to protect the safety of the public during work integrated learning arrangements.

Notes

1. Students may be required to spend time in a placement in a metropolitan Adelaide location.

2. Students may be required to undertake fieldwork placement outside normal university teaching weeks.

3. Students are strongly encouraged to study full-time. Students seeking part-time study must discuss this with the Program Director prior to enrolment. Part-time students are normally expected to complete the program in eight years.

4. Normally students who achieve a credit level average in the courses which make up the first and second years of the program may be considered for the research stream. Normally a quota for places will apply. The invitation to students will be made at the commencement of the third year of the program.

Study hours

For each course you study, you will need to allocate time for various classes such as lectures, tutorials, workshops, seminars and practicals. Plus you will need additional hours to study in your own time to complete assignments, readings and projects, as well as to contribute to online discussion forums (independent study). So as a general rule, if you are studying full-time you would need to allocate 12–26 hours of study when at university and 14–28 hours of independent study per week.

Assessment

Your studies will incorporate practical, professionally focused and research-based learning, so assessment types will vary. You can expect them to include:

essays
group assignments
workbooks
practical skills tests
Vivas
examinations
clinical competence

Global opportunities

Enrich your studies and your life – make overseas study part of your qualification. You may have the option to undertake an exchange, short-term program or study tour overseas while you study. We have links with universities worldwide, as well as a range of travel grants available to make going overseas much more accessible.

You can choose short-term or semester-long study from a range of universities and countries depending on your area of study and cultural interests.

Take a look at the global opportunities available.

Honours

This is a four-year professional degree with honours. You’ll graduate with industry experience and connections, and a higher-level qualification than a bachelor’s degree. From your third year, you will be able to specialise in a professional or research stream, depending on your career outcomes.

Professional stream: This option will see you working in a small group on an evidence-based literature review under the supervision of an experienced UniSA academic. You’ll also complete a group project with an industry supervisor to address a real-world need identified by their organisation. This pathway will strengthen your communication, collaboration and management skills. Your work will include recommendations for clinical practice and will inform industry practice and scientific knowledge.

Research stream: This option is offered to high achieving students as part of their honours studies. You will independently complete a real-world research project guided by a UniSA supervisor, develop a proposal and write a thesis about your findings (and possibly a journal publication), making a true contribution to scientific knowledge.

Examples of previous research honours projects include:

the impact of hamstring injuries related to AFL and SANFL football players
core concepts patients should know about living with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS)
the impact of fitness on foot function, comfort and jump performance in children aged 8-12 years
an investigation of the effect of 3D printed foot orthoses on lower limb biomechanics during running.

Why Bachelor of Physiotherapy (Honours) (Whyalla)

At UniSA, you’ll gain in-depth theoretical knowledge and practical skills required to excel as a physiotherapist with patient-centred care at the heart of your practice.

Graduating with an honours degree will set you apart from the crowd, ensuring you have a competitive edge and are well-placed for a career in industry, research or further postgraduate study.

At UniSA, you're encouraged to build industry relationships from day one of your degree. You’ll advance your knowledge and skills through supervised clinical placements, completing a minimum of 45 weeks of practical experience across a variety of physiotherapy disciplines. Your learning is carefully designed to gradually reduce your need for support as you move toward graduation, to ensure you have the confidence and capacity to walk into a job as a new graduate physiotherapist.

You’ll benefit from the expertise of UniSA’s above world-class research in physiotherapy.¹ We’ve been teaching in this field for more than 50 years and are proud of the rich knowledge base we’ve created. You’ll be taught by expert registered practicing physiotherapists and award-winning academics at the top of their fields throughout your studies.

¹Results in Clinical Sciences - 2018 Excellence in Research for Australia (ERA).

Real-world connections

You’ll benefit from UniSA’s enterprising spirit and strong industry links when you complete clinical placements across public and private health organisations, schools, rehabilitation centres, sporting organisations, aged care and more. Overall, you'll embark on a minimum of 35 weeks of practical experience. This includes at least seven placements, each in a different discipline of physiotherapy and with a different industry partner, ensuring you have broad exposure to the profession prior to joining it.

These experiences not only provide exceptional learning opportunities but are important networking opportunities.

We also host regular University-wide alumni events, employee master classes and employment expos in Australia and overseas.

Career outcomes

Your career

The demand for physiotherapists continues to grow, with 9,400 new job openings projected to become available over the next five years¹.

A successful physiotherapist is a biopsychological expert that understands the human body, but can also adeptly communicate, assess, manage and problem-solve a variety of issues for their clients.

Physiotherapists can work across management, administration, education, research, policy development, advisory and regulatory contexts. Industry settings can include:

private practice
clinics
sport and exercise services
rehabilitation centres
hospitals
home and community services
disability services
aged care facilities
women's health and paediatric services
occupational and health promotion units
research.

This qualification can also be used as a pathway to further learning, including a Master of Research, doctoral studies or the Master of Advanced Clinical Physiotherapy (Sports or Musculoskeletal).

¹Australian Government National Skills Commission Employment Projections 2021.

How to apply

Applying to study with us:

go to the top of this page and make note of the SATAC code, then click Apply
you will be redirected through to the SATAC website to continue your application

Alternative Pathways

Australian

There are other pathways you can follow to study this degree, including:

UniSA College Diploma in Health (Allied Health and Human Performance)

Deferment

This degree is available for deferment. This option is made available by responding to your offer during the application process via the SATAC website. Applicants who receive an offer into a midyear degree are eligible to defer for six months.

Credit Transfer

Get a head start on your degree. Find out if you're eligible for credit from previous studies.

Go to credit assessor

Entry pathway

We believe in equal access to further education, so we offer a range of pathways to university.

Find a Pathway

Scholarships

Every year, over 2,500 UniSA students are supported in their studies through scholarships and grants worth millions of dollars. Check out the scholarships below. One of them may be perfect for you. Visit our scholarships page for more.

More scholarships

UniSA Excellence Scholarships

$5,000 scholarship for South Australian students with an ATAR of 99 who enrol to study a UniSA undergraduate degree.

Learn more

UniSA Outstanding Achievement Scholarship

Up to $10,000 per annum (full time) for South Australian students who obtain an ATAR of 99.95 or IB equivalent and enrol to study at UniSA.

Learn more

Your study experience and support

Our campuses are home to fantastic facilities including modern lecture theatres, libraries, workshops and laboratories, as well as spaces that simulate real work environments. But you’ll also discover that your journey at UniSA is about social experiences, healthy living and getting involved. You’ll find student sports and fitness facilities, community clinics, tech zones and chill-out spaces. There are campus sport activities to keep you active, and if you are keen to explore the social side of university life, there are movies, cooking demonstrations, parties and loads more.

Adelaide also has a variety of accommodation options to suit different requirements and budgets. Options include dedicated student accommodation and private rentals. See our long-term accommodation pages, or explore our student accommodation by Scape on Bank Street in Adelaide’s lively cultural precinct, an ideal location for students. It is within easy reach of UniSA’s city and metropolitan campuses, Rundle Mall shopping, the Central Market, Chinatown, and the West End’s vibrant nightlife. It is also across the road from the Adelaide train station, and on bus and tram routes.

Student services

Our student services provide you with all the support you need at university. We want you to succeed, and if you need help, we're here to assist. You can access a full range of support services, including:

academic counselling
personal counselling
social support services, including family support and nearby childcare
common rooms
prayer rooms
security officers
career services and mentoring
Wirringka Student Services, offering Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students a supportive place to study
as well as services offered through our student association, USASA.

When you become a UniSA student, you can also contact Campus Central for help with anything related to your degree. They will help you with your enrolment, ID cards, fees, timetables and more.

24/7 digital environment

Our learnonline facilities include a personal learning environment with virtual classrooms, lecture recordings, emails, learning support, administration, library access and results. The environment is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, so you can tailor your learning to your life. We are continually investing in innovative digital technologies for a high-quality student learning experience.

Your campus

We have six campuses in metropolitan and regional areas, each with modern facilities including lecture theatres, libraries and laboratories, as well as spaces that simulate real work environments.

Your study spaces

As a physiotherapy student you'll have access to purpose-built facilities, including:

physiotherapy practical rooms
anatomy and physiology laboratories

You’ll also have access to a range of on-campus spaces including collaborative teaching rooms and relaxed student lounges.

Ask UniSA

How do I apply?

The way you apply for UniSA will depend on the undergraduate or postgraduate coursework degree you're interested in studying.

The majority of applications are made via the South Australian Tertiary Admissions Centre (SATAC). Check out more information on the SATAC website and follow the appropriate process for your degree of interest.

There are a small number of degrees that you need to apply for through direct application processes. The process you need to follow will be listed on the 'How to Apply' section of the degree homepage, but you'll also be taken to where you need to go if you hit the 'apply' button.

If you are interested in studying one of our 100% online degrees you'll need to apply directly to UniSA Online.

You can find more information about the application processes for UniSA on our How to Apply webpage.

If you're more interested in applying for a postgraduate degree by research, check out and follow the information in our step by step guide to applying.
Is there a closing date for applications?

Applications for all degrees will close ahead of study commencing, but the timelines may vary for undergraduate and postgraduate degrees.

Undergraduate

The deadline to apply to study a degree at UniSA for semester one (commencing late February) and be guaranteed equal consideration is generally in very late November or early December. While you may be able to apply after this date, you are not guaranteed to be considered equally with other applicants and your application may not be assessed in time for the main round of offers. More competitive degrees may not make any offers after the main offer round. Find more information on the Key Dates section of the SATAC website, but you can also call the Future Student Enquiries team for more information on 08 8302 376.

Postgraduate

Many postgraduate by coursework degrees do not have set closing dates. The exceptions are highly competitive degrees, so it is best to check – either on the degree homepage on the SATAC website or by checking with our Future Student Enquiries team.

As most postgraduate applications are assessed as they are submitted and offers are continuous, there are no set closing dates for applications. Degrees can be filled and closed with little notice so it is best to apply as soon as possible to avoid missing out on a place. For more information, please contact our Future Student Enquires team on (08) 8302 2376 or submit an enquiry.
What credit can I receive for previous studies?

You may be eligible for credit or advanced standing for your chosen UniSA degree based on your previous studies, if they are in a related area and completed within a certain timeframe. Receiving credit or RPL will reduce the number of courses you undertake within the degree, and may also reduce the overall duration of your degree. You can read more about our pre-existing credit agreements through our online Credit Assessor. If you have related industry experience, you may also be eligible to receive recognised prior learning (RPL) for this experience. Credit and RPL is assessed by the Program Director once you've received an offer, and you apply through UniSA's current student experts, Campus Central.
Can I speak to someone regarding my study options?

Future Student Enquiries welcomes the opportunity to meet with you to discuss your study options at UniSA. We can discuss degree information, entry requirements and pathways, applications, general career outcomes and student life, so you have the information to make the best study decision for your future. Head to our Book an Appointment webpage to find a date and time to speak with us, and take your next steps on journey to university study.

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Related degrees

Bachelor of Physiotherapy (Honours)

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Australian students

Phone: +61 8 8302 2376
Enquiry: unisa.edu.au/enquiry

International students

Phone: +61 8 9627 4854
Enquiry: unisa.edu.au/enquiry

This degree is only available to Australian students

Bachelor of Physiotherapy (Honours) (Whyalla)

Entry requirements

Admission criteria

Essential requirements for admission

Prerequisites

Assumed Knowledge