Overview 2025
Location
Commonwealth Supported and Full Fee Paying places available (check your Letter of Offer for details)
Location
- What is an ATAR
- Course rules
- CRICOS: 106189A
This course will give you the qualifications and skills you need to become a practicing physiotherapist in Australia. Developed in collaboration with health professionals, industry leaders and professional bodies, this course will equip you with the future facing capabilities required to adapt and respond to rapidly occurring changes in health, and the health system.
Through problem-based and practical learning experiences, you will be introduced to a range of health care settings that have widespread community health impact. You will participate in community-based projects and authentic experiential learning activities that develop and apply lean and system thinking skills, preparing you to respond to complex health care problems. These will build your capacity for work readiness, ensuring client-centred, quality and safe health care across diverse service delivery settings experienced in regional, rural and metropolitan landscapes.
It is a full- time course that runs over four semesters, with 50 credit points (4 units) each semester. Alternative pathways can be discussed with the Course Coordinator. The Master of Physiotherapy has it’s ‘home base’ in Launceston but, where possible, it is place-based, so that you can complete elements of study from wherever you reside in Tasmania.
Throughout the four stages of the course, you will engage in online and independent learning, including weekly, one day, face-to-face workshops with staff in Launceston or Hobart. You also need to be available to attend two week-long Residential Schools in Launceston each semester, and engage in Work Integrated Learning (WIL) opportunities throughout the course as part of the units. These include supervised professional experience placements (PEP) across the program.
Block placements will occur across Tasmania, and travel to participate in these activities may be required over the duration of the course. Please note this means you are unable to undertake the course from interstate.
You will also be expected to complete formal manual handling training and first aid certification prior to commencing their PEP placements.
Graduates of the Master of Physiotherapy complete the degree equipped with the theoretical and practical skills required by for their future career as a registered Physiotherapist.
Course objectives
The Master of Physiotherapy is designed to set up a new generation of agile health professionals, with capability in leadership and future-focused health care.
With many graduate job opportunities currently available and anticipated to grow, our objective is to prepare students to be leaders in current and emerging jobs, across private and public practice settings.
Learning outcomes
Practical experience
This course includes over 900 hours of work placements at the university clinic and in industry partner clinics/departments.
Undertake immersive hands-on learning in real healthcare environments with experienced physiotherapy practitioners and learn about contextual aspects of population health and service delivery. Your professional experience placements will span a range of physiotherapy settings (paediatrics, youth, aged, rural, community, aged and acute), as well as musculoskeletal, cardiorespiratory and neurological areas of physiotherapy practice.
You will build vital professional skills such as client-centred care, clinical reasoning, quality assurance, evidence based practice, interprofessional teamwork and leadership by engaging in authentic case and problem based learning.
Through our on campus simulated learning environments, you will have the opportunity to practice your physiotherapy assessment and intervention skills and enhance your clinical reasoning, organisation, time management, communication and conflict resolution skill.
Safety in Practice Compliance
This course includes compulsory Professional Experience Placements. You must meet the College of Health and Medicine's Safety in Practice Requirements before census date of the first semester of your course. The safety in practice requirements are completed separately to the course admission application.
Work placement
This course includes over 900 hours of work placements at the university clinic and in industry partner clinics/departments.
Career outcomes
Allied Health professionals are in high demand across the health sector with employment for Physiotherapist projected to increase in Australia by 17.5% by November 2028*.
Our Master of Physiotherapy will provide you with qualifications that can lead to various job opportunities in Tasmania, Australia and overseas. As a physiotherapist, you can work across a range of different industries including;
- Aged Care
- Cardiothoracic
- Emergency
- Government sector
- Musculoskeletal
- Neurological
- Oncology
- Paediatrics
- Private Industry
- Sports health
- Women’s health
*Australian Government Department of Education, Skills and Employment, 2023 Occupational Projections.
Professional Accreditation
The Master of Physiotherapy is a professionally accredited degree. This course is accredited by the Australian Physiotherapy Council.
Graduates may meet the requirements for registration with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) as a Physiotherapist. There may be additional requirements for registration beyond the completion of the course. For further registration requirements, please visit the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency website.
If you have any queries about the accreditation process, please contact us for further information.
Course structure
The course comprises sixteen (16) core units, is studied full-time, and uses a semester structure.
Year 1
First Semester of Study
This unit introduces you to an interprofessional framework and foundational concepts related to joining a regulated profession and that are shared across allied health disciplines. Within the interprofessional framework, allied health students develop an understanding of the professional contexts in…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Launceston | Semester 2 | ||||
View all details for CXA705 Becoming an Allied Health Professional
This unit provides the fundamental concepts that will underpin the teaching for the remainder of the physiotherapy -discipline specific unit content across the areas of musculoskeletal, cardiorespiratory and neurological physiotherapy. You will learn about an overview of the physiotherapy profession,…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Launceston | Semester 2 | ||||
This unit offers a professional experience placement that combines essential theoretical knowledge and practical skills in physiotherapy. The unit emphasizes experiential learning, encouraging you to observe, assist, and critically reflect on key theoretical knowledge and threshold concepts. You will also…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Launceston | Semester 2 | ||||
View all details for CXA752 Foundations of Physiotherapy Practice
This unit builds upon your foundational knowledge and skills introduced in previous units to examine cardiorespiratory physiotherapy. It, therefore, retains the focus on applying the biopsychosocial model of practice, person centred practice, evidence-based practice, reflective practice, critical thinking and interprofessional…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Launceston | Semester 2 | ||||
View all details for CXA755 Cardiorespiratory Physiotherapy Theory
Second Semester of Study
This unit consolidates knowledge and skills related to professional practice issues and communication in physiotherapy. The unit retains the focus on client assessment, planning and interventions using a clinical reasoning approach. Physiotherapy approaches are studied in relation to prevention, management…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Launceston | Semester 2 | ||||
You will build on the foundational knowledge and skills introduced in units CXA AAA Fundamentals of Physiotherapy and CXA BBB Physiotherapy Foundations, and continue to focus on key principles of professional practice, structured around the threshold concept. These principles encompass…
Credit Points: 12.5
This unit is currently unavailable.
This unit builds upon the foundational knowledge and skills introduced in previous foundational units. You will be required to apply principles of practice which are patient-centred, evidence-based, reflective and incorporate interprofessional collaboration. You will be required to synthesise new knowledge…
Credit Points: 12.5
This unit is currently unavailable.
This unit explores how colonisation impacts the contemporary health situation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and their access to and engagement with health services . Cultural safety, self-determination, collaboration and anti-racism are central concepts within this unit. You…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Launceston | Semester 1 | ||||
| Online | Semester 1 | ||||
View all details for HGA746 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health and Wellbeing
Year 2
Third Semester of Study
This unit is the second of three interprofessional units in the program, and builds on knowledge and skills related to public health, social determinants of health, ICF, biopsychosocial practice, client-centred care, client safety and quality, and interprofessional collaborative practice. You…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Launceston | Semester 2 | ||||
View all details for CXA746 Developing as Allied Health Collaborators
This professional experience placement unit brings together core physiotherapy practice knowledge and skills and requires students to apply them to work in supervised practice with clients who present with cardiorespiratory conditions. There is a retained focus on the application of…
Credit Points: 12.5
This unit is currently unavailable.
View all details for CXA756 Cardiorespiratory Physiotherapy Practice
This professional experience placement unit brings together core foundational physiotherapy practice knowledge and skills and requires you to apply them to work in supervised practice with clients who present with musculoskeletal conditions. There is a retained focus on the application…
Credit Points: 12.5
This unit is currently unavailable.
View all details for CXA757 Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy Practice 1
This unit extends physiotherapy practice knowledge and skills to apply with clients who present with complex neurological conditions. The focus is on your ability to identify appropriate assessments and perform these in simulated settings, as well as the selection and…
Credit Points: 12.5
This unit is currently unavailable.
View all details for CXA758 Neurological Physiotherapy Theory 2
Fourth Semester of Study
This unit consolidates knowledge and skills related to collaborative leadership and public health and synthesises them with skills and shared frameworks critical for allied health professionals working in community-based settings. Principles of population health and prevention and promotion strategies are…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Launceston | Semester 1 | ||||
View all details for CXA713 Transitioning to Community-Based Allied Health Practice
This unit consolidates knowledge and skills related to professional practice issues and communication in physiotherapy. The unit retains the focus on client assessment, planning and interventions using a clinical reasoning approach. Physiotherapy approaches are studied in relation to prevention, management…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Launceston | Semester 1 | ||||
View all details for CXA742 Physiotherapy Across the Lifespan
This professional experience placement unit brings together core foundational physiotherapy practice knowledge and skills and requires you to apply them to work in supervised practice with clients who present with complex and/or chronic conditions across the lifespan. There is a…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Launceston | Semester 1 | ||||
View all details for CXA743 Physiotherapy Across the Lifespan Practice
This professional experience placement unit consolidates your physiotherapy practice knowledge and skills, and requires you to apply them to work in supervised practice with clients who present with complex neurological conditions. The focus is on your professional experiential learning, including…
Credit Points: 12.5
This unit is currently unavailable.
View all details for CXA759 Neurological Physiotherapy Practice
Entry requirements
For Domestic students
APPLICATION SUBMISSION DEADLINE:
Please note the closing time and date for receipt of second round applications for 2025 (Semester 2 commencement) is 11:59PM (AEDT) Friday 31st January 2025.
Admission to the Master of Physiotherapy is highly competitive and achieving the entry requirements does not guarantee an offer for this course.
Applicants who meet the entry requirements are ranked on academic performance and offers are made based on the number of places available.
This course uses a minimum credit average GPA requirement for prior tertiary education and equivalent ranks as part of the admission process.
Applicants must have completed a Bachelor or Master degree (other than Physiotherapy) from an Australian university in the last 10 years, having completed the equivalent of:
- two units (25 credit points) of human physiology, ideally including exercise physiology
- two units (25 credit points) of human anatomy, including detailed musculoskeletal, cardiorespiratory and neurological anatomy
- one unit (12.5 credit points) of study in psychology, and
- one unit (12.5 credit points) of study in research methods and/or evidence-based practice.
Prior study in fields such as exercise science, biomedical or other health science is recommended.
Completion of the pre-requisites can occur via enrolment in UTAS units, other Australian universities or international universities that that offer appropriate level units, and via Open University. Applicants are advised to check with the academic lead on appropriateness of the units before commencing.
Those UTAS units that are recommended as pre-requisites for M7C are:
Human Anatomy
- CAM309 Musculoskeletal Anatomy
- CXA171 Foundations of the Human Body
- CXA232 Functional and Surface Anatomy
Human Physiology
- CXA237 Exercise Physiology
- CZZ101 Human Anatomy and Physiology 1A
- CZZ102 Human Anatomy and Physiology 1B
- CHP207 Human Physiology
Psychology
- PSY112 Brain and Behaviour
- PSY124 Mental Health and Individual Differences
- PSY125 Psychological Processes
Research Methods
- CXA328 Evidence-Based Research in Health Sciences
- CZZ103 Research Literacy
Quota:
Tasmanian Quota
At least 60% of places will be offered to Tasmanians, which is defined as:
Applicants who meet the domestic admission requirements and can demonstrate they:
- Are currently resident in Tasmania at the time of application, and/or;
- Have completed TCE/IB in Tasmania
Applicants who have recently completed secondary education:
A subquota of up to 50% of the Tasmanian quota exists for school leaver applicants who will have completed TCE/IB in Tasmania in the year preceding entry to the University of Tasmania subject to the following conditions:
- Applicants must have completed their Certificate of Education within the last 12 months;
- Applicants will be ranked according to their ATAR;
- Applicants must be enrolled in one of the following UTAS undergraduate degrees: Bachelor of Exercise and Sports Science (53J), Bachelor of Biomedicine (M3X), Bachelor of Nutrition Science (53H), Bachelor of Psychological Science (53F);
- Applicants entering this guaranteed pathway will be required to:
- study full-time within the undergraduate program,
- complete all relevant pre-requisite units during the undergraduate program, and
- maintain a GPA of 5.0 throughout their undergraduate program.
- Applicants cannot defer commencement of study in the chosen UTAS undergraduate degree.
Quota for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People
A quota of up to 15% of places will be available to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People who meet all entry requirements.
SAFETY IN PRACTICE REQUIREMENTS
This course includes compulsory Professional Experience Placements. You must meet the College of Health and Medicine's Safety in Practice Requirements before census date of the first semester of your course. The safety in practice requirements are completed separately to the course admission application.
For International students
APPLICATION SUBMISSION DEADLINE:
Please note the closing time and date for receipt of second round applications for 2025 (Semester 2 commencement) is 11:59PM (AEDT) Friday 31st January 2025.
English Language Requirements
- IELTS Academic minimum score of 7 overall and a minimum score of 7 in each individual band
- TOEFL(iBT) 94 (no skill below: Reading 24; Listening 24; Speaking 23; Writing 27)
- PTE Academic 65 with no score lower than 65
- OET with a minimum score of B in each of the four components (listening, reading, writing and speaking)
OR
- successfully completed a relevant tertiary qualification in English in any of the following countries: Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Republic of Ireland, South Africa, United Kingdom and United States of America. within the previous 24 months..
* Good academic progress must have been made with passes in more than 50% of enrolment in any given semester
The IELTS result must be no older than two years at the expected course commencement date.
All Other Requirements
Admission to the Master of Physiotherapy is highly competitive and achieving the entry requirements does not guarantee an offer for this course.
Applicants who meet the entry requirements are ranked on academic performance and offers are made based on the number of places available.
This course uses a minimum credit average GPA requirement for prior tertiary education and equivalent ranks as part of the admission process.
Applicants must have completed a relevant Bachelor or Master degree in the last 10 years, having completed the equivalent of:
- two units (25 credit points) of human physiology, ideally including exercise physiology
- two units (25 credit points) of human anatomy, including detailed musculoskeletal, cardiorespiratory and neurological anatomy
- one unit (12.5 credit points) of study in psychology, and
- one unit (12.5 credit points) of study in research methods and/or evidence-based practice.
Prior study in fields such as exercise science, biomedical or other health science is recommended.
Quota
A quota of up to 15% of places will be offered to international students.
SAFETY IN PRACTICE REQUIREMENTS
This course includes compulsory Professional Experience Placements. You must meet the College of Health and Medicine's Safety in Practice Requirements before census date of the first semester of your course. The safety in practice requirements are completed separately to the course admission application.
Credit transfer
Applications for credit can be made in your course application. Find out more information about how to apply for a credit transfer/advanced standing at Recognition of Prior Learning.
Articulation
There is no articulation from or to any other course.
Alternative entry pathways
NIL
Fees & scholarships
Domestic students
Cost shouldn’t get in the way of you studying.
If you’re a domestic postgraduate student, you might be eligible for a Commonwealth supported place in this course. This means your fees will be subsidised by the Australian Government. You’ll only need to pay the student contribution amount for each unit you study within the course.
You may also be able to defer payment of the student contribution amount by accessing a HECS-HELP loan from the Government. If eligible, you’ll only have to pay your tuition fees once you start earning above a specific amount.
Further information is available at Scholarships, fees and costs.
Student contributionStudent contribution amounts are charged for each unit of study. This means that how much you’ll pay will depend on which units you choose. Find out more about student contribution amounts.
An important note on Youth Allowance and AustudyThe Department of Social Services has approved some accredited and professionally-oriented Master courses for student payments through Youth Allowance or Austudy. This means if you enrol in one of these courses, you may be eligible for student payments. However, please be aware that this is not the case for all Master courses. Please visit our Scholarships, Fees and Costs website for further information.
Further informationDetailed fee information for domestic students is available at Scholarships, fees and costs, including additional information in relation to the compulsory Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF).
Domestic students enrolled in certain postgraduate coursework programs may not be eligible for student payments through Youth Allowance and Austudy. Visit the Department of Social Services website to find out more about eligibility for Centrelink support and the list of eligible courses
International students
2025 Total Course Fee (international students): $ 96,863 AUD *.
Course cost based on a rate of $47,250 AUD per standard, full-time year of study (100 credit points).
* Please note that this is an indicative fee only.
International students
International students are charged the Student Services and Amenities Fee but this fee is incorporated in the annual rate. International students do not have to make any additional SSAF payments.
Scholarships
For information on general scholarships available at the University of Tasmania, please visit the scholarships website.
How can we help?
Do you have any questions about choosing a course or applying? Get in touch.
- Domestic
- 13 8827 (13 UTAS)
- International
- +61 3 6226 6200
- Course.Info@utas.edu.au
- Online
- Online enquiries