La Trobe University

Master of Physiotherapy Practice

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Details

University Location Melbourne, Victoria
City Population 5.3 million
Student Population 36,000
Int'l Student Population 7,000
Main Campus Melbourne (Bundoora, suburb of Melbourne)
Program Campus Melbourne (Bundoora)
Program Duration 2 years
Estimated Annual Tuition AUD$55,000 (2025 fees; subject to increase)
Semester Intake January
Next Available Intake 2026
Application Deadline TBA*
International Places 10
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Studying Physiotherapy at La Trobe University

The La Trobe University School of Allied Health, Human Services and Sport is changing the face of health and well-being in Australia and abroad through education, research, and practice.

La Trobe physiotherapy students have access to an extensive network of healthcare services and industry partners, including outstanding placement programs that provide future health professionals with real-world experiences. Researchers at the university specialize in most areas of allied health including sport and exercise medicine, social inclusion of people with cognitive disabilities, and the treatment of aphasia and stroke.

As a physio student at La Trobe, you’ll benefit from formal academic training, augmented by sustained and supported work-based experiences in a range of clinical, community, industry and private practice settings. The school’s innovative teaching facilities and on-site clinics will also provide you with hands-on experience that will complement your theoretical training.

Experience gained in La Trobe’s world-class facilities means you can confidently enter the workplace for your clinical placements with the university’s industry partners.

Program

Following an applied anatomy subject in Term 1 (January–February), the first year of the course will develop core knowledge and skills required for effective physiotherapy practice in a range of healthcare settings, across a variety of practice areas, and work with clients from across the lifespan. The second year of the course comprises integrated theory and clinical practice subjects, where advanced physiotherapy knowledge and skills will be developed and applied to clinical environments.

The clinical practice and theory subjects extend outside official university semester dates. The course includes small-group learning to master the practical aspects of physiotherapy practice. You will assess and treat patients in hospitals and other clinical settings under the supervision of a qualified clinician.

Clinical Placements
During this course, you will participate in supervised Work Based Learning (WBL) placements designed to allow you to practice newly acquired skills, behaviours and knowledge while integrating theory with practice. The placements will immerse you in professional work culture, enabling you to develop and further enhance your skills. WBL provides you with the opportunity to gain valuable industry experience at one or more of our local, interstate or international industry partners or agencies. WBL placements will generally be arranged by the University Placements Operation Team at La Trobe University.

Returning to Practice
The Canadian Alliance of Physiotherapy Regulators (CAPR) requires students to complete 1025 hours of supervised clinical education to become accredited in Canada or 700 hours + 350 hours of paid work as a registered physiotherapist in a jurisdiction outside Canada.

La Trobe’s Master of Physiotherapy Practice program contains 732 hours of university-level supervised clinical practice, including 100 hours musculoskeletal, 100 hours neurological, and 40 hours cardiorespiratory clinical practice.

Since the program does not include 1025 hours of supervised clinical education, you’ll be required to add clinical placement subjects prior to graduation (which will be at an additional cost) or you can graduate, apply to be a registered physiotherapist, and make up the additional hours working as a paid physiotherapist.

Admission Requirements

Completed bachelor’s degree
You must have a completed undergraduate degree from a recognized university with a minimum WAM (weighted average mark) of 2.7/4.0, and have extensive pre-existing knowledge in the following areas:

  • Musculoskeletal anatomy, including upper/lower limb, trunk, head/neck and neuroanatomy (2 semesters)
  • Human physiology (1 semester)

Please note the above criteria are minimum requirements. Once prerequisites are met, entry is via a competitive selection process based on grade point average.

Applicants who completed their degree more than 5 years ago may be considered on the basis of postgraduate study and/or relevant work experience. A résumé will be required.

Admission Timeline

*Applications for the 2025 intake closed August 29, 2024. All applications will be assessed after the deadline. For information about the 2026 intake and to apply, please contact OzTREKK.

2025 Intake Admissions Timeline

Round 1: June 28, 2024
Round 2: July 31, 2024
Round 3 (final deadline): August 29, 2024