Bachelor of Physiotherapy (4706)

  • Approved Abbreviation: BPhys
  • Western Sydney University Program Code: 4706
  • AQF Level: 7

CRICOS Code: 0101790

This program applies to students who commenced in 2022 or later.

Students should follow the program structure for the session start date relevant to the year they commenced.

Commencement Year 2015 - 2021 - 4706.1 - Bachelor of Physiotherapy

Commencement Year 2013 - 2014 - 4662.4 - Bachelor of Health Science/Master of Physiotherapy

Physiotherapy is a highly regarded profession and demand for physiotherapists is strong. Physiotherapists work in private practice, aged care settings, private and public hospitals, workplaces, community based agencies, schools, rehabilitation centres and chronic health management clinics. Patients range across the life span, from birth to athletes and the elderly. The program in physiotherapy is offered as a 4-year Bachelor of Physiotherapy. The first three years of the program combine studies in physiotherapy with a broad understanding of biomedicine and health science fields to develop the professional competencies important for ethical and safe practice, high quality care and the skills to work in multidisciplinary teams. The final year focuses predominately on the development of physiotherapy practice skills, which are used during clinical placements to treat patients in the community. Evidence-based practice is one of the most important trends in healthcare today and a strong feature of the program.

The Honours program is available to high achieving students in the Bachelor of Physiotherapy. Honours is a key early step in the pathway to leadership in the profession and opens up the world of research, without taking any longer to complete the degree. Students apply for entry into the Honours program in year 3 of the combined degree. They begin advanced research training in the latter half of year 3. Clinical placements and an honours thesis are completed during the fourth year of the program. The thesis presents research that addresses real physiotherapy problems. This research will be conducted under the supervision of experienced academic researchers.

Early Exit

Students may exit this program on completion of 240 credit points with a 4789 Bachelor of Health Science (Clinical Sciences)

Study Mode

Four years full-time

Program Advice

HealthSciences@westernsydney.edu.au

Prospective students should visit the following websites for general enquiries about this program.

Enquire about this program| Local Admission | International Admission |

Location

Campus Attendance Mode Advice
Campbelltown Campus Full Time Internal See above

Accreditation

The Bachelor of Physiotherapy and Bachelor of Physiotherapy (Hons) are accredited by the Australian Physiotherapy Council and are approved programs of study by the Physiotherapy Board of Australia.

Inherent Requirements

There are inherent requirements for this program that you must meet in order to complete your program and graduate. Make sure you read and understand the requirements for this program online.

Inherent requirements

Work Integrated Learning

Western Sydney University seeks to enhance student learning experiences by enabling students to engage in the culture, expectations and practices of their profession or discipline.  This program includes a placement or other community-based unpaid practical experience.

There is a mandatory work component required for completion of this program.  Please contact the Program Advisor listed above for information.

International students should also refer to the link below for more information and a link to the Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS).

Work Integrated Learning (WIL) for international students

Admission

Assumed knowledge: any 2 subjects of English.

Recommended studies: Biology

Applications from Australian and New Zealand citizens and holders of permanent resident visas may be made via the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC) . Use the links below to apply via UAC. 

http://www.uac.edu.au/

Applicants who have undertaken studies overseas may have to provide proof of proficiency in English. Local applicants who are applying through the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC) will find details of minimum English proficiency requirements and acceptable proof on the UAC website. Local applicants applying directly to the University should also use the information provided on the UAC website.

International students currently completing an Australian Year 12 in or outside Australia, an International Baccalaureate in Australia or a New Zealand National Certificate of Educational Achievement (NCEA) level 3 must apply via UAC International.

http://www.uac.edu.au/

All other International applicants must apply directly to the University via the International Office.  

International students applying to the University through the International Office can find details of minimum English proficiency requirements and acceptable proof on their website.

International Office

Overseas qualifications must be deemed by the Australian Education International - National Office of Overseas Skills Recognition (AEI-NOOSR) to be equivalent to Australian qualifications in order to be considered by UAC and Western Sydney University.

https://www.westernsydney.edu.au/international/home/apply/admissions/entry_requirements

For programs that will lead to AHPRA registered careers and students studying Sport and Exercise Science and Speech Pathology, students are required to have a minimum IELTS score of 7.0 overall with a minimum score of 7.0 in Speaking and Listening, and 6.5 in Writing and Reading or equivalents, in an acceptable language test.

International Office Overseas qualifications must be deemed by the Australian Department of Education, Skills and Employment to be equivalent to Australian qualifications in order to be considered by UAC and Western Sydney University.

Special Requirements - NSW Health Legislative Pre-requisites

Student Compliance Information for all Health-Related Placements

To enrol in this program, students must meet Western Sydney University program requirements. To attend a health-related placement in this program, Special Legislative Requirements will be assessed from the first year of study.

Western Program Requirements

Visit the Special Requirements webpage for details about your program.

Special Requirements

Mandatory NSW Health student placement policy requirements

To be able to undertake placement in any NSW Health facility you must be assessed as compliant with NSW Health student placement policy in the first year of your program, regardless of when you expect to go on your first placement. Access and read the NSW Student Compliance Information Booklet

NSW Student Compliance Information Booklet

Please ensure that you

  1.  Find your existing National Police Check or apply for one
  2.  Gather documentary evidence of your vaccination history
  3.  Print and compete all relevant NSW Health forms relevant to the campus you are enrolled at or online enrolment requirements
  4.  Follow booklet instructions on how to have your compliance documents assessed by NSW health staff.

International students have additional requirements: the link to the booklet will inform you of these requirements.

School Requirements

Contact your School for further details regarding your School’s requirements, if any, such as

  • If you live outside of NSW or Australia and need to meet your state, territory or country’s compliance requirements
  • If you need to meet different state, territory or country compliance requirements.
  • NSW Working with Children Check (WWCC) or other state equivalent, valid for your entire program.
  • Current approved first aid certificate valid for your entire program - approved program providers can be found at the Government Training website
  • http://training.gov.au
  • Other non-health related requirements

Student Compliance Resources are also available on the Placements Hub web page (NSW students only)

https://www.westernsydney.edu.au/learning_futures/home/placements_hub/placements_hub/student_compliance

Special Requirements

In order to enrol in Second Year Spring subjects, all students must have completed the NSW Health requirements above. In clinical placement subjects, students must wear the Western Sydney physiotherapy uniform, which complies with NSW uniform requirements. Special note: Students in this program are required to participate fully in practical classes. This involves disrobing to shorts and singlet or swim-suit equivalent in mixed gender classes. Students will practice hands-on physiotherapy examination and treatment techniques on both genders, and will personally experience these techniques which will be performed on them by other students and relevant academic staff.

Program Structure

Qualification for this award requires the successful completion of 320 credit points which include the subjects listed in the recommended sequence below.

Recommended Sequence

Plan of Study Grid
Year 1
Autumn sessionCredit Points
PUBH 1006 Population Health and Society 10
NATS 1009 Human Anatomy and Physiology 1 10
REHA 1002 Introduction to Physiotherapy Practice 10
HLTH 1013 Professional Competencies in Health 10
 Credit Points40
Spring session
NATS 1010 Human Anatomy and Physiology 2 10
COMM 1007 Communication in Health 10
HLTH 1012 Evidence in Health 10
NATS 1022 Functional Anatomy 10
 Credit Points40
Year 2
Autumn session
HLTH 2003 Biomechanics 10
PUBH 2005 Culture, Diversity and Health 10
HLTH 2024 Research Methods in Health 10
NATS 2038 Pathophysiology 1 10
 Credit Points40
2H session
REHA 2001 Core Competencies in Physiotherapy Practice 10
 Credit Points10
Spring session
NATS 3037 Neuroanatomy 10
NATS 2008 Clinical Pharmacology 10
BEHV 1014 Psychology and Health 10
 Credit Points30
Year 3
1H session
REHA 3009 Exercise Rehabilitation 10
REHA 3017 Neurological Physiotherapy 10
REHA 3015 Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy A 10
 Credit Points30
Autumn session
REHA 3003 Clinical Education (General) 10
 Credit Points10
Spring session
REHA 3001 Cardiorespiratory Physiotherapy 10
REHA 3018 Neurological Rehabilitation 10
HLTH 3005 Evidence-Based Practice 10
From 2023 HLTH 3005 is replaced by PUBH 3023 Evidence in Professional Reasoning  
REHA 3016 Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy B 10
At this point, students may exit with the Bachelor of Health Science (Clinical Science)  
 Credit Points40
Year 4
1H/2H session
Students must complete the four subjects Clinical Education A, B, C, D in Year 4 of the program. Due to availability of clinical placements, these subjects are available in both 1H and 2H sessions.  
REHA 3004 Clinical Education A (Acute Care) 10
REHA 4001 Clinical Education B (Rehabilitation) 10
REHA 4002 Clinical Education C (Ambulatory Care) 10
REHA 4003 Clinical Education D (Paediatrics) 10
 Credit Points40
1H session
REHA 4014 Paediatric Physiotherapy 10
REHA 4015 Physiotherapy for Chronic Illness and Disease 10
 Credit Points20
2H session
REHA 4006 Complex Cases and Professional Issues 10
REHA 4008 Integrating Research into Physiotherapy Practice 10
 Credit Points20
 Total Credit Points320