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Physiotherapy Schools Selection Criteria (2021 Updated)

2xq

Allied Health Member
For those considering Physiotherapy as an alternative career to medicine/dentistry, this is the page that'll list all UNDERGRADUATE accredited courses (Australian Programs) that'll allow you to practice as a Physiotherapist in a very digestible table much like Med schools Selection Criteria Y12s & Non-standards AND UPDATED Dentistry Schools Selection Criteria Y12s & Non-standards. (Link: Accredited Physiotherapy Programs - AHPRA & National Boards).

If there is anything missing/incorrect about the following table, please let me know!:yay:(Also there's nothing on non-standard entry well because... there's simply nothing online to go off.)

Edit 2023 Entry Information: UNSW are also adding their own physiotherapy program which starts intaking students as of 2023. I am waiting for AHPRA for their approval before adding to the list.

UniversityDegree OfferedCourse LengthATAR/Lowest Selection Rank (LSR)Prerequisites (PR)/Assumed Knowledge (AK)Notes
Australian Catholic University (ACU)Bachelor of Physiotherapy [Note: Honours available to meritorius students]4 Years86.00 (LSR) - Brisbane; 97.50 (LSR) - North Sydney; 92.05 (LSR) - BallaratAny 2 units of English (Band 4) plus at least one of Biology, Chemistry or Physics (Band 2). (PR)- Subject Adjustments Available
- SEAS/EAS Available
- Regional Adjustments.
Central Queensland University (CQU)Bachelor of Physiotherapy (Honours)4 Years77.00 (LSR) - Bundaberg & RockhamptonEnglish, Literature, English and Literature Extension or English as an Additional Language (Units 3 and 4, C); One of Chemistry, Biology or Physics (Units 3 and 4, C) (PR)
Charles Sturt University (CSU)Bachelor of Physiotherapy [Note: Honours available to meritorius students]4 Years75.10 (LSR) - Albury-Wodonga, Orange & Port MacquarieBiology, English Standard, Mathematics Advanced. (AK)- Recommended studies: Chemistry, Physics.
Curtin UniversityBachelor of Science (Physiotherapy) [Note: Honours available to meritorius students]4 Years92.70 (LSR) - BentleyAt least one ATAR science course from the following list: Biology, Chemistry, Earth and Environmental Science, Human Biology, Integrated Science, Physics or Psychology. (PR)- Desirable Subjects: At least Physical Education Studies and Health Studies.
Federation University AustraliaBachelor of Physiotherapy [Note: Honours available to meritorius students]4 Years65.20 (Lowest ATAR) (Note: LSR Not Published)English: Units 3 and 4, a study score of at least 25 in any English. Other: Satisfactory completion of one of the following: (any from Units 1-4), Chemistry, Physics, Biology, Health Education, Physical Education (PR)- SEAS Available
Griffith UniversityBachelor of Physiotherapy [Note: Honours available to meritorius students]4 Years98.00 (LSR) - Nathan & Gold CoastEnglish, English as an Additional Language, Literature or English & Literature Extension (Units 3 & 4, C) (PR); Mathematical Methods (Units 3&4, C); One of Biology, Chemistry, Physics (Units 3 & 4, C) (AK)
James Cook University (JCU)Bachelor of Physiotherapy [Note: Honours available to meritorius students]4 Years88.90 (ATAR)English (Units 3/4,C), Mathematical Methods (Units 3/4,C), plus one of Chemistry, Biology, Physics, Physical Education, Psychology or Health (Units 3/4,C) (PR)
La Trobe UniversityBachelor of Physiotherapy (Honours)4 Years96.20 (LSR 2021 Entry) - Bendigo & MelbourneUnits 3 and 4: a study score of at least 30 in English (EAL) or at least 25 in English other than EAL; Units 3 and 4: a study score of at least 25 in two of Biology, Chemistry, any Mathematics, Physical Education or Physics. (PR)- Subject Adjustments Available
- SEAS Available
- Regional Adjustments.
Monash UniversityBachelor of Physiotherapy (Honours)4 Years96.20 (LSR 2021 Entry)Units 3 and 4: a study score of at least 35 in English (EAL) or at least 30 in English other than EAL; Units 3 and 4: a study score of at least 25 in two of Biology, Chemistry, Maths: Mathematical Methods, Maths: Specialist Mathematics or Physics. (PR)- Subject Adjustments Available
- SEAS Available
University of Queensland (UQ)Bachelor of Physiotherapy (Honours)4 Years98.00 (Selection Rank Threshold)English, Literature, English and Literature Extension or English as an Additional Language (Units 3 and 4, C); One of Chemistry, Biology or Physics (Units 3 and 4, C) (PR)
University of Canberra (UC)Bachelor of Physiotherapy [Note: Honours available to meritorius students]4 Years90.55 (Selection Rank)Mathematics Advanced, Biology or Personal Development, Health and Physical Education (PDHPE) plus Chemistry or Physics. (AK)- Priority to Indigenous Students, ADF Personnel and Reservists & Elite Athletes.
- EAS Available
- Subject Adjustments CLICK HERE
University of Newcastle (UoN)Bachelor of Physiotherapy (Honours)4 Years92.55 (Selection Rank)English Advanced, Chemistry plus Biology or Physics. (AK)- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Program
- Elite Athlete Program
- EAS Available
- Regional and Rural Adjustment Scheme
- Subject Adjustments CLICK HERE
University of New South Wales (UNSW)
[2023 onwards]
Bachelor of Exercise Science/Master of Physiotherapy and Exercise Physiology

[Note: 4530 BHlthSc (Hons) year is available for meritorius students with a min. WAM of 65 at the end of the Exercise Science undergraduate degree]
5 Years (3+2)98.00 (Lowest Selection Rank 2023 Entry December Round 2)

[Note: No offers based on selection rank were made in January Round 1]
Mathematics Advanced, Chemistry^ (AK)
^ - Bridging course recommended
will put more info here later
University of Notre Dame Australia (UNDA)Bachelor of Physiotherapy [Note: Honours available to meritorius students]4 Years90.00 (Min ATAR/Selection Rank) [NOT GUARANTEED]Score of 50+ in ATAR English, ATAR Literature or ATAR English as an Additional Language or Dialect (EALD) (PR)- Recommended studies: Mathematics Specialist; Mathematics Methods; Human Biology; Physics; and/or Chemistry.
University of South Australia (UniSA)Bachelor of Physiotherapy [Note: Honours available to meritorius students]4 Years98.50 (LSR)Stage 2 Biology, Physics (AK)
University of Sydney (USyd)Bachelor of Applied Science (Physiotherapy) [Note: Honours available to meritorius students]4 Years99.20 (Expected Selection Rank) [NOT GUARANTEED]Chemistry, Physics. (AK)- E12 Entry Scheme Available
- Recommended Studies: Mathematics Advanced
Victoria UniversityBachelor of Applied Movement Sciences/Master of Physiotherapy4.5 Years (3+1.5)93.05 (LSR 2021 Entry)Units 3 and 4: a study score of at least 30 in English (EAL) or at least 25 in English other than EAL; Units 3 and 4: a study score of at least 25 in one of Biology, Chemistry, Maths: Mathematical Methods, Maths: Specialist Mathematics or Physics. (PR)- Subject Adjustments Available
- SEAS Available
Western Sydney University (WSU)Bachelor of Physiotherapy [Note: Honours available to meritorius students]4 Years95.00 (ATAR)Any 2 units of English. (AK)- Recommended studies: Chemistry, Physics plus Biology and/or Personal Development, Health and Physical Education (PDHPE).
 
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DrDrLMG!

Resident Medical Officer
Administrator
o its uhhh masters?

Yep, so you do need to be a graduate, admittedly, but it’s a good option for locals who’ve previously never had an in-state option. Then it’s a 2 year masters. There are plans for similar programs in EP, OT, and SP (also for 2022 start) as a means to address allied health shortages here.

Entry requirements haven’t been published yet, I think they’re awaiting finalisation. But, for school leavers, hopefully they establish nice, clear recommended pathways and undergraduate study options.
 
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laik

Member
Thanks for making this table. Is there a reason as to why there are such big gaps between the ATAR's for some unis e.g. JCU- 88.9 and USYD 99.20?
 

DrDrLMG!

Resident Medical Officer
Administrator
Thanks for making this table. Is there a reason as to why there are such big gaps between the ATAR's for some unis e.g. JCU- 88.9 and USYD 99.20?
Likely the same as for most unis, tbh, limits on places available and competition. These numbers never reflect the ATAR required from a ‘capability’ perspective (Med and Dent included), and are instead 100% a reflection of the competitiveness of the degree. That USyd is substantially more popular than JCU, from a sheer number of applicants perspective, is pretty unsurprising.
 

Bash_

Member
Can you apply as a non-school leaver at ACU and WSU? Im doing a course at WSU and would like to transfer using my gpa.
 

2xq

Allied Health Member

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2xq

Allied Health Member
Yeah i've seen that but do they have some sort of selection rank based on the amount of units I have done during my course? Or do they just look at the transcript? Also for WSU, do we have any past data of people joining Physio?
"If you have completed at least two units of AQF-recognised study at bachelor level or above, you’ll be assigned a selection rank based on your study level, duration and grade point average that will be applied during the admission process."
 

Bash_

Member
"If you have completed at least two units of AQF-recognised study at bachelor level or above, you’ll be assigned a selection rank based on your study level, duration and grade point average that will be applied during the admission process."
Okay thank you!
 

dotwingz

Google Enthusiast
Moderator
Yeah the exact conversion isn't known but here's an old document converting GPA over different EFTSL's to selection rank. Looks like on the website they just convert your GPA to a SR and use that for entry.

 
This is an amazing table! Thank you!

If you had to pick between ACU and WSU, how would you decide? Both are equidistant from my home. Thanks!
 
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2xq

Allied Health Member
This is an amazing table! Thank you!

If you had to pick between ACU and WSU, how would you decide? Both are equidistant from my home. Thanks!
Personally, ACU but that's just my opinion.
 
I’m leaning towards ACU as I have friends there and they enjoy their course - but that’s really my only reason!

I’d be interested in hearing your opinion on why you’d choose ACU if that okay?

I’m reluctant for USYD as I’ve heard it’s not as practical as ACU?

But - if you were to compare ACU with USYD, which would you choose in that comparison?

Thank you so much!
 

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2xq

Allied Health Member
I’m leaning towards ACU as I have friends there and they enjoy their course - but that’s really my only reason!

I’d be interested in hearing your opinion on why you’d choose ACU if that okay?

I’m reluctant for USYD as I’ve heard it’s not as practical as ACU?

But - if you were to compare ACU with USYD, which would you choose in that comparison?

Thank you so much!
So as you probably know already, I study at USYD and from what I hear and see, the physio degree here is actually pretty good. I would personally choose USYD over ACU but that's because of what I've seen at university and what I see in the handbooks.

In terms of choosing ACU over WSU, comparing handbooks, from my perspective, ACU seems to have a better course structure. Hence, my choice from earlier.
 
So as you probably know already, I study at USYD and from what I hear and see, the physio degree here is actually pretty good. I would personally choose USYD over ACU but that's because of what I've seen at university and what I see in the handbooks.

In terms of choosing ACU over WSU, comparing handbooks, from my perspective, ACU seems to have a better course structure. Hence, my choice from earlier.
Thanks so much!
 

dotwingz

Google Enthusiast
Moderator
ACU is a pretty popular and reputable uni for Physiotherapy. Tbh I wouldn't be worried about the USyd degree 'not being practical enough'... this is something you honestly hear about like every standstone uni and its often unfounded

This person gave a really positive review of ACU Phsyio and I know ponyswordz did first year before going to Dent and he had positive experiences if you want to ask him something specific about the course?
 

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