Master of Physiotherapy
Overview
The Master of Physiotherapy is designed for students who wish to excel in their practice. Our course focuses on technology, digital health, leadership, enterprise and self-awareness. Students have access to mentors industry-wide who can help them develop and reflect on their work. Graduates will have the resilience, practical, and research skills for high-level leadership and management positions within the healthcare system.
Deferring
Due to limited capacity, students will be unable to defer their place in this course.
You're invited to our 2025 Study Expo
Join us this January to meet academics, browse courses, get application help, explore our Hawthorn campus and find out all you need to know about starting in Semester 1.
Upgrade your skills
- Physiotherapy skills
- Primary care
- Exercise and fitness knowledge
- Rehabilitation
- Acute care
Stretch your career further
- Physiotherapist
- Private practice physiotherapist
- Mobile physiotherapist
Key codes
International student visa
International students in Australia who hold student visas are required to study full-time and on campus. Courses that are taught entirely online are only available to international students studying outside Australia or those in Australia who are not on a student visa. Online courses are not available to international students in Australia who hold a student visa.
Strong industry connections and co-creation
- Kieser
- Austin Health
- Exercise Thought Physiotherapy
- Australian Sport Physiotherapy
- Australian Sport Physiotherapy
- Platinum Physio
We connect industry with the course through placements and guest lectures.
Professional accreditations
Why Swinburne?
Rated top 20% of Australian universities for PG Overall Experience
92.9% of PG graduates found full-time employment after graduating
Rated top 20% of Australian universities for PG Teaching Quality
Awarded 5-stars for PG teaching quality (overall)
Qualifications
Applicants must meet both of the following criteria:
- A completed Bachelor degree in a health science related discipline;
- Tertiary level studies in a minimum of 2 units of each of human anatomy and human physiology.
* Health science disciplines include exercise science, exercise physiology, exercise and sports science, biomedical science, occupational therapy, nursing, osteopathy, chiropractic, paramedicine, physiotherapy. They do not include health science or applied science degrees – unless anatomy and physiology prerequisites are met – or educational degrees (e.g. Bachelor of Physical Education).
Course Prerequisites
Applicants are required to have completed their degree in the last 10 years or have undertaken subsequent Postgraduate studies and obtained a minimum 70% GPA across their studies.
Note
The University may determine selection criteria and restrictions in respect of courses to apply in addition to these entry requirements.
Applicants must meet both of the following criteria:
- A completed Bachelor degree in a health science related discipline;
- Tertiary level studies in a minimum of 2 units of each of human anatomy and human physiology.
* Health science disciplines include exercise science, exercise physiology, exercise and sports science, biomedical science, occupational therapy, nursing, osteopathy, chiropractic, paramedicine, physiotherapy. They do not include health science or applied science degrees – unless anatomy and physiology prerequisites are met – or educational degrees (e.g. Bachelor of Physical Education).
Course Prerequisites
Applicants are required to have completed their degree in the last 10 years or have undertaken subsequent Postgraduate studies and obtained a minimum 70% GPA across their studies.
Note
The University may determine selection criteria and restrictions in respect of courses to apply in addition to these entry requirements.
Other requirements
Immunisation
International students must provide an up to date record of all immunisations they have received over their lifetime, translated in English at the time of course commencement. For information on required vaccinations, please visit the Australian Government website.
At course commencement, the Faculty Immunisation form will require completion and signed by an Australian medical practitioner to ensure you are immunised according to the Vaccination for Healthcare Workers standards. Further information will be provided upon course commencement.
Additional immunisations may be required in response to any changes in Government policy or the specific requirements of the organisation you attend for your placements. Any required immunisations or serology tests would be at your own cost.
Working With Children and Police Records Check
Successful applicants must maintain a current Working with Children Check and National Police Records Check throughout the duration of the program.
NDIS Worker Screening Check
Students enrolled in this course may be required to apply for and receive an acceptable National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) Worker Screening Check prior to commencing placement with an NDIS provider. The relevant fee is the responsibility of the student.
Overseas
If you have lived overseas for more than 12 months in the past ten years, you are required to provide a police check from each country you resided in (including an English translation) and/or a statutory declaration stating that you have never been convicted of any crime in another country.
Australia
You will be required to have an annual National Police Record Check to attend placements. Further information about how to apply will be provided at course commencement.
Working with Children Check – all applicants must maintain a current Working with Children Check throughout the duration of the program.
Professional placements
Placements can occur at any time during the course, including during the school holidays, Christmas and Easter holidays. Students need to be available to attend placements at all times during the course. It is advised that holidays are not booked prior to allocation of placements as alternative placements may not be available, therefore impeding progress in the course.
Detailed information will be provided to all students at the commencement of the course.
Once enrolled in the course, all students (with the exception of Master of Dietetics students) are registered with the Australian Heath Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA).
Additional costs
Uniform and equipment will be required to be purchased for use in class and placement.
Some placements will be undertaken in regional locations, students are responsible for costs incurred for travel and accommodation.
Other
Students enrolled in this course may be required to complete an annual N95 Mask Fit Test prior to commencing placement. The relevant fee is the responsibility of the student.
Note
Applicants may be required to attend an online interview.
Immunisation
International students must provide an up to date record of all immunisations they have received over their lifetime, translated in English at the time of course commencement. For information on required vaccinations, please visit the Australian Government website.
At course commencement, the Faculty Immunisation form will require completion and signed by an Australian medical practitioner to ensure you are immunised according to the Vaccination for Healthcare Workers standards. Further information will be provided upon course commencement.
Additional immunisations may be required in response to any changes in Government policy or the specific requirements of the organisation you attend for your placements. Any required immunisations or serology tests would be at your own cost.
Working With Children and Police Records Check
Successful applicants must maintain a current Working with Children Check and National Police Records Check throughout the duration of the program.
NDIS Worker Screening Check
Students enrolled in this course may be required to apply for and receive an acceptable National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) Worker Screening Check prior to commencing placement with an NDIS provider. The relevant fee is the responsibility of the student.
Overseas
If you have lived overseas for more than 12 months in the past ten years, you are required to provide a police check from each country you resided in (including an English translation) and/or a statutory declaration stating that you have never been convicted of any crime in another country.
Australia
You will be required to have an annual National Police Record Check to attend placements. Further information about how to apply will be provided at course commencement.
Working with Children Check – all applicants must maintain a current Working with Children Check throughout the duration of the program.
Professional placements
Placements can occur at any time during the course, including during the school holidays, Christmas and Easter holidays. Students need to be available to attend placements at all times during the course. It is advised that holidays are not booked prior to allocation of placements as alternative placements may not be available, therefore impeding progress in the course.
Detailed information will be provided to all students at the commencement of the course.
Once enrolled in the course, all students (with the exception of Master of Dietetics students) are registered with the Australian Heath Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA).
Additional costs
Uniform and equipment will be required to be purchased for use in class and placement.
Some placements will be undertaken in regional locations, students are responsible for costs incurred for travel and accommodation.
Other
Students enrolled in this course may be required to complete an annual N95 Mask Fit Test prior to commencing placement. The relevant fee is the responsibility of the student.
Note
Applicants may be required to attend an online interview.
Admission requirements
Meeting the minimum entry requirements for the course does not guarantee an offer of a place. See admission requirements for general information about the admission process.
English language requirements
Demonstrate English proficiency with one of the following:
- IELTS overall band of 7.0 (Academic Module) with no individual band below 7.0
- or equivalent measures available at English language requirements.
Need to undertake an English assessment for entry?
A prerequisite for many courses, the Pearson Test of English (PTE Academic) can now be done at our Hawthorn campus.
Credit transfer
Credit is granted in recognition of previous study and/or experience and allows students to gain advanced standing towards their course. Applicants are assessed on a case-by-case basis.
Recognition of prior learning
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) allows students to gain credit (advanced standing) towards their course in recognition of skills and knowledge gained through work experience, life experience and/or formal training. Applicants are assessed on a case-by-case basis.
How credit points work
To qualify for the award of Master of Physiotherapy, students must complete 200 credit points comprising of twelve (12) theory units of study (150 credit points) and four (4) clinical placement units of study (50 credit points).
Students are required to complete a total of 800 hours of clinical practice across both core and clinical placement units.
Your units
Units of study | Unit code |
---|---|
Core units | |
Functional Anatomy for Physiotherapists
Core unit, 12.5 credit points |
PHT60001 |
Foundations of Physiotherapy Practice
Core unit, 12.5 credit points, 80 hours |
PHT60002 |
Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy
Core unit, 12.5 credit points |
PHT60003 |
Cardiorespiratory Physiotherapy
Core unit, 12.5 credit points, One Semester or equivalent |
PHT60004 |
Neurological Physiotherapy
Core unit, 12.5 credit points, One Semester or equivalent |
PHT70001 |
Sports, Exercise and Rehabilitation
Core unit, 12.5 credit points |
PHT70002 |
Research and Evidence Based Practice A
Core unit, 12.5 credit points |
PHT70003 |
Leadership and Management For Health Professionals
Core unit, 12.5 credit points |
PHT70004 |
Chronic Disease, Health Promotion and Practice
Core unit, 12.5 credit points, One Semester or equivalent |
PHT70005 |
Integrated Physiotherapy Practice
Core unit, 12.5 credit points |
PHT80001 |
Lifespan Health and Wellbeing for Physiotherapy
Core unit, 12.5 credit points, One Semester or equivalent |
PHT80002 |
Research and Evidence Based Practice B
Core unit, 12.5 credit points, One Semester or equivalent |
PHT80004 |
Physiotherapy Clinical Practice A
Core unit, 12.5 credit points, 160 hours of clinical placement |
PHT60015 |
Physiotherapy Clinical Practice B
Core unit, 12.5 credit points, 160 hours of clinical placement |
PHT70015 |
Physiotherapy Clinical Practice C
Core unit, 12.5 credit points, 160 hours clinical placement |
PHT80015 |
Physiotherapy Clinical Practice D
Core unit, 12.5 credit points, 160 hours clinical placement |
PHT80025 |
2025 fees
Yearly fee* ($AUD)
$48,880
Total fee* ($AUD)
$97,760
2025 fees
Yearly fee* ($AUD)
$53,600.00
Fees are estimates only
The student tuition fees as published are subject to change given individual circumstances at enrolment. These fees apply for units studied in 2025 only and may change for units studied in future years. If part-time study is permitted, annual fees will be proportionally lower based on the number of units taken per semester.
Fees are estimates only
The indicative course fees shown apply to international students for the relevant year, based on a standard study load per year. Fees are assessed according to actual study load each semester, with variations to study load resulting in tuition fee adjustments. These fees generally include the Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF) and are subject to annual review. Enrolled students will receive reasonable notice of any fee changes before payment is due.
How do I pay my fees?
FEE-HELP is a loan given to eligible full-fee paying higher education students to help pay part or all of their tuition fees. The Commonwealth Government pays the amount of the loan directly to Swinburne.
International students need to pay tuition fees up-front by the relevant due date. You can find the due dates on your Statement of Account.
To pay your fees:
- log in to My Finances
- check your Australian bank account details are correct
- check your Statement of Account to see how much you owe
- pay using your preferred payment method.
Eligibility for FEE-HELP
You’re eligible for a FEE-HELP loan if you are studying an undergraduate or postgraduate degree, or UniLink or OUA course at Swinburne, and you:
- are an Australian citizen doing at least one unit of your course in Australia; or
- hold a permanent humanitarian visa and will be living in Australia for the duration of your course; or
- hold a New Zealand Special Category visa and meet the special eligibility requirements for New Zealand citizens
- are undertaking bridging study for overseas trained professionals and will be living in Australia for the duration of this study
- have not exceeded the new combined Help Loan limit.
The HELP limit is the maximum amount you can borrow from the government in your lifetime towards your education costs. It is fixed and cannot be topped up.
Student services and amenities fee
This funding serves to improve the student experience at Swinburne. You may use many or just some of the services and amenities that the fee provides.
The fee shown in the capped amount for 2025.
This funding serves to improve the student experience at Swinburne. You may use many or just some of the services and amenities that the fee provides.
This amenities fee is included within your annual tuition fee listed above. The fee shown is the capped amount for 2025.
Please refer to the Student Services Amenities Fee page for more information.
SSAF fee* ($AUD)
$365
SSAF fee* ($AUD)
$365
Accreditation placement fees
Placement opportunities at Swinburne are designed to provide valuable experience, promote career readiness, and recognise the importance of practical skills in achieving your goals. Students attending placements will be required to cover fees with costs ranging from approximately $350 to $600, depending on the specific course.
Scholarships
Scholarship applications for 2025 are open. Scholarships at Swinburne are about providing opportunity, promoting equity and recognising excellence and achievement. We want you to reach your potential and achieve your life and career goals.
Our handy guide will assist you to gather documents for your application.
When you apply for a Swinburne course, we automatically consider you for an international scholarship of up to 20 per cent off your course fees – no separate application required! Just apply for your Swinburne course of choice and when we review your course application, we will also assess you for an international scholarship.
Apply through an agent
Most international students use an education agent to help them through the application process. Swinburne has agents all over the world that can help you with your application to study. Search for a Swinburne representative in your country. If your country is not listed, please contact us.
Apply directly
Ready to take on a new challenge and reach your academic goals? If you already know which course you want to study and understand the entry requirements, what are you waiting for? Apply online!
Last date to apply
- Semester 2, 2025 – Domestic: Friday 28 February 2025
- Semester 2, 2025 – International: Friday 17 January 2025