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Bring a better quality of movement and life to the disabled and help the injured to recover.

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What do physiotherapists do?

Physiotherapists assess, diagnose and treat people with movement problems caused by a wide variety of joint, muscle and nerve disorders. To do so they use a range of drug-free techniques, including:

• joint mobilisation and manipulation
• therapeutic exercise and stretches
• electrophysical agents (such as hot packs, ice and interferential treatment)
• soft tissue massage
• breathing exercises and techniques.

They also help people avoid injuries

Beyond the sports field

Some people are drawn to the high profile sports side of physiotherapy. There are, however, a much larger cohort of physiotherapists who help people in the wider community. Physiotherapy is applied in the management of a wide variety of conditions, including neurological illness such as stroke and Parkinson’s disease, movement disorders in children, rehabilitation after major injury, and recovery following surgery and childbirth.
It also plays a central role in the management and prevention of chronic conditions such as asthma.
Physiotherapists work in many places, including in private practice, sports facilities, hospitals, schools and universities, public health organisations, community centres, aged-care facilities and workplaces.

Trained to make a difference

Patients don’t need a referral to see a physiotherapist. This is one of the reasons they are so highly trained. Their training enables them to make a big difference to how people function in society. Cystic Fibrosis is one example – physiotherapists help people with this condition to develop their lung techniques so that they can breathe better.

Life-changing research

One of our present areas of research is about how electrical stimulation can be used to rehabilitate people with neurological disabilities. This research could immeasurably improve the quality of life for people that have suffered a stroke.

Course Outline

The profession of physiotherapy is physically demanding and requires the development of a range of precise physical skills for its practice. Prospective students will be expected to carry out and have carried out upon themselves as simulated patients, examination and treatment procedures used by physiotherapists.

STUDENTS SHOULD BE AWARE THAT SUCH PRACTICAL SESSIONS MAY INVOLVE PARTIAL DISROBING AND THAT PARTICIPATION IN THESE CLASSES IS A REQUIREMENT OF THE COURSE.

In addition to undertaking physiotherapy units, students will study units in Exercise and Sports Science, Behavioural and Community Health Sciences and Biomedical Sciences, particularly in first and second years. Students will normally complete all units listed in the sequence in which they appear in the Faculty Handbook and cannot alter this sequence unless permission has been obtained from the Head of Discipline. Students enrolled in the Pass program are also required to complete all first year units within two years and all first and second year units within four years. Non-standard students who are completing units from more than one year of the physiotherapy course must seek approval from a designated academic program adviser to amend their program of study. This procedure is to ensure that students' programs reflect an appropriate and manageable combination of units.

Study Hours Expectations

Approximately 20 hours per week.  Classes are normally scheduled between the hours of 8:00 am and 5:00 pm. Individual timetables will vary but students must be prepared to have some classes starting as early as 8:00 and some finishing as late as 6:00 pm.

Students should expect to spend at least 20 hours per week on self-directed study.

How tough is the course?

This is a difficult but intellectually stimulating course which will require a different approach from high school. The emphasis is on problem solving, but there is a whole new language to learn and a great amount of detailed factual knowledge to acquire.

Recognition of relevant tertiary study

Assessment of your prior studies with a view to credit transfer, takes place after you have been admitted to the program at enrolment time. Unless the unit of study is exactly the same as one offered in our program, you will need to prepare a portfolio detailing the content of the units of study you have attained.

If your prior study was completed at a recognised university institution, the maximum amount of credit that can be awarded in a four-year program is 75% of the total number of credit points. Even if you are coming from another physiotherapy program, it is not normal for a student to move from another program without having to pick up units from the previous year of study. This may mean that your course will be longer than you expected.

If your prior study was completed at an institution other than a university, credit granted normally would not exceed one third of the overall award course.

You can review our program on-line in the Faculty of Health Sciences Handbook and compare the units of study you have completed with those in our program.

Scope for specialisation at an undergraduate level

Specialisation is not available at undergraduate level. Refer to the Master of Health Science (Physiotherapy) streams.

Fieldwork requirements

The Physiotherapy practicum program begins in second year with a mentored clinical placement. In Semester 2 of third year, students undertake three five-week clinical placements, and in Semester 2 of fourth year students undertake two five-week clinical placements.

Clinical education provides you with the opportunity to apply theoretical and practical skills acquired in the academic units of study in the physiotherapy course in a health care setting. Under the supervision and guidance of clinical educators, undergraduates will assess and treat patients in a variety of clinical settings, thereby gaining experience in physiotherapy practice. Some of the clinical and professional fieldwork sites that students have attended previously include:

• Arthritis NSW
• CBD Physio Clinic
• Children's Hospital, Westmead
• Guide Dogs, NSW
• Lifestart
• Northcott Disability Services
• Royal Hobart Hospital
• St George Physiotherapy and Sports Injury Clinic

To be eligible for registration as a physiotherapist through The NSW Physiotherapists Registration Board, all graduates must undertake all clinical education units of study during the physiotherapy course. Any prospective student who thinks that he/she may have a condition (eg. a chronic illness) or disability that may interfere with the development or practice of physical skills or participation in clinical education, should consult the Course Coordinator before commencing the course.

• Clinical Schools and Placements
  Five clinical schools have been established in line with area health services in the Sydney metropolitan area (Central, Northern, Southeastern, Southwestern and Western). Each clinical school incorporates hospitals, community health centres, private practices, rural affiliations and other facilities within the geographical region.
  
  Students are divided (via a preferential ballot system) between the 5 clinical schools and remain in the same clinical school for the duration of their undergraduate course. All students are required to participate in at least one rural or out-of-Sydney clinical placement during the undergraduate course. Depending on availability, opportunities may exist for some students to elect to do an interstate or international placement.

• NSW Criminal Records Check
  In accordance with NSW Health Department policy, all health care workers, including students who undertake clinical professional training or fieldwork in the NSW health care system, are subject to a criminal records check. This procedure is a requirement and condition of gaining access to NSW Health Department facilities.
  
  As part of the first year enrolment package, students will receive a form from the NSW Health Department to consent to a criminal records check. It is the student's responsibility to complete this form and have it signed by a Justice of the Peace (a JP will be present on enrolment day to facilitate this process). Once the form has been completed and signed, students must return it to Student Central (Cumberland). All enquiries regarding this process should be made through Student Central, Faculty of Health Sciences.
  
  Students will be required to present their letter of clearance to the clinical sites to which they have been assigned. Failure to present the clearance letter may result in a student having to leave a clinical placement, which may also compromise graduation date.

• AFP National Police Check (Aged Care)
  In accordance with the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing, all people who work in aged care facilities must have completed a National Police Check. As most students will undertake at least one clinical placement in an aged care facility, all students must apply for an Australian Federal Police (AFP) Check (Aged Care) in 2nd year.
  
  Clinical Education Administration will provide details of how to apply for the check during clinical education lectures in semester one of 1st year and early in second year. The process involves completing an application form and sending it to the AFP with a photocopy of identification and a cheque or money order for the required fee. Applications take between four and eight weeks to process.

• Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Certificate
  A certificate of competency in Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) is required from all students undertaking clinical education. Students must submit a current certificate showing evidence of competency before commencing the first scheduled clinical placement in second year. CPR skills must be updated every 12 months. For information relating to scheduled courses on CPR, students may wish to contact their local St John Ambulance, Life-Saving Association or the Cumberland Student Guild (CSG) (via Depot) which offers CPR courses on campus for students and staff.

• Infectious Diseases
  Infectious diseases and their transmission between health care workers (including students) and patients or between patients and the health care worker are of concern to all those working in clinical settings. Participation in screening and vaccination according to the NSW Health Policy Directive 2007_006 is a prerequisite for students for clinical placements in facilities of NSW Health. Failure to comply with the requirements may jeopardise completion of the student's studies as they may be asked to leave a clinical site. This directive is available on the Department of Health website.
  
  The NSW Health Directive requires that students obtain proof of their immunity status and/or be vaccinated against diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, measles, mumps, rubella, chicken pox, hepatitis B, influenza and tuberculosis. Tuberculosis screening must be conducted at the students' local chest clinic or at the University of Sydney Health Service, Camperdown, within 12 months of the start of your placement (or 3 months for some sites). Proof of immunity or vaccination must be carried with you at all times when on placement in facilities of NSW Health and will be required prior to placement. NSW Health has provided an "Adult Vaccination Record Card" for this purpose.
  
  As a full course of vaccinations may take several months to complete, The University advises that students begin this process by visiting the University Health Service well in advance of the commencement of clinical placements.
  
  
• Clinical Hours
  To be eligible for registration as a physiotherapist through The NSW Physiotherapists Registration Board, undergraduates must undertake all clinical education units of study during the physiotherapy course. Time missed from clinical placements will be made up at the discretion of the Clinical Education Team and, where possible, is usually completed in the weeks between the end of semester 2 exams and prior to the commencement of the next academic year. Students are advised to take this into consideration before arranging holidays and work commitments etc.
  
  
• Rural Clinical Placement Scholarships and Grants
  The Discipline of Physiotherapy provides information about grants and scholarships from various sources, to assist physiotherapy students with travel and accommodation costs of rural clinical placements. Information on the various grants and scholarships can be obtained from Clinical Education Administration, Discipline of Physiotherapy or the NSW Health website.

      Our handbook has more about Clinical Education or visit the Clinical & Professional Fieldwork website.

Course completion requirements

192 credit points: students are to complete as required the core, elective and general elective units of study shown in the Table of units of study for the degree as set out in the Faculty of Health Sciences handbook.

On campus attendance pattern

Full time

End qualification

Bachelor of Applied Science (Physiotherapy)

Professional recognition

The course is fully accredited with the Australian Physiotherapy Council and graduates of the pass and honours programs are eligible for registration as physiotherapists with the NSW Physiotherapists Registration Board. Under the terms of mutual recognition, registration is possible in all Australian states and territories and in New Zealand.

Course structure

Course level

Bachelor

Honours availability

Integrated honours

Handbook website link

http://www.usyd.edu.au/handbooks/handbooks_admin/health_science.shtml