Information on this page is for Australian residents
Course not available to international students
Duration: 
2 years full time
Location: 
Footscray Park
Delivery mode: 
In person
Start date:
28 July 2025
Application due dates:
Direct applications are due on 20 July 2025 for our next intake which starts on 28 July 2025.
Apply

Overview

Develop hands-on expertise in physical rehabilitation and care by studying the Master of Physiotherapy at Victoria University.

As a leading university in exercise science and healthcare, we offer top facilities and opportunities for you to train as a physiotherapist.

During your physiotherapy masters degree, you'll build your knowledge of anatomy, psychology and physiology. You'll learn how to improve movement and physical function in patients, and to promote health in all people regardless of age or physical ability.

Our teachers are expert physiotherapists and world-leading researchers, with years of experience in diverse clinical settings. Under their guidance, you'll develop the clinical reasoning skills and cultural awareness needed to manage complex situations concerning individuals, families and communities.

You'll graduate well-prepared for real-world physiotherapy practice, with deep knowledge and practical experience.

The Master of Physiotherapy is accredited by the Australian Physiotherapy Council. Successful graduates are eligible to apply for membership of the Physiotherapy Board of Australia enabling them to practise in Australia.

Taught by experts in movement and physiotherapy, our courses are designed to fully prepare you for work.

Our unique small-group learning approach lets you develop clinical-reasoning skills alongside students from other health professions. The inter-professional skills gained in this environment are a real advantage in when you start clinical placements.

You'll complete supervised professional practice (work-integrated learning) in a range of settings, including:

  • elite sports
  • private practice
  • acute care and rehabilitation clinics
  • aged care
  • community care.

Our world-class sport and learning precinct at the Footscray Park Campus features the most advanced exercise technology available. The facility is used by students, researchers, professional sports teams and community organisations.

Our facilities include:

  • exercise physiology labs
  • biomechanics labs
  • motor learning and skilled performance labs
  • heat chambers
  • motor control and biofeedback labs
  • integrated teaching and learning facilities.

VU has strong, unique partnerships with more than 350 local, national and global organisations across the sport, exercise and recreation industries. These partnerships inform the content of our courses and provide joint research opportunities. Our partnerships also give you access to industry contacts and work placements, which mean superior career development.

Some examples of our partners include:

  • Western Bulldogs Football Club
  • Victorian Racing Club
  • Australian Sports Commission
  • Real Madrid Football Club Foundation
  • Beijing and German Sports Universities
  • Sport Australia Hall of Fame
  • National Heart Foundation
  • VicHealth
  • National Ageing Research Institute
  • Australian Institute of Sport
  • Football Federation Victoria
  • Tennis Australia
  • Western Health
  • Australian Football League (AFL)
  • Barwon Health
  • Melbourne Victory FC.

VU’s Learning Hubs are welcoming spaces where you can improve your study and job-related skills, with 24/7 online support.

We offer maths, writing, careers and English-language advice and can show you effective ways to study and manage your time.

We also have accessibility support services and counselling services available to all students.

Self-care and reflective practice are key features of this course, encouraging you to practise mindfulness and adopt healthy work–life habits.

These self-care tools are crucial for working in complex situations. By taking care of your own mental and physical health first, you will be well positioned and prepared to take care of others in your physiotherapy practice.

Need some advice?

Request a call back from one of our experienced VUHQ course advisers to get your questions answered.

Request a call back

Careers

After graduating with a Master of Physiotherapy, you will be eligible to register with the Physiotherapy Board of Australia and, once registered, to practise as a physiotherapist.

You may find work as part of a multidisciplinary team in a variety of settings, including:

  • hospitals
  • aged and community care
  • centres for people with physical disabilities
  • rehabilitation centres
  • private practice
  • elite and community sports
  • health research and health promotion
  • paediatrics
  • women’s and men’s health.

The Master of Physiotherapy has accreditation from the Australian Physiotherapy Council. Successful graduates are eligible for membership of the Physiotherapy Board of Australia enabling them to practise in Australia.

From sports management to physiotherapy

From sports management to physiotherapy

Recovering from a knee injury inspired Jack Riddle to study a Master of Physiotherapy at VU. He shares his experience.

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Australian Physiotherapy Council logo

The Master of Physiotherapy has accreditation from the Australian Physiotherapy Council.

Course structure

To attain the Master of Physiotherapy students must successfully complete:

- 192 credit points of Core units.

Year 1, Semester 1

Year 1, Semester 2

Year 2, Semester 1

Year 2, Semester 2

On successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

  1. Translate knowledge from biomedical, exercise and social sciences, including determinants of health, to plan and deliver safe and effective physiotherapy services;  
  2. Practise as a physiotherapist autonomously and as a collaborative member of an interprofessional team to provide professional, ethical, person-centred and culturally responsive management across diverse health populations, settings and environments;  
  3. Exemplify critical thinking and clinical reasoning skills to safely, effectively and creatively provide physiotherapy services for clients with cardiorespiratory, musculoskeletal, neurological and other conditions across the lifespan;  
  4. Justify and implement high quality person-centred practice based on the best available research evidence including translational research, available resources and clinical expertise, ethical considerations and with careful consideration of the clients' preferences, values and cultural and spiritual beliefs;  
  5. Advocate for individual health and wellbeing through facilitation of client self-management across the lifespan;  
  6. Exhibit effective communication and collaborative skills when working with clients, families, the community, other health professionals and the public appropriate to the context;  
  7. Critically reflect on one's practice and understand the importance of improving knowledge and skills through self-reflective practice, peer assisted learning, commitment to lifelong learning, self-care strategies, work-life balance and career planning;  
  8. Devise appropriate strategies to manage time, workload, resources and priorities effectively, responsibly and ethically;  
  9. Exemplify and role model effective leadership, management and education skills within relevant clinical and professional frameworks;  
  10. Exhibit culturally responsive practice, value diversity among peoples and engage in decolonising practices that acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders as Traditional Owners of Australian lands; and  
  11. Demonstrate readiness for entry level Physiotherapy practice in Australia and articulate the ability to contribute to advancing the future of the Physiotherapy profession in Australia.  

What's a unit?

A unit or 'subject' is the actual class you'll attend in the process of completing a course.

Most courses have a mixture of compulsory 'core' units that you need to take and optional elective units that you can choose to take based on your area of interest, expertise or experience.

Credits

Each unit is worth a set amount of study credits based on the amount of time you study. Generally, 1 credit is equal to 1 hour of study per week.

Fees & scholarships

Fee type for this course: Full-fee

Fee type definitions

The amount you pay for your course depends on whether you’re offered a Commonwealth supported place (CSP) or a full fee-paying place.

Students who enrol in a:

In addition to your tuition fees, you may also be charged a Student Services & Amenities Fee (SSAF).

Scholarships & assistance

Apply for a scholarship to help with your study costs.

We can help with fee assistance and advice.

Admission & pathways

Inherent Requirements

'Inherent requirements' are the abilities, attributes, skills and behaviours needed to meet the learning outcomes of a course. These should be met while preserving the academic integrity of the university’s learning, assessment and accreditation processes.

You need to be able to demonstrate that you hold, or can acquire, the inherent requirements for this degree.

We may be able to make reasonable adjustments to help you manage circumstances that impact your studies – provided these don't fundamentally change the academic integrity of the degree.

Read more about inherent requirements.

Meeting the minimum admission requirements does not guarantee you entry into this course. Some courses receive more applications than the number of places available. In this situation we will also assess your education, work and other relevant experience.

If you do not meet the minimum requirements you may be eligible for one of our special admission programs. We also encourage you to explore our study pathways to help you reach your goal.

Find out more about how to apply for our courses, and our commitment to admissions transparency.

Entry requirements

Completion of an Australian Bachelor degree with studies in a cognate discipline and evidence of completion of a minimum of one anatomy, one physiology and one research unit or equivalent. Anatomy unit or units must have covered anatomy of the thorax, limbs and neuroanatomy.
Examples of discipline areas include, but are not limited to:
Exercise physiology, exercise science, exercise and sports sciences, medical science, biomedical science, health science, physiotherapy, physical therapy, human movement, applied science, rehabilitation science, occupational therapy, nursing and osteopathy.
PLUS
A minimum GPA of 4.5 out of 7.0 or a Weighted Average Mark (WAM) of 60 percent.

There are many ways you can start your education journey at VU. Pathways offer an easy transition between courses at different levels, so that you can start with a certificate and progress right through to postgraduate study.

Find out more about pathways and credits.

Use our credit calculator to find out how much credit you could get towards your course, based on your previous study.

If you have completed study with another university or institution and believe you are eligible to receive credit for skills and past study, you can apply for advanced standing.

Applications for advanced standing can be made after a discussion with your course chair or academic adviser.

Additional information

Students are notified at enrolment of professional practice requirements including: appropriate uniform/attire, equipment, travel, 'Police Check' and 'Working with Children Check', record of immunisation, First Aid and CPR certification, and a signed agreement to nominate oneself as fit for practice. Students must be registered with the Physiotherapy Board of Australia to be eligible to undertake clinical placements and must pass essential pre-requisite units before undertaking clinical placements.

The Master of Physiotherapy assumes requisite knowledge in the ethical code of conduct and scope of practice of physiotherapy Where students do not meet this requisite knowledge, on admission, they will be provided with access to one unit:
• HPT1001 Introduction to the Health Profession (Physiotherapy)
Students will be required to complete this unit as a self-directed unit and assess their own learning through the use of quizzes within the unit.

The Bachelor of Applied Movement Sciences/Master of Physiotherapy and Master of Physiotherapy are registered with AHPRA. Students who complete these courses are eligible to apply to practice as Physiotherapists in Australia. Students in AHPRA registered courses must meet and maintain certain standards referred to as a student's "Fitness to Practice".

On commencement and throughout their studies at Victoria University, students in AHPRA registered courses are required to acknowledge and provide information about their fitness to practice as set out in this form. Part of a student's "Fitness to Practice" is being ready to undertake compulsory clinical placements. Clinical venues require Victoria University to confirm that all students have met the compulsory immunisations and clearances. These are referred to as pre-placement requirements.

Once studies have commenced, students will be advised of the deadlines to complete both the Fitness to Practice form acknowledgement and pre-placement requirements. Failure to meet these deadlines will result in students being delayed in their progress and/or not being able to complete their course.

Credit Calculator

Find out how much credit you could get towards your course, based on your previous study.

CALCULATE YOUR CREDIT

How to apply

Available start dates:
  • 28 July 2025

Before you apply

Before applying, you should consider whether you also want to apply for:

  • Special admission programs: Depending on your life circumstances you may be eligible for special consideration of your application.
  • Advanced standing: If you have significant experience or studies elsewhere you may be eligible for credit for some units of your course and not have to undertake them.

Find out more about applying for our courses.

Apply direct to VU

Direct applications are due on 20 July 2025 for our next intake which starts on 28 July 2025.

Apply direct to VU

Already a VU student?

If you are already a VU student, apply direct to VU using our Admissions centre to transfer into this course. Remember it’s best to be accepted into your new course before withdrawing from your current one.

After you apply

  • It’s important to check for emails from us (which may go to your spam/junk folder).
  • Complete any requests for information by the given dates, otherwise your application may not be considered

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Get help

At Victoria University, we aim to display accurate and complete course information online. However, we are unable to guarantee that every course change is currently displayed. You may contact the University directly on +61 3 9919 6100 to confirm the most up-to-date course fees, pathways and credit transfer, recognition of prior learning, admission and enrolment procedures, examinations and services available to our students.