Charles Darwin University
4 years full-time, 8 years part-time
Become a qualified physiotherapist through this 4-year double degree combining health science foundations with specialized physiotherapy training. Gain 750+ hours of clinical experience in diverse Northern Territory settings while developing skills in movement restoration, patient care, and evidence-based practice.
Applicants must meet one of the following: successful completion of Northern Territory Certificate of Education and Training with an ATAR of at least 70; completion of a Certificate IV or higher national qualification; at least 0.5 year full-time higher education study with GPA 5.0+; equivalent overseas qualifications; STAT Multiple Choice score of 147; or completion of a tertiary preparation course. Essential pre-clinical requirements include Working with Children Check clearance, National Police Check clearance, current Senior First Aid certificate, fitness to practice check, and current immunisation schedule. International students must meet English language proficiency requirements (IELTS 7.0 overall with no band below 7.0, or equivalent).
Year 1-2 foundational units cover Anatomy and Physiology, Ethics in Healthcare, Australia's Healthcare System, Health Promotion, Communication Skills, Psychology, Chronic Conditions Management, Epidemiology and Statistics, Pathophysiology, and Functional Anatomy. Year 3 introduces physiotherapy-specific content including Fundamentals of Physiotherapy Practice, Clinically Applied Anatomy, Rural and Remote Health, Public Health, and Research Skills, plus the first clinical placement. Year 4 focuses on advanced physiotherapy practice across acute, rehabilitation, community, lifespan and special populations settings, with four intensive clinical education blocks. Specialist electives include Exercise Prescription and Delivery, Neuroscience and Biological Bases of Behaviour, and additional clinical practice units emphasizing health care models and service delivery.
Charles Darwin University is uniquely positioned to deliver physiotherapy education with a five-star rating for graduate employment outcomes (GUG 2024). CDU offers distinctive opportunities to explore Indigenous health, tropical medicine, and regional health issues of national importance. The university's location in the Northern Territory provides unparalleled access to rural, remote and regional clinical placements, offering students exposure to diverse healthcare contexts unavailable at other institutions. CDU's commitment to First Nations perspectives and community engagement ensures graduates are culturally responsive and prepared for contemporary healthcare challenges.
Graduates can pursue careers as physiotherapists in diverse settings including community health centres, public and private hospitals, aged care facilities, paediatric facilities, educational institutions, mental health settings, private clinics, non-government organisations, correctional institutions, universities and research facilities, corporate and industrial settings, supported employment programs, and government departments. The qualification enables registration with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) and the Physiotherapy Board of Australia, opening pathways to clinical practice, research, management, education, and specialized physiotherapy roles across Australia and internationally.
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