Bachelor of Physiotherapy
at Australian Catholic University, New South Wales.
A four-year AHPRA-accredited physiotherapy degree leading to direct registration as a physiotherapist. Includes over 1000 hours of supervised clinical placement across acute, community and sports settings on the North Sydney and Melbourne campuses.
ATAR cutoff history
Published cutoff data for the Australian Catholic University Bachelor of Physiotherapy. We never invent figures; entries marked "not published" mean the university or admissions centre has not released a verified cutoff for that intake.
| Intake year | ATAR cutoff | Admissions centre |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 96.3 | UAC |
| 2024 | ATAR cutoff not published | UAC |
| 2023 | ATAR cutoff not published | UAC |
Most recent published cutoff is 96.3 for the 2025 intake.
Prerequisite Year 12 subjects
Brush up on each prerequisite with our state-syllabus explainers and dot points.
What you will study
ACU runs the Bachelor of Physiotherapy as a four-year Australian Physiotherapy Council accredited degree leading to AHPRA Physiotherapy Board of Australia registration. Year one builds biomedical foundations: anatomy (with full-body dissection or prosection), human physiology, biomechanics, exercise physiology, professional practice and the first introductory placement. Year two layers cardiorespiratory physiotherapy, musculoskeletal assessment and management, neurological foundations and the first major clinical placement block. Year three carries advanced musculoskeletal, neurological rehabilitation, paediatric and aged-care physiotherapy, sports and exercise prescription and ethics with significant clinical placement hours. Year four runs the final clinical rotations (acute hospital, musculoskeletal outpatients, cardiorespiratory wards, community and rehabilitation) totalling around 1000 hours of supervised clinical practice across the degree, capstone research and transition to practice.
Example first-year subjects
- Human Anatomy for Physiotherapy
- Physiology for Physiotherapy
- Biomechanics and Human Movement
- Introduction to Physiotherapy Practice
- Professional Practice and Ethics
- Exercise Physiology
How you will be assessed
- Clinical placement supervisor evaluation and competency assessment
- OSCE practical exams in simulation labs every semester
- Written case studies and treatment plans
- Mid-semester tests and final exams in anatomy, physiology and biomechanics
- Group research presentations in upper years
- Reflective practice journals after each placement block
Placement and industry experience
The Australian Physiotherapy Council requires a minimum 1000 hours of supervised clinical placement across the degree. ACU rotates students through Catholic health network (St Vincents, Mater, Calvary) plus public LHDs acute medical and surgical wards, ICU and HDU, musculoskeletal outpatients, cardiorespiratory and rehabilitation wards, community physiotherapy, paediatric services and sport and elite-athlete clinics. Final-year students often complete a rural or remote block. Placements are unpaid for credit. Students must hold the NSW Working with Children Check, current first aid and CPR, AHPRA student registration, immunisations and police checks.
Career outcomes
- Graduates work as registered physiotherapists in public and private hospitals, community clinics and sports settings after AHPRA registration.
- Common new-graduate destinations include hospital rotational programs in musculoskeletal, cardiorespiratory and neurological wards across NSW and Victoria.
- Many alumni move into specialty practice in paediatrics, womens health or sports physiotherapy or pursue masters-level clinical study after two to three years.
Professional accreditation
- Australian Physiotherapy Council
- AHPRA registration eligible
Typical first jobs
- Rotational physiotherapist in NSW Health hospitals
- Junior physiotherapist at private clinics
- Sports physiotherapist at elite sport, AFL, NRL and Olympic programs
- Paediatric physiotherapist in community and hospital services
- Rural and remote physiotherapist under NSW Health rural pathways
- Aged-care physiotherapist in residential facilities and community
Graduate starting salary
$70,000 - $80,000 per year
Source: https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/careers/conditions/Pages/health-managers.aspx. Last reviewed 2026-05-21.
After graduation
Graduates apply for AHPRA registration via the Physiotherapy Board of Australia and typically start in hospital rotational positions in Catholic health network (St Vincents, Mater, Calvary) plus public LHDs. Postgraduate options include the Doctor of Physiotherapy (research and clinical doctorate), Master of Sports Physiotherapy, Master of Manual Therapy, Master of Paediatric Physiotherapy and titled physiotherapist credentialing through the Australian Physiotherapy Association. Many alumni progress into private practice ownership, specialty practice (sports, neurology, paediatrics) or academia within five to ten years.
Is this the right degree for you?
You probably thrive here if
- Students with strong biomedical foundations and an interest in human movement
- Those willing to do hands-on clinical work in hospitals and clinics
- People comfortable with shift work and unpaid full-time placements
- Students happy to memorise extensive anatomy in the early years
- Those committed to a regulated profession with strict practice standards
It is probably not for you if
- Students avoiding extensive anatomy and dissection work
- Those unwilling to do clinical placements with patient contact
- Anyone uncomfortable with hands-on physical assessment of patients
Careers this leads to
Australian career pathways that name this Bachelor of Physiotherapy as an entry route. Each page shows uni, TAFE and apprenticeship alternatives.
Related courses at ACU
Sources
Course details are summarised by ExamExplained, not copied from the university. Confirm course content and ATAR cutoffs on the Australian Catholic University handbook and on UAC before applying. Page generated at https://examexplained.com.au/uni/acu/bachelor-of-physiotherapy.