Bachelor of Physiotherapy
at Australian Catholic University, New South Wales.
A four-year full-time physiotherapy degree at ACU North Sydney. Placements run in first year (up to 30 hours of observation) and fourth year (four to five full-time five-week blocks). Graduates can register with Ahpra. No prerequisites.
Lowest selection rank
The lowest selection rank (LSR) is the lowest ATAR plus adjustment factors (equity, subject and regional bonuses) that received an offer to the ACU Bachelor of Physiotherapy for that intake. Universities publish it in their admissions student profiles. Only intakes with a published figure are listed.
| Intake | Lowest selection rank | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 96.30 | uac.edu.au |
| 2025 | 98.80 | uac.edu.au |
| 2024 | 97.15 | uac.edu.au |
| 2023 | 97.10 | uac.edu.au |
A lowest selection rank describes a past intake, not a guaranteed entry score. Check the current entry requirements on the official course page before you apply through UAC.
Prerequisite Year 12 subjects
No formal Year 12 subject prerequisites; assumed knowledge may still apply.
What you will study
Study areas are the biological sciences, physiotherapy and clinical placements, covering musculoskeletal, cardiorespiratory and neurological physiotherapy across the lifespan. Honours is offered on academic merit and integrated across third and fourth years, and is awarded on coursework plus a paper prepared for publication.
Placement and industry experience
In first year students complete up to 30 hours of observational placement in hospitals and clinics. In fourth year they complete four to five full-time placements of five weeks each across a range of clinical settings.
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, women's health or sports physiotherapy or pursue masters-level clinical study after two to three years.
Professional accreditation
- Ahpra registration eligible (Physiotherapy Board of Australia)
- Australian Physiotherapy Association membership eligible
Typical first jobs
- Rotational physiotherapist in NSW Health hospitals
- Junior physiotherapist at private clinics
- Sports physiotherapist in private sports clinics and clubs
- 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: health.nsw.gov.au. Last reviewed 2026-05-21.
After graduation
Graduates are eligible for registration with Ahpra (Physiotherapy Board of Australia) and membership of the Australian Physiotherapy Association. They typically start in hospital rotations or private practice.
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 selection ranks on the Australian Catholic University website and on UAC before applying.