Bachelor of Science (Physiotherapy)
at Curtin University, Western Australia.
A four-year AHPRA-accredited physiotherapy degree at the Bentley campus, with substantial clinical placement across WA public health services, private practice and rural WA Country Health Service settings.
ATAR cutoff history
Published cutoff data for the Curtin University Bachelor of Science (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 | ATAR cutoff not published | TISC |
| 2024 | ATAR cutoff not published | TISC |
| 2023 | ATAR cutoff not published | TISC |
No verified cutoffs are available. Confirm the latest figure on the official TISC cutoff release.
Prerequisite Year 12 subjects
Brush up on each prerequisite with our state-syllabus explainers and dot points.
What you will study
First year builds the science base: functional anatomy, exercise physiology, human movement and biomechanics, and an introduction to physiotherapy practice. You learn how the musculoskeletal, cardiorespiratory and neurological systems work and begin practical skills in movement analysis and hands-on assessment. Second and third year cover the core practice areas: musculoskeletal physiotherapy, cardiorespiratory physiotherapy, neurological rehabilitation, exercise prescription and manual therapy. You learn assessment, diagnosis and treatment techniques in skills labs at Bentley before applying them on clinical placement across WA hospitals, private practices and community settings. Workload and contact hours are high. Fourth year focuses on advanced and complex practice, professional reasoning and an evidence-based or research project supported by Curtin's enable Institute, alongside extended clinical placement blocks. On completion you are eligible for registration as a physiotherapist with AHPRA and can begin hospital rotational programs or private practice.
Example first-year subjects
- Functional Anatomy
- Exercise Physiology
- Human Movement and Biomechanics
- Foundations of Physiotherapy Practice
- Musculoskeletal Assessment Skills
- Health, Behaviour and the Physiotherapy Profession
How you will be assessed
- Practical skills assessments and OSCEs of hands-on techniques
- Supervised clinical placement competency assessments
- Final exams in anatomy, physiology and clinical units
- Case-study and treatment-planning assignments
- Reflective practice journals from placement
- Evidence-based or research project in the later years
Placement and industry experience
Australian Physiotherapy Council accreditation requires substantial supervised clinical placement. Curtin arranges placements across WA tertiary hospitals (Sir Charles Gairdner, Royal Perth, Fiona Stanley), private musculoskeletal and sports practices, aged-care and community-rehabilitation services, and rural and remote sites through WA Country Health Service. Placements build from short early blocks to extended full-time rotations in the later years. Students must meet AHPRA fitness-to-practise, police-check and immunisation requirements, and the degree leads to AHPRA registration.
Career outcomes
- Graduates work as registered physiotherapists in Perth tertiary hospitals (Sir Charles Gairdner, Royal Perth, Fiona Stanley) and WA Country Health Service after AHPRA registration.
- Common destinations include hospital graduate rotational programs, private musculoskeletal practice, sports physiotherapy and aged-care providers.
- Many alumni pursue clinical specialisation, become titled physiotherapists or move into research roles within Curtins enable Institute and the Australian Physiotherapy Association.
Professional accreditation
- Australian Physiotherapy Council
- AHPRA registration eligible
Typical first jobs
- Graduate physiotherapist in WA public hospital rotations
- Private-practice musculoskeletal physiotherapist
- Sports physiotherapist with clubs and clinics
- Rural and remote physiotherapist with WA Country Health Service
- Aged-care or community-rehabilitation physiotherapist
- Neurological or cardiorespiratory rehabilitation roles
- Occupational or workplace physiotherapist
Graduate starting salary
$62,000 - $70,000 per year
Source: https://www.qilt.edu.au/surveys/graduate-outcomes-survey-(gos). Last reviewed 2026-05-24.
After graduation
The four-year accredited degree leads directly to AHPRA registration as a physiotherapist. Graduates enter hospital graduate rotations, private musculoskeletal and sports practice, aged care and community services across WA. Postgrad options include clinical masters and graduate certificates in areas such as sports, musculoskeletal, neurological and cardiorespiratory physiotherapy, leading toward titled and specialist physiotherapist status with the Australian Physiotherapy Association. Research Honours, masters and PhD pathways run through the enable Institute.
Is this the right degree for you?
You probably thrive here if
- Students strong in biology who enjoy hands-on, physical work
- People who like movement, sport, anatomy and rehabilitation
- Confident communicators who can coach and motivate patients
- Students happy with high contact hours and demanding placement
- Those committed to a regulated, patient-facing profession
It is probably not for you if
- Students wanting a research-only or office-bound career
- People uncomfortable with close physical, hands-on contact
- Those who dislike anatomy and exam-heavy science study
- Students unable to meet AHPRA fitness and placement requirements
Careers this leads to
Australian career pathways that name this Bachelor of Science (Physiotherapy) as an entry route. Each page shows uni, TAFE and apprenticeship alternatives.
Related courses at Curtin
Sources
- https://www.curtin.edu.au/study/offering/course-ug-bachelor-of-science-physiotherapy--bh-pthrpy/
- https://www.tisc.edu.au/
Course details are summarised by ExamExplained, not copied from the university. Confirm course content and ATAR cutoffs on the Curtin University handbook and on TISC before applying. Page generated at https://examexplained.com.au/uni/curtin/bachelor-of-physiotherapy.