Physiotherapy, a new degree option at UniSC | UniSC | University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia

Why is UniSC bringing on physiotherapy now as a new degree option?

We are passionate about increasing education and employment opportunities in our local and regional communities. The development of the new School of Health in 2023 was a great opportunity to review and extend our degrees to include physiotherapy, so physiotherapy students can stay and study on the Sunshine Coast instead of moving to Brisbane which can minimise costs, travel and disruption to family/personal life.

We also hope by providing physiotherapy education here on the Sunshine Coast, more graduates will stay and work in the region and help address local and rural workforce shortages and the increase demand for physiotherapy services. Physiotherapy plays a critical role in assisting people to move and function well across the lifespan regardless of age, injury, illness, or disease. With the growing population on the Sunshine Coast and surrounds, the high proportion of older adults, increased demand for disability services, and focus/dedication to sport at UniSC and the wider community (especially with upcoming Olympics in 2032), adding physiotherapy to the suite of health courses offered at UniSC seemed an obvious choice. So far, we have been overwhelmed by enthusiasm from prospective students, employers and clinical partners, and we look forward to rolling out the program next year.

Is there local demand for jobs in this field, and what are the career opportunities for graduates?

Physiotherapy is on the skilled occupational shortage list, despite the increase in number of physiotherapy graduates and programs in Australia. However, the main issue in physiotherapy in Australia is maldistribution of the workforce. Most physiotherapists work in metropolitan areas, and more are required in regional areas of Australia including the Sunshine Coast.

Physiotherapists work in a range of areas and settings. Main clinical areas include musculoskeletal, neurological and cardiorespiratory physiotherapy. Other areas of physiotherapy include paediatrics, aged care, orthopaedics, gender health, vestibular rehabilitation and hand therapy (and many more). Some physiotherapists work in non clinical areas, such as in academia, research and the government in health promotion and policy roles. Physiotherapists can work in a variety of settings including hospitals, schools, universities, sporting organisations, community health, aged care, and private practice. In fact, the majority of clinical employment opportunities for graduates are in private practice, aged care, disability and regional/rural settings, so at UniSC we will have extra focus on student preparation for work in these settings and contexts.

What will set UniSC’s physio program apart from other physio degrees?

Our new physiotherapy program is an Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) Level 8 program where all graduates receive a Bachelor with Honours degree as opposed to a AQF Level 7 Bachelor degree. This qualification shows a higher achievement of knowledge and skills related to physiotherapy practice. Students can choose to follow a clinical or research pathway in year 3 and 4 and extend their knowledge, skills and experience to enhance work-readiness in line with their personal career goals.

Our curriculum is new, innovative, career and future focused – we are collaborating closely with key clinical partners and employers in designing and delivering the curriculum. Our goal is to maximise physiotherapy graduate work readiness in all clinical settings, but particularly where there is increased need and demand for physiotherapists (e.g. private practice, aged care, disability, regional/rural health care). After completing years 1 and 2, physiotherapy students will be eligible to receive a Diploma of Allied Health Assistance from UniSC. This integrated qualification will help students secure relevant employment during university study, and helps them further develop their knowledge and skills for clinical placement and future employment. Students will also benefit from multiple and diverse opportunities to learn about, with, and from other health professions in the program, and be supported to develop interprofessional collaboration competency, which is a critical requirement for safe and effective clinical practice.

What kind of people and personalities would make great physiotherapists?

People who are genuinely interested in the human body and function, health and wellbeing, and find purpose and enjoyment in helping others. A great physiotherapist also has excellent communication, teamwork and interpersonal skills; has a strong work ethic and organisational skills; can clinically reason and think creatively; has physical strength and fitness to undertake manual tasks; and takes time to observe, critically reflect and is engage in lifelong learning.

What are other reasons students (or alumni) might be interested in this program? 

Employment prospects for physiotherapists are excellent, especially in the Sunshine Coast and Wide Bay region. For local students, being able to study on the Sunshine Coast, and continue to live and work locally can make this option more affordable and less disruptive than moving to Brisbane to study physiotherapy.

UniSC graduates from many of our health programs will likely be eligible for a lot of course credit which can reduce the study load and cost of the course. Programs with the most course credit in physiotherapy include Bachelor of Sport and Exercise Science, Bachelor of Clinical Exercise Physiology, Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (Honours), and Bachelor of Prosthetics and Orthotics (nearly a year of course credit). It will however, take all students four years to complete the program due to the initial roll out of the program, and physiotherapy course prerequisites.