Careers in Physiotherapy

Careers

A degree in physiotherapy prepares you for a range of career opportunities in metropolitan, rural and remote settings. Physiotherapists may work independently or as part of a team of health care professionals. They work in public and private hospitals, health centres, sports medicine clinics, maternity hospitals, rehabilitation centres, aged care facilities and in private practices, as well as in areas concerning health promotion, education, management and research.

Physiotherapists practice in many specialised areas:

Animal: treating animals with musculoskeletal problems.

Aquatic: treating people in water.

Cardiorespiratory: providing health care to people with heart or lung problems, including people in intensive care and following surgery as well as people who wish to maintain cardiovascular fitness.

Education: teaching undergraduate and postgraduate students of physiotherapy and related disciplines.

Gerontology: providing health care to older people, including maintaining fitness and maximising physical ability.

Management: managing health care facilities, Allied Health services, and coordinating other aspects of the health care system. 

Musculoskeletal: health care delivery in sports physiotherapy, spinal physiotherapy, arthritis management, rehabilitation following reconstructive surgery such as ligament repair, rehabilitation following replacement surgery such as hip replacement.

Neurology: provision of health care services to people with neurological conditions such as stroke, spinal cord injury, Parkinson’s disease and Multiple Sclerosis.

Occupational Health: analysis of biomechanics in the workplace, strategic management of risks of injury in the workplace and health care services for injured workers.

Paediatrics: provision of health care services to babies, children, adolescents and their families.

Women’s Health: promoting the wellbeing of women across the lifespan, including before and after childbirth and strategies for management of incontinence.

Research: advancing fundamental knowledge and physiotherapy practices.

Upon successful completion of this course, graduates are eligible to apply for registration with the Physiotherapy Board of Australia.