Fast Facts
Location
Commencing
- Townsville: January
Fees
$46,111+
+
estimated annual tuition and student services and amenities fee for a full-time study load
Scholarships and financial aid available if eligible
Currently displaying fees for 2026, which are subject to change in following years.
Duration
3 years and 1 trimester
Entry Requirements
Recommended Knowledge
English (Units 3/4,C), Mathematical Methods (Units 3/4,C), plus one of Chemistry, Biology, Physics, Physical Education, Psychology or Health (Units 3/4,C); or equivalent
English language requirements
Band 3a
If your native language is not English, you must meet the minimum English language requirements for this course.
View the international entry requirements for this course
CRICOS Code
053801F
Course detail
Pursue your passion for helping others through the Bachelor of Physiotherapy. Learn how to assist clients in restoring their mobility and function and improve quality of life. You’ll learn to assess and diagnose problems with human function and movement, then plan and administer treatment programs to restore function or minimise dysfunction caused by illness, ageing, or injury. Incorporate a holistic approach to healthcare practice through studying human anatomy physiology, pathophysiology and exercise prescription alongside evidence-based physiotherapy practice.
Discover the principles of human body structure and function, from tissue, cells and different human systems and how they relate to illness and injury. Learn the fundamentals of physiotherapy practice and treatment techniques including massage, exercise prescription and related biomechanical principles. Be prepared for effective healthcare practice from your first year as you learn fundamental communication skills for health professionals and the behind-the-scenes factors of allied health professional practice.
Take your learning outside of the classroom as you study and train at the JCU Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy Clinic at JCU Townsville, Bebegua Yumba campus, Douglas. You’ll view demonstrations from your expert lecturers and tutors and have the chance to put your theory into practice. Practical experience is embedded into the Bachelor of Physiotherapy with opportunities for extensive clinical placements that will prepare you for every aspect of work as a physiotherapist. Take part in clinical placements in urban, rural and remote locations, equipping you to provide effective healthcare in any setting.
As a graduate of JCU’s Bachelor of Physiotherapy, you will be prepared to deliver and facilitate safe, sustainable and effective collaborative client-centred healthcare. You can pursue a career across Australia and the world whilst being particularly equipped to work in rural and remote settings with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
Consult the handbook for specific admission requirements and a detailed overview of available subjects.
Inherent requirements
Inherent requirements are the identified abilities, attributes, skills, and behaviours that must be demonstrated, during the learning experience, to successfully complete a course. These abilities, attributes, skills, and behaviours preserve the academic integrity of the University’s learning, assessment, and accreditation processes, and where applicable, meet the standards of a profession. For more information please review the inherent requirements for the Bachelor of Physiotherapy.
Honours
The Bachelor of Physiotherapy (Honours) degree is available for high-achieving students. It consists of extra study and the development of a personal research project and thesis. An Honours degree is usually essential for entry to higher research degrees. Refer to the Bachelor of Physiotherapy (Honours) Handbook for eligibility information. Complete an application through our Online Application Portal.
Work Integrated Learning
This course requires work-integrated learning (WIL) activities, such as placements, fieldwork, internships or industry-partnered projects. During the course, you will be required to complete a minimum of 1100 hours of WIL.
JCU Physiotherapy graduates have a positive impact on their communities.
Graduates pursue careers across Australia and are especially equipped to work in rural and remote settings with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
You could work in aged care services, community health centres, hospitals, private practices, schools, or sports and rehabilitation clinics.
Graduates can register to practice with the Physiotherapy Board of Australia and become members of the Australian Physiotherapy Association.
Estimated annual tuition fee: $AUD46,111.00
Courses are charged per year of full-time study. International course fees are reviewed annually and subject to change.
A Student Services and Amenities Fee is payable per subject up to a maximum amount per year.
Student Visa holders must have Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) for the duration of their Student Visa (except Norwegian, Swedish and Belgian citizens). Costs depend on the length of study and the number of dependants accompanying the student. For more information see Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC).
Scholarships and financial aid are also available for international students.
JCU offers multiple Pathways to University. If you do not meet the entry requirements for this Diploma, consider exploring our available Pathways options.
Contact our friendly team today to discover which pathway is right for you.
Advanced Standing (credit for prior learning)
If you wish to seek credit for previous studies, you can submit the course syllabi (subject outline) for each relevant subject you have already studied. You will need to ensure that previous subjects, that you wish to gain credit for, correspond to a similar JCU subject. View JCU subject outlines and Course Enrolment Planners to assist in this process.
As well as having studied the subjects listed in the prerequisites for this course, you must also meet necessary minimum academic entry scores and requirements.
Applicants of non-English speaking backgrounds must meet the English language proficiency requirements of Band 3a – Schedule II of the JCU Admissions Policy.
If you meet the academic requirements for a course, but not the minimum English requirements, you will be given the opportunity to take an English program to improve your skills in addition to an offer to study a degree at JCU. The JCU degree offer will be conditional upon the student gaining a certain grade in their English program. This combination of courses is called a packaged offer.
Application dates vary between courses, whether they're delivered in semester, trimester or carousel study modes. View our Application due dates page for more information.
Gather the documents you need to apply and submit an application via JCU's online application portal.
Real stories
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Alumni
Jade Bidgood
Graduate, Bachelor of Physiotherapy
JCU gave me the foundation of skills I required to feel confident to work in the health-care industry. I had multiple job offers in my final year and was fortunate to secure an excellent physiotherapy position from one of the clinical placements I attended during my training.
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Lecturer
Dr Anne Jones
Head of Physiotherapy
JCU physio students get to do a lot of practical work right from day one, and we build on those skills throughout the whole program. We have a major focus on rural and remote populations as well as the tropical environment. Therefore, you’ll gain a lot of experience that people in larger centres don’t get.
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Employer
Tom McMillan FACP
Director & Specialist Musculoskeletal Physiotherapist, Physioplus
We have been working with JCU Physiotherapy students for more than 12 years, and more than 10 members of our Physiotherapy team were previous JCU graduates. They have proven highly capable in their professional careers, with clinical competency, regional and rural knowledge and strong, evidence-based approach.