New physiotherapy degree targets national workforce shortage

First published by University of the Sunshine Coast

By Julie Schomberg

The University of the Sunshine Coast will introduce a physiotherapy degree next year to help meet surging demand for the health professionals across Australia, particularly in regional and rural areas.

In the Australian Government’s latest Skills Priority List, physiotherapist shortages were reported nationally and across every state, with possible factors including the growing needs of an ageing population and strains on the health sector since COVID-19.

Regional and rural communities are in great need, with more than two-thirds of physiotherapists working in metropolitan areas. The Australian Physiotherapy Association is concerned that a lack of services in remote areas is leading to a healthcare divide.

UniSC Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Helen Bartlett, said the University was keen to enrol its first students in the four-year Bachelor of Physiotherapy (Honours) in Semester 1, 2025.

The degree will include at least 1,000 hours of hands-on industry learning and clinical placement.

“We are already receiving enthusiastic feedback from potential students and employers from the Fraser Coast to Moreton Bay,” Professor Bartlett said.

“The University has been working closely with clinical partners to establish this Honours program to ensure graduates have high-level qualifications and work-integrated learning so they are ready to go straight into employment," Professor Bartlett said.

“A key feature will be preparing graduates for private practice, given the job opportunities and high patient demand in regional and rural areas that may be some distance from hospitals.

“The new degree will also allow more local students to stay on the Sunshine Coast instead of travelling or relocating to pursue their passion for a physiotherapy career.”

Employment opportunities will continue to grow as thousands of athletes seek sports and health professionals in the lead-up to the 2032 Olympics and Paralympics in Brisbane.

UniSC has been developing the curriculum with clinical partners such as the Sports and Spinal Group, which has 24 clinics, a dedicated community team in Total Rehab Solutions, and 380 staff between the Fraser Coast and the Gold Coast.

Group managing partner Andrew Duff, a former Winter Paralympics physiotherapist, said the group jumped at the chance to work with UniSC on a degree combining theory with practical experience.

“As a private practice group with clinic and in-home services across South East Queensland, we’re delighted to be positively influencing and contributing to raising the bar in higher education,” he said.

“As employers, we’re looking at how we can improve workplace readiness in new graduates. This has been a significant aspect of our feedback in the development of this degree," Mr Duff said.

"We want people who know what to expect on their first day – who love their job and want to stay in it for the long run," he said.

Mr Duff said his clinics understood regional challenges, receiving far fewer applicants for vacancies outside the large centres. There were no applicants for three recent jobs at Hervey Bay.

“That’s one of the reasons we’re working with the University and other key stakeholders to identify barriers for new graduates and adopt collaborative solutions.”

UniSC Associate Professor and registered physiotherapist Cherie Wells said the new degree would provide graduates with the skills and knowledge to work in hospitals, schools, universities, sporting organisations, community health, aged care and private practice.

“With our region’s growing population, high proportion of older adults, increased demand for disability services and dedication to sport – especially as we prepare for the 2032 Games, this degree is a fantastic addition to UniSC’s suite of health courses,” she said.

Prospective students from the Sunshine Coast, Noosa and Gympie can apply for UniSC’s Regional Health Workforce Scheme, which has a quota for those postcodes. Local and regional students may also be eligible for ATAR adjustment via Access UniSC.