This master degree is for qualified physiotherapists who want to gain advanced clinical skills and knowledge in the field of sports physiotherapy.

It provides you with an advanced qualification in sports physiotherapy practice, enhancing your sports specific knowledge, reasoning and clinical skills for future work with sporting organisations and in private practice.

Many of our sports physiotherapy graduates work at amateur, elite, national and international levels in a wide range of sports including Australian Rules Football, soccer, tennis, netball, gymnastics, swimming, water polo, dance, circus or acrobatics, skiing, Paralympic sports, softball, baseball, basketball and cricket. 

What you'll need

Students who undertake activities where interaction with patients/the public is required for their degree, such as field or clinical placements/visits and in University clinics and gyms, must demonstrate they meet mandatory pre-placement conditional requirements. These include criminal history clearance, a Working with Children Check and immunisation requirements. Please visit the Clinical Placement Unit for information on key requirements, and to access the full student checklists.

All students enrolled in a program leading to professional registration must be registered with the relevant National Board. The registration process is undertaken by the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) with the University providing notification to AHPRA following enrolment in the program.

What you'll learn

Sports physiotherapists need to be able to assess and treat sports and other injuries in field and outpatient settings. They need quick decision making skills to triage injuries during events and need to be able to perform pre-season screening and develop injury prevention strategies for teams and individuals. When travelling with sports teams, the sports physiotherapist needs management, organisation and leadership skills. This program provides the essential knowledge, practical skills and experience to be a sports physiotherapist.

Through a variety of theoretical classes and practical experiences, you will develop advanced skills and knowledge in sports physiotherapy. You will study topics such as:

• allied health evidence translation
• pain theory and science, assessment and management
• advanced musculoskeletal examination and management
• facilitating change in cognition, behaviours and lifestyle
• advanced sports theory and management.

You will also receive supervision from postgraduate qualified physiotherapists in field and outpatient settings to facilitate application of your new knowledge to clinical practice.

This master degree provides you with an advanced qualification in sports physiotherapy practice, enhancing your sports specific knowledge, reasoning and clinical skills. As a graduate, you will be prepared to work across a variety of settings, including:

• private practice
• clinics
• sport and exercise services
• rehabilitation centres
• hospitals
• home and community services
• disability services
• aged care facilities

Many of our sports physiotherapy graduates work at amateur, elite, national and international levels in a wide range of sports including Australian Rules Football, soccer, tennis, netball, gymnastics, swimming, water polo, dance, circus or acrobatics, skiing, Paralympic sports, softball, baseball, basketball and cricket.

Professional accreditation and recognition

The program is accredited by the Sports Professional Practice Standards Committee of the Australian Physiotherapy Association and satisfies the requirement for Titled Membership, Sports Physiotherapy Australia.