/ How To Become a Physiotherapist: Salaries, Job Stats & Education

Does the idea of helping people improve their mobility and regain their independence after an injury appeal to you? Then physiotherapy could be the right profession for you to pursue.

To find out more, read this blog, where we explain what a career in physiotherapy involves, share interesting career statistics, list some of the typical day-to-day responsibilities of the role and outline the qualifications and experience you may need.

What to expect from a career in Physiotherapy?

A career in physiotherapy involves assisting people who have been injured to recover from or adjust to their conditions and live more independently. A physiotherapist treats patients across a wide age range – from young children to the elderly.

Treatment could address sports-related injuries or age-related mobility concerns. The goal of a physiotherapist is to improve function in their patients so that they can live a more active lifestyle.

As a physiotherapist, you must be able to communicate effectively and build positive relationships with those around you, including with other health care workers. You will need to be compassionate, level-headed, practical, flexible in your work and possess good coordination and manual dexterity.

Physiotherapist Career Outlook

According to Job Outlook Australia, the number of people working as physiotherapists grew very strongly over the past five years. This is expected to continue growing very strongly too, from 25,000 in 2018 to 31,200 by 2023, providing an increasing number of job opportunities. In fact, there are likely to be around 13,000 job openings over the next five years (that's approximately 2,600 new jobs per year).

Physiotherapist Age Profile

Right now, the average age of a physiotherapist is roughly 35 years, with the majority (67%) being female.

Physiotherapist work hours

Physiotherapists work an average of 42 hours per week, which is below the ‘all job’ average of 44 hours.

Key responsibilities and duties

Physiotherapists use a variety of techniques to treat patients who are affected by injuries caused by illness, disability or ageing.

Some of the responsibilities of a physiotherapist include:

• Diagnosing and treating various physical problems or conditions
• Developing treatment programs
• Conducting therapeutic physical exercise sessions
• Using specialist techniques to treat various injuries or ailments
• Collecting and analysing data
• Writing reports and case notes
• Liaising with other health professionals such as General Practitioners, Therapists and Nurses
• Educating and training patients and carers about exercise and movement
• Keeping up to date with the latest industry knowledge and treatments

Educational qualifications and experience

Physiotherapists have an incredibly high skill level, which means you’ll need to complete various qualifications to obtain a job in this field. A certificate level or diploma course combined with hands-on experience will be enough to qualify you to work as a physiotherapy assistant.

To become a physiotherapist, you will need to complete a four year bachelor’s degree in physiotherapy or physiotherapy as part of a five year physiotherapy degree. 

Physiotherapy courses include:

• Bachelor of Physiotherapy
• Bachelor of Applied Science (physiotherapy major)
• Bachelor of Physiotherapy/Bachelor of Exercise Science
• Master of Physiotherapy degree

To work as a physiotherapist in Australia, you will need to apply for and be registered with the Physiotherapy Board of Australia as well as the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency. You may require a national police check and a check to ensure that you can work with vulnerable people and children. Plus, all physiotherapists registered in Australia must complete 20 hours of Continued Professional Development (CPD) annually.

How long does it take to become a Physiotherapist in Australia?

It takes a minimum of 4 years to become a Physiotherapist in Australia. (Source)

How much does a Physiotherapist earn in Australia?

The average Physiotherapist salary in Australia is $80,000 per year or $41.03 per hour . Entry level salaries start at $68,806 and experienced workers make up to $136,000 per year. (Source).

The exact salary you can expect to receive depends on years of experience though, specialisation and whether the clinic you work at is in a rural or urban area.

Get ahead with Open Colleges

Open Colleges’ HLT43015 Certificate IV in Allied Health Assistance (Physiotherapy) can give you the head start you need to excel in this highly rewarding field. This course also contains a minimum of 120 hours of work placement where you can learn the practical skills required of an allied health professional working in physiotherapy.

If you wish to pursue higher education, Open Colleges also offers a formalised pathway to tertiary study with Charles Sturt University, with credit transfers available for selected courses.

With so many opportunities to grow, the right credentials can give you the confidence and ability to progress quickly. Visit our website now to learn more about the HLT43015 Certificate IV in Allied Health Assistance (Physiotherapy) and potential career outcomes.