If you are interested in healthcare and love being around or working with people, a career in physiotherapy may be perfect for you. Physiotherapists help people of all ages recover from injuries, improve their physical function and reduce pain. They work in a variety of settings, including hospitals, private clinics, sports centres, and rehabilitation centres.

In this article, we will provide you with a comprehensive guide on what a physiotherapist is, what services they provide, what the benefits of being a physiotherapist are, and what qualifications you need to become a physiotherapist in Australia.

So, what is a physiotherapist?

A physiotherapist is a healthcare professional who specialises in the assessment, diagnosis, treatment and prevention of physical problems that affect people's mobility, function, and quality of life. They work with people of all ages, from newborns to the elderly, and help them recover from a variety of injuries and conditions, including musculoskeletal, neurological, and respiratory problems.

What do they provide?

Physiotherapists provide a wide range of services to their patients, including:

  • Assessment and diagnosis of physical problems
  • Development of treatment plans and exercise programs
  • Manual therapy techniques such as massage, stretching, and joint mobilisation
  • Electrotherapy techniques such as ultrasound, TENS, and laser therapy
  • Education and advice on injury prevention and management
  • Rehabilitation after surgery, injury or illness
  • Treatment of chronic conditions such as arthritis and diabetes
  • Assessment and treatment of breathing problems and lung conditions

What are the perks of being a physiotherapist?

There are many benefits of being a physiotherapist, including:

  • Working with people and helping them improve their quality of life means you get to experience a high level of job satisfaction and personal fulfilment
  • Having a varied and rewarding career with opportunities to specialise in different areas of physiotherapy including including sports, paediatrics, respiratory, disability and women’s health
  • Working in a growing and dynamic industry with job opportunities in a range of settings such as hospitals, rehabilitation centres, community centres and private practice
  • A competitive salary and benefits package, and opportunities to advance in your career
  • A flexible work-life balance with opportunities for part-time and flexible working arrangements

Work life balance with a career in allied health South Australia

What are the Australian qualifications to become a physiotherapist?

To become a physiotherapist in Australia, you need to complete a Bachelor of Physiotherapy degree at an accredited university. The degree program usually takes four years to complete and includes both theoretical and practical training.

Alternatively, you can complete a Graduate Entry Masters in Physiotherapy, which usually takes two years following completion of another approved three-year degree.

After completing your degree, you will need to register with the Australian Health Practioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) and the Physiotherapy Board of Australia. To maintain your registration, you will need to complete continuing education courses and participate in professional development activities throughout your career.

Prove it

Do you know anyone who is a physiotherapist? Start there! It is great to be able to discuss a career in physiotherapy, with someone 'in the know'.

Find out what Aleisha says about her start in physiotherapy and how rewarding it is to work in a regional area, in the video below 👇

There are also many organisations that can help you in learning more about physiotherapy:

Hear what Aleisha loves about being a regional physiotherapist

Take a sneak peek into life as a physio

Have you wondered what it may be like to be a physiotherapist in a real-life setting?

Take a look now by signing up to the Virtual Intern Allied Health work experience and see typical day-to-day scenarios.

It's easy to do, fun to navigate and helps you see the work of various Allied Health professionals in 'real life' situations.  Click here to sign up: https://virtualintern.com.au/alliedhealthsa/lets-start/

Jump into my work experience

Conclusion

A career as a physiotherapist is a rewarding and challenging profession that provides opportunities to help people of all ages improve their physical function and quality of life. With a range of services, flexible working arrangements, and a competitive salary, physiotherapy is an excellent career choice for high school students who are passionate about healthcare and helping people. If you are interested in becoming a physiotherapist, start by researching accredited universities and enrolling in a Bachelor of Physiotherapy degree program.