Doctor of Physiotherapy (MC-DPHYSIO)

Overview

Entry requirements

1. In order to be considered for entry, applicants must have completed:
   • Either
   – An undergraduate degree in any discipline, with studies to have been completed within 10 years of commencing the Doctor of Physiotherapy, or
   – For applicants whose most recently completed undergraduate degree was completed 10 or more years before 1 January of the year in which the applicant intends to commence the Doctor of Physiotherapy, a Graduate Diploma, Master or PhD degree or equivalent completed within 10 years before 1 January of the year in which the applicant intends to commence the Doctor of Physiotherapy; 
   and
   • Pre-requisite University subjects in human anatomy and in human physiology or equivalent (one subject of each), with pre-requisite subjects to have been completed within 10 years of commencing the Doctor of Physiotherapy; and
   • A multi-mini interview (which may be restricted to shortlisted applicants).
   Meeting these requirements does not guarantee selection.
   
   2. In ranking applications, the Selection Committee will consider:
   • Prior academic performance; and
   • The interview.
   
   3. The Selection Committee may seek further information to clarify any aspect of an application in accordance with the Academic Board rules on the use of selection instruments.
   
   4. Applicants are required to satisfy the university’s English language requirements for postgraduate courses. For those applicants seeking to meet these requirements by one of the standard tests approved by the Academic Board, performance band 7 is required.
   
   Additional notes for the Handbook
   
   1. The performance of applicants in their previous studies will be assessed using a Grade Point Average (GPA) computed in a manner approved by the Academic Board for the Doctor of Physiotherapy (see note 2 below). The GPA will be used to determine which applicants are shortlisted for multi-mini interview. Offers will be made on the basis of a combined ranked list where ranks by GPA and interview are given equal weighting.
   
   2. Except for (i) applicants eligible under the Guaranteed Pathway and (ii) as explicitly provided for under clause 5 below, the Grade Point Average (GPA) used to rank applicants on academic merit based on their tertiary previous studies will be computed in the following way. The most recent bachelor degree results (including Honours) will be used for the purposes of calculating the Grade Point Average (GPA) regardless of any subsequent graduate studies completed. The Grade Point Average (GPA) will be measured by considering the last three years of the applicant's undergraduate coursework studies (including Honours). Weightings will be applied by weighting the first of the final three years by 1, the second year by 2 and the final year by 2.
   

   Please note that results for 2020 subjects completed before the COVID-19 pandemic will be included in GPA calculations. Results for honours completed in 2020 will be included in GPA calculations for 2022 and all future intakes. All other 2020 subject results will be excluded from GPA calculations for 2022 and all future intakes.

   If an applicant completed their final year of undergraduate study in 2020, weightings will be applied by weighting the first year of the final three years by 1, the second year by 2 and the final year subjects completed before the pandemic by 2.

   If an applicant completed their penultimate year of undergraduate study in 2020, weightings will be applied by weighting the first year of the final three years by 1, the second year subjects completed before the pandemic by 2 and the final year by 2.

   If an applicant completed their first year (of the final three years) of undergraduate study in 2020, weightings will be applied by weighting the first year subjects completed before the pandemic by 1, the second year by 2 and the final year by 2.
   
   For the avoidance of doubt, please note that subjects from all other study periods will be calculated according to the standard GPA calculation method described at the beginning of point 2.

   3. In considering students under special entry schemes the Selection Committee will consider aspects of disadvantage as set out from time to time in the University of Melbourne Graduate Access policy, evidence of rurality for rural applicants, and confirmation of aboriginality for indigenous applicants.
   
   4. Students applying for the Doctor of Medicine, Doctor of Physiotherapy, or Doctor of Dental Surgery from the University of Melbourne degrees of Bachelor of Agriculture, Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Biomedicine, Bachelor of Commerce, Bachelor of Environments, Bachelor of Design, Bachelor of Oral Health, Bachelor of Music, or Bachelor of Science who meet entry and course requirements for a guaranteed place are admitted subject only to meeting any minimum grade point average as prescribed by the Academic Board; satisfactory performance at an interview to demonstrate adequate communication skills (Doctor of Medicine and Doctor of Physiotherapy only); and completion of relevant pre-requisite subjects on the first attempt. Please note that results for 2020 subjects completed before the COVID-19 pandemic will be included in entry score calculations. Results for honours completed in 2020 will be included in calculations for 2022 and all future intakes. All other 2020 subject results will be excluded from calculations for 2022 and all future intakes. For the avoidance of doubt, subjects from all other study periods will be included in entry score calculations.
   
   5. The Selection Committee may re-rank applicants with a high level of performance in postgraduate studies in a cognate area subject to the following:
   • postgraduate study must have been completed within ten years of commencement of the
   Doctor of Medicine, Doctor of Dental Surgery or Doctor of Physiotherapy;
   • postgraduate study must be the equivalent of at least a one year full time program;
   • postgraduate study must be in a discipline that builds upon studies completed at the undergraduate level;
   • postgraduate study must be in a health related or biological sciences discipline.
   The quotas of places available for selection of applicants re-ranked on the basis of postgraduate study as prescribed below are set initially as follows:
   (a) Doctor of Medicine — up to 10 places,
   (b) Doctor of Dental Surgery — up to 2 places,
   (c) Doctor of Physiotherapy — up to 3 places.
   Re-ranked applicants not selected on this basis, who otherwise satisfy the selection criteria, will be considered on the basis of their undergraduate results. The Selection Committee is not required to fill the quotas and any unused places will be allocated as normal. 

Graduate Degree Package for School Leavers 

The University of Melbourne offers Graduate Degree Packages to high achieving school leavers, allowing them to secure places (Commonwealth Supported places for domestic students or International fee places) in the Doctor of Physiotherapy provided that they meet certain requirements. 

For a Commonwealth Supported Place or an International Fee Place, the applicant must: 

• complete an Australian Year 12 or the International Baccalaureate (IB) in 2018 or later either:

— in Australia; or

— outside Australia and be an Australian citizen;

• achieve an ATAR (or notional ATAR) of at least 98.00; 

• apply for a University of Melbourne Graduated Degree Package for commencement in the year following completion of Year 12 or IB via VTAC;

• enrol immediately or be granted deferral in the year following Year 12;

• successfully complete a Bachelor of Biomedicine or Science at the University of Melbourne including all the specified prerequisite subjects; 

• achieve a minimum weighted average mark of H2A (75%) in their undergraduate degree; 

• pass on the first attempt any subject course prerequisites taken at the University of Melbourne; 

• satisfactorily complete a multi-mini interview; and 

• commence the Doctor of Physiotherapy within 18 months of completing the undergraduate degree.

Applicants should refer to the University handbook for the additional entry requirements for the undergraduate degrees in the Graduate Degree Package.

Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Students Experiencing Academic Disadvantage Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Course and Subject Descriptions, Course and Subject Objectives, Generic Skills and Assessment Requirements of this entry.
The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the disability support scheme can be found at the Disability Liaison Unit website: http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/

It is a requirement of the course that students will be expected to physically examine their peers (of both genders) in classroom settings and patients (of both genders) in clinics and hospital wards.

All students in the Doctor of Physiotherapy (DPT) course must possess the intellectual, ethical, physical and emotional capabilities required to participate in the full curriculum and to achieve the levels of competence at graduation required by the Melbourne School of Health Sciences, Department of Physiotherapy and the Australian Health Practitioner Registration Agency (AHPRA). Physiotherapy practice in Australia is bound by the Registration Standards defined by the Physiotherapy Registration Board. It is recommended that students read and understand the Registration Standards (http://www.physiotherapyboard.gov.au/Registration-Standards.aspx) and their responsibilities as a student physiotherapy practitioner (http://www.physiotherapyboard.gov.au/Registration/Student-Registrations.aspx).

A student with a disability may be asked to provide independent medical or other clinical assessments of the disability and its possible impact on the ability of the student to successfully complete the course, before being accepted into the course. This statement would be treated in confidence with only those on the admissions committee and Disability Liaison having access to the document. (Deliberate misinformation about the student’s ability to successfully complete the course will be regarded as unprofessional practice and treated as such.)

While the Department of Physiotherapy will make reasonable adjustments to minimise the impact of a disability, all students must be able to participate in the program in an independent manner. It is not reasonable for students to use an intermediary as an adjustment to compensate for a disability impacting on any of the five categories listed below. In the clinical environment there is a primary duty of care to the patients, and the needs of students cannot compromise this. It is expected that all students will be able to participate fully in all classroom based learning activities and to successfully fulfil the clinical assessment and self-study requirements of the course. The presence of a disability will not automatically entitle the student to preferential treatment in clinical place allocation.

A candidate for the DPT must have abilities and skills in the following five categories:

1. Observation:
Practical Classes: The student must be able to observe mandatory demonstrations and experiments in the designated subjects.
Clinical Work: The student must be able to observe a patient accurately at a distance and close at hand. Observation necessitates the functional use of the senses of vision, hearing and somatic sensation. It is enhanced by the functional use of the sense of smell.

2. Communication:
Practical Classes: The student must be able to hear and comprehend instructions in practical sessions and be able to clearly and independently communicate knowledge and application of the principles and practices of the subject during assessment tasks.
Clinical Work: A student must be able to hear, speak to, and observe patients in order to elicit information and perceive nonverbal communications. A student must be able to communicate effectively and sensitively with patients in both oral and written forms. The student must also be able to communicate effectively and efficiently in both oral and written forms with all health care practitioners involved in patient management (including the use of telephones and computers).

3. Motor:
Practical Classes: A student must be able to undertake the motor requirements for any mandatory practical sessions. Such actions require coordination of both gross and fine muscular movements, equilibrium, and functional use of the senses of touch and vision.
Clinical Work: Students should have sufficient motor function to elicit information from patients by clinical examination, which may include palpation of the patient’s body structures, active and passive movements of the patient, auscultation and other diagnostic manoeuvres. Physiotherapy is a physically demanding profession and requires coordination of both gross and fine muscular movements, equilibrium, and functional use of the senses of touch and vision.

4. Intellectual-Conceptual, Integrative and Quantitative Abilities:
Practical Classes: The student is expected to have the ability to develop problem-solving skills and demonstrate this ability in practical sessions. These abilities include measurement, calculation, reasoning, analysis, and synthesis. Problem solving requires all of these intellectual abilities.
Clinical Work: The student is expected to have the ability to develop problem-solving skills and demonstrate the ability to establish management plans and priorities. These abilities include measurement, calculation, reasoning, analysis, and synthesis. Problem solving requires all of these intellectual abilities.

5. Behavioural and Social Attributes:
Practical Classes: A student must possess the emotional and mental health required for full utilisation of his/her intellectual abilities, the exercise of good judgement, and the prompt completion of all required tasks.
Clinical Work: A student must possess the emotional health required for full utilisation of his/her intellectual abilities, the exercise of good judgement, the prompt completion of all responsibilities attendant to the diagnosis and care of patients, and the development of mature, sensitive, and effective relationships with patients and colleagues.

Professional accreditation

Graduates are eligible for registration with the Australian Health Practioner Regulation Agency to work in Australia.

Course structure

The Doctor of Physiotherapy program is a fixed, full-time course.
In order to qualify for the Doctor of Physiotherapy students must successfully complete all subjects as outlined below (300 credit points).

First Year

Second Year

Third Year

And one of

Further study

The School also offers a number of postgraduate certificates in specialist clinical fields and Research Higher Degrees at PhD.

Additional Costs:

All physiotherapy students are required to obtain the following (prices quoted are approximate):

• Clinical uniform (polo shirt) - ~$45.00 per shirt
• Stethoscope ~ $110.00
• Name badge ~$15 

The Melbourne University Physiotherapy Polo Shirt is to be worn during the majority of clinical placements and is purchased through the Department of Physiotherapy. Students will need to provide their own uniform pants and shoes. Pants are to be dark navy dress pants and shoes are required to be black, waterproof and provide full toe coverage (no sandals/open-toe shoes/heels).

• Students undertake ~ 37 weeks of clinical placement in a variety of settings
• Some clinical placements may incur costs for travel and accommodation, which are the student’s responsibility

All students undertaking a placement in a hospital, clinic or other health or community environment are annually required to satisfy a number of requirements, including:

• undergoing a recent National Police Record Check
• holding a valid Working with Children Check for the relevant state/territory, and
• being satisfactorily protected against infectious disease transmission.

Please refer to the Student Placements webpage for detailed information regarding compliance requirements.

Last updated: 10 November 2023