Physiotherapy and Exercise Science

Our school has produced outstanding graduates and research for more than 60 years. We offer excellent facilities and dedicated staff, attracting high-calibre students from all over the world. Our graduates are employed in Australia and internationally as physiotherapists and exercise scientists. Curtin is ranked in the top 100 globally for sports-related subjects in the QS World University Rankings by Subject in 2020.

The School has also been named among the world’s top 100 in the latest ShanghaiRanking Consultancy’s global sport science results.

Physiotherapy student working in Curtin's health clinic

Our courses

Our courses emphasise professional development and strong interpersonal skills to help you develop a client-centred approach to practice. We combine theoretical, practical and clinical units to provide you with a thorough understanding of your chosen field.

See our undergraduate course offerings

See our postgraduate course offerings

History

The School of Physiotherapy was established in 1953 at the Royal Perth Rehabilitation Hospital in Shenton Park. It amalgamated with the Western Australian Institute of Technology (WAIT) in 1967. In 1987, WAIT became Curtin University of Technology.

Fieldwork

You will have access to a range of fieldwork and clinical placement opportunities throughout your course. Our clinics offer the latest evidence-based health treatments to the community. Our partnerships with the Fremantle Football Club, Hockey Australia, Challis Community Primary School, Juniper aged care facility and the Cockburn Aquatic and Recreation Centre provide you with valuable fieldwork and simulation experiences.

Research

We have a global reputation for producing high-impact research in the areas of Sports and Human Performance, Physical Activity and Occupational Health, Disability and Rehabilitation and Lifespan Health, Disability and Wellbeing. We support students to take up research opportunities in honours, master and PhD degrees.

How Ridiculous!

If YouTube views are an accurate measure of success, the team from How Ridiculous are chronic overachievers. With 75 million views, and counting, the group, who perform stunts in exotic locations, are firmly established within the minds of a mostly male audience as a collective social media wunderkind.

Stepping up to elite sports

For physiotherapy student Hayley Miller, stepping out on the oval in front of a crowd of fans was a moment that changed her life.

Curtin University has an international reputation for graduating exceptional students from both our physiotherapy and exercise science programs. Our interdisciplinary health science facilities, paired with an inclusive culture of our dedicated academic and professional staff, set Curtin’s School of Physiotherapy and Exercise Science apart from other programs. This translates into graduates finding rewarding careers as physiotherapists, exercise scientists and exercise physiologists, within Australia and internationally, and prepares individuals for entrance into programs for higher degree by research (HDR) training.

We look forward to you joining our team.

Professor Linda Woodhouse

Keep up-to-date with our activities and development by reading our school newsletter.

The School of Physiotherapy and Exercise Science operates two clinics: Perth Campus and Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital. Both clinics provide affordable physiotherapy treatment for musculoskeletal and sports injuries to all members of the community.

If you have a health condition or risk factors you can enjoy exercising with others in a safe, supportive environment with one of our specialised programs at the Curtin Health and Wellness Centre.

Read more exercise science and physiotherapy news