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Federation University Australia students are helping to address critical workforce shortages in Gippsland’s allied health sector, with the first local physiotherapy graduands set to enter the workforce in 2025.

Almost all of the 22-strong student cohort have accepted job offers across Gippsland and beyond well before they graduate from their studies, emphasising the importance of this course offering to the local community.

The Bachelor of Physiotherapy was launched in 2021 with support from the Victorian Government to help address local skills shortages, with the 2019 Gippsland Future Health and Community Services Workforce report projecting that the number of physiotherapists in Gippsland will grow from 167 in 2016 to 237 by 2036.

For student Bella Fraser, growing up in a sports orientated family and training as a professional dancer first sparked her interest in physiotherapy.

But it wasn't until the COVID19 pandemic and travel restrictions put her dancing dreams on hold that Bella decided to explore a career in physio, applying for Federation’s new degree.

“It was week two, day one and we were sitting in class, and the lecturer knew every single person’s name,” Bella said.

“The relationships we’ve built with all our lecturers and fellow students, you can’t get that anywhere else.

“I’ve made some of my lifelong best friends doing this course and I’ve been able to work as an allied health assistant in physio environments while I studied because of being in a regional location.”

The pivot has paid off, with Bella securing work at Through Life Physiotherapy in Warragul as well as Warragul and District Specialist School.

Fellow student Rhys Chambers knew from an early age he wanted to work in the health sector and after studying a Melbourne-based degree in health science, he decided he wanted to study closer to home.

"In the end, physio suited me perfectly. I’m a social person who has been involved in sports from a young age and wanted to pursue a career where I could give back to others and make a meaningful difference,” Rhys said.

He has now secured a job at Progressive Physiotherapy in Warragul, where he will begin in February.

“I’m super excited to dive headfirst into the role. I had great experiences in clinical placement and feel like I’ve got a strong foundational knowledge and skillset to enable me to enter the workforce.”

After studying science, fellow graduand Julia Malan developed an interest in the human body and movement and seized the opportunity to be able to study physiotherapy locally.

“The course broadened my idea of what a physiotherapist does, and it was a really personalised, supported experience because the cohort is not overwhelmingly large,” Julia said.

Julia is now preparing to take up a position as a physiotherapist at Latrobe Regional Health, bringing her skills to a range of areas in the hospital on rotation.

“I’m looking forward to continuing that translation from books to the hospital setting and the wider exposure to different areas of the hospital and how physios can help with different health issues like recovering from injuries and operations or managing a chronic condition.”

Federation’s Head of Physiotherapy, Professor Louisa Remedios said the impressive group of students were taught by passionate and talented educators, along with clinical partners dedicated to their development as physiotherapists able to work in a variety of contexts, including regional and remote settings.

“The students have embraced every challenge, they’ve met every hurdle and looked after each other and cared for each other,” Professor Remedios said.

“I think they will be a huge gift to the community and will have a positive impact on the health and wellbeing of our region.”

In 2025 there will be approximately 160 students studying to be physiotherapists at the Gippsland campus, with that number expected to grow to 200 over the next couple of years.

Scholarships are available for eligible physiotherapy, occupational therapy and speech pathology students thanks to the Gippsland Primary Health Network, supporting students for the duration of their four-year courses.

For more information about studying physiotherapy at Federation University, visit study.federation.edu.au.