Media releases

Federation University Australia today launched a new degree in physiotherapy to be delivered at its Gippsland campus to help address the region’s workforce needs.

The four-year bachelor degree will commence in 2021 and include more than 1,000 hours of clinical placements.

Physiotherapists are allied health professionals who are skilled in the assessment, diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of acute and chronic musculoskeletal, neurological and cardiovascular disorders across the lifespan.

The number of physiotherapists in Gippsland is projected to grow from 167 in 2016 to 237 by 2036, according to the 2019 Gippsland’s Future Health and Community Services Workforce report commissioned by the Latrobe Valley Authority.

As part of the degree, some subjects will be delivered with other allied health students to facilitate interprofessional learning and collaboration.

High-achieving students wanting to pursue research will have the opportunity to transfer to the Honours program at the end of the second year.

The physiotherapy degree follows the introduction of the Occupational Therapy program at Gippsland in 2020, after a Victorian Government boost to allied health education with a $500,000 grant to Federation University from the Regional Skills Fund.

To support the delivery of the allied health programs, Federation University will develop specialist laboratories and teaching spaces at its Gippsland campus.

Construction of the $5 million facility will begin this month and works are expected to be completed by January 2021. Local Gippsland subcontractors have been engaged for the build.

Applications to the Physiotherapy program can be made through the Victorian Tertiary Admissions Centre (VTAC) for Year 12 applicants. Non-Year 12 and mature age students can apply directly to Federation University.

For more information, visit the Physio course page on the Federation University website.

Quotes attributable to Federation University Acting Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Andy Smith:

“With the majority of our graduates going on to live and work locally, we’re working with government and industry to make sure the courses we offer will lead to meaningful jobs that are in desperate demand in our region.”

“We are delighted to offer this new Physiotherapy degree to help boost the allied health workforce in Gippsland and the Latrobe Valley.”

Quotes attributable to Member for Eastern Victoria Region Harriet Shing:

“The Victorian Government has supported an industry-led solution to the shortage of allied health professionals identified by the Gippsland Regional Workforce Plan, so it’s fantastic to see the hard work paying off.”

“This degree is a strong step towards building a future high-skilled workforce that will deliver better health outcomes for people in Gippsland and the Latrobe Valley – by locals.”

Quotes attributable to Latrobe Regional Hospital Chief Executive Peter Craighead:

“LRH is the hub for orthopaedic surgical activity in Gippsland and the recovery of our patients relies on the great work carried out by our allied health team, in particular, our physios.

“With a major expansion of our operating theatres underway, we expect the number of orthopaedic procedures to rise further and as such, our reliance on physiotherapy is only going to increase.”