What’s the ATAR for Physiotherapy in Queensland?
Physiotherapy is a highly sought-after career as it offers an active and varied day to day work life. It’s the perfect blend of health and sciences, interacting with people, and not being stuck at a desk all day long. However, like many health-related careers, gaining entry to a Bachelor of Physiotherapy program can be quite competitive.
This year, high school students will be some of the first to navigate the changes brought about by the switch from the Overall Position (OP) ranking system to the new Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR). The new ATAR system brings numerous benefits, however, it may take some getting used to. Regardless of how the scores are determined, high school students looking towards a career in this field should continue to focus on English, maths, sciences and physical education, and strive for the highest possible grades in these courses.
What ATAR is Needed for Physiotherapy?
What ATAR do you need to study physiotherapy in Queensland? That depends on which university and program you decide to apply for – but be prepared to aim high in all of your high school courses to have the very best chance of getting into the school of your dreams. The required ATAR for physiotherapy does vary among Queensland Universities but minimums normally fall within the range of 78 – 98. For students looking at programs that require an ATAR of 90 or higher, it’s quite common to enlist the help of professional tutors to assist them with reaching their goals.
Does your aspiring physiotherapist worry that they may not be able to meet the required ATAR needed to get into the program of their choice?
Our highly experienced team can help.
What is the Required ATAR for Physiotherapy at Queensland Universities?
University of Queensland Bachelor of Physiotherapy (Honours)
This 4-year, full time program offers an excellent hands-on patient simulation program in the school’s hospital simulation ward and in the University of Queensland’s physiotherapy clinics. The advanced knowledge and skills gained in this honours degree program gives students a chance to stand out in this highly competitive field.
- Prerequisites include Year 12 (or equivalent) General English subject (Units 3 & 4, C); and one of Biology, Chemistry or Physics (Units 3 & 4, C).
- The most recent ATAR for physiotherapy at UQ was 98 (OP 2).
- There is no guaranteed acceptance into this program.
Bachelor of Physiotherapy at James Cook University
The Bachelor of Physiotherapy program at James Cook University offers students extensive clinical placements and allows students the opportunity to develop the skills needed to cater to people in remote, rural, and Indigenous communities.
- The ATAR for physiotherapy at JCU has been 88.9 in recent years
- Prerequisites include: English (Units 3/4,C), Mathematical Methods (Units 3/4,C), plus one of Chemistry, Biology, Physics, Physical Education, Psychology or Health (Units 3/4,C)
- JCU also offers a Bachelor of Physiotherapy (Honours) degree consisting of extra study as well as a personal research project and thesis.
Griffith University’s Bachelor of Physiotherapy or Bachelor of Physiotherapy Honours
Students who meet Griffith University’s highly competitive minimum ATAR for physiotherapy will undertake a variety of academic, clinical and science courses including biomedical, physical and behavioural science. In order to graduate, students will need to prove that they have all of the skills and professional knowledge required for entry-level clinical physiotherapy practice.
- Selection for admission is competitive as the number of applicants generally exceeds the places available.
- Minimum ATAR 97 (OP 3)
Griffith also offers a Bachelor of Physiotherapy Honours program which requires students to achieve a 5.0 GPA in year 1 and 2 of their Bachelor of Physiotherapy. Upon graduating, students may register to practice as a physiotherapist in Australia or continue on with a Master’s degree.
Bachelor of Physiotherapy Degrees at Australian Catholic University
ACU offers a 4-year physiotherapy course which allows students the opportunity to not only participate in clinical placements but also to gain a wealth of knowledge in regards to physiotherapy practices and professional behaviours in accordance with the Australian Physiotherapy Council.
- Bachelor of Physiotherapy and Bachelor of Physiotherapy (Honours) programs require a minimum ATAR of 78 with a selection rank of 86
- High achieving Bachelor of Physiotherapy students who meet the admission requirements can undertake honours in their third and fourth years.
Bachelor of Physiotherapy (Honours) at Central Queensland University
- CQ’s Bachelor of Physiotherapy (Honours) offers students a chance to study in purpose-built physiotherapy labs which prepare students with the skills and knowledge required to participate in a range of work placement environments.
- The Bachelor of Physiotherapy (Honours) is accredited by the Australian Physiotherapy Council (APC).
- CQ’s minimum ATAR for physiotherapy is 78.7 (OP 10, Selection Rank 79)
Calculating your ATAR Score for a Physiotherapy Degree
Physiotherapy normally requires prerequisite subjects such as English, mathematics, chemistry, biology, physics, health and physical education. For some courses, students may be required to also sit the Undergraduate Medical and Health Science Admission Test and undergo an interview process.
However, the most common entrance factor is the ATAR score. Taking over from the former Overall Position system, the ATAR score is a little complicated to calculate but thankfully students only have to worry about achieving as high a mark as possible in each of their core subjects and all of the calculations will be done for them. (See QTAC’s guide to calculating ATAR). For a more simplified version, our cheat sheet on understanding the ATAR system is a great starting point.
What if you don’t have the minimum ATAR for Physiotherapy?
Although the entrance requirements for physiotherapy degrees can be quite competitive, some universities offer alternative options for gaining entry into the program without necessarily meeting the minimum ATAR for Physiotherapy. Some universities may offer students “bonus points” in order to bump up their ranking (selection rank). Factors such as attending schools in certain locations, year 12 subject performance and eligibility for Educational Access Schemes can all play a role in determining a selection rank for a particular course that is higher than a student’s original ATAR. An individual’s selection rank can vary between different universities and even among different courses at the same school. Post-secondary schools will automatically use your ATAR + adjustments (if you are eligible) to determine your selection rank for a particular course.
How to achieve the ATAR for Physiotherapy in Queensland
Physiotherapy can be one of the hardest courses to get into, so students aspiring to get into this field of study should aim to achieve top marks (especially in maths and science). Achieving the minimum ATAR for physiotherapy may feel daunting but we’re here to help. If you are choosing a school with a minimum ATAR for physiotherapy in the 90s, top marks in the last few years of high school are an absolute must. Students will need to demonstrate perseverance, dedication and the right mind-set in order to stay on track to reach their full potential and achieve the highest grades possible. Whether your child’s goal is to work with seniors as an occupational therapist, or to travel with top athletes to the next Olympic games, A Team Tuition can help. Our top-notch tutors help high school students boost their confidence, mindset and attitude to make all of their dreams a reality.
Looking at other career paths? Find out the ATAR scores needed for: