Allied Health courses in New South Wales
Course providers in New South Wales
The following providers offer Allied Health courses in New South Wales.
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Common questions
Occupational therapists help patients perform tasks in daily life, while physiotherapists help patients improve their movement, strength and function. The term occupation refers to everyday life tasks, while physiotherapy refers to physical therapy. Both are science-based allied health roles that aim to improve quality of life through prevention, maintenance and treatment.
Stephen Charlton
You can become qualified to work as an occupational therapist by completing one of the following degrees, depending on your educational pathway:
- Master of Occupational Therapy (postgraduate degree)
Average duration: 24 months - Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (Honours)
Average duration: 4 years - Bachelor of Occupational Therapy
Average duration: 4 years
Stephen Charlton
You can become qualified to work as a physiotherapist by completing one of the following degrees, depending on your educational pathway:
- Doctor of Physiotherapy (postgraduate degree)
Average duration: 3 years - Master of Physiotherapy (postgraduate degree)
Average duration: 24 months - Bachelor of Physiotherapy (Honours)
Average duration: 4 years - Bachelor of Physiotherapy
Average duration: 4 years
Stephen Charlton
Yes, you need to complete an accredited degree to work legally as an occupational therapist or physiotherapist in Australia. The two core pathways are completing a bachelor’s degree or a postgraduate degree. The Occupational Therapy Council of Australia and Australian Physiotherapy Council are responsible for accrediting such courses.
Stephen Charlton
Yes, overseas-qualified practitioners can work in Australia by registering with the Occupational Therapy Board of Australia or Physiotherapy Board of Australia. Practitioners who are currently registered with the Occupational Therapy Board of New Zealand or Physiotherapy Board of New Zealand can apply directly for Australian registration. Other overseas-qualified practitioners have to fulfil the requirements listed on the relevant webpages of the Occupational Therapy Board of Australia and Physiotherapy Board of Australia.
Stephen Charlton
If you have already completed an approved degree in a different discipline, you can gain an accredited postgraduate degree to become qualified to work as an occupational therapist or physiotherapist. Examples of such degrees are a Master of Occupational Therapy, Master of Physiotherapy and Doctor of Physiotherapy. Postgraduate degrees in these fields may have additional entry requirements, including but not limited to health-related prerequisite subjects.
Stephen Charlton
In some cases, completing vocational education and training (VET) in a related discipline can allow you to meet the entry requirements for a bachelor’s degree in these fields. Entry requirements vary between educational providers. Some providers offer a VET entry pathway with a minimum of a Certificate IV, but others require a minimum of a diploma or advanced diploma. Some providers do not offer a VET pathway for these courses at all. Therefore, it’s wise to confirm the entry requirements for your desired bachelor’s degree before starting a VET course.
Stephen Charlton
In addition to completing an accredited degree, occupational therapists and physiotherapists will need to register with the Occupational Therapy Board of Australia or Physiotherapy Board of Australia to work in Australia. The Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) administers practitioner registration on behalf of these boards. There are different requirements to gain registration for Australian-qualified practitioners, New Zealand-registered practitioners, and other overseas-qualified practitioners.
Stephen Charlton
Career paths for these professions include independent contracting, starting a practice, working in community care, paediatrics, mental health, rehabilitation, disability, medical or aged care sectors).
Stephen Charlton
Jobs and Skills Australia reports that the median full-time weekly earnings for occupational therapists and physiotherapists in 2024 are $1,526 and $1,710, respectively. These figures can be contrasted with Australian workers of all occupations, who earn a median full-time weekly income of $1,697.
Stephen Charlton
There is a significant demand for occupational therapists across Australia. Jobs and Skills Australia’s Occupation Shortage List indicates that the labour market had a shortage of occupational therapists across all states and territories from 2022 to 2024.
Stephen Charlton
There is substantial demand for physiotherapists in Australia. Jobs and Skills Australia’s Occupation Shortage List indicates that the labour market experienced a shortage of occupational therapists and physiotherapists in most states and territories from 2022 to 2024.
Stephen Charlton
Working as an occupational therapist or physiotherapist comes with the satisfaction of directly helping to improve patients’ quality of life. Furthermore, the job market is promising, as Jobs and Skills Australia reports there is significant labour market demand for both professions. The future outlook is also positive, as Jobs and Skills Australia reports that the annual employment growth in 2024 for occupational therapists and physiotherapists is 2,200 and 4,100, respectively.
Stephen Charlton
Further reading
What can you do with a Certificate IV in Allied Health Assistance (Physiotherapy)?
3rd March 2022
What can you do with a Certificate III in Allied Health Assistance?
8th January 2020All courses
- HLT33021 Certificate III in Allied Health Assistance
- HLT33021 & HLT43021 Dual Certificate III in Allied Health Assistance & Certificate IV in Allied Health Assistance
- HLT43021 Certificate IV in Allied Health Assistance
- HLT43021 Certificate IV in Allied Health Assistance (Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy Focus)
- HLT43021 Certificate IV in Allied Health Assistance (Nutrition and Dietetic Support)
- CHC43315 Certificate IV in Mental Health
- CHC53315 Diploma of Mental Health
- HLT52021 Diploma of Remedial Massage
- HLT41120 Certificate IV in Health Care
- HLT54121 Diploma of Nursing
- 22656VIC Advanced Diploma of Myotherapy
- Bachelor of Exercise Science (Honours)
- CHCSS00130 Individual Support - Disability
- HLTHPS010 Interpret and Use Information About Nutrition and Diet
- HLT43015 Certificate IV in Allied Health Assistance (Community Rehabilitation)
- Biomedical Science (Exercise and Health)
- Bachelor of Exercise and Sport Science (Honours)
- Master of Occupational Therapy
- Bachelor of Speech Pathology
- Bachelor of Physiotherapy
- Bachelor of Health and Community Services
- HLTINFCOV001 Comply with infection prevention and control policies and procedures
- Bachelor of Health Science
- HLT43015 Certificate IV in Allied Health Assistance (Physiotherapy)
- Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science
- Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (Honours)
- Bachelor of Public Health
More about Allied Health courses
Discover a wide array of Allied Health Courses in New South Wales designed for both beginners and experienced learners. With 47 courses available, individuals can choose from essential training such as the Certificate III in Allied Health Assistance or dive deeper into advanced studies with offerings like the Diploma of Mental Health. Each course is crafted to equip students with the skills needed to excel in diverse job roles in the allied health sector, including positions like Mental Health Support Worker and Allied Health Assistant.
For those new to the field, there are 12 beginner courses tailored for individuals with no prior experience. Some popular options include the Certificate III in Individual Support (Disability) and the Recognise and Respond to Crisis Situations course. Training providers such as UNE Partnerships and IHNA offer these courses, allowing students in locations across New South Wales, including metropolitan areas like Sydney and regional hubs, to benefit from face-to-face training.
Explore the diverse specialisations within the Allied Health field, including Medical Administration and Nursing. Aspiring students can take advantage of opportunities at revered institutions like Western Sydney University and UOW to pursue higher education qualifications such as the Master of Social Work (Qualifying). With flexible options including VET, higher education, and short courses, New South Wales offers a vibrant environment for anyone looking to start or advance their career in allied health.