QLD Allied JobsHow to become a physiotherapist in Queensland
To work as a physiotherapist in Queensland you need a physiotherapy degree approved by the Physiotherapy Board of Australia, then general registration through Ahpra. The same registration lets you work anywhere in Australia.
Facts checked against the linked sources on 21 October 2026. Requirements change, so confirm with the source.
Steps
1. Complete an approved physiotherapy degree
Programs are accredited by the Australian Physiotherapy Council and approved by the Physiotherapy Board of Australia. Options include a four-year bachelor (often with honours), or a graduate-entry masters or doctor of physiotherapy if you already hold a degree.
Source: Australian Physiotherapy Council, Accredited programs
2. Apply for general registration with Ahpra
Final-year students can apply online to Ahpra before they finish, and are registered once their results are confirmed. You must meet the Board’s registration standards, including English language skills, criminal history and professional indemnity insurance.
Source: Ahpra, Graduate applications
3. Choose where to start
Graduates start in public hospitals, private practice, aged care, community and NDIS services. Queensland Health graduates are paid on the health practitioner (HP) scale; private employers must pay at least the Health Professionals and Support Services Award.
Queensland universities
| University | Program | Campus |
|---|---|---|
| The University of Queensland | Bachelor of Physiotherapy (Honours); Master of Physiotherapy Studies | See university |
| Griffith University | Bachelor of Physiotherapy (and Honours) | See university |
| James Cook University | Bachelor of Physiotherapy (and Honours) | See university |
| Bond University | Doctor of Physiotherapy | See university |
| Central Queensland University | Bachelor of Physiotherapy (Honours) | See university |
| University of the Sunshine Coast | Bachelor of Physiotherapy (Honours) | See university |
| University of Southern Queensland | Bachelor of Physiotherapy (Honours) | See university |
Queensland-based universities with programs on the Australian Physiotherapy Council’s accredited list. Some interstate universities, such as Australian Catholic University and Southern Cross University, are also accredited; check each university for which campus teaches the program. Source: Australian Physiotherapy Council, Accredited programs, checked 21 October 2026.
Typical pay
Queensland Health’s health practitioner scale starts at $42.28 an hour (HP3, pay point 0, $83,824 a year). In the private and not-for-profit sector the award minimum for a first-year bachelor graduate is $34.44 an hour, and most employers pay above it. See the Queensland Allied Health Pay Report 2026 for all pay points, sources and what live ads state.