Career·Australia & New Zealand· 7 min read

Physiotherapy and Allied Health Courses in Australia and New Zealand

Entry into physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech pathology, medical imaging and other allied health degrees in Australia and New Zealand.

Last updated 24 June 2026

Key facts

Routes: Undergraduate bachelor's or graduate-entry master's
Admission test: Usually none (UCAT/GAMSAT not required)
Australia regulation: AHPRA Boards (some professions self-regulated)
New Zealand regulation: Responsible authorities under HPCA Act 2003

What 'allied health' covers

Allied health is a broad group of clinical professions outside medicine, nursing and dentistry. Common allied health degrees in Australia and New Zealand include physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech pathology (speech-language therapy), medical imaging/diagnostic radiography, medical laboratory science, podiatry, dietetics and optometry, among others.

Each profession has its own degree, its own accreditation arrangements and, for the regulated ones, its own registration route. Because these vary widely, treat each profession separately rather than assuming one set of rules covers them all.

Physiotherapy
Occupational therapy
Speech pathology / speech-language therapy
Medical imaging / diagnostic radiography
Plus podiatry, dietetics, medical laboratory science, optometry and more

Program types: undergraduate and graduate-entry

Most allied health professions can be entered through an undergraduate bachelor's degree taken after secondary school. Several professions — including physiotherapy, occupational therapy and speech pathology — also offer graduate-entry master's programs for students who already hold a relevant bachelor's degree.

Degree titles and lengths differ by profession and university. A profession may be offered as a Bachelor (Honours) at one school and as a graduate-entry Master at another, so check each university's course page for the program type and applicant category that fits you.

Undergraduate bachelor's degree — after secondary school
Graduate-entry master's — after a relevant bachelor's degree
Availability of each route differs by university and profession

Entry requirements and prerequisites

Allied health programs generally do not use the UCAT ANZ or GAMSAT; instead they select mainly on academic results, with some programs requiring specific secondary-school subjects, prior coursework (for graduate entry), interviews, or a personal statement. Health-science prerequisites such as biology are common in many programs.

International students must also meet the university's English-language requirements and may face additional documentation. Requirements vary considerably across professions and schools, so read each program's official entry page rather than generalising from one course to another.

Selection mainly on academic results (no UCAT/GAMSAT in most cases)
Some programs require subject prerequisites, interviews or a statement
English-language requirements apply to international students

Accreditation and why it matters

For regulated allied health professions, completing an accredited program is the standard route toward eligibility for registration. In Australia, several allied health professions are registered nationally through AHPRA and their National Boards (for example, the Physiotherapy Board of Australia, the Occupational Therapy Board of Australia, the Optometry Board and others). Some allied health professions in Australia are self-regulated rather than registered through AHPRA — speech pathology, for example, is overseen by its professional body rather than a National Board.

In New Zealand, regulated allied health professions sit under responsible authorities established by the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act 2003 (such as the Physiotherapy Board). Before enrolling, confirm that the specific program is accredited for the profession and country in which you intend to practise, on the relevant regulator's official site.

Regulated professions: accredited program → registration eligibility
Australia: AHPRA National Boards for registered allied health professions
Some Australian professions (e.g. speech pathology) are self-regulated
New Zealand: responsible authorities under the HPCA Act 2003

Frequently asked questions

Do allied health degrees require the UCAT ANZ or GAMSAT?

Most do not — allied health programs such as physiotherapy and occupational therapy generally select on academic results and program-specific requirements rather than the UCAT ANZ or GAMSAT. Always confirm on the individual program's official page.

Can I enter physiotherapy as a graduate?

Several universities offer graduate-entry master's programs in physiotherapy (and in occupational therapy and speech pathology) for applicants who already hold a relevant bachelor's degree, alongside undergraduate routes. Availability varies by university, so check each school's course page.

Are all allied health professions registered through AHPRA in Australia?

No. Some are registered nationally through AHPRA and a National Board, while others are self-regulated through a professional body (speech pathology is one example). Check the specific profession to see how it is regulated and what registration involves.

How do I check that a program is accredited?

Confirm accreditation through the relevant profession's accreditation/registration body for the country where you plan to practise, and check the university's course page. Verify the specific program — not just the university's reputation — before enrolling.

Official sources

This guide explains the process and is for guidance only. Eligibility, dates, fees and rules change every year — always confirm the current details on the official site before you act.

Verified against: AHPRA — National Boards (Australia); Physiotherapy Board of Australia (via AHPRA); Responsible authorities under the HPCA Act — Ministry of Health NZ; Study with New Zealand (official).

Last verified: 24 June 2026.