Physio is a great degree. It's really good if you have an interest in human anatomy and physiology.There are lots of specialisations including Musculoskeletal, Neurological, Cardio-Pulmonary, Paediatrics, Sports and Occupational Therapy. We do lots of prac work in real hospitals/clinics so you get plenty of hands on experience very early. Physio isn't like a doctor or a nurse. You are a primary medical practioner, you can work independantly, diagnose and treat patients on your own (say if you own your own clinic) but you can also work in a team.
The atar was quite high, but there are two new physio schools opening in NSW which should make the atar go down (and jobs more difficult to get).
firstly - you cannot specialise in physiotherapy because that is illegal. there are only three professions in australia that can specialise that is medcine, dentistry and podiatry. what u are referring to is areas of 'practice' not specialties.
secondly- you are not a primary care practioner you are secondary, yes you can see a physio without referral but a lot of the time you are referred from another health professional. i recoomend podiatry if your atar isnt high enuf for med
out of all health professions podiatry isnt really considered allied health (even though media protrays it that way) it is more of a medical profession or like dentistry in its own field
In australia there are 3 professions that specialise, do surgery and are providers of professional attention, they are medicine, podiatry and dentistry.
Podiatrists scope of practice in australia is much less then the US however in the AU:
-Podiatrists can prescribe medications
-specialise further to do surgery, sports medicine, diabetes etc
-along with medcine and dentistry you can call yourself a 'Dr'.
-refer for diagnostic imaging ie MRI, cat scans etc
- starting salary is from 65k to 110000k
- get in now while its still an undergrad degree cos its changing to postgrad in the future
