Core requirement

Students must be able to manage their own responses and behaviour to work effectively in a range of learning environments with diverse people and tasks. This includes the capacity to be receptive and respond appropriately to constructive feedback. Students should also be able to work with others in a team or group environment and make and maintain effective relationships with a wide range of individuals in order to complete tasks or for professional practice.

See also Student behaviours policy for more information.

Course-specific requirement
Physiotherapy students must behave ethically and in accordance with relevant laws and professional codes of conduct to ensure safe, consensual and professional practice in all contexts. Physiotherapy students require the maturity and capacity to manage their own emotions and behaviour effectively when working with people in educational and practice settings, including in situations that can be challenging, unpredictable and stressful. Physiotherapy students are required to be physically examined by their peers in mixed-gender practical classes, and to interact with and physically examine their peers and clients (of all ages, genders, linguistic and cultural backgrounds) in teaching and clinical / hospital environments. With consent, students will be required to remove layers of clothing, which may include to the level of their underwear, when practicing physiotherapy assessment and treatment techniques on each other for learning purposes. Students will be required to administer physiotherapy treatment to clients in teaching and clinical settings who, with consent, will also remove layers of their clothing. The ability to effectively detect, interpret and apply verbal and non-verbal communication are fundamental to physiotherapy practice. For example, displaying appropriate facial expressions, gestures and eye contact, while being mindful of space and time boundaries, promotes the development of rapport and trust in academic and professional relationships. The ability to observe and interpret verbal and non-verbal cues is essential for safe and effective assessment and treatment of clients in healthcare settings. Interactions with clients also need to be respectful, culturally sensitive, clear, accurate, attentive, empathetic, and non-judgemental. Being sensitive to individual differences displays respect and empathy to others and develops trusting relationships.

Physiotherapy students also need to receive and maintain an agreed schedule of vaccinations to meet the requirements of clinical placement providers in various healthcare settings – students must attend clinical placements in a variety of healthcare settings to fulfill the course requirements.

Physiotherapy Board of Australia Code of Conduct: https://www.physiotherapyboard.gov.au/Codes-Guidelines/Code-of-conduct.aspx Physiotherapy Practice Thresholds: https://www.physiotherapyboard.gov.au/documents/default.aspx?record=WD15%2f16750&dbid=AP&chksum=LWuk27uBUFj5MTUort6Qug%3d%3d