Exercise-Based Rehabilitation Advanced and Extended Practice Recognition
In order to be classified as a 'Exercise Rehabilitation Osteopath' you will need to show extensive knowledge in all areas of exercise rehabilitation.
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Osteopathy can offer a varied, satisfying and fulfilling career in healthcare for those with a genuine interest in helping people.
Osteopathy is one of the fastest-growing allied health professions in Australia, with osteopaths in every state and territory in the country. It contributes over $500 million per year to the Australian economy, with the number of registered osteopaths continuing to grow each year.
You’ll need an interest in science and how the human body works, enjoy working with people and be ready to work in a busy, fast-paced environment where you’ll be taking responsibility for patients’ healthcare right from the start.
Most osteopaths work in private clinical practice but an osteopathic qualification can also lead to non-clinical inter-disciplinary opportunities in, for example, education, consultation and research.
It is adaptable to both part-time and full-time work. Many osteopaths go on to run their own business.
Osteopaths are university-trained and osteopathy is a regulated profession in Australia. Course length varies depending on which university you attend, but you will need to study for a minimum of four years study, full-time to achieve your university qualification. The training involves practice placements where you can get first-hand clinical experience.
Southern Cross University (Lismore and Gold Coast Campuses)
RMIT University Melbourne (Bundoora Campus)
Victoria University Melbourne (City – Flinders)
Edith Cowen University, West Australia
In order to study osteopathy at university, you must have either of the following:
Once you have qualified as an osteopath, like all registered health professionals in Australia, you must maintain and develop your skills in practice to ensure lifelong learning. You cannot be a registered health professional in Australia without completing at least 25 hours of continuing professional development (CPD) each year.
Once you have completed your initial qualification, you can undertake further postgraduate research or clinically related taught Master’s courses. Masters by research and PhD programs are available at both RMIT University and Victoria University. There is also a wide range of inter-disciplinary Master’s programs relevant to practising osteopaths.
Osteopathy Australia's Extended Practitioner program recognises members for growing their clinical knowledge in a focus area. This means Extended Practitioners have expanded their knowledge in a focus area beyond the level of a newly registered osteopath.
Osteopathy Australia runs an Advanced Practitioner program to build advanced clinical skills in osteopathy among our members. You can become an Advanced Practitioner in a number of focus areas such as paediatrics, exercise rehabilitation or pain management. The involves completing further education and demonstrating advanced skills in your chosen focus area, which is assessed by panels of allied health professionals and medical specialists.
In order to be classified as a 'Exercise Rehabilitation Osteopath' you will need to show extensive knowledge in all areas of exercise rehabilitation.
Find out information about what occupational/workplace rehabilitation is and what working in the scheme involves
SOMA is your team of osteopathy students at RMIT, SCU or VU that advocate for and support you at university.