Student placements and observation requests

The Physiotherapy Department has a busy clinical education program with over 100 undergraduate students and several postgraduate students undertaking placements from four different universities each year.

Requests for student placements must be received directly from the University. Requests received from individual students are unable to be considered.

Our ability to support observational requests from qualified physiotherapists is limited, but those seeking this support should contact us (email - physiotherapy.department@rch.org.au) to obtain an Observation Request Form.

Work experience policy

RCH is unable to accommodate requests for work experience.  Tertiary institutions offer a range of open days which provide a great opportunity to learn about the different Allied Health Professions.

Courses

The Physiotherapy Department offers regular opportunities for physiotherapists to attend courses and further expand their paediatric physiotherapy knowledge.  All courses are advertised through this webpage when they are open for registration.

Our courses are targeted at two levels of paediatric experience:

• Starting Blocks - A general paediatric physiotherapy course targeting early career physiotherapists.
• Building Blocks - Courses that focus on specific areas of paediatric physiotherapy and target early, mid-career and more experienced physiotherapists who are looking to upskill or refresh their knowledge in that area.
  

We occasionally host courses that are delivered by an external provider.

If you have any enquiries or would like to join our mailing list to be notified of future courses please email physiotherapy.courses@rch.org.au.

Upcoming Course

Starting Blocks: Early Career Paediatric Physiotherapy Course

Booking link: RCH Starting Blocks Trybooking Link

About: The Starting Blocks course will provide an introduction to paediatric physiotherapy, and include four main sessions over two days:

• General paediatric principles - including approaches to paediatric physiotherapy, family centred care, introduction to equipment and understanding the paediatric services landscape;
• Orthopaedics - including normal postural variations, common paediatric orthopaedic conditions and post-operative rehabilitation in cerebral palsy;
• Neurosciences - including clinical problem solving for neurodevelopmental assessment and management of young children with varied causes of motor skill delays;
• Cardiorespiratory - including common conditions seen in children, indications for intervention and case studies considering assessment and physiotherapy treatment.

The course will be presented by clinicians currently working in each specialty area who bring a range of clinical experiences.  Theoretical content delivered will be enhanced by clinical case studies and tutorials to support active learning experiences.

Intended audience: New graduate or early career physiotherapists who are already working in, or considering a career in paediatrics; and more experienced physiotherapists considering a career transition to paediatrics.  Final year students are also welcome.

Entry criteria: Participants should have completed or be currently undertaking a recognised physiotherapy degree in Australia or overseas.

Date and time: Friday 13th and Saturday 14th November 2026, 8:30am - 5:00pm

Venue: The Royal Children's Hospital, 50 Flemington Road, Parkville VIC 3052 - Vernon Collins Lecture Theatre

Cost: $700 (including GST)

Catering: Lunch, morning and afternoon tea will be provided.  Please select dietary preferences with your registration.

Mode of delivery: Face to face only.

Registration closes: 3rd November, or when tickets are sold out.

Contact: For any queries please contact physiotherapy.courses@rch.org.au 

Professional bodies

The main professional body for Physiotherapy in Australia is the Australian Physiotherapy Association.