CB86 - Bachelor of Podiatry Practice (Honours)

Overview

Optional Residential School

Some units in this course require you to attend an optional Residential School or Work Integrated Learning. Please see Course Features in the Getting Started tab for further information.

Course Overview

The Bachelor of Podiatry Practice (Honours) course will help you develop the necessary skills to assess, diagnose and treat disorders of the foot and lower limb in people of all ages. In this course, you will learn about human anatomy and physiology, biomechanics, musculoskeletal and sporting injuries, rheumatology, paediatrics, wound care, podiatric therapeutics and conduct a research study. You will acquire hands-on practical experience treating real patients in the internal CQUniversity Health Clinics and at various off-campus external clinical sites. You will conduct gait and movement analyses in our biomechanical laboratories and you will also have the opportunity to fabricate custom made foot orthotic devices in our fully equipped orthotic laboratories. Through these learning experiences, you will exercise critical thinking, clinical reasoning and problem solving skills necessary for lifelong learning and practice. Upon completion of this course, you will have attained advanced theoretical knowledge and the necessary clinical experience to commence professional practice as a podiatrist in a variety of clinical settings.

Career Information

Podiatrists work in both urban and rural areas such as in public and private hospitals; community welfare, health services (including public health), research and development, and private practice.

Course Details
Duration 4 years full-time
Credit Points that Must be Earned 192
Number of Units Required CQUniversity uses the concept of credits to express the amount of study required for a particular course and individual units. The number of units varies between courses. Units in undergraduate courses normally consist of 6 points of credit or multiples thereof (e.g. 12, 18, 24).
Expected Hours of Study One point of credit is equivalent to an expectation of approximately two hours of student work per week in a term.
Course Type Undergraduate Award
Qualification (post nominal) BPodPrac
AQF Level Level 8: Bachelor Honours Degree
Course Fees
Indicative Year - 2024
  • Commonwealth Supported Place – Indicative First Year Fee - $9,866
  • Domestic Full Fee Paying – Indicative First Year Fee - $24,702
  • International Indicative First Term Fee - $18,060
  • International Indicative First Year Fee - $37,200
Indicative Year - 2023
  • Commonwealth Supported Place – Indicative First Year Fee - $9,151
  • International Indicative First Term Fee - $17,280
  • International Indicative First Year Fee - $34,560
Indicative Year - 2022
  • Commonwealth Supported Place – Indicative First Year Fee - $8,842
  • International Indicative First Term Fee - $17,280
  • International Indicative First Year Fee - $34,560

Admission Codes

Domestic Students
Tertiary Admission Centre Codes (TAC) Codes
International Students
CRICOS Codes
Where and when can I start?
Units offered internally at the below campuses may be delivered using a combination of face-to-face and video conferencing style teaching.
Units offered via MIX mode are delivered online and require compulsory attendance of site-specific learning activities such as on-campus residential schools, placements and/or work integrated learning. See Course Features tab for further information. Online units are delivered using online resources only.
Please Click Here for more information.
The following tables list the courses availabilities by location and term. Directing your pointer over your preferred location will provide further information if this course is not available for the full duration. Please be sure to also check individual unit availability by location and term prior to enrolling.

Domestic Availability

Term 1 - 2025

Rockhampton

Term 1 - 2024

Rockhampton

Term 1 - 2023

Rockhampton

Term 1 - 2022

Rockhampton

Term 1 - 2021

Rockhampton

Term 1 - 2020

Rockhampton
Sydney

Term 1 - 2019

Rockhampton
Sydney

Term 1 - 2018

Rockhampton
Sydney

Term 1 - 2017

Rockhampton
Sydney

Term 2 - 2016

Sorry, no domestic availabilities found.

Term 1 - 2016

Rockhampton
Sydney

Term 2 - 2015

Sydney

Term 1 - 2015

Rockhampton
Sydney

Term 1 - 2014

Rockhampton
Show All

International Availability

Term 1 - 2025

Rockhampton

Term 1 - 2024

Rockhampton

Term 1 - 2023

Rockhampton

Term 1 - 2022

Rockhampton

Term 1 - 2021

Rockhampton

Term 1 - 2020

Rockhampton
Sydney

Term 1 - 2019

Rockhampton
Sydney

Term 1 - 2018

Rockhampton
Sydney

Term 1 - 2017

Rockhampton
Sydney

Term 2 - 2016

Sorry, no international availabilities found.

Term 1 - 2016

Rockhampton
Sydney

Term 2 - 2015

Sydney

Term 1 - 2015

Rockhampton
Sydney

Term 1 - 2014

Rockhampton
Show All
For any problems regarding admissions availability for the selected course please contact 13 CQUni (13 27 86) or send us an email at http://contactus.cqu.edu.au/
What do I need to start?
Entry Scores
Rank Threshold SR 70.00 | ATAR 70.00
Entry Requirements

Entry Requirements

English (Units 3 & 4, C) or equivalent

English Language Proficiency Requirements

If you were not born in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, United Kingdom, Ireland, South Africa or United States of America, you are required to meet the English Language Proficiency requirements set by the University.

Applicants are required to provide evidence of completion within the last 5 years of:

  • A secondary qualification (Year 11 and 12, or equivalent), or
  • Bachelor level qualification study for a period of at least 2 years fulltime with a minimum overall GPA of 4.0

Completed within Australia, Canada, New Zealand, United Kingdom, South Africa, Ireland, or United states of America, which will meet the English proficiency.

If you do not satisfy any of the above, you will need to undertake an English language proficiency test and achieve the following scores:

  • An International English Language Testing System (IELTS Academic) overall band score of at least 7.0 with a minimum 7.0 in each subset; or
  • An Occupational English Test with Grades A or B only in each of the four components; or
  • Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) iBt - 94 or better overall and no score less than 24 for listening and reading, 27 for writing, and 23 for speaking; or
  • Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic) - Requires an overall score of 65 with no sub-score less than 65.

English test results remain valid for no more than two years between final examination date and the date of commencement of study and must appear on a single result certificate.

If you are an International student please visit International students English requirements for further information.

Each student will be assessed individually.

Podiatry students’ English language skills are directly aligned with the requirements of the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA).

Assumed Knowledge

N/A

Course Features

Awards and Accreditation

Interim Awards Not applicable
Exit Awards CL13 - Diploma of Health Science
Accreditation
  • Professional Practice: Core
    Podiatry Accreditation Committee

    The Rockhampton Bachelor of Podiatry Practice (Honours) has been accredited by the Australian and New Zealand Podiatry Accreditation Council until 26 September 2023.

    The Sydney Bachelor of Podiatry Practice (Honours) has been accredited with conditions by the Australian and New Zealand Podiatry Accreditation Council until 26 September 2023.

Residential School Requirements

Optional Residential School Students who select to study some units via distance education may be required to attend compulsory residential schools.
Click here to view all Residential Schools

Practicum/Work Placement

PODI12009 - Work integrated learning takes place at the CQUniversity Health Clinic sited on campus. Students will have approximately 40 hours of internal clinical placements and 80 hours of external clinical placements.
PODI13007 - Work integrated learning takes place at the CQUniversity Health Clinic sited on campus. Students will have approximately 96 hours of internal clinical placements.
PODI13008 - Work integrated learning takes place at the CQUniversity Health Clinic sited on campus. Students will have approximately 16 hours of internal clinical placements.
PODI13011 - Work integrated learning takes place in a variety of settings. This includes internal clinical placement in the CQUniversity Health Clinic sited on campus, and various external clinic placement sites including hospitals, community based clinics and private podiatry practices. Students will have approximately 144 hours of internal clinical placements and 120 hours of external clinical placements.
PODI14014 - Work integrated learning takes place at the CQUniversity Health Clinic sited on campus. Students will have approximately 24 hours of internal clinical placements.
PODI14008 - Work integrated learning takes place at the CQUniversity Health Clinic sited on campus. Students will have approximately 192 hours of internal clinical placements.
PODI14012 - Work integrated learning takes place in a variety of settings. This includes internal clinical placement in the CQUniversity Health Clinic sited on campus, and various external clinic placement sites including hospitals, community based clinics and private podiatry practices. Students will have approximately 96 hours of internal clinical placements and 200 hours of external clinical placements.

Previous and Current Enrolments

Year Number of Students
2024 9
2023 15
2022 22
2021 25
2020 35
Inherent Requirements
There are Inherent Requirements (IRs) that you need to be aware of, and fulfil, to achieve the core learning outcomes of the units and course. IRs are the essential capabilities, knowledge, behaviours and skills that are needed to complete a unit or course.

Please note that in some instances there may be similarities between course, entry and inherent requirements.

If you experience difficulties meeting these requirements, reasonable adjustments may be made upon contacting accessibility@cqu.edu.au. Adjustment must not compromise the academic integrity of the degree or course chosen at CQUniversity or the legal requirements of field education.

General Information

Examples are:

  • Complying with academic and non-academic misconduct policies and procedures such as CQUniversity’s Student Charter, Student Misconduct Policy and Student Behavioural Misconduct Procedures and Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework).
  • Demonstrating integrity in academic, professional and clinical experience settings.
Ethical Behaviour

Examples are:

  • Complying with academic and non-academic misconduct policies and procedures such as CQUniversity’s Student Charter, Student Misconduct Policy and Student Behavioural Misconduct Procedures and Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework).
  • Demonstrating integrity in academic, professional and clinical experience settings.
Behavioural Stability

Examples are:

  • Being reflective on personal behaviour appropriate for professional performance and being receptive to constructive supervisor/lecturer feedback or criticism.
  • Interacting with people from a wide range of backgrounds and cultures in a calm and composed manner in difficult to deal with situations.
  • Successfully processing your own emotions and behaviour when dealing with stressful situations that can arise in the clinical environment.

 

Legal Compliance

Examples are:

  • Understanding and complying with all relevant policies and procedures applicable to your health profession.
  • Complying with the policies and practices of organisations in which you may be placed or find employment.
  • Recognising and positively responding to any legal compliance issues that arise and bringing them to the attention of the appropriate stakeholders.
  • Complying with the policies of clinical facilities e.g. vaccination requirements and obtaining a working with children check ("Blue Card").
  • Complying with the requirements for student registration with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) and the Podiatry Board of Australia.

 

 

Communication Skills (Verbal, Non-verbal, Written and Technology)

Examples are:

  • Verbally communicating in the English language with accuracy, appropriateness and effectiveness.
  • Actively participating in discussion activities related to the course.
  • Using language that is appropriate to the context of the individual or group.
  • Communicating effectively during practice, and responding appropriately to requests from clients, supervisors and other health professionals, in the clinical setting.
  • Recognising and interpreting non-verbal cues of others and responding appropriately during activities related to the course, as well as clinical environments.
  • Using appropriate facial expressions: eye contact, being mindful of personal space boundaries, and a range of body movements and gestures.
  • Competently and appropriately producing written assessment work in a logical, coherent manner, and with correct grammar and punctuation to the required academic standards.
  • Accurately conveying and documenting information in a written form that meets legal and professional requirements.
  • Competently using a desktop operating system such as Microsoft Windows or Mac OS X, as well as other software such as Microsoft Office relevant to your course of study or workplace.
  • Using sufficient computer knowledge and skills to engage in the on-line learning environment that includes participating in on-line forums, completing relevant on-line assessments and/or responding to emails.

 

 

Cognitive Abilities (Knowledge and Cognitive Skills, Literacy and Numeracy)

Examples are:

  • Conceptualising and applying appropriate knowledge in response to academic assessment items.
  • Applying evidence based practice, policies and procedures in professional practice.
  • Producing written text proficiently, in English, using appropriate vocabulary and conventions of speech, in accordance with appropriate academic conventions such as being able to paraphrase, summarise and reference.
  • Competently reading, writing and accurately interpreting information to convey language effectively in professional practice.
  • Producing accurate, concise and clear Health Professions and Human Services documentation which meets legal requirements.
  • Demonstrating competency in applying sufficient mathematics knowledge and skills in prescribing adaptive equipment that correctly meets client measurement requirements e.g. in the provision of assistive technologies.
  • Demonstrating effective use of numeracy skills to record accurate measurements in client notes.
  • Applying numeracy skills to interpret and solve problems in a range of educational and professional settings.

 

 

Sensory Abilities (Visual, Auditory, Tactile)

 

Examples are:

  • Observing and detecting subtle changes in posture, movement and the ability to perform functional activities during assessment and treatment.
  • Safely operating electronic equipment e.g. splinting equipment - heat guns, mobile ultrasound and mobile stimulator units.
  • Using sufficient auditory capacity to monitor, assess and manage a patient's needs consistently and accurately, including engaging appropriately to a client's responses during an assessment.
  • Sufficiently hearing verbal communication from other students and lecturers during activities related to the course.
  • Detecting changes in circulation e.g. temperature.
  • Detecting anatomical or movement abnormalities e.g. palpating joints, muscles and soft tissues.

 

 

Relational Skills

Examples are:

  • Demonstrating the skills of collaborating with fellow students and colleagues, modifying and reflecting on practice, or modifying and reflecting on work in response to supervisor feedback.
  • Rapidly building rapport with colleagues and stakeholders in order to engage them in effective emergency services practice, for example during difficult situations and crises situations.
  • Critically self-reflecting on situations that may/may not have gone well, and take the learning point(s) from that situation.
  • Interacting and engaging with individuals and groups in emergency services practice in a respectful and culturally competent manner in a wide variety of contexts.

 

 

Reflective Skills

Examples are:

  • Reflecting on topics taught during the course of study, including on situations that may be difficult or sensitive, yet still require reflective processing, judgement or action.
  • Identifying when a practice issue is outside one's scope or expertise.
  • Identifying when one's practice may be negatively affected by personal experience and/or reactions.

 

 

Sustainable Performance
Examples are:
 
  • Appropriately and actively participating in activities related to the course of study and professional experience.
  • Undertaking examinations and on-line quizzes with adequate, sustained levels of physical energy and concentration.
  • Performing the required physical and mental energy and endurance the tasks and duties in Health Profession and Human Services practice.
 
 
Strength and Mobility (Gross Motor Skills and Fine Motor Skills)

Examples are:

  • Maintaining your own and client's balance simultaneously.
  • Providing client support when transferring and mobilising individuals in a safe manner.
  • Evaluating clients who have varying physical capacities e.g. those who are positioned on plinths and hospital beds, on mats on the floor, on chairs and when standing, in a safe and effective manner.
  • Performing assessment techniques e.g. evaluation of foot sensation and joint movement.
  • Performing treatment techniques e.g. fabricating splints, fine motor skills requiring use of podiatry equipment for treatment of foot pathologies e.g. use of nail cutters to cut nails, and the use of the scalpel handle and scalpel blade for debridement of skin lesions.

 

 

 

Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Abilities

Examples are:

  • Accessing a computer and having sufficient computer skills to engage in on-line learning, reading and responding to emails, and completing relevant assessments for the course.
  • Regularly accessing the Internet for research, and email for communication with peers and lecturers.
  • Using a variety of computer programs to analyse, manipulate and display scientific information applicable to your course of study.

 

Compulsory Requirements
Health Requirements

Work-Integrated Learning (WIL) placements apply to this course and as such are subject to compulsory pre-placement conditions referred to as mandatory checks and are outlined in the health, security, and other compulsory requirements sections. Mandatory checks are determined by industry, organisations, legislation, regulations, policies, and procedures. To be eligible for a WIL placement, students must first achieve compliance with mandatory checks by each closing date prior to a WIL placement and maintain current evidence for the duration of the course.

Mandatory health requirements may include immunisation and vaccination evidence (and serology where required) to the following diseases: Hepatitis B, Measles, Mumps and Rubella, Varicella, Pertussis, Influenza, and Tuberculosis screening. Respirator mask fit testing is also an annual requirement for this course.

COVID-19 Vaccination Advice

Effective 25 September 2023, updates have been made to the COVID-19 vaccination mandate for Queensland Health sites and the Queensland Ambulance Service. While Queensland Health does not currently mandate evidence of COVID-19 vaccination, it's essential to recognise that other organisations may enforce their own vaccination specific criteria. This situation is similar across other states and territories, with the exception of Australian Capital Territory, New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia, where COVID-19 vaccination is mandatory for all healthcare students.    

Security Requirements

Mandatory security requirements may include an Australian Federal Police clearance, working with children check, and NDIS worker screening clearance.

Other Compulsory Requirements

Other mandatory requirements may include a First Aid and CPR certificate, student agreement to privacy and confidentiality, fitness to participate in WIL student declaration, jurisdictional and site-specific compulsory requirements, and other training modules.

Core Learning Outcomes
  • 1. Demonstrate advanced clinical and professional skills in podiatry when providing patient-centered care, including effective communication and well developed clinical reasoning
  • 2. Integrate advanced theoretical and practical knowledge to practice podiatry in a complex healthcare environment
  • 3. Work independently and/or collaboratively to assess, plan and implement podiatry services in diverse contexts
  • 4. Investigate, analyse and synthesize new information from a range of sources to inform and improve on-going clinical and professional practice
  • 5. Apply appropriate standards of ethical, professional, and culturally sensitive behaviour in diverse contexts
  • 6. Develop comprehensive knowledge of contemporary research methods used in health professions
  • 7. Apply critical thinking and reflective practice within a research context to analyse, generate and transmit new knowledge related to podiatry
  • 8. Demonstrate advanced health promotion and education abilities pertaining to podiatry within the broader health care system.
  Course Learning Outcomes
Australian Qualifications Framework Descriptors 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
1. KNOWLEDGE Have coherent and advanced knowledge of the underlying principles and concepts in one or more disciplines and knowledge of research principles and methods
2. SKILLS Have cognitive skills to review, analyse, consolidate and synthesise knowledge to identify and provide solutions to complex problems with intellectual independence
3. SKILLS Have cognitive and technical skills to demonstrate a broad understanding of a body of knowledge and theoretical concepts with advanced understanding in some areas
4. SKILLS Have cognitive skills to exercise critical thinking and judgement in developing new understanding
5. SKILLS Have technical skills to design and use research in a project
6. SKILLS Have communication skills to present a clear and coherent exposition of knowledge and ideas to a variety of audiences
7. APPLICATION OF KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS Demonstrate initiative and judgement in professional practice and/or scholarship
8. APPLICATION OF KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS Be able to adapt knowledge and skills in diverse contexts
9. APPLICATION OF KNOWLEDGE & SKILL Be responsible and accountable for own learning and practice and in collaboration with others within broad parameters
10. APPLICATION OF KNOWLEDGE & SKILL Plan and execute project work and/or a piece of research and scholarship with some independence
APPLICATION OF KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS Display leadership by creating inclusive work environments and work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in a culturally respectful manner
Course Structure

In order to complete this course, you must:

  1. Complete the core structure
Number of units: 31 Total credit points: 192

In July 2019, there was a change in external accrediting body from ANZPAC to the Podiatry Board of Australia. The Podiatry Board of Australia has acknowledged and accepted the accreditation status granted to CQUniversity Bachelor of Podiatry Practice (Honours) from ANZPAC. The Podiatry Board has advised that the competency standards will remain the same until further notice. 


Available units
Students must complete the following compulsory units:
ALLH11001 Introduction to Allied Health Practice
ALLH11009 Research Methods for Health Professionals
BMSC11007 Medical Anatomy and Physiology 1
HLTH11027 Foundations of Health
PSYC11010 Fundamentals of Psychology 1: Understanding Human Behaviour
BMSC11008 Medical Anatomy and Physiology 2
PODI11001 Introduction to Podiatry Practice
ALLH11006 Life Course Development for Health Professionals
PODI12010 Advanced Anatomy and Podiatric Biomechanics
ALLH12006 Evidence Based Practice for Health Professionals
BMSC13010 Pharmacology
ALLH13011 Rural and Remote Practice for Health Professionals
MPAT12001 Medical Pathophysiology
MBIO12013 Microbiology for Health Care
PODI12007 Gerontology in Podiatry Practice
PODI12009 Podiatry Clinical Practice 1
PODI13007 Podiatry Clinical Practice 2
PODI13008 Clinical Biomechanics of the Lower Limb
PODI13009 Neurovascular Medicine in Podiatry Practice
PODI13010 Sports in Podiatry Practice
PODI13011 Podiatry Clinical Practice 3
PODI13012 Paediatrics in Podiatry Practice
PODI13014 Diabetes in Podiatry Practice
PODI13015 Advanced Pharmacology for Podiatry Practice
PODI14008 Podiatry Clinical Practice 4
PODI14014 Surgery in Podiatry Practice
PODI14009 Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Medicine in Podiatry Practice
PODI14010 High-Risk Foot and Chronic Wound Care
PODI14011 Complex Cases in Podiatry Practice
PODI14012 Podiatry Clinical Practice 5
PODI14013 Professional Podiatry Practice
More Details

Work Integrated Learning and Clinical Experience

The Bachelor of Podiatry Practice (Honours) course involves extensive training in a clinical environment. Practical learning experiences are central to the course with students needing to complete approximately 1000 hours of clinical placement in order to complete their degree. Students will undertake internal placement at the newly established on-site allied health clinic and their external placement will occur in a variety of settings.

Students must comply with the mandatory pre-clinical placement requirements prior to undertaking placement. Students must show evidence of:

  1. A current cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) certificate that includes management of anaphylaxis and use of an Automated External Defibrillator. In accordance with the Podiatry Board of Australia and to meet the registration requirement for CPR, the certificate of attainment must list one of the following units or training packages (HLTCPR201B; HLTFA201B; HLTFA301C; HLTFA302B; HLTFA402C; HLTFA403B; HLTFA404B).
  2. Hepatitis B Vaccination and Immunity.
  3. Hold a current ‘Working with Children' certification Blue Card
  4. Criminal History Check
  5. All Queensland Health Student Clinical Placements require students to provide a signed copy of QLD Health Student Deed Poll, Privacy & Consent, Student Orientation Checklist and Placement Requirements Form.

Application for Credit Transfer

Credit transfer will only be granted where a student is able to demonstrate that tertiary studies undertaken equivalent in content and depth to the CQUniversity course have been successfully completed. Students should examine the unit synopses in this handbook to determine the units for which they may be eligible to claim exemption.

Refer to the Credit Transfer website at http://www.cqu.edu.au/credittransfer for further details on the guidelines and application process.

You can apply for direct credit against CQUniversity units, if equivalent tertiary level study has been completed. You must supply relevant documentation (study guides, unit profiles, etc) to do this. Or, in some courses you can apply for electives outside of CQUniversity range of units. If your study was undertaken more than 10 years old, you may not be eligible to apply for this as credit.

Computing Requirements

It is a requirement of enrolment in this course that students have access to the CQUniversity website. Students may be required to undertake various components of study in the course using email and the Internet.

It is strongly recommended that students have access to a broadband connection or higher to access online student resources that would include but not limited to, email, internet, video streaming, electronic assessment submission.