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Undergraduate

Associate Degree of Allied Health

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Associate Degree of Allied Health (ADAH)
Entry requirements
ATAR 62.70
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Study mode
  • On-campus
Campus
  • Ipswich
Duration
  • 2 year(s) (or part-time equivalent)
Start
  • Feb
Intakes

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Overview

  • Have a healthy interest in helping people? With a bigger world-focus on health than ever, start a career in allied health with UniSQ’s Associate Degree of Allied Health.
  • An associate degree is a great way to start your first degree at university or if you want a career change. It is a qualification in its own right, but it is also a pathway to a bachelor degree. This means that up to 12 courses that you study can count towards a bachelor degree.
  • This degree prepares you for a career as an allied health assistant or for further study in occupational therapy, physiotherapy, social work or speech pathology.
  • With a strong focus on rural and regional health, you’ll gain foundational knowledge in evidence-based practice, human communication, anatomy, physiology, culture, health, illness, and working with diverse populations.
  • Study core allied health courses and have the opportunity to choose a study stream in Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy, Social Work, or Speech Pathology.
  • You'll graduate with a uni qualification as well as a Certificate IV in Allied Health Assistance (assessed and awarded externally by Rural Medical Health Australia).
  • Benefit from UniSQ’s flexible delivery and have the option to study full-time or part-time to suit your career goals and life commitments.

Further study

Successful completion of the Associate Degree will provide a further study pathway into the Bachelor of Physiotherapy (Honours), Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (Honours), Bachelor of Social Work, and Bachelor of Speech Pathology (Honours). Based on your selected study stream, you can apply for the relevant Bachelor Honours degree at QTAC and receive credit for your studies in the Associate Degree of Allied Health.

Please note that entry into the different Bachelor Honours degrees may be dependent on quotas and students who meet the entry requirements are not guaranteed a place in that degree.

Career outcomes

  • You'll graduate with a uni qualification as well as a Certificate IV in Allied Health Assistance (assessed and awarded externally by Rural Medical Health Australia).
  • Graduates can find work as an advanced allied health assistant in various health and wellbeing settings, including disability and aged care, rehabilitation, palliative care, community health and early learning settings.

Entry requirements

Find the entry requirements most relevant to you.

Recent secondary education

Adjusted Entry score including adjustment factors (additional points given in certain circumstances). Unadjusted Entry score not including adjustment factors.
ATAR The Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) is a percentile rank used to assess the results of high-school applicants for undergraduate entry into university. 62.70 64.75
Pre-requisites
  • Subject pre-requisite: English (Units 3 & 4, C), or equivalent
  • One of Biology, Chemistry, Physics, or Psychology (Units 3 & 4, C) or equivalent.

Please note: Meeting entry requirements does not guarantee admission. Places within the Associate Degree of Allied Health are limited by quota.

Special entry schemes for admissions may increase your Rank, through the allocation of additional points in certain circumstances, such as educational disadvantage where you live, and subjects you passed.

UniSQ is committed to greater admissions transparency. Learn more about the education and work experience, as well as average Ranks for this degrees' student cohort from the previous year.

Tafe (VET) qualification

If you have completed a qualification from a TAFE or qualified private provider, you may be able to use these qualifications to meet UniSQ's entry requirements.

Work and life experience

You may be able to use your work experience and other adjustment factors to increase your selection rank and meet UniSQ's entry requirements.

English language requirements

To meet the English language requirements for this degree, we accept the combined level and duration of study specified below, or the minimum English language proficiency scores from one of the following tests. Your test must be completed within two years of applying to UniSQ.

Tertiary study
(Diploma level or higher)
 2+ years full-time tertiary study in a country from the Accepted English-speaking countries list.
IELTS (Academic)  Minimum overall score of 7.0 with a minimum 7.0 in each subscore (speaking, listening, writing, reading). 
Pearson Test of English Minimum overall score of 65 with a minimum of 65 in each of the four communicative skills - listening, reading, writing, and speaking.
TOEFL iBT Minimum overall score of 95 with a minimum of 22 in each subscore.

If you don't meet the English language requirements, you can apply to study UniSQ's UniSQ Ready courses TPP0122 and TPP0123.

Additional requirements for clinical placements

Applicants must be willing to adhere to the requirements of the University of Southern Queensland for practical placement. Please refer to the applicable Clinical Placement Handbook for your specific stream’s requirements.

You will need to provide the following documents prior to commencing any clinical placement:

  • Blue Card or Working with Children Check
  • Yellow Card (if working with people with disabilities)
  • Australian Federal Police Check certificate
  • Current CPR and First Aid certification
  • UniSQ Student Declaration.

Plus evidence of the following immunisations:

  • Hepatitis B immunisation evidence
  • Measles, Mumps and Rubella immunisation evidence
  • Varicella immunisation evidence
  • Pertussis immunisation evidence
  • Influenza immunisation evidence
  • Tuberculosis Risk Assessment
  • COVID-19 vaccinations as directed by health services
  • Mask FIT testing
  • Evidence of other relevant vaccinations for infectious diseases that may emerge.

Other requirements:

  • Competence in infection control, for example, by completing all modules from the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in HealthCare
  • Purchase of a UniSQ clinical uniform.

Recognition of prior learning or work experience

You may be eligible for recognition of prior learning if you have previously studied or have relevant work experience. This will help to reduce the number of courses that you need to study to finish your program.

Pathways

If you don't meet the entry requirements, we have pathway options available to you.

If you identify as being of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent you may be eligible to enter the Indigenous Higher Education (IHEPP) program.

Degree structure

To complete this degree students must complete 16 units.

Courses to be studied Units
Core courses 4
Discipline study courses*  8
4 x courses (from a selected list)  4
Total 16

*from the Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy (from 2024), Social Work or Speech Pathology streams.

Refer to the UniSQ Handbook for courses to be studied and recommended enrolment patterns.

Professional experience / placements

You'll undertake 120 hours of vocational placements in an approved setting to gain hands-on industry experience. Applicants must be prepared to submit the requirements of the University of Southern Queensland for practical placement including the purchase of a clinical uniform.

Fees and scholarships

Your actual fees may vary depending on the courses you select. We review our fees annually so these may be subject to change.

Approximate annual costs1 for your first year of study (8 units) in this degree are:

Study Mode Cost
Commonwealth supported

The Federal Government contributes to the cost of your course and you need to pay a student contribution.

AUD 9312
Domestic full fee paying

You are responsible for the full cost of your course and are charged a tuition fee.

AUD 28000

1 These are indicative annual fees for 2025. 

Student services and amenities fees

You may need to pay student services and amenities (SA) fees as part of your course costs.

Professional experience costs

This degree includes a professional experience component that may involve travel, accommodation and meal expenses.

Loan to help you pay your fees

You may not have to pay your course (subject) fees upfront. HECS-HELP and FEE-HELP allows you to defer your fees until your income reaches a certain level. Find out if you are eligible for HECS-HELP or FEE-HELP.

You may also be eligible to receive financial support from Centrelink.

Scholarships

At UniSQ, we offer a range of scholarships to support your success at university. Find a scholarship that works for you.

How to apply

Apply via QTAC

Apply via QTAC (Queensland Tertiary Admissions Centre) if you:

  • have never studied with UniSQ before, or
  • are a Year 12 student, or
  • want to transfer to UniSQ from another university.
Mode QTAC Codes
Ipswich 936191

Copy your QTAC code and continue through to the QTAC website to complete your application.

Apply through QTAC

If you are applying via QTAC, please check the QTAC closing dates.

Apply directly to UniSQ

You may be able to apply directly to UniSQ if you:

  • are a current or previous UniSQ student returning to study with complete or incomplete qualifications (excluding Head Start students), or
  • have recently graduated from TAFE.
Apply direct to UniSQ

Intakes

Start your study in Trimester 1.

Study period  Application closing date Orientation  Study period start date Finish date
Trimester 1, 2025  Monday 10 February Monday 3 February Monday 10 February  Friday 9 May 

More information on applying key dates is available.

Further information

Discover further information on applying to study at UniSQ that is relevant to you.

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Got questions?

 

Begin your study journey today with the university rated 5/5 stars for graduates starting salaries* and start the degree that’s right for you.

*Good Universities Guide 2025

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Why study an Associate Degree of Allied Health?
  • By studying core allied health courses with UniSQ, you’ll have the opportunity to choose a study stream, depending on what your interests and career goals are. Choose from Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy (from 2024), Social Work or Speech Pathology. 
  • UniSQ’s Associate Degree of Allied Health enables graduates to finish with two qualifications in as little as two years and be prepared for many job opportunities within the expanding Nursing and Allied Health industry. 
  • A two-year associate degree is an ideal middle ground between a diploma and a bachelor degree allowing you to delve more into the allied health sector. 
What will I learn in an Associate Degree of Allied Health?
With our allied health associate degree, you’ll gain foundational knowledge in evidence-based practice, human communication, anatomy, physiology, culture, health, illness and working with diverse populations.  

What you will learn will vary depending on the stream you choose to specialise in, but you will all develop a solid foundation in allied health assessments, health skills and clinical practice. 
What can I do with an Associate Degree of Allied Health?

With a growing demand in Australia for Nursing and Allied Health professionals, an Associate Degree in Allied Health will prepare you for a role in a variety of clinical settings, including: 

  • aged care 
  • community health 
  • disability support 
  • early learning settings.

An associate degree is a great way to start your first university degree or explore a new career path. After completing your allied health associate degree you have the opportunity to advance your skills and knowledge by using it as a pathway to a bachelor degree. Up to 12 courses that you study can count towards a bachelor degree. 

Why study an Associate Degree of Allied Health with UniSQ?
  • Gain real-world experiences with 120 hours of vocational placements, giving you the practical skills needed to prepare you for a career in allied health. 
  • Graduate with a university qualification as well as a Certificate IV in Allied Health Assistance (assessed and awarded externally by Rural Medical Health Australia). 
  • Enter the workforce job-ready by learning from industry professionals and developing strong networks with students from other allied health courses. 
  • Use your Allied Health Associates Degree as a stepping-stone to further study in occupational therapy, physiotherapy, social work or speech pathology. 
  • Even if you don’t meet the entry requirements, don’t worry, we’ve got a pathway option to get you into our Associate Degree of Allied Health.
Are flexible study options available?
Yes! This associate degree in allied health is available to study full-time or part-time. Balance your life, work and family commitments by studying the number of courses that fit your lifestyle. Access your study materials anywhere at anytime – our student portal contains all the study resources that you’ll need including forums, assessment information and study schedules. 
 
Discover more about the ways you can study at UniSQ.