About the Department of Rural Allied Health
The Department of Rural Allied Health is committed to making rural health and wellbeing matter in exercise physiology, occupational therapy, paramedicine, physiotherapy, social work, speech pathology, and sport and exercise science.
Our Department is part of the La Trobe Rural Health School.
At the heart of our mission is a focus on rural health and wellbeing. We understand the challenges and opportunities that come with delivering healthcare in rural areas, and we are dedicated to equipping our students with the skills, knowledge and compassion needed to make a difference.
We offer degrees at La Trobe’s regional campuses in Bendigo, Shepparton, Albury-Wodonga and Mildura, and online. Whether you are beginning your university journey or seeking a career change into allied health, we have courses that will equip you for a future in this dynamic sector.
We offer undergraduate courses in occupational therapy, paramedicine, physiotherapy, social work, speech pathology, and sport and exercise science, and postgraduate courses in exercise physiology and physiotherapy. We also have a Higher Degree Research program, where students work with experienced researchers and immerse themselves in projects that aim to improve rural health outcomes.
We partner closely with local health and human service providers, community organisations and government agencies to ensure that our programs align with rural communities' needs and priorities.
These partnerships also enable us to offer Work Based Learning, clinical placements and research opportunities to provide students with workplace skills and opportunities to develop their own professional networks. They also get to experience what it is like to live and work in rural communities.
A La Trobe Rural Health School allied health degree is more than a pathway to a profession – it’s a foundation for meaningful impact. Our students learn in partnership with more than 180 industry collaborators, develop skills tailored to rural practice, and contribute to research that improves health outcomes, strengthens the rural workforce and transforms how care is delivered in our communities.
A rural education
If you are wanting to become an allied health professional, a La Trobe degree is the gateway to a rewarding career.
Our courses in exercise physiology, occupational therapy, paramedicine, physiotherapy, social work, speech pathology, and sport and exercise science are designed to provide students with the theoretical knowledge, practical skills and industry experience that will set them up for success.
They also incorporate elements specific to rural health, so that graduates are equipped to become valued professionals and leaders in rural and regional practice.
We work with over 180 industry partners to provide World Based Learning and clinical placement opportunities for our students from their first year of study.
Our Higher Degree by Research students work on projects that focus on achieving better health and wellbeing outcomes for rural people, improving clinical practice, supporting health professionals and transforming rural healthcare.
Creating meaningful change
Our research is creating meaningful change in rural health and human services.
From innovative approaches in health workforce delivery to strategies that improve health outcomes with people living with disabilities and chronic conditions, our staff are working to address the unacceptable gap in outcomes between rural and metropolitan communities.
Our priority areas include improving pre-hospital and primary care, interdisciplinary models of care, strengthening the rural health and human service workforce and health education.
Our researchers also specialise in improving human function and performance, increasing inclusion of people with disabilities in mainstream services, and health outcomes for people with chronic conditions.