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.
Our research drives much-needed change to improve health outcomes for rural people.
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 staff and research students make key contributions to the Holsworth Research Initiative, the John Richards Centre for Rural Ageing Research, the Living with Disability Research Centre and the Violet Vines Marshman Centre for Rural Health Research.
Find out more about our Statement of Strategic Intent.
Whether you are a prospective student, a healthcare professional looking to expand your skills, or a member of the community interested in our work, we invite you to explore our website. Together we can create healthier, stronger and more resilient rural 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.
The result: An end-to-end rural education that produces graduates who are inspired by rural health and proud to build their careers in regional and rural areas.
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.
Find out more about our courses and our distinctive student experience.
Creating meaningful change
Our research is creating meaningful change in rural health and human services.
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.
Our contribution aligns with La Trobe University's research themes: Social change and equity, Healthy people, families and communities, Resilient environments and communities, and Understanding and preventing disease.
Our research is grouped into three key areas:
Our researchers use interdisciplinary and industry-engaged approaches to improve outcomes for rural communities. Work focuses on improving access to specialised care, providing education and support services, promoting self-management strategies and fostering inclusive environments that empower individuals to participate in their communities.
Rural communities often face critical shortages of health and human service professionals, impacting access to quality care and, ultimately, individual and community health and wellbeing. Our researchers are addressing this issue through projects on recruitment, retention, training and workforce health.
Our researchers explore how health research, innovative health service design and approaches, and knowledge translation can be combined to maximise healthcare outcomes for rural communities. These projects are undertaken through partnerships and in collaboration with health service providers.
Research Centres and Initiatives
Our staff make key contributions to La Trobe University’s research centres and initiatives.
The Holsworth Research Initiative conducts translational research with an exercise and physical activity focus that reduces inequalities by improving the health and well-being for individuals and communities in regional and rural locations.
Find out more about the Centre.
The John Richards Centre for Rural Ageing Research leads research and innovation related to rural aged care workforce and health delivery initiatives; promotes interdisciplinary and inter-institutional collaboration in developing, testing and implementing evidence-based healthcare delivery solutions for older people in rural areas; and serves as a rural centre for honours and postgraduate research training in rural aged care workforce and health delivery initiatives.
Find out more about the Centre.
The Living with Disability Research Centre conducts research to help improve practices, programs and policies that support the social inclusion of people with cognitive disabilities. The Centre’s research program focuses on building a robust evidence base for the disability sector, and the broader community, to address the complex and multifaceted problems facing people with cognitive disability, their families and carers.
Find out more about the Centre.
The Violet Vines Marshman Centre for Rural Health Research focuses on transforming rural health outcomes through research, collaboration and community engagement. The Centre was established in 2019 following a $3M investment from the VV Marshman Charitable Trust and has launched Australia’s first Rural Health Consumer Panel.
Find out more about the Centre.