Demand for osteopathic care continues to rise across Australia.
Australia is facing a critical shortage of osteopaths, prompting Edith Cowan University (ECU) to launch the State's first university program to train the next generation of healthcare professionals.
The new Bachelor of Osteopathy (Honours) will welcome its first students in Semester 1, 2027, making ECU the first university in Western Australia, and one of only four in Australia, to offer an accredited osteopathy qualification.
The landmark course comes as demand for osteopathic care continues to rise across Australia, while workforce growth has remained stubbornly slow.
Over the past five years, the WA osteopathy workforce has increased by just eight practitioners.
ECU Associate Dean (Medical and Exercise Science) at the School of Medical and Health Sciences, Associate Professor Annette Koenders, said the new course would help address an urgent workforce need while creating opportunities for students to enter one of Australia's fastest-growing health professions.
"Osteopathy is the second fastest growing registered health profession in Australia and Western Australia has the strongest workforce need," Associate Professor Koenders said.
"This course will allow students to train locally and graduate with the practical skills, clinical experience and professional knowledge needed to make an immediate impact in communities across WA and the rest of the country, including regional areas where healthcare shortages are often felt the most."
Osteopaths are registered healthcare practitioners who provide hands-on treatment, exercise prescription and lifestyle advice to help patients improve movement, reduce pain and manage a wide range of musculoskeletal conditions.
Graduates work across diverse sectors including private practice, occupational rehabilitation, aged care, disability services, injury management and elite sport.
Students enrolled in ECU's four-year degree will undertake at least 546 hours of clinical placement, gaining real-world experience with a range of healthcare providers.
Osteopathy Australia CEO Antony Nicholas said the new degree represents an important step in the continued development of osteopathy as a health profession.
"Expanding osteopathy education into Western Australia strengthens the profession's footprint and creates new opportunities for research, academic leadership and collaboration across the health sector," Mr Nicholas said.
"A stronger education and research base will support the profession to continue evolving and contributing to Australia's healthcare system, while ultimately giving more patients access to qualified osteopaths and greater choice in managing their health."
ECU Course Coordinator Brett Vaughan said the program had been designed to prepare graduates for the realities of modern healthcare.
"Through immersive clinical learning, research training and interprofessional education, graduates will develop the skills, confidence and professional identity needed to thrive in an increasingly integrated healthcare system."
The degree will be delivered full-time, on campus at ECU Joondalup.
For more information visit the Bachelor of Osteopathy (Honours) webpage.
