Australian physiotherapy student intake is increasing and attrition remains lower than the university average: a demographic study.

Questions: Have student numbers (ie, intake and attrition) changed since the introduction of graduate entry-level physiotherapy courses in Australian universities? What is the impact of any changes in student numbers on university funding? What is the impact of any changes in student numbers on the workforce? Have student characteristics (ie, gender, country of origin, background) changed?

Design: Demographic study of 2003 graduates, 2004 student intake, and estimated 2007 student intake.

Participants: Eleven Schools of Physiotherapy in Australia.

Results: In 2003, 836 new physiotherapists graduated, and in 2004, 1108 students commenced with the percentage of graduate-entry Masters and international students increasing.