CQU and Queensland Health

Two CQU staff members helping an elderly client, wearing a knee brace, walk with crutches
Supporting students to learn, work and progress sooner.

How CQUniversity and Queensland Health support workforce‑ready graduates

Health degrees are shaped by national accreditation standards, meaning universities largely teach to the same core requirements. What differentiates the student experience is how learning is delivered, supported and extended beyond compulsory placements.

CQUniversity’s relationship with Queensland Health demonstrates how collaboration with industry can influence study pathways, practical exposure and workforce responsiveness to help students move into employment sooner and with greater confidence, particularly in regional and underserved communities.

Responding to workforce needs beyond accredited requirements

Through regular engagement with Queensland Health and regional healthcare providers, CQUniversity gains insight into workforce pressure points and emerging employment needs. These insights inform decisions about course structure and delivery, learning pathways and opportunities for additional qualifications that sit alongside accredited degrees, helping graduates transition more smoothly into the healthcare industry. 

Accelerating graduation through smarter course design

From 2027, CQUniversity will reduce the length of its Bachelor of Physiotherapy from the standard four years to 3.5 years, through more effective course scheduling and a trimester‑based approach. This change enables CQUniversity physiotherapy students to:

  • Graduate six months earlier than the majority of their peers nationally
  • Enter the workforce at a time of year when physiotherapy clinics are traditionally under‑resourced, and
  • Gain up to six months of additional work experience before standard graduate recruitment cycles begin.

As a result, by the time most graduate recruitment takes place in November and December, CQUniversity Physiotherapy alumni will be already building professional experience — giving them a competitive advantage when applying for preferred roles. This change responds directly to workforce demand, supporting employers while helping graduates establish their careers sooner.

Three students in CQU shirts walking up stairs in a QLD health facility

Strengthening employability with the Certificate IV in Allied Health Assistance

CQUniversity has also developed options for students to gain early qualifications alongside their course of study – such as a CQU TAFE certificate in Allied Health Assistance accessible during the first year of a range of health degrees via an initiative that has been nationally recognised for transforming the way students enter the workforce. By providing options to gain additional qualifications before graduating, CQUniversity enables students to:

  • Access a qualification that increases their employability while still studying and
  • Gain paid, relevant experience in industry settings before graduation.

As a dual‑sector university delivering both TAFE and university qualifications, CQUniversity is uniquely positioned to offer this pathway. For regional health services such as Central Queensland Hospital and Health Service (CQHHS), this is an important pipeline for skilled allied health assistants — roles that are consistently in demand.

Making education more accessible

CQUniversity’s partnerships with organisations such as Queensland Health, combined with innovative delivery models, make health education more accessible for a broader range of students. Traditionally on‑campus courses, such as nursing, paramedic science and podiatry, can be studied online at CQUniversity, with practical components structured into shorter, intensive blocks. This model:

  • Supports students in regional and remote areas
  • Enables learners to balance study with work and caring responsibilities
  • Expands access to health careers without compromising practical readiness

For many students, this flexibility is what makes study possible. 

Student chatting with QLD health staff member as they hold a model of a foot in a hospital setting

Industry access through lived professional experience

CQUniversity’s relationship with Queensland Health is also reflected through the people who move between practice, teaching and research. 

Showcasing connection: Michael Wilkinson

Michael Wilkinson, Lecturer in Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy and CQUniversity Research Higher Degree candidate, previously worked as a physiotherapist with Queensland Health before joining the University to pursue research — driven by a desire to make a broader impact. Michael maintains strong professional connections with Queensland Health, including:

  • Supporting research‑related enquiries
  • Referring clinicians to CQUniversity experts where relevant
  • Presenting at professional development days and research symposiums and
  • Coordinating Queensland Health practitioners to guest lecture for students.  

The ongoing connection of teaching, learning and research staff like Michael Wilkinson with industry helps ensure learning remains grounded in contemporary practice, while creating meaningful exchange between employers, educators and researchers.

CQU staff member walking with an industry leader down a hallway

Why these connections matter

In healthcare, readiness is built through exposure, confidence and opportunity — not just qualification. CQUniversity’s close working relationships, flexible delivery models and workforce‑responsive pathways help students:

  • Enter the health workforce sooner
  • Gain experience while studying, and
  • Build professional confidence before graduation.

For students and employers alike these connections transform study into momentum, supporting successful graduate outcomes and stronger workforces in regional Australia.