Graduate Certificate in Exercise Rehabilitation for Sports Injuries

Course information for - 2026 entry

Duration
0.5 year full-time or equivalent part-time
Fees (first year)*

$13448 Fee-paying

Start dates
ACU Term 1 , ACU Term 2 , ACU Term 3, ACU Term 4

Overview

The Graduate Certificate in Exercise Rehabilitation for Sports Injuries will allow you to develop specialised skills in the prevention and rehabilitation of sport related injuries, assist individuals with pre-existing conditions to remain active, or assist individuals to return to sports performance. This graduate certificate provides you with specialist knowledge and skill of biomechanics, metabolic, and physiological-psychosocial aspects of the person to develop programmes and strategies for the enhancement and improved performance of active individuals to prevent potential injury or to support recovery in those who may have activity restrictions due to injury or disease limitations. The course integrates this specialist knowledge and skill to develop safe and effective exercise prescriptions and interventions.

Course details

Course structure

Course map

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Please note: Course maps are subject to change.

Commencing ACU Term 1 - Full Time

Students may commence the Graduate Certificate in Exercise Rehabilitation for Sports Injuries throughout the year.

Students who commence in ACU Term 2 and ACU Term 4 or studying out of sequence, should contact the Course Coordinator to confirm course map.

  • Specified UnitsEXSC510Strength and Conditioning for Performance and Rehabilitation

    Unit offered ACU Term 1 and ACU Term 3

    10 cp
  • Specified UnitsEXSC515Exercise Prescription for Sports Injury Management Across the Lifespan

    Unit offered ACU Term 1 and ACU Term 3

    10 cp
  • Specified UnitsEXSC651Sports Injury Prevention

    Unit offered ACU Term 2 and ACU Term 4

    10 cp
  • Specified UnitsEXSC669Exercise Rehabilitation for Return to Sports Performance

    Unit offered ACU Term 2 and ACU Term 4

    10 cp

All units are delivered in Online Unscheduled mode.

Commencing ACU Term 1 - Part Time

Students may commence the Graduate Certificate in Exercise Rehabilitation for Sports Injuries throughout the year.

Students who commence in ACU Term 2 and ACU Term 4 or studying out of sequence, should contact the Course Coordinator to confirm course map.

All units are delivered in Online Unscheduled mode.

Commencing ACU Term 3 (Mid-Year) - Full Time

Students may commence the Graduate Certificate in Exercise Rehabilitation for Sports Injuries throughout the year.

Students who commence in ACU Term 2 and ACU Term 4 or studying out of sequence, should contact the Course Coordinator to confirm course map.

All units are delivered in Online Unscheduled mode.

Commencing ACU Term 3 (Mid-Year) - PartTime)

Students may commence the Graduate Certificate in Exercise Rehabilitation for Sports Injuries throughout the year.

Students who commence in ACU Term 2 and ACU Term 4 or studying out of sequence, should contact the Course Coordinator to confirm course map.

All units are delivered in Online Unscheduled mode.

Graduate statement

Insight

As a graduate of the Graduate Certificate in Exercise Rehabilitation for Sports Injuries at ACU you have developed insight into your role in the field of sports rehabilitation. Through critical self-awareness and autonomy in learning, you gained specialised knowledge in key areas, including psychosocial, biomechanical and physiological, to design effective exercise prescriptions and rehabilitation strategies for injury prevention and recovery. Equipped with skills such as physical assessment, program development, and performance optimisation, you will be prepared to contribute respectfully and meaningfully to the health and wellbeing of active individuals, aligning your practice with ACU's mission of promoting justice, equity, and human dignity. This course reflects ACU's vision by empowering you to make a positive impact on society through evidence-based approaches to sports injury rehabilitation.

Empathy

As a graduate of the Graduate Certificate in Exercise Rehabilitation for Sports Injuries at ACU you will develop a deep sense of empathy, valuing human dignity and diversity in your approach to sports injury rehabilitation. You will acquire key skills in patient-centred care, cultural competence, and effective communication, enabling you to connect meaningfully with individuals from diverse backgrounds, including Indigenous Australians, and to tailor rehabilitation programs to meet unique needs and circumstances. This empathetic approach enhances your ability to work collaboratively with patients, healthcare professionals, and communities, fostering a holistic approach and promoting overall well-being in your professional practice. By emphasising respect, inclusivity, and cultural sensitivity in sports injury rehabilitation, the program aligns with ACU's mission to uphold the dignity of all individuals and promote social justice, reflecting the university's commitment to nurturing a compassionate and equitable society.

Imagination

As a Graduate of ACU’s Graduate Certificate in Exercise Rehabilitation for Sports Injuries program, you will cultivate imaginative and innovative approaches to address complex rehabilitation challenges, fostering creative problem-solving skills essential in the field. You will develop critical analysis abilities, enabling you to synthesise information from diverse sources and apply evidence-based practices to design tailored rehabilitation programs that optimise athletes' recovery and performance. This imaginative approach, combined with advanced clinical reasoning and an understanding of how others learn and know, will empower you to make informed decisions that not only benefit individual patients but also contribute to the broader advancement of sports injury management and community health. By nurturing these skills, the program aligns with ACU's mission to pursue knowledge, serve the common good, and promote human dignity, reflecting the university's commitment to fostering innovative thinkers who can positively impact both their profession and society at large.

Impact

As a graduate of ACU’s Graduate Certificate in Exercise Rehabilitation for Sports Injuries, you are equipped to make a significant impact in the field of sports medicine and rehabilitation, contributing to social justice and sustainability through your commitment to enhancing human health and well-being. Throughout the course you developed advanced clinical skills, evidence-based practice methods, an understanding of how others know and learn, and effective communication strategies, enabling you to lead positive change in injury prevention and management across diverse populations and settings. As a graduate you are encouraged to positively influence your profession by implementing innovative rehabilitation techniques, advocating for athlete welfare, and promoting community health initiatives, thereby embodying ACU's mission to serve the common good and uphold human dignity. By fostering an integrated approach to sports injury rehabilitation that considers both individual and societal impacts, the program aligns with ACU's vision of advancing knowledge, ethical practice, and social responsibility in healthcare and beyond.

AQF framework

Graduate Certificate - AQF Level 8

Overseas study available

  • Available to international students not seeking to study on a Student Visa.
  • This course is available to offshore international students.

Entry requirements

An applicant must also comply with the Admission to Coursework Programs Policy.

International applicants need to meet the English Language Proficiency requirements as defined in the Admission to Coursework Programs Policy.

To be eligible for admission to the course, an applicant must hold a Bachelor degree (or higher), normally in Exercise Science, Sports Science, Human Movement, Physiotherapy, Athletic Training, Physical Therapy, Kinesiology or related discipline.

Disclaimer: The course entry requirements above are for 2026 Admission.

Applicants with higher education study

You will need to meet the minimum entry requirements and subject prerequisites for your chosen course. 

If you have completed at least two units of AQF-recognised study at bachelor level or above, we’ll assign you with a new selection rank that reflects your study level, duration, and grade point average.

If your prior study or relevant work experience has provided you with knowledge, skills or experience aligned with the learning outcomes of units in your new course, you may be eligible to gain credit for study or have your prior learning recognised. This means you may be able to complete your ACU course in a shorter timeframe.

You can use our credit search tool to see what you might be eligible for. For more information about credit and recognition of prior learning at ACU, follow the link below.

Search our credit database

Learn more about recognition of prior learning

Inherent requirement

There are essential components of a course or unit that demonstrate the capabilities, knowledge and skills to achieve the core learning outcomes of that course or unit. You will need to be able to meet these inherent requirements to complete your course.

Learn more about inherent requirements for your course and how they affect you

Fees

Course costs

Average first year fee*

$13448 Fee-paying

Payment options

You should be able to concentrate on getting good marks instead of worrying about how you’ll pay your fees. We have a number of options that can help you ease the financial burden, including government assistance, scholarships and income support. 

Explore your options 

Scholarships

You could be eligible for one of the hundreds of scholarships we award each year to help students from across the university with the cost of studying, accommodation or overseas study opportunities. Some of our scholarships are awarded on the basis of merit, but these aren’t just for the academically gifted; ACU also recognises excellence in community engagement and leadership. We also offer a range of scholarships for those who may be struggling financially or who have faced other barriers to accessing education.  

Search our scholarships  

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