Dr. Akram Ahmad, PhDDiscover exciting job options for physiotherapists in Australia after passing the APC exam
Key Takeaway:
- Physiotherapists in Australia have numerous job options after passing the APC exam, providing them with opportunities for growth and specialisation.
- Private practice allows physiotherapists to have autonomy over their careers, build personalised patient relationships, and offer a diverse range of services.
Quality healthcare is an integral part for the overall well-being of society. The healthcare system in Australia offers unmatched quality and maintains high standards. Australia welcomes healthcare professionals from all over the world and creates an impressive and robust healthcare system. Apart from lucrative salaries and benefits, Australia helps them create rewarding careers. Unlike earlier times, it is easier to migrate and become a registered healthcare professional in Australia.
Why is Australia a Great Destination for Physiotherapists?
Becoming a qualified physiotherapist is an incredible achievement in itself and deserves nothing less than a fulfilling career. Physiotherapy plays an important role in treating individuals who are affected by injury, illness, or disability and experience difficulty in movement and disability. Physiotherapists are presented with opportunities from different countries around the world. Australia is one fine destination for internationally trained physiotherapists. To be eligible to practise in Australia, he/she must seek registration. The exam conducted by the Australian Physiotherapy Council known as the APC exam should be successfully cleared by the candidate, following which, a sea of exciting opportunities awaits.
What is the Eligibility to Become a Registered Physiotherapist in Australia?
The internationally trained physiotherapist has to undergo the assessment conducted by the Australian Physiotherapy Council. There are different assessment pathways and the candidate can apply for the most suitable one depending on his/her requirements. The assessment process will evaluate the candidate thoroughly. The assessment pathways are:
- Standard assessment pathway
- FLYR pathway
- Equivalence of qualification pathway
- Assessment for skilled migration visas
The standard assessment pathway is the most common assessment pathway for becoming a registered physiotherapist in Australia. The eligibility criteria includes a minimum qualification of diploma level and full and unrestricted licence to practise in the candidate’s country of training.
What is the Scope of Physiotherapy in Australia?
Physiotherapy, also known as physical therapy, plays a significant role in the healthcare system of Australia. The scope of physiotherapy in Australia is broad, encompassing various areas of practice and providing comprehensive care to individuals of all ages. The key aspects of the scope of physiotherapy in Australia include:
- Musculoskeletal rehabilitation
- Sports physiotherapy
- Neurological rehabilitation
- Cardiorespiratory rehabilitation
- Women’s health
- Paediatric physiotherapy
- Aged care and geriatric rehabilitation
- Occupational health and ergonomics
- Research and education
The physiotherapy profession is regulated by the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) and the Physiotherapy Board of Australia, which ensures that physiotherapists meet specific standards of education, competence, and ethical conduct.
What are the Job Options for Physiotherapists in Australia?
There are different places a qualified and skilled physiotherapist can shine. They have a myriad of opportunities to practise their role.
- Private practice
- Hospital and rehabilitation centres
- Sports and athletic organisations
- Aged care facilities
- Community health centres
- Research and Academia
Private Practice
Setting up a private practice is a highly-preferred career path for physiotherapists who wish to have control over their professional lives. Establishing your own clinic allows you to provide personalised care and build lasting relationships with your patients. It also gives you the freedom to specialise in specific areas of physiotherapy and offer a wide range of services.
Hospital and Rehabilitation Centres
Hospitals and rehabilitation centres provide physiotherapists with remarkable job prospects. They also enable physiotherapists to interact with a diverse patient population and allow them to gain experience in various areas.
Sports and Athletic Organisations
Australia’s earnest love for sports paves the way to job opportunities for physiotherapists in sports and athletic organisations. Physiotherapists in this field focus on injury prevention, rehabilitation, performance enhancement, and providing support during sporting events.
Aged Care Facilities
The section of ageing people of the population requires special attention and calls for an increasing need for physiotherapists in aged care facilities. Physiotherapists in aged care facilities often focus on fall prevention, pain management, and designing exercise programs to enhance strength and balance. Taking care of the elderly is often viewed as a rewarding responsibility and physiotherapists play a crucial role in improving their mobility, which leads to improving their overall health.
Community Health Centres
Community health centres cater to a diverse range of patients, including those from disadvantaged backgrounds, indigenous communities, and individuals with chronic conditions. Working in community health centres allows physiotherapists to make a positive impact on underserved populations. They provide essential services such as rehabilitation, chronic pain management, and health promotion in collaboration with other healthcare professionals.
Research and Academia
Research and academia are great yet viable career options for physiotherapists who are passionate about contributing to the advancement of the profession and making an impact in the field. This career path often involves a combination of clinical work, teaching, and research.
Clearing the APC exam opens up a world of exciting job opportunities for physiotherapists in Australia. Building a career as a physiotherapist can be challenging but equally rewarding. To grow as a physiotherapist, it is important that you explore different avenues, consider your interests and long-term goals, and select a career path that aligns with your aspirations. As a physiotherapist, you have the power to positively impact people’s lives and make a meaningful difference in the field of healthcare.
Conclusion
Clearing the APC exam opens up a world of exciting job opportunities in Australia. Physiotherapists from around the world clear the APC exam and migrate to Australia to experience the healthcare system in Australia and make an impact on the physiotherapy community with their skills and knowledge.
It’s essential to understand the scope of physiotherapy, explore different opportunities, consider your goals and hop on to a career path that aligns with your aspirations.
FAQs
Q: Can a physiotherapist from India practise in Australia?
A: Yes. Physiotherapists from India can become registered physiotherapists in Australia by successfully completing the assessment by the Australian Physiotherapy Council and applying for registration with the APHRA.
Q: Can physiotherapy become a good career option in Australia?
A: The job prospects for physiotherapists in Australia are remarkable and the scope of physiotherapy keeps growing.
According to the Australian Physiotherapy Council, an employment rise of approximately 24.6% is expected in the next 2 years.
Q: What is the minimum IELTS score required for physiotherapists in Australia?
A: To become a physiotherapist in Australia you must obtain a minimum score of 7 in the IELTS test.
Q: What are some of the physiotherapy roles in Australia?
A: The physiotherapy job roles in Australia include geriatric physiotherapist, sports physio-rehabilitator, osteopath, and many more.
Q: How many hours does a physiotherapist work in Australia?
A: Clinician physiotherapists in Australia are assumed to be working an average of 31.9 hours a week.
Q: Which sector employs physiotherapists in Australia?
A: The sectors that employ most physiotherapists are healthcare and social assistance.
Q: What is the average salary of an entry-level physiotherapist in Australia?
A: The average annual salary of an entry-level physiotherapist in Australia is AUD 102,000 per year.
Dr. Akram Ahmad, PhD
Academically.ai is the brainchild of Dr. Akram Ahmad. He has done his PhD from the Faculty of Medicine and Health, the University of Sydney, Australia. He is a self-motivated clinical pharmacist and committed lecturer with over 9 years of teaching and research experience in various subjects of medicine at the leading Universities in Australia, Malaysia, and India.
Dr. Akram is the recipient of prestigious “Best Promising Researcher Award” from the UCSI University (Malaysia). He has also published over 110 papers, book chapters, conference papers including in high-impact journals. In addition to that, he is a reviewer and editorial board member in
several journals of medicine and pharmacy.