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Your free guide to a career in physiotherapy

The best parts about a career in physiotherapy

Physiotherapists play an important role in keeping people moving, whether it be for maximum performance in athletes and people with chronic health conditions. They also have an impact on patients who require rehabilitation after events such as surgery or a catastrophic accident. It can be rewarding to see patients reach their goals.

Australian physio Sarah Flanagan has worked in the UK and the Middle East.

According to Gold Coast physio Richard Newton, Australian physiotherapists are regarded as some of the best in the world, and are often able to find work overseas:

 

The Australian Physiotherapy Association has been working towards a career pathway for physiotherapists.

Victorian based physiotherapist Phebe Liston explains how her career in physiotherapy allowed her to create multiple business avenues like the e-commerce business she is currently working on. 

Perth based physiotherapist Jo Milios set up a not-for-profit exercise group for men with prostate cancer and is a campaigner for men’s health.

Things you really need to consider before deciding on a career in physiotherapy

Competition to work with elite athletes

Many young people will become interested in physiotherapy as a career as they dream of working with elite athletes. While this is definitely possible, there is a lot of competition for these positions.

Musculoskeletal disorders

Ironically, it is common for physiotherapists to suffer from work-related musculoskeletal disorders. This can involve pain in the upper and lower back, the neck, shoulders, wrists, hands and ankles. Many physiotherapists start having symptoms in their first 5 years of practice. On top of the physical side, physio Nick Schuster has spoken about his experience with burnout. A self-care plan needs to be considered if you would like a long career as a clinician. Physiotherapist Georgie Davidson has given an account of how her clinical career has had longevity.

Professional standards

To become a physiotherapist, there are 9 standards you will need to meet, as set by the Australian Physiotherapy Council. There are annual continuing education requirements that you have the obligation to fulfill.

What do physiotherapists do and where do they work?

Working with elite athletes

Most people are aware that physiotherapists can work with Olympians and other elite athletes/groups such as AFL teams. One of the important roles they play here is in the area of injury prevention.

Hospital physiotherapy

There are a number of roles for physiotherapists in a hospital. These include:

In this video hospital physio Rory Barlow talks about the roles of physiotherapists in a hospital:

 

Career pathways and expanding scope of practice

There are career pathways in the public health system, as well as opportunities in the Australian Defence Force. The Australian Physiotherapy Association has provided an outlook on what it thinks public physiotherapy services will look like in Australia in 2025. Some private practitioners are also expanding their practices to offer Pilates classes. There are also opportunities are for cross-referrals with other practitioners.

Physiotherapists can also have a role in the rehabilitation in scenarios such as an adult returning to work or in treating kids to have been pushed too far on the sporting field. There are some physiotherapists who concentrate on the area of urinary incontinence.

Some physiotherapists will have an interest in becoming a hand therapist, and there is also the opportunity for physiotherapists to work with people who have disabilities.

Arthritis and musculoskeletal conditions are a large national health priority area in Australia. There has been some controversy as to whether physios referring patients directly to medical specialists (e.g. orthopaedic surgeons) is a cost-saving measure or fragmenting care.

Physiotherapists are now able to complete a course to become a credentialled diabetes educator, and there is also the future possibility that they will be able to prescribe some medications, particularly those for pain and breathing, however, this may take a number of years to occur. It is also possible that critical care physiotherapists will be using techniques such as lung ultrasound in the future.

Since 2015, the Australian Physiotherapy Association has been fighting for the right of physiotherapists to prescribe medicines that will benefit patients undergoing physical therapy. If approved by the government, physiotherapists wanting to gain rights to prescribe will have to apply for board endorsement and meet certain criteria. 

Working online

Physiotherapists can also work online. The Australian Physiotherapy Association has also recently been highlighting research around Internet delivered physiotherapy services based from a study that internet-delivered treatments are effective in managing chronic knee pain.  

ATAR for physiotherapy

ATARs / Selection RanksClick here for the ATAR for every physiotherapy course in Australia in 2022.

Accreditation – A career in physiotherapy starts with completing an accredited course. On the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency Approved Programs of Study page – select “Physiotherapist” in the Profession box, and “General” in the Qualification Type box to search for courses.

How long does it take to become a physiotherapist?

It takes a minimum of 4 years to become a physiotherapist in Australia.

Please go to our physiotherapy infographic page for more information about the pathways to becoming a physiotherapist.

Become a physiotherapist

Are physiotherapy graduates getting jobs?

Refer to the physiotherapy section on our employment page for detailed information.

How much money do physiotherapists earn?

Go to our earnings page for detailed information.

University scholarships

Click here for our university scholarship listing.

Videos about a career in physiotherapy

Click here to go to our videos about a career in physiotherapy from real physiotherapists.

Latest News

Click here for the latest news about a career in physiotherapy.

Career in physiotherapy – information from professional association

Australian Physiotherapy Association – career pathway

 

 

This page was last updated in January 2023.