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The Australian Physiotherapy Council acknowledges the Wurundjeri People of the Kulin Nation who are the Traditional Custodians of the land where our workplace Village is located and we pay our respect to Elders past, present and emerging.

Statement of Reconciliation

The Council:

  • Acknowledges that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are the First Peoples of this land;
  • Acknowledges that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have strived to retain their cultures and identities through more than 200 years of non-Aboriginal settlement;
  • Acknowledges the past loss by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples of their land, their children and their lives since the start of non-Aboriginal settlement;
  • Acknowledges the right of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to live according to their own values and customs, subject to the law;
  • Respects Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ special relationship with the land and values the importance of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures to the heritage of all Australians;
  • Recognises the invaluable contributions that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have made to the community and the state; and
  • Commits to working together towards a future of mutual respect and harmony.

What have we done so far on our journey of reconciliation?

The Australian Physiotherapy Council has demonstrated over several years our authentic commitment to reconciliation in Australia between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples.

As an organisation that works and contributes to the Australian healthcare system, we believe that we have an important role to play in growing cultural awareness and safety in our own organisation, the physiotherapy profession, and the healthcare sector.

Read the Council's Reflect Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP).


July 2023: The Council extends its support to the Voice to Parliament referendum. 

2022: Reconciliation Working Group is formed to develop next stage of Council's Reconciliation Journey

July 2022: Curtley Nelson joins the Accreditation Committee

April 2022: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander representatives join Accreditation Panels.

March 2022: Michael Reynolds joins the Board of Directors.

January 2022: Francis Nona joins the Assessment Committee.

December 2021: The Council's Physiotherapy Accreditation Evidence Guide is updated with stronger requirements related to supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander student enrolments and development of Cultural Safety in the curriculum

July 2020: Dr Doseena Fergie and Danielle Manton join the Council’s Accreditation Committee to bring Indigenous perspectives and voice to the accreditation activities of the Council.

January 2020: Council launches Cultural Safety Training for all international physiotherapy candidates undertaking assessment pathways

November 2019: In partnership with The University of Melbourne, the Council developed a cultural safety training program, specifically for physiotherapists.

June 2019: Council launches its inaugural Reflect Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP), along with commissioned Indigenous artwork produced by David HG Dunn.

2016: The Council's updated Accreditation Standard explicitly includes cultural competence to be integrated within physiotherapy programs of study and focus on student experience and participation of Indigenous peoples.

March 2015: Professor Shaun Ewen, at the time Pro Vice-Chancellor (Indigenous) University of Melbourne and Foundation Director of the Melbourne Poche Centre for Indigenous Health, joined the Council's Accreditation Committee.

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