What is the Equivalence of Qualification Pathway?
The Equivalence of Qualification Pathway is a document-based assessment of international physiotherapists’ qualifications.
It aims to determine if your international physiotherapy qualification is substantially comparable to an accredited Australian entry-level program. The purpose of this assessment is to ensure that you possess the same competencies as an entry-level physiotherapist qualified in Australia and that you are safe to practice.
To find out if your university program is considered equivalent, you can refer to the list of Equivalent University Programs. If you have graduated from an equivalent university program, you can be confident that your program has equipped you with the necessary knowledge, clinical skills and professional attributes required to practice physiotherapy in Australia.
Can I apply for the Equivalence of Qualification Pathway?
To be eligible for this pathway, your university, program and year of study must be deemed substantially equivalent to an Australian entry-level program. You can search for your program on this list of Equivalent University Programs.
Once you have applied for the Equivalence for Qualification Pathway, it will be necessary for you to complete the Council’s online Cultural Safety Training to progress.
What documents will I need to submit?
Please review the Equivalence of Qualification Fact Sheet for a list of documents you’ll need to provide, as well as information on the required format of the documents.
How much does the Equivalence of Qualification Pathway cost?
Check out the Fees page.
What are the steps to undertake this pathway?
- Complete the online application and pay for your application.
- Complete Cultural Safety Training.
- Wait for your application outcome from the Council.
Frequently Asked Questions
If your university, program, and years of study does not match exactly, you will need to apply for an alternative assessment pathway. Read Getting Started and Standard Assessment Pathway pages for more information.
Successful candidates will be issued with a Certificate of Substantial Equivalence which will meet the qualification requirement for General Registration with Ahpra.
If your application is unsuccessful, the Council will redirect you to consider another assessment pathway.
To work as a physiotherapist in Australia, you will need to apply for General Registration with Ahpra.
To register with Ahpra, one of the first steps is to be assessed by the Australian Physiotherapy Council.
Once you have completed your assessments with the Council, you can head to Ahpra to complete your General Registration. The Council recommends contacting Ahpra directly for any questions about registration requirements and processes.
After you apply for Equivalence of Qualification, you will receive an email with instructions to access the Cultural Safety Training program.