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Council Board Director Michael Reynolds shares how the new assessment pathway, Australian Physiotherapy Entry Pathway, equips internationally trained physiotherapists to join the Australian healthcare workforce.

The Australian Physiotherapy Entry Pathway

Australia’s healthcare system is constantly evolving, and at the same time, we have a pressing need for more skilled physiotherapists to serve our communities.

In response to this healthcare workforce challenge, the Council developed the Australian Physiotherapy Entry Pathway (APEP). It is designed to facilitate greater access for qualified international physiotherapists to join the Australian workforce.

Robustly designed to address barriers to entry, while upholding rigorous professional physiotherapy standards, APEP offers 80% remote assessments alongside in-person hands-on training. This pathway equips international physiotherapists to join our physiotherapy profession with an understanding of Australian healthcare settings.

Why employ international physiotherapists via APEP?

As a physiotherapist educator, researcher and clinician in our profession for over 25 years, I am proud of the high standards and recognition of Australian physiotherapy.

Over several decades, the Council has earned a reputation with our physiotherapy profession and healthcare employers, of supporting high quality international candidates to enter the Australian healthcare workforce.

As Board Chair, following years of careful development, I am confident in the assessment models that underpin APEP and the outcomes of successful candidates who obtain their Final Certificate from the Council. These candidates are equipped to succeed in the Australian healthcare context and have a significant positive impact in the health and wellbeing of Australians.

The APEP delivers the following key attributes for employers and internationally trained physiotherapists:

  • Assurance of professional standards: APEP ensures all international physiotherapists who complete this pathway meet Australian physiotherapy’s clinical and ethical standards.
  • Smooth assessment process: Through APEP, the Council assesses international physiotherapists’ qualifications in a simplified and time-efficient way.
  • Resources for international physiotherapists: The pathway recognises overseas experience and training, while providing additional resources to safely and effectively work as a physiotherapist in Australia.
  • In-person workshop: The last stage of the new pathway provides an in-person hands-on workshop to train and assess that international physiotherapists are safe to practice.
  • Workforce focused: Upon completion of the APEP pathway, physiotherapists are considered to meet at least entry-level professional standards. They possess the skills, local context understanding, and cultural competence to integrate smoothly into Australian healthcare settings.
  • Focused on patient outcomes: APEP requires international physiotherapists to demonstrate they can deliver effective patient-centred care within the Australian context.

APEP typifies the innovative thinking at the Council, offering a reliable and forward-thinking approach to maintaining high standards of quality and safety whilst addressing the workforce needs of the Australian healthcare sector. If you would like to know more about the pathway, find out more on our APEP page.

I am proud to highly recommend international candidates who have completed APEP and received their Council Final Certificate for new employment within Australia’s healthcare workforce.

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