Together, these stages assess the knowledge, clinical reasoning, communication, safety, professionalism and practical skills required for safe and effective physiotherapy practice in Australia.
A new pathway for a changing workforce
Launching APEP reflected the Council’s commitment to making the assessment journey more accessible and empowering for internationally trained physiotherapists, while maintaining the rigour needed to protect public safety and professional standards.
A key change was the introduction of the remote Capability Assessment, a live online oral exam conducted with an experienced Australian physiotherapist assessor. This assessment helps candidates demonstrate how they approach clinical cases, communicate clearly, reason safely and apply professional judgement within an Australian healthcare context.
The pathway also introduced the Clinical Workshop as the final stage of APEP. Held in Melbourne, the workshop gives candidates the opportunity to demonstrate practical skills, safe handling, communication and professionalism in person, alongside other international physiotherapists.
Supporting candidates and building trust
As APEP was launched, candidates were offered tailored options to complete their existing pathway or transition to the new pathway. The transition options recognised candidates’ previous progress and enabled them to make informed decisions as they continued their assessment journey.
Developing new candidate resources was central to the APEP launch. The Council produced information booklets, instructional videos, FAQs, portal content, website pages and assessment guidance to help candidates understand the pathway and prepare for each stage.
This work also addressed misinformation from third-party courses and coaching providers. Throughout the transition, candidates were encouraged to rely on the Council’s official website, Candidate Portal and resources as their source of truth.
A whole-of-Council change management effort
Launching APEP required strong collaboration across the Council. The work spanned assessment design, operational planning, candidate transition processes, communications, stakeholder engagement, portal and website updates, resource development, video production and ongoing candidate support. Careful change management helped ensure candidates, staff, assessors, employers and stakeholders understood the pathway, its purpose and its value.
Looking ahead
One year on, APEP demonstrates the Council’s ability to deliver large-scale assessment transformation while supporting candidates and maintaining professional standards.
As APEP grows, the Council will continue listening, refining resources and supporting candidates at each stage of the pathway.