If you’re an international physiotherapist exploring a move to Australia, this webpage is your essential roadmap to working in a country known for its world-leading physiotherapy standards.
Australia’s physiotherapy profession is among the best in the world, and we warmly welcome international physiotherapists like yourself to contribute your unique expertise and enrich our healthcare community.
Here are some essential steps you need to take before you can work in Australia:
- Get assessed
Begin a physiotherapy assessment with us, the Australian Physiotherapy Council. We offer multiple pathways depending on your qualifications, which help you meet Australian standards and obtain the Final Certificate—a crucial step toward physiotherapy registration in Australia. - Get a visa
- To work in Australia, check if you’re eligible to apply for an appropriate visa to work legally as a physiotherapist. Make sure to understand the process and timeline. Visit the Australian Government Department of Home Affairs website for details.
- Apply for the appropriate Australian visa to start your migration process. If your visa requires a Skills Certificate, you can request a skilled migration assessment with us. - Get registered/licensed
To obtain General Registration as a physiotherapist in Australia, you will need to provide several documentations including proof of identity, qualifications, Final Certificate from us, English language skills, etc. For detailed information on the required documents and the registration process, visit Ahpra page. - Get a job
Explore job opportunities on Australian job sites, healthcare recruitment agencies, and specialised healthcare platforms. Networking with healthcare professionals in Australia can also be beneficial.
Frequently asked questions
The duration of this journey can vary depending on various factors like immigration, assessment pathway, registration, moving countries etc. If you are actively trying to move to Australia, it can take anywhere from a few months to over a year. However to know more about timelines you can check the following pages:
You can find the costs here:
- Cost of assessment (depending on your assessment pathway)
- Cost of visa (depending on your visa type)
- Cost of registration
There are several channels you can access information about visas in Australia. We recommend going through the Australian Government Department of Home Affairs website for detailed information on visa types, eligibility, and application processes. You can also contact the nearest Australian embassy or consulate and/or registered migration agents for information.
Ahpra is the registration body for healthcare practitioners in Australia, including all physiotherapists. To be registered you will need to liaise with Ahpra directly. Head to their registration page.
To know more about the registration process with Ahpra, check out the eligibility and process here.
Once you have completed registration, you can work as a physiotherapist in Australia. You can look for jobs in these websites: