Overview of Assessment for Registration Purposes

The Australian Physiotherapy Council carries out assessments of the skills and qualifications held by overseas trained physiotherapists on behalf of the Physiotherapy Board of Australia.  This page contains brief summaries of the assessment processes available to overseas qualified physiotherapists.

The APC provides several types of assessment for registration purposes, depending on what type of registration for which the candidate is seeking to qualify.

1. Assessment of physiotherapists who intend to apply to the Physiotherapy Board of Australia for General Registration

This assessment process is intended for candidates who wish to qualify for General Registration with the Physiotherapy Board of Australia--that is, they wish to practise independently as a physiotherapist in Australia.  The assessment process has three stages--Initial, Written and Clinical--and if a candidate successfully completes all these stages they will be granted a Final Certificate which allows them to apply for General Registration with the Physiotherapy Board of Australia.



Please be aware that the Final Certificate is only one of several requirements the Physiotherapy Board has for General Registration--please see their website for more information. 

2. Assessment of Equivalence of Qualification

This assessment process is intended for candidates who hold qualifications that may be considered Equivalent to an accredited Australian physiotherapy program.  It is based on the requirements for accreditation of Australian qualifications and requires the applicant's university to submit documents in substantial detail regarding all aspects of the qualification and course structure.  It is a one stage process, and if the candidate's application is successful they will be issued with a Certificate of Substantial Equivalence which they may use to apply for General Registration with the Physiotherapy Board of Australia.  If the candidate's application is not successful, they will be required to undertake the written and clinical examinations and move through the assessment for General Registration process.  The Assessment of Equivalence of Qualification is a thorough and detailed assessment and it is recommended that applicants carefully read the list of criteria for approval before they apply.

3. Assessment of Physiotherapists who Intend to Apply for Limited Registration in the Public Interest with the Physiotherapy Board of Australia

This assessment process is intended for candidates who have been offered a job working as a physiotherapist in Australia and wish to apply for Limited Registration in the Public Interest.  The Australian Physiotherapy Council uses the assessment to determine if a candidate's skills and training are suitable for the employment they have been offered.  If successful, the candidate will be issued with a report stating that their skills are suitable which they may use to apply to the Physiotherapy Board of Australia for Limited Registration in the Public Interest. 

If you a physiotherapist intending to migrate to Australia under the General Skilled Migration Program and you do not hold an Australia passport, you must complete an APC Skills Assessment.  More information about the Skills Assessment is available in the 'Assessment for Skilled Migration Section'.