FAQs: Australian College of Physiotherapists - Credentials and career pathways

The Australian College of Physiotherapists (ACP) plays an integral role within the Australian Physiotherapy Association (APA), advancing expert practice across the profession. The ACP champions professional excellence, providing credentials through Titling and Specialisation. Read the ACP Identity Statement.

Benefits of Fellowship (FACP) and Titled Member (MACP) include:

• use of FACP or MACP post-nominal
• specialist or APA Titled credential designations
• FACP or MACP marketing resources
• increased recognition amongst peers and consumers regarding your experience and qualifications
• being part of a network of credentialed physiotherapy professionals
• potential for increased employment opportunities and to lead and become more visible among the profession
• sense of personal satisfaction that you are at the pinnacle of your profession.

Read about our member benefits, including access to ACP logos.

Membership of the ACP is free for all APA titled members (MACPs) and Specialist Physiotherapists (FACPs). The fee structure for ACP programs and pathways is reviewed annually. See the most up-to-date fee information. Any updated fee amount will apply from the new calendar year.

The College Knowledge Exchange is an opportunity for Fellows and members of the College community to share expertise, current practice, research, and professional insights with peers.

CKE presenters are usually invited based on their expertise, experience and relevance to upcoming session topics.

If you are interested in presenting at a future College Knowledge Exchange session, email ACP@australian.physio to express your interest and provide a brief overview of your proposed topic. Your expression of interest will be reviewed in line with the College’s program needs and presenter availability.

There are currently two pathways to APA Titling:

1. The Academic Pathway – Clinical and Research
2. The Evidence Portfolio Pathway (EPP) – Clinical

Information regarding these pathways can be accessed via the ACP Titling website.

Applicants who believe they may be eligible to apply for an exemption from the prerequisite levelled courses are encouraged to contact the APA Exemptions Team at Exemption@Australian.physio for further guidance.

More information can be found in the Academic and EPP pathway webpages. Please note that the rollout of the Academic Pathway and EPP is occurring progressively across the different fields of practice. Details will be provided when additional fields of practice are launched.

The Australian College of Physiotherapists offers two Milestone 4 pathways:

1. Specialisation Training Program (STP – Clinical Specialisation)
2. Specialist Research Physiotherapist (SRP) Pathways: a. Distinguished Pathway and b. Portfolio Pathway.

Satisfactory completion of either Specialisation pathway results in the protected title of Specialist Physiotherapist (as awarded by the Australian College of Physiotherapists). For further information, visit the Ahpra website and refer to the “Guidelines for advertising a regulated health service”.

To apply, applicants must:

• be a Registered physiotherapist in Australia
• be a Financial Member of the APA
• be a College member and member of a National Group that offers Specialisation
• be a Titled Physiotherapist in the relevant discipline via the Experiential, Evidence Portfolio or Academic Pathway
• must have completed three years full-time equivalent clinical practice in the relevant discipline since being Titled or since successfully completing an APA-recognised coursework Master’s degree in the relevant discipline at the time of application into the Program.

For more information and to apply, visit the STP Application Selection page.

Note: Applications are open for a defined period each year, to commence the program in the following year.

The Program is two years full time. Registrars can apply for part-time training within the Specialist Training Program (STP). Under this model, registrars will complete training requirements equivalent to six months over a twelve-month period. For more information, refer to the Specialisation Training Program Manual located on the STP website page.