FAQs: Membership and subscriptions​

We have membership categories available for all stages of your physiotherapy career. In addition, we have membership categories for:

• students enrolled into an Australian Physiotherapy Council (APC) accredited program
• physiotherapy assistants
• internationally qualified physios who are undertaking the APC assessment
• affiliates who support the profession.

We encourage you to use our membership category questionnaire to determine the best category for your circumstances. Contact our support team if you are still unsure.

All members must meet eligibility requirements and agree to the APA Constitution and Code of Conduct.

In addition, members purchasing an insured category and have gained registration via the Trans-Tasman Mutual have additional eligibility requirements.

If you are joining APA for the first time, complete our online application form and your membership will activate once your payment is processed. You should receive an email confirming that you have successfully joined the APA.

If you are unsure what category to join, you can use our membership questionnaire to find the category that best suits your current career stage and situation.

The APA offers a range of membership categories to suit different career stages, including General, Student, Associate (overseas‑qualified), Physiotherapy Assistant, Affiliate and Retired memberships. To find the member type that suits your career stage and situation, can explore all member categories and fees or use the membership questionnaire.

We encourage members to wait until they renew to change member category.

If you have questions or concerns about your situation, contact the APA Member Support team.

You can pay securely online using a credit or debit card. We accept Visa, Mastercard and American Express.

You can update your payment information securely in the 'account' section of your member dashboard.

Navigate to the sidebar of the dashboard, click on 'Account' and then 'Payment Information' to update your details.

Check your payment details are up to date in your dashboard and that you have the available funds. Then contact the APA Member Support team to request the payment to be charged again.

Your APA membership may become lapsed if fee payments continue to decline.

Pro‑rata fees are available to new and re‑joining members who join partway through the calendar year. Fees are calculated monthly and based on the remaining months of the membership year.

Pro‑rata pricing does not apply to renewing members.

Yes, with a few options to follow:

• From full paying to instalments: change during renewing period by selecting your preference on the checkout screen.
• From instalments to full paying: manually renew before the end of December and select “pay in full” at the checkout screen.
• Changing mid-year: contact the APA member support team to discuss your options.

For more information, please read our terms and conditions.

The first instalment will be deducted immediately on purchase from the card provided and includes the full amount of GST and any PRF donations.

For existing members, your membership will automatically renew in January.

Subsequent instalments will be deducted on the first workday of the month and equal the remaining amount divided by the respective number of months of the year remaining.

Refunds are only available to members who have paid in full and are assessed in line with the APA’s refund policy.

Members are charged a $100 cancellation fee, which is deducted from the refund amount. For more information, refer to our terms and conditions.

Current and previous invoices are available to view and download from in the 'purchases' section of your member dashboard.

Navigate to the sidebar of the dashboard, click on 'Purchases' and then 'See all purchases' to see older invoices.

Membership renewals occur annually.

Paying by instalments: your membership will renew automatically in January each year. However, if you need to change member category you will need to either renew online before 31 December or contact our support team.

Opted to pay in full: manually renew through your member dashboard before 31 December.

Pay by instalments: your monthly membership fee is deducted automatically on the first business day of the month.

Pay in full: your membership fee is due by the 31 December each year. The payment can be made by completing the online renewal form.

Members who elect to pay by instalments have their membership automatically renewed each year. This helps ensure uninterrupted access to member benefits and, where applicable, insurance cover. You’ll be notified in advance each year before we renew your membership.

If you elect to pay the membership fee by instalments, your membership will auto renew and this cannot be switched off. However, if you pay annually, you will not be automatically renewed. If that is the case, you will need to manually renew, or your membership and insurance (if applicable) will lapse.

The renewal deadline is 31 December each year.

If you miss the renewal deadline, your membership and any included insurance (if applicable) cover may lapse. You can re‑join at any time, however there may be a break in benefits or insurance coverage.

Members with an insured membership category will not have a break in insurance coverage if they renew their membership before 31 January.

Members who do not renew their membership by 31 March will have their membership lapsed.

Yes. You can select a different membership category during renewal, if your circumstances have changed. Make sure the category you choose aligns with your professional status and insurance needs.

Unfortunately, you are unable to pause your membership. However, we do have discounted member categories available for circumstances such as parental leave, unemployment, working overseas or studying an eligible post graduate qualification. Please contact the APA Member Support team to discuss your situation.

To cancel your membership, please send your request in writing to the APA Member Support team. Requests should be submitted at least 14 days prior to your next scheduled payment.

Members on an insured category are encouraged to speak with our insurance broker about their insurance options prior to requesting cancellation.

Members are charged a $100 cancellation fee. Members who have paid in full will have this deducted from their refund amount. For information please refer to our terms and conditions.

Refunds are only available to members who have paid in full and are assessed in line with the APA’s refund policy.

Members are charged a $100 cancellation fee, which is deducted from the refund amount. For more information, refer to our terms and conditions.

Membership cancellation takes effect from the date it is processed. If your membership includes insurance, cover ends on the cancellation date. We recommend that you contact our insurance provider to discuss your insurance or run off cover options prior to cancellation.

You can re‑join online at any time by selecting the appropriate membership category and completing the re-join application.

You may be eligible for a pro‑rata fee depending on when you re‑join.

Yes. If you re‑join after a lapse in membership, your join date will reflect your new membership start date.

Yes. APA Member Insurance meets and exceeds the professional indemnity insurance requirements set by the Physiotherapy Board of Australia and Ahpra.

Visit our APA member insurance page for information

Coverage applies to services delivered within your professional scope of practice. You can use the APA Scope of Practice Self‑Assessment Tool or contact our insurance broker on 1800 931 068 or via email at apa@bmsgroup.com.

Current APA member in an insured member category: download your 'Evidence of Insurance' and 'Insurance schedule' from your member dashboard.

Sole trader with no employees: use the insurance broker member only portal to arrange an insurance certificate with the business name.

Sole trader with no employees: you may apply for Entity Insurance under APA Member Insurance. Practice owners and business entities require separate Entity Insurance, which can be purchased through our insurance provider. If you have an active membership that includes insurance, you must complete the application via our insurance broker member only portal to obtain a certificate with your practice’s business name noted.

Practice owner with employees: your individual APA member insurance does not provide cover for your practice in this instance. You may purchase Entity Insurance from our insurance provider via the member only portal. The premium will be assessed based on your individual practice circumstances.

If you are an active APA member, you can download your membership certificate at any time from the member dashboard.

Current APA member in an insured member category: download your 'Evidence of Insurance' and 'Insurance schedule' from your member dashboard. You should see three files icons, click on these to download the required document.

Sole trader with no employees: use the insurance broker member only portal to arrange an insurance certificate with the business name.

All registered physiotherapists in Australia are required to have professional indemnity, public and product liability insurance.

Students are automatically covered by the APA Member Insurance, provided that you are working within your scope of practice and are under the supervision of a registered physiotherapist.

For further information check out APA Member Insurance FAQs for students (PDF).

Graduating at the end of the year: you can change your membership during the APA Renewals period: November – March.

Graduating after April: contact the APA Member Support team and they can help set up your APA Graduate membership.

An APA student member chosen by the Board of Directors to represent the interests of physiotherapy students on a national level.

They are required to make themselves available for up to three (3) APA appearances within 12 months to promote the APA. Appearances can include talks at student information evenings and at university. Times and dates for appearances are mutually agreed upon.

Towards the ends of each year, the APA calls for nominations for the APA Board of Directors student prize.

The APA student member that is awarded the prize, is provided with the opportunity to be a member of the APA National Advisory Council the year following their award where they will represent student physiotherapists and our future leaders of the profession.

The ideal nominee would apply in their second last year of university and commence the position during their final year.

Read more about the APA Board of Directors Student Prize

The APA Mentoring program is a great way for members to connect with experienced physiotherapists for personal and career guidance. This annual program runs for 8 months each year, and participants are matched based on their focus areas and career goals.

Student members are not eligible to participate.

Each year the APA holds APA Career Connect events, hosted at various locations around Australia. These events are a great opportunity for students and recent graduates to connect with potential employers and discuss career opportunities.

We also encourage members to visit jobs4physios to search for available jobs around Australia. You will also find excellent resources to help you refine your resume and get interview ready.