A randomised controlled trial led by researchers at the University of Sydney found that remotely delivered physiotherapy—involving a single in-person session followed by app-based exercises, phone calls and text messages—is significantly less expensive than traditional face-to-face outpatient physiotherapy. One of the authors, Hannah Withers, answers some questions about the trial.

At the 2025 Australian Pain Society’s 45th Annual Scientific Meeting, some of the profession’s leading lights presented groundbreaking research aimed at transforming pain care through more inclusive, evidence-based and system-aware approaches. Together, their work highlights the evolving role of physiotherapy in helping to tackle complex pain challenges across diverse populations.

As we look ahead to the next five years, the APA is committed to establishing physiotherapy as an indispensable part of Australia’s healthcare system—in the eyes of the public and policymakers alike.