Ahead of the 2026-27 Federal budget, The Australian Physiotherapy Association (APA) has released its pre-budget submission, calling on the Federal government to enact changes which increase the role of physiotherapy across the health system.

Australia’s health system remains overburdened, and physiotherapy offers evidence-based, cost-effective interventions that are ready to help the government deliver on its reform ambitions by strengthening care, improving outcomes and delivering greater value.

The Australian Physiotherapy Association (APA) welcomes this week’s report from the Senate Community Affairs References Committee on Aged Care Service Delivery. The report provides significant recommendations on how to improve the quality and availability of care for older Australians.

The APA is particularly pleased by the inclusion of several recommendations, including:

8 September 2025 - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Falls account for more than 40 percent per cent of deaths in people over the age of 65. Emerging research highlights the critical role of physiotherapy in falls prevention and healthy ageing, with the Australian Physiotherapy Association (APA) is calling for reform-makers to fund preventative healthcare accordingly.  

The NSW government announced a menopause virtual health hub last week which will enable women to access flexible, complex care from highly trained professionals such as physiotherapists.  

The Australian Physiotherapy Association (APA) is thrilled to see investment in the complex care required to manage women's health conditions and calls on the rest of Australia to follow suit.

Last week, the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care released new best practice guidelines to prevent falls in older people. The Australian Physiotherapy Association (APA) welcomes the guidelines which highlight the irrefutable importance of physiotherapy-led exercise plans in falls prevention.