Pregnant women sitting on exercise balls holding weights

Inquiry recommends physiotherapy for birth trauma injury

The APA and Australasian Birth Trauma Association (ABTA) applaud the NSW Select Committee on Birth Trauma report on its recommendation for physiotherapy to treat birth injuries. The report recognises the multifaceted impact of birth trauma and the critical importance of pelvic health physiotherapy for birthing parents in antenatal care.

a puzzle with a missing piece. The space where the missing piece should go reads workforce.

Unlocking the future of physiotherapy: APA's first Workforce Census

The Australian Physiotherapy Association (APA) has today released the comprehensive findings of its inaugural Workforce Census, unlocking key information that will inform meaningful reform across the gender pay gap, rural health disparities, and the broader skills shortage within the sector.

Two older people walking along a path in a picturesque park with both facing away from us one using walking sticks

Older Australians are five times more likely to die from a fall than on the road

May 2024

Does the imbalance in funding for road safety and falls indicate that Australians don’t value the health of older women?

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The Zap – from spinal surgery to scope of practice, a comprehensive update of the latest health and aged care news

April 2024

This week brings a new feature at The Zap, in response to reader feedback: a list of consultations that we hope will be helpful for Croakey readers. Please keep us updated of any new ones to add.

Charles Maskell-Knight also reviews concerns about spinal surgery and aged care reform, brings the latest data on food consumption trends, and reports that the Australian College of Nursing has been 'in the news for all the wrong reasons'.

An older woman sits on a couch holding her knee and grimacing in pain

Plea for pain sufferers: More support for non-surgical interventions

In a flash poll conducted by the Australian Physiotherapy Association (APA), over 90 per cent of physiotherapists said they have treated patients suffering after unnecessary and potentially harmful surgeries. This comes following a confronting exposé of Australia’s chronic pain industry on ABC Four Corners, which highlighted potential overuse of surgical procedures, despite physiotherapy treatment being considered part of best practice.

Hourglass on a soft pink background

Menopause Inquiry opportunity to remove stigma and shame in menopausal health

The Australian Physiotherapy Association (APA) has called for the Federal Government to invest in credible and effective primary healthcare, helping end the unnecessary suffering experienced by women during perimenopause and menopause.

Road sign reading elections ahead against background of blue sky

APA calls for healthcare reform in Tasmania ahead of state election

The Australian Physiotherapy Association (APA) is calling on Tasmanian political parties to prioritise healthcare reform, highlighting the need to address patient wait times and intervene for the needs of the population across the state ahead of the upcoming election.  

APA National President Scott Willis has worked in regional Tasmania for over 30 years, he says the state’s healthcare model needs to evolve to better meet the needs of its population. Funding physiotherapy services is part of this evolution. 

  • 04 Nov, 2026

Tasmanian state election statement

Statement by the Australian Physiotherapy Association.

March 2024

Field of poppies

A matter of respect and duty: Urgent call for review in veterans’ healthcare funding

The government recently announced exposure draft legislation to rectify the complex system veterans navigate to access their entitlements—a system that the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide found compounded trauma. The Australian Physiotherapy Association (APA) urges a critical next step: review the fee schedule for veterans' healthcare and ensure veterans can receive the comprehensive and accessible care they need and deserve. 

  • 04 Nov, 2026

Unleashing the Potential of our Health Workforce-Scope of Practice Review

Submission by Australian Physiotherapy Association

February 2024