Supervision plays an important role in helping physiotherapists practise safely and confidently. 

Whether supporting internationally qualified practitioners entering the profession, practitioners returning to practice or those practising under limited registration, effective supervision protects the public while helping practitioners build their knowledge, skills and confidence. 

As physiotherapy practice continues to evolve, supervision arrangements need to evolve too. 

Physiotherapists increasingly work across different settings, collaborate with other health professionals and use technology to support patient care. 

Recognising these changes, Ahpra and the National Boards have introduced a revised supervised practice framework designed to better support practitioners under supervised practice in rural and remote settings while maintaining strong safeguards for the public. 

The revised framework provides greater flexibility and clarity for practitioners involved in supervision arrangements. 

Updates include revised supervision level definitions, expanded use of virtual supervision in approved circumstances and clearer guidance on multi-supervisor and interprofessional supervision models. 

For physiotherapists, these changes acknowledge that supervision does not always look the same across every workplace. 

In some settings, practitioners may benefit from access to multiple supervisors with different expertise. 

In others, supervision may involve collaboration across professions. 

The revised framework supports these arrangements while ensuring that supervision remains appropriate to the practitioner’s circumstances and level of public safety risk. 

The framework also places greater emphasis on wellbeing and psychological safety. 

Effective supervision is about more than meeting regulatory requirements. 

It can foster professional development, support workforce participation and contribute to positive workplace experiences for both supervisors and supervisees. 

Physiotherapists who act as supervisors make an important contribution to the profession, helping to build capability across the health workforce while promoting safe and effective practice. 

We want to encourage supervisors to continue to supervise by providing guidance, feedback and support. 

Ahpra has launched a new supervised practice hub, bringing guidance, templates and practical resources together in one place. 

This makes it easier for practitioners to access information and understand their responsibilities. 

As demand for healthcare services continues to grow, supervision remains an important tool for supporting workforce participation while maintaining public safety. 

The revised framework aims to provide greater flexibility and clearer guidance while maintaining the Board’s commitment to safe, high-quality care. 

To learn more about the revised supervised practice framework and to access supervision resources, templates and guidance materials, visit the supervised practice section of the Ahpra website. 

Culturally safe practice strengthens trust in physiotherapy 

Trust is at the heart of every interaction between a physiotherapist and their patient. 

Patients should feel confident that they will be treated with respect, dignity and fairness, regardless of their background, beliefs or circumstances. 

Providing culturally safe and respectful care is a professional responsibility that supports safe practice, strengthens public confidence and contributes to better health outcomes. 

A recent Ahpra review examining notifications relating to racism and discrimination provides an opportunity to reflect on these responsibilities and the role that all registered health practitioners play in creating safe and inclusive healthcare environments. 

One of the most significant findings was the role of social media in a substantial proportion of notifications. 

For physiotherapists, this serves as an important reminder that professional obligations extend beyond direct patient care. 

Many physiotherapists use social media to educate, advocate, network and engage with colleagues and communities. 

These platforms provide valuable opportunities to share information and contribute to professional discussions. 

However, they also require practitioners to exercise professional judgement and consider how their conduct may be perceived by patients, colleagues and the broader community. 

The standards expected of registered health practitioners apply wherever conduct may affect public confidence in the profession. 

Respectful communication, professionalism and cultural safety remain important whether interactions occur in a clinical setting, in a professional forum or on a personal social media account. 

To support practitioners, Ahpra has updated its social media guidance and provided practical examples of online conduct that may or may not warrant regulatory action. 

The guidance reinforces the importance of maintaining professional standards online and reminds practitioners that their digital footprint can influence public trust in the profession. 

Creating culturally safe healthcare environments requires ongoing commitment from all health practitioners. 

For physiotherapists, this means reflecting on how we communicate, recognising the diverse experiences of patients and colleagues, and ensuring that our practice supports equitable access to care. 

It also means considering how our actions, both online and offline, contribute to a culture of respect and inclusion. 

The review identified opportunities to improve consistency, communication and timeliness in the management of these complex matters. 

Ahpra has committed to a range of actions to strengthen its response and has significantly reduced the time taken to finalise notifications relating to racism and discrimination. 

By maintaining professionalism in all settings, including online, and fostering culturally safe and respectful practice environments, physiotherapists can help strengthen trust in the profession and contribute to a healthcare system that is safe, inclusive and equitable for everyone.