The Australian Physiotherapy Association (APA) is calling on all candidates for the 2025 Western Australian election to commit to strengthening the healthcare system by prioritising physiotherapy-led models of care.  

Launching their 2025 Election Statement, Physiotherapy: high-value care for all Western Australians, the APA also welcomes the WA Government’s recent commitments to emergency care and aged care. The $254 million investment in emergency care is set to include a $104.8 million transformation of the Midland Health Campus’ emergency department and a $36.3 million expansion of the WA Virtual Emergency Department (WAVED) program.  

The $140 million aged care package will include a pilot of an Australian-first model for older Western Australians, with the establishment of Integrated Older Adult Care Hubs to provide older adults with chronic and complex conditions support to prevent hospitalisations. These commitments demonstrate a strong focus on improving patient flow and reducing hospital pressures. With further investment in physiotherapy-led pathways, people can stay out of hospitals in the first place, reduce demand on emergency services, and support long-term health system sustainability.  

‘The next Western Australian Government has an opportunity to lead healthcare reform by investing in physiotherapy and giving Western Australians access to timely, high-quality physiotherapy to reduce chronic pain, prevent unnecessary hospitalisations, and deliver better health outcomes,’ said APA Western Australian Branch President Amber Davey.

The APA’s five key policy priorities for the 2025 election provide practical solutions to improve healthcare access, workforce sustainability, and patient outcomes:

1. Fund, support, and embed advanced practice physiotherapists in primary care settings: Advanced practice physiotherapists play a crucial role in reducing hospital wait times, improving patient flow, and preventing unnecessary surgical interventions. Investment in these roles will ensure patients receive timely, evidence-based care.
2. Invest in physiotherapy non-operative pathways to keep people out of hospital: Physiotherapy-led interventions are proven to reduce the need for surgery and hospital admissions. Expanding funding for these services will help manage conditions such as osteoarthritis, spinal issues, and neurological conditions, reducing pressure on the hospital system.
3. Invest in multidisciplinary team care and support a sustainable workforce in rural and remote Western Australia: Regional and remote communities experience significant barriers to healthcare access. Strengthening physiotherapy services in these areas through integrated multidisciplinary models will enhance care delivery, improve patient outcomes, and ensure workforce sustainability.
4. Optimise physiotherapy expertise at the community and hospital interface to improve care transitions: Supporting physiotherapy-led care transitions from hospital to home will help reduce hospital stays and readmissions. Expanding physiotherapy roles in urgent care clinics will also ease pressure on emergency departments and provide faster treatment for musculoskeletal conditions.
5. Recognise the role of physiotherapy in the primary care of injured workers within WorkCover Western Australia: Physiotherapists are essential in the early treatment and rehabilitation of work-related injuries. Ensuring appropriate recognition and remuneration within WorkCover WA will improve recovery outcomes, reduce long-term disability, and support return-to-work initiatives. 

‘By prioritising these five policy areas, we can improve access to essential care, reduce out-of-pocket costs for patients, and build a stronger, more sustainable healthcare system,’ she said.

The APA urges all political parties to commit to these reforms to ensure Western Australians receive the high-value, patient-centred care they deserve.