Gender-based undervaluation – priority awards review
The Fair Work Commission (FWC) is currently undertaking a review of gender-based undervaluation across a number of priority awards, including the Health Professionals and Support Services (HPSS) Award, which covers many physiotherapists working in private and community settings.
As part of this process, the Commission has formed a provisional view that health professionals — including physiotherapists — have been historically undervalued. It has proposed changes to classification structures and minimum pay rates.
The FWC released its latest draft determination and statement on 2 March 2026, and stakeholder submissions are now nearing completion. The Commission will consider all submissions before making a final determination on the structure and rates within the Award.
The APA's position
The APA supports the objective of addressing gender-based undervaluation and achieving fair and appropriate remuneration for physiotherapists. In our most recent submission to the FWC, the APA has advocated for physiotherapy to be recognised across AQF Levels 7, 8 and 9, reflecting the current and long-standing diversity of education pathways into the profession. At the same time, the APA has raised important considerations about how the proposed classification structure would operate in practice. In particular, the APA has recommended:
- reviewing pay relativities between AQF levels to avoid unintended inequities
- reducing the timeframe for convergence between classification levels to better reflect workforce development
- ensuring that changes do not create unsustainable cost pressures for practices or unintended impacts on access to care.
The APA’s position seeks to balance recognition of the profession’s qualifications and future direction with the practical realities facing physiotherapy businesses and the communities they serve.
What happens next?
The FWC will now consider submissions from the APA and other stakeholders before issuing its final decision.
The APA will continue to keep members informed as the process progresses and will advocate for outcomes that support both the profession and access to physiotherapy services across Australia.
Once the Commission has reached its final decision, the APA will support members with further guidance and resources to help understand and implement any changes.
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