Strategy and approach to advocacy

Two things have been crucial to building APA policy legitimacy: a solutions-based approach and consistent advocacy strongly aligned towards reform.

We pushed for reform pathways to enable better and faster access through publicly funded first contact physiotherapy in primary care in Australia, addressing the first touchpoints of care, especially for those with musculoskeletal injuries and pain.

Our white papers, such as Value of Physiotherapy in Australia and Future of Physiotherapy in Australia: a 10-year vision policy white paper, emphasised the value of physiotherapy in healthcare and advocated for changes that benefit the profession and patients alike. 

After hours and from home, Scott worked hard for the APA and the profession.

We are now developing a new white paper to shape the future for the next generation of physiotherapists.

The reform journey from 2020

The COVID-19 pandemic was the perfect catalyst for change.

We embraced new approaches, formalising telehealth as a viable delivery option for physiotherapy care. 

Best practice professional updates, community management and stewardship in supporting the profession during the pandemic led to physiotherapy being recognised as an essential service by the then prime minister, Scott Morrison. 

This was a significant achievement.

In 2021, a 10-year primary healthcare plan offered hope for reform but this was short-lived given the 2022 election cycle. 

We seemed to move from reform hope to reform limbo. 

However, under Minister for Health and Aged Care Mark Butler, funding reform was reawakened in 2023 through the Strengthening Medicare reforms.

Our voice remained strong throughout

Our award-winning veterans’ health campaign yielded significant results, with APA data referenced in the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide Final Report. 

This supported Recommendation 71 to raise health service fees, aligning with APA advocacy.

Evidence to the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety investigation into the impacts of COVID resulted in funded falls prevention programs delivered by physiotherapists, rolled out to aged care residents via Primary Health Networks.

Meanwhile, our aged care campaign secured fully government-funded clinical care, an increase in short-term restorative care at home and appearances before the Senate Inquiry into the Aged Care Bill.

Representation as a member of the government’s Strengthening Medicare Implementation Oversight Committee has ensured
a strong voice for physiotherapy during the implementation of these reforms.

APA president-elect Rik Dawson and Scott on the international stage.

Where we are currently placed in reform

We are now at the start of a nationally significant reform journey. 

We’re closer than we’ve ever been but with another electoral cycle approaching, the path ahead remains pivotal.

Our advocacy’s impact is evident in Professor Mark Cormack’s Unleashing the Potential of our Health Workforce—Scope of Practice Review. 

The recommendation to allow physiotherapists to directly refer patients to orthopaedic surgeons is a significant step towards deeper structural reform.

Avoiding the pitfalls of being grouped under allied health from a funder viewpoint has been a key priority. 

Outlining our core discipline scope in a way that funders understood was crucial and much of that work was done as part of our Valuing Skills project.

Key work was also undertaken in the workforce portfolio, ensuring an important focus on skill retention and a level of policy and planning alignment to fully examine the changing profiles through a national workforce plan, with an Allied Health Workforce Strategy now in the making.

Other wins and highlights in advancing scope

We conducted our first 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.

It’s not just about national reform; significant opportunities lie in state and territory spaces. 

Leveraging proven models to ensure greater focus on the improved utilisation of skills through advanced scope of practice roles was important. 

Additionally, we have strengthened our advocacy voice at this level through campaigns for state and territory elections.

In tackling the complexities of the existing system, we have worked to remove barriers to integrated care by strengthening our alignment with Primary Health Networks and multidisciplinary campaigns.

Key highlights include protecting our scope and advocating against low-value role substitution. Our New South Wales SIRA advocacy is a good example. 

We’ve also achieved recognition for specialist scope in workers compensation through reforms in WorkCover Queensland, securing a new tier and higher fees for physiotherapy specialists.

Thanks, Scott.

Words of appreciation from colleagues

Former and current APA executive and management leaders have shared their thoughts and sentiments about working with Scott Willis during his four-year term as president. 

In professional life, it is rare to come across someone as committed and determined as Scott. These are words we often use to describe professionals but he sets a new standard for both. Scott would bleed for this profession and this Association if he had to. On a personal level, Scott’s warmth and humour are hard to match. You can’t help but admire and like him in equal measure. He deserves the APA’s most heartfelt thanks.’

Anja Nikolic, former APA CEO

I have watched Scott’s professional journey in the APA from Business group chair to Board member to president. Scott has always maintained his friendly and collaborative nature and is a true “brother” to me. He is incredibly generous with his time and loves helping those around him to reach their potential while supporting the profession. Scott genuinely loves physiotherapy and the APA and his enthusiasm is infectious. I think his advocacy work is his true legacy and we will be reaping those rewards for years to come.’

Cath Willis, APA Board of Directors and former chair of the National Advisory Council

Passionate, fearless, visionary, deadly. Scott Willis’ presence and leadership of our wonderful profession will undoubtedly be felt for decades to come. Alongside the APA Board and capable APA team, Scott took everything in his stride, from navigating a worldwide pandemic and unwavering advocacy to ensuring his door was always open to every member of our APA family. As a Palawa man, you have elevated the voice of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in Australia and shown the world that anything is possible. Nayri nina-tu/mandaang guwu/thank you.’

Michael Reynolds, past chair of the APA Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Committee and Chair Elect of the Australian Physiotherapy Council

Scott’s impact on the APA and the physiotherapy profession is hard to adequately put into words. His work as chair for four years of the APA Business group was instrumental in shaping the business landscape in private practice and his efforts were tireless. Once he was elected to the APA Board of Directors, we saw Scott’s knowledge and influence flourish with his in-depth knowledge of our profession. However, his ongoing legacy will be as one of the most visible, hardworking, enthusiastic and influential presidents of the APA’s history. His work ethic is unwavering and he is a true APA icon.’

Mark Round, Chair of the APA Board of Directors

One of the most rewarding things about my role at the APA is being able to support really good people as they grow into great leaders. It’s been my absolute pleasure to work alongside Scott as he moved into leadership positions among our committee structures, representing the national Business group and our Tasmanian Branch Council and serving as a member of the National Advisory Council. Scott has utilised all of his greatest personal qualities— as someone who is fiercely protective and loyal and who genuinely cares about people and the profession, with an in-built desire to listen with compassion and understanding— to be an impressive leading voice as our national president.’

Sam Goodier, APA Manager, National Entity Operations