Before you can start practising as a physiotherapist in Australia and using the protected title ‘physiotherapist’, you must be registered with the Board. 

This signifies that you’re suitably trained and qualified and that you meet the registration standards for the profession.

Once registered, you can work as a physiotherapist anywhere in Australia. 

Applying for registration for the first time

If you have successfully completed your course (or are just about to), you’ll need to apply for registration through the Board’s website at ahpra.gov.au/Registration/Graduate-registration. 

When applying, you need to include certified identity documents as well as material showing you meet the registration standards for:

• criminal history
• English language requirements
• professional indemnity insurance.

You also need to provide information on any health impairment you have and how you are managing it.

Getting your application right

Once the Board has received your complete application as well as your graduate results, we aim to finalise your application within two weeks. 

However, each year some applications are delayed because they are incomplete or do not have the correct information.

One area that can cause delay is not getting your photo ID documents certified correctly.

To get it right the first time, download the guide ‘Certifying documents’ from the graduate registration page and take it with you to the authorised officer. 

In addition to justices of the peace, most registered health practitioners, public servants, teachers, lecturers and members of the legal profession can certify photo ID documents.

You can find further helpful advice, tips for avoiding common causes of delay and other information on the graduate
registration page.

The code of conduct

Once you’re registered, you have responsibilities as a registered physiotherapist including practising in a professional and ethical manner. 

These are outlined in the shared Code of conduct. Twelve National Boards use the code, which describes the professional behaviour and conduct they expect from registered health practitioners. 

By defining these expectations, the code supports good patient care and the delivery of services within an ethical framework, helping to keep the public safe.

As a registered physiotherapist, you have a responsibility to be familiar with and to apply the code.

In the context of the practitioner–patient relationship, practitioners have a duty to put the care of patients first and to practise safely and effectively. 

Maintaining a high level of professional competence and conduct is essential for good care.

While individual practitioners have their own personal beliefs and values, there are certain professional values on which
all practitioners are expected to base their practice. 

The professional values and behaviours in this code apply to practitioners’ conduct in every setting. 

This includes in person, during technology based consultations including online and remote prescribing, and electronically—for example, via social media or digital health.

The code includes 11 principles of conduct, each followed by information about how to apply it in practice. 

Underpinning the code is an expectation that you will use it to achieve the best possible outcomes.

Renewal of registration 

Once you’re registered as a physiotherapist, you will have to renew your registration annually. 

When renewing, you will be asked to declare that you meet the Board’s registration standards of:

• recency of practice
• continuing professional development
  (a minimum of 20 hours per year)
• criminal history
• English language standard
• professional indemnity insurance.

Further information

The Board’s website provides a range of resources for students, new graduates and others at physiotherapyboard.gov. au/Registration/Student-Registrations that show what it means to be a registered physiotherapist in Australia.