Last year we released our strategy plan, Towards 2030. 

At its heart is a simple but powerful commitment to the people who make this organisation what it is: our volunteers. 

Through our connection pillar, we are working to recognise and reward the contributions our volunteers make to strengthen our profession. Across the association, members volunteer at every level. 

From our 20 national groups to the National Advisory Council, state and territory branch councils, mentors, conference volunteers, the Australian College of Physiotherapists and beyond—the range of roles our volunteers fill is remarkable. 

They are the backbone of what we do. To get a better understanding of what drives our volunteers and the challenges they face, we launched the Volunteer Experience Survey last year. 

We received 212 responses, which we followed up with 29 one-on-one interviews. 

The results of this survey have been insightful and influential on our plans for the future of the organisation. 

Why do members volunteer with the APA? The answers weren’t surprising but they were affirming. 

The desire to contribute to the profession, the ability to network with peers, the chance to influence policy and advocacy, developing leadership skills and personal fulfilment all ranked highly. 

These motivations reflect something I have found in my own personal experience. In the earlier phases of my career as a practising physiotherapist, I too wanted to get involved and learn more about physiotherapy beyond my everyday work. 

I also had a desire to give back to the profession and guide our future efforts. 

I spent six years on the Victorian Branch Council, where I gained a real appreciation for advocacy, policy and the broader issues shaping our profession, many of which I hadn’t previously been aware of. 

That experience helped me to develop my leadership skills, which eventually led to my taking on a role on the National Advisory Council. 

Looking back, volunteering gave me the chance to contribute meaningfully while learning and growing at the same time. It also put me in good stead for the leadership roles that followed in my career. 

Although 85 per cent of our survey respondents reported that their overall experience as a volunteer met or exceeded expectations, there are still several significant challenges that affect volunteer experiences. 

We’ve learnt that we need to do better in how we recognise the contribution of our volunteers. 

Recognition was described as inconsistent; only half of volunteers felt that their efforts were always or usually acknowledged. 

There have been times when volunteer efforts have felt wasted or opportunities have been missed to close the loop with contributions made. 

We also have room for improvement in how we onboard and support our volunteers to ensure that they are set up for success right from the outset. 

We know that volunteering comes with real challenges such as burnout and concerns about work-life balance. On average, our volunteers contribute 5.4 hours per month and stay with us for over six years. 

Recognising and rewarding the fantastic work our volunteers do remains a priority for us. 

We have identified five key areas for action: onboarding, recognition and rewards, insurance and protection, support and continuing education, and getting full value from volunteer contributions, which includes closing the loop. 

We are committed to making sure that the people who give so much to this profession are valued, supported and set up to succeed. I look forward to sharing more on our progress in the months and years ahead. 

If you would like to become a volunteer, visit australian.physio/contact-us and reach out to your state branch to express your interest. 

Rob LoPresti 

APA Chief Executive Officer