Here at the APA, it has been a busy and purposeful start to the year. 

Much of our collective energy has gone into preparing the APA 2026–27 federal pre-Budget submission, shaped by months of consultation, evidence review and conversations with members. 

Thanks to APA Strategy and Policy Specialist Bronwyn Darmanin for her leadership on the submission. 

When the APA announced Dr Cassandra Zaina FACP as a new director starting this year, it marked the culmination of a
longstanding commitment to service, leadership and advocacy within the profession.

Australia’s health system is under strain. Demand is rising, inequities are widening and costs continue to climb. 

Professor Trudy Rebbeck’s contribution spans nearly 40 years of musculoskeletal clinician practice, tertiary education and evidence-informed research. 

 This has been a huge year for the Policy and Government Relations team and for advocacy across the APA more broadly. 

I’ve just returned from APASC25, our biennial scientific conference, where more than 1700 delegates came together to share the latest research, technology and clinical practice. 

APASC25 showed that Australian physiotherapists are not just keeping pace with change; we are driving it. 

From digital rehabilitation and musculoskeletal innovation to rural workforce reform and culturally safe models of care, every session reflected one truth: physiotherapy is essential to the health and wellbeing of our communities. 

A significant part of the APA’s role as the peak body for physiotherapists in Australia is to provide connection, value and support for every member throughout their career. 

In the launch of our new strategic plan, Towards 2023, connection is one of our key pillars of focus. 

In September, we reached a major milestone as we became 35,000 members strong—an outstanding achievement that will benefit all members through new resources and initiatives. 

Although we are united by our profession, we are not one homogeneous group. 

Launched at APASC25, the APA’s Physiotherapy. Shaping our future together: next generation white paper addresses a critical gap—the need for a structured graduate pathway to support early-career physiotherapists as they enter the profession. 

As we navigate an increasingly complex healthcare landscape, the APA stands at a pivotal moment. 

Our advocacy agenda is our blueprint for transforming how physiotherapy is recognised, funded and integrated. 

The Australian healthcare system faces significant demands, from musculoskeletal conditions to injuries caused by falls and chronic back pain—conditions where physiotherapy can deliver cost-effective outcomes backed by robust research.