A recent case involving a fashion industry start-up being penalised around $330,000 for underpaying staff has brought the issue of unpaid work into the spotlight. This came only weeks after a prominent Australian company director was slammed for making comments about millennials ‘not wanting to work for free’. These situations, while very different, raise the question: is unpaid work permissible?

Buying into or expanding a physiotherapy practice can be overwhelming. Director of business advisory at William Buck, Belinda Hudson, gives APA members key considerations to think about before taking the leap.

1. Business plan, budgets and benchmarks

BMS Group, the official broker for the APA member insurance program, provides a breakdown of the policies you need as a business owner. So what types of insurance should you be looking at?

As a physiotherapist, insurance is crucial for you to stay registered with AHPRA, but things can get a bit complex, especially if you are a business owner.

Professional indemnity

Physiotherapists employed in a private practice are covered by the Health Professionals and Support Services Award 2010 (those who work in unincorporated practices in Western Australia are not covered by this award). Given this, the HR in Practice service looks at some key features of the award to help employers understanding their rights and obligations.

Genuine casuals and eligibility for casual conversion

What exactly is a casual employee?

Casual employees are a vital element of Australia’s workforce but up until recently, there has been no clear definition of what a casual employee really is.