Falls in older people

New guidelines recognise the vital importance of physiotherapy in falls prevention

Last week, the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care released new best practice guidelines to prevent falls in older people. The Australian Physiotherapy Association (APA) welcomes the guidelines which highlight the irrefutable importance of physiotherapy-led exercise plans in falls prevention.  

APA media statement

NDIA implements destructive price cuts

Yesterday's implementation of cuts to the NDIS will devastate access to critical services for people living with disability.  

Despite the APA and many other allied health bodies raising overwhelming concern for participants and providers, the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) has proceeded with changes based on flawed, limited data and developed without sector consultation.

APA media statement banner

The fight for fair NDIS pricing continues

The Australian Physiotherapy Association (APA) has implored the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) to urgently pause its planned cuts to price limits and travel expenses for therapy services, set to take effect on 1 July.

Yesterday, the APA met with the Office of Senator Jenny McAllister, Minister for the NDIS, to present robust, independent evidence that clearly shows the NDIA’s decision-making is flawed. We were encouraged by the meeting, which resulted in the swift facilitation of a meeting with the NDIA, which took place this morning.

Paediatric disability care

Allied health peak bodies call for immediate halt and review of NDIS price cuts

The Australian Physiotherapy Association, Dietitians Australia, Australian Podiatry Association, Speech Pathology Australia, Occupational Therapy Australia, the Australian Psychological Society, Exercise & Sports Science Australia, Osteopathy Australia and Australian Association of Social Workers are calling on the Federal Government and the National Disability Insurance Agency to immediately halt and review the NDIS pricing decision which poses a direct threat to essential supports and choice for people with disability.  

Two young people living with disability smiling at the camera

NDIS cuts threaten vulnerable Australians and push sector beyond breaking point

The Australian Physiotherapy Association (APA) is demanding the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) immediately halt the implementation of its 2025-26 Annual Pricing Review – before it causes irreversible harm to a sector on the brink of collapse.  

A child living with a disability working with their practitioner

NDIS decreased price limits untenable for physiotherapists, a disaster for some of Australia’s most vulnerable people

The Australian Physiotherapy Association (APA) is appalled by the National Disability Insurance Scheme’s (NDIS) decision to lower price limits for physiotherapy supports, which ignores five years of price freezes and ongoing pressures of rising operational costs.

This decision will diminish access to critical care for many of Australia’s most vulnerable people, creating unsustainable pressure on physiotherapists providing support under the NDIS.

Physiotherapist stretching a patient's back

Election 2025: APA congratulates Prime Minister Albanese, urges reforms to healthcare system

The Australian Physiotherapy Association (APA) congratulates Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Labor’s re-election and looks forward to continuing our working relationship to deliver fairer, timely and more effective healthcare for Australians.  

APA National President Dr Rik Dawson MACP urges the second term Albanese Government to prioritise providing big solutions to the big problems currently ailing the Australian healthcare system.  

Athlete's shoulder being treated by a physiotherapist

Physiotherapy expertise must be recognised and remunerated across all levels of sport

The Australian Physiotherapy Association (APA) has responded to a recent advertisement for an unpaid physiotherapist role within a national women’s rugby league program. While we acknowledge this advertisement has since been amended, the initial offer sparked significant concern across our member base and the broader health and sporting community.

Older person being taken through their rehabilitation exercises on a bike by their physiotherapist

APA launches national prevention statement, calls on next government to act

The Australian Physiotherapy Association (APA) is calling on the next federal government to prioritise urgent action on falls prevention, launching a new evidence-based position statement as April Falls Prevention Month draws to a close.

older woman patient is assisted in upper body exercises by younger female physiotherapist in practice

Falls destroy lives—and cost the system $5 billion— APA has solutions

Every three minutes, an older Australian is hospitalised because of a fall.i Falls are the leading cause of injury-related hospital admissions and aged care admissions, costing the healthcare system more than $5 billion annually.ii 

As Australia’s population ages, the burden is only set to grow.  

The Australian Physiotherapy Association (APA) is calling on the next federal government to act on falls prevention— with evidence-based, cost-effective solutions that the Australian public overwhelming want.