The Australian Physiotherapy Association (APA) is calling on all political parties to put health reform at the center of their election commitments, following a recent vote of no confidence in the current Tasmanian Government only a year into its term. This weekend’s election offers more than a change of leadership. It is a crucial opportunity to restore public trust and deliver real improvements to the health and lives of Tasmanians.

Tasmania’s health system is under serious pressure. Long hospital waitlists, workforce shortages and growing rates of preventable conditions are leaving too many people without access to the care they need. The APA’s newly released election statement, Physiotherapy: high-value care for all Tasmanians highlights just how critical physiotherapy is for the state’s health system.

‘Voters are demanding not just stability, but vision. This election must deliver a commitment to better care, smarter investment, and a more connected health system. Physiotherapy can and must play a central role in that,’ said APA National President Dr Rik Dawson.  

The APA has outlined five reforms that will ease system strain, improve patient outcomes and strengthen the workforce – particularly in rural and regional areas.

‘Every Tasmanian, regardless of their postcode, deserves timely access to quality healthcare,’ said Dr Dawson.  

‘Too many rural and remote communities still have no physiotherapy services at all. This contributes to poorer health outcomes and higher system costs. With the right investment in workforce incentives and integrated models of care, we can ensure people in regional Tasmania are no longer left behind.’

‘Tasmania’s hospitals are already struggling under enormous strain. In May alone, they processed more than 14,300 admissions at major campuses like Launceston, North‑West and Royal Hobart, equating to roughly 172,000 hospitalisations a year¹.’  

‘By investing in physiotherapy through early intervention, community discharge support and rural access, we can reduce avoidable admissions, ease pressure on our hospitals and improve health outcomes across the state.’

APA’s five priority reforms for Tasmania

1. Fund publicly‑funded first contact physiotherapy 
   Allow patients to access physiotherapists directly in primary and urgent care clinics, with authority to refer to specialists and request diagnostic imaging to improve access and reducing delays.
2. Embark on physiotherapy‑led non‑operative care pathways 
   Scale up programs like GLA:D (Good Life with osteoArthritis: Denmark) to reduce reliance on surgery for osteoarthritis and back pain.
3. Embed physiotherapists across hospitals and community settings 
   Support advanced practice roles in both acute and community care, including pre‑ and post‑operative rehabilitation, discharge support and integration with allied health teams.
4. Strengthen rural workforce and multidisciplinary models 
   Invest in placements, rural incentives and digital-enabled models via Primary Health Tasmania to improve equitable access for regional and remote communities.
5. Empower physiotherapists in WorkCover Tasmania 
   Reform legislation to allow physiotherapists to issue Certificates of Capacity, ensuring faster return‑to‑work and reducing administrative delays.

Why these reforms matter

• Improve patient outcomes: Early, non‑surgical intervention reduces pain, enhances mobility and avoids unnecessary hospital stays.
• Reduce system strain: Embedding physiotherapy in primary, urgent and acute care decreases pressure on GPs, hospitals and emergency departments.
• Address workforce shortages: Investing in student placements, advanced skills and rural incentives will grow a sustainable local workforce.

The APA calls upon all political parties to:

• Commit publicly to funding first contact physiotherapy, non‑operative pathways and advanced practice roles;
• Ensure equitable distribution of services across Tasmania—including rural and priority populations;
• Enable legislative reform to support physiotherapists issuing Certificates of Capacity under WorkCover.

With over 750 registered physiotherapists working in Tasmanian public, private and rural sectors² in 2025, these reforms offer a high‑impact opportunity to deliver better care, reduce health system costs and improve Tasmanian lives.

Download the full APA Tasmania Election Priorities statement.

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Resources:

¹https://www.health.tas.gov.au/health-system-dashboard/monthly/hospital-activity
²https://www.physiotherapyboard.gov.au/About/Statistics.aspx