The Australian Physiotherapy Association (APA) welcomes the final report of the Scope of Practice Review, Unleashing the Potential of our Health Workforce, which outlines robust solutions to overcoming barriers limiting high-value care across settings.

Key reforms highlighted in the report will ensure each discipline’s value is recognised, with safeguards for a safe, high-quality health system delivering the best-value care.

The APA is particularly pleased with the acknowledgement of the physiotherapy workforce’s potential. The report prioritises direct referral pathway reform and changes to MBS payment rules, specifically through Recommendation 12, which includes physiotherapy referrals to orthopaedic surgeons while keep the treating team, including GPs, informed.

APA National President Scott Willis says the report offers the structural reform needed to strengthen care and collaborative practice, making multidisciplinary care a reform reality.

'The APA’s vision is that all Australians will have access to quality physiotherapy, when and where required, to optimise health and wellbeing.

'Faster treatment, better outcomes and lower costs are required to meet Australia’s current and future health care needs.

'We congratulate Professor Mark Cormack and his team on producing a solid, evidence-based Report that provides a considered approach to the key challenges to the delivery of primary health care in Australia,' Mr. Willis said.

The APA also acknowledges the policy leadership of the Albanese Government and Health Minister Mark Butler in having the policy courage to tackle future bold, brave reform to address a failing health system.  The pace in starting this vital work has been appreciated — particularly for our 33,000 members who have been waiting for real reform in primary care for more than decade.

The review envisions an integrated primary care model where all primary practitioners—including physiotherapists—operate at full scope. This structure promises to deliver safe, effective, and accessible care tailored to community needs, aligning with APA’s push for broad, evidence-based healthcare reform.

'Our current system leaves people waiting too long for referral and the care they need. Too many are isolated and disconnected from the services they need.

'Australia is embarking on a nationally significant reform journey. We’re closer than we’ve ever been but with another electoral cycle approaching, the path ahead remains pivotal. However, given the scale and complexity of the issues, we should not expect huge change overnight,' Mr. Willis said.

In driving the required multidisciplinary care the most promise lies in the recommendation for an independent, evidence-informed assessment of new models of care towards better workforce planning and utilisation.

'APA welcomes the proposed shift towards a blended payment model, a much-needed step for equitable funding that supports multidisciplinary teams in delivering high-quality, patient-centred care,' Mr. Willis said.

We welcome the review’s strengthened emphasis on the role of Primary Health Networks (PHNs) as key enablers. By leveraging PHNs and targeted workforce support, these reforms aim to improve healthcare particularly in underserved rural and remote regions, bridging accessibility gaps.

The APA also welcomes the recommendation to remove unnecessary barriers to supervision in primary care education and training.

'The focus on addressing inconsistencies impacting on workforce capability, including those related to equity in access to training and teaching supports, is critical.

'Past reforms have only occurred for one discipline, general practice. The directions aim to leverage and extend these programs to the rest of the primary health care workforce, particularly in rural and remote areas,' Mr. Willis said.

The APA looks forward to continuing to work together with the Government to support them in their vision to drive transformative change to our healthcare system.