At this time of year, when APA members are renewing their membership, there’s a question that will cross many minds.

What is the value of membership and what does it mean to you?

The concept of value is subjective and is assessed in different ways over the course of a professional life.

By way of illustration, take Errol Lim, who has clocked 30 years of APA membership and recently shared his thoughts about it on LinkedIn.

Errol’s post is not a sell; rather, it’s an honest reflection of what APA membership means to him and what he got—and continues to get— out of it.

Errol begins his post at the crux of the membership renewal question: ‘What’s in it for me?’

He then outlines his membership story, the narrative arc beginning with him as a student and progressing from graduate to business owner.

Errol’s outlook and appreciation change as he becomes more involved with the APA and is exposed to the machinations of a member organisation.

His story touches on the support, understanding and connection that APA membership has afforded him.

It also brings up two key pillars of the APA—advocacy and education.

Although there is much more to APA membership, I’ll lean on a few of the key initiatives in these areas to give you a glimpse of the work being undertaken to advance the profession and achieve better health outcomes.

More than ever, a policy window is opening, presenting opportunities for significant change.

The renewed focus on Strengthening Medicare provides a moment for primary care reform through the expansion of publicly funded physiotherapy.

Preparing for a federal election and the opportunity an election presents to advance our reform asks will be a key focus, alongside the recommendations of the Scope of Practice Review (pdf), which represents another significant reform opportunity, particularly with direct referrals.

We are thoroughly reviewing our professional development to ensure that we continue to provide relevant and contemporary content across all clinical streams.

We are also investing in innovation within our professional development to ensure that our range of offerings deliver on evolving learning styles.

Complementing this is our work to improve how you interact with, search for, access and purchase continuing professional development through the APA.

In order to empower every member with the professional development necessary to excel in their career, we are revising our specialist training program to meet the accreditation standards of the Australian Physiotherapy Council.

We are reviewing and redeveloping our flagship professional development pathways in sports and musculoskeletal physiotherapy, designed to help you attain titling certification in these fields, and working on providing clearer guidance on career pathways to give you a deeper understanding of the steps needed to advance your careers.

Our strength undeniably lies in our membership.

Errol ends his LinkedIn post with ‘It takes a community and sometimes a smaller tribe to make change’.

Errol’s right. It does take a community and so we’re also introducing new services in 2025 to help you find your tribe and enhance how you connect with each other.

The value of belonging to the APA goes beyond the tangible benefits.

It’s about being part of a vibrant, dynamic and supportive community that is dedicated to advancing the profession of physiotherapy in Australia.

Our network is a source of strength, inspiration and collaboration and as a member you are reinforcing your place within this wonderful community.

I encourage you to remain an active participant in our collective journey so that together we can write a better story for the health and wellbeing of all Australians.

Rob LoPresti

APA Chief Executive Officer