ACP Governance and structure

Governance and structure

From 2027, the Australian College of Physiotherapists (ACP) will introduce a revised governance structure to strengthen leadership, accountability and independent quality assurance across specialist physiotherapy education and credentialling.

The structure will support accreditation readiness against Australian Physiotherapy Council requirements and help ensure the College’s education, assessment and credentialling pathways remain contemporary, transparent and responsive to the needs of the profession.

The revised structure aligns with the ACP Identity Statement and Australian Physiotherapy Association's Towards 2030 strategy, ensuring the College's governance structure supports its purpose, strategic priorities and future direction.

The 2027 governance structure

The revised structure brings together experienced physiotherapists, educators and governance experts through clearly defined committees and panels that support College Council.

Together, these governance bodies provide strategic leadership, pathway oversight and independent quality assurance across the College’s specialist physiotherapy education and credentialling activities.

The revised governance structure has been designed to:

  • strengthen governance, leadership and accountability across the College's specialist physiotherapy education and credentialling framework
  • support excellence, quality assurance and accreditation readiness in specialist physiotherapy education
  • foster continuous improvement and innovation across specialist education and credentialling pathways, including emerging Fields of Practice
  • strengthen confidence in the College's specialist pathways and credentials
  • support the Australian College of Physiotherapists' long-term strategic direction and contribution to the Australian Physiotherapy Association's vision for the profession.

Governance bodies

The governance structure comprises committees, panels and advisory bodies that provide leadership and expertise across education, assessment, credentialling, appeals and professional standards.

These bodies support College Council to maintain contemporary, accountable and culturally safe specialist physiotherapy pathways.

College Council is the principal governance body of the Australian College of Physiotherapists. It sets the College’s strategic direction and oversees its governance structures, quality assurance, credentialling and specialist physiotherapy pathways. It also promotes excellence in governance and professional and culturally safe specialist physiotherapy practice.

College Council oversees the Training and Assessment Committee, Quality Assurance Committee, Appeals Panel and other governance bodies established in accordance with the Regulations or with the approval of College Council.

Collectively, Council members bring the expertise, experience and perspectives needed to guide decision-making, safeguard the integrity of the College’s activities and support continuous improvement.

View the Terms of Reference for College Council

The Training and Assessment Committee oversees the College’s Titling and Fellowship pathways, including specialist training, credentialling and pathway progression. It champions contemporary and culturally responsive specialist physiotherapy education and advises College Council on pathway strategy, conferral matters and major pathway developments.

The Research Advisory Panel, Titling Panel, Board of Censors and Board of Examiners support the Committee across pathway delivery, assessment, progression and credentialling.

The Committee comprises a Councillor (Chair), Health Professions Education Expert, Assessment and Credentialling Expert, Recent Fellow, Chair of the Research Advisory Panel, Chair of the Titling Panel, First Nations Representative and a Specialist or Titled Physiotherapist. The Chief Censor and Chief Examiner participate as observers.

View the Terms of Reference for Training and Assessment Committee

The Quality Assurance Committee independently monitors quality across Milestone 3 and Milestone 4 specialist physiotherapy education and credentialling activities, including accreditation readiness against Australian Physiotherapy Council requirements. It provides strategic recommendations to College Council and operates separately from pathway delivery and assessment.

The Committee comprises a College Councillor (Chair), Education Quality Expert, Assessment Quality and Credentialling Expert, Health Governance and Policy Expert, Specialist Physiotherapist, Titled Physiotherapist, Consumer Representative and Registrar Representative.

View the Terms of Reference for Quality Assurance Committee

The Appeals Panel independently considers reviews, reconsiderations and appeals arising from admissions, assessment, progression and credentialling decisions across Milestone 3 and Milestone 4 pathways. It applies the principles of procedural fairness, consistency, transparency, cultural safety and defensibility, having regard to relevant College policies and standards.

To preserve the integrity of the appeals process, the Panel operates separately from pathway governance, operational pathway delivery, assessment implementation and quality assurance activities.

The Panel comprises between six (6) and eleven (11) members who collectively possess expertise and experience in governance, policy interpretation and application, appeals and review processes, procedural fairness and cultural safety.

View the Terms of Reference for Appeals Panel

The Titling Panel reports to the Training and Assessment Committee and contributes professional expertise and guidance to the delivery of the Australian College of Physiotherapists’ Milestone 3 Titling pathways. It helps maintain consistent, fair and transparent Titling processes aligned with the Physiotherapy Competence Framework, College standards and Australian Physiotherapy Association governance requirements.

The Panel comprises a Chair, Deputy Chair, members representing the Evidence Portfolio and Academic Pathways, a Clinical Specialist Physiotherapist, Research Physiotherapist and a general member with assessment and credentialling expertise.

View the Terms of Reference for Titling Panel

Australian College of Physiotherapists' 2027 governance committees and panels

Nominations are now open for the Australian College of Physiotherapists' 2027 governance committees and panels.

This is a unique opportunity to contribute to the future direction of specialist physiotherapy education, assessment, credentialling and quality assurance under the College's new governance structure.

We are seeking experienced physiotherapists and professionals to share their expertise across a range of committees and panels. By serving in these roles, you will help shape and strengthen the systems that support specialist practice, while playing an important role in the ongoing advancement of the physiotherapy profession.

Positions available

Appointed governance positions on the Quality Assurance Committee

In addition to committee and panel appointments, the College is also seeking nominations for two (2) appointed governance positions on the Quality Assurance Committee: a Health Governance and Policy Expert and a Consumer Representative. These positions strengthen the integrity, transparency and quality of specialist physiotherapy education and credentialling by bringing knowledge and perspectives that complement the expertise of the profession. 

Please note that these positions will be filled through a separate application process and are not included in the committee and panel nominations process. Applications for these roles cannot be submitted via the nomination form on this webpage.

Additional information

Time commitment 
Most committees meet at least four times per year, with additional preparation and out-of-session work as required. Meeting schedules and expected time commitments are outlined in each committee's Terms of Reference.

Nomination period 
Nominations open on 11 September 2026 and close on 2 October 2026. Successful nominations requiring election will proceed to a ballot, with appointments commencing on 1 January 2027.

Appointment term and process 
Committee and panel members are generally appointed for a three-year term commencing 1 January 2027, unless otherwise specified in the relevant Terms of Reference. Some leadership positions have different terms of office. Applicants should refer to the relevant Terms of Reference for details.

Nominations will be considered in accordance with the APA Committee and College Governance Regulations and the eligibility requirements, skills, expertise and experience specified for each committee or panel. Where required, elections will be conducted in accordance with the Regulations. Applicants are encouraged to review the relevant Terms of Reference before submitting a nomination.

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