• Formal recognition of your experience and qualifications
• Something that sets you apart in the eyes of consumers and your peers
• Sense of personal satisfaction that you are at the pinnacle of your profession
• Opportunities to lead and become more visible among the profession
• Enhanced employment opportunities
• Being part of the network of clinical physiotherapy leaders, not only in Australia but worldwide
• Potential for financial benefits

The following areas of practice have a specialisation pathway:

• Cardiorespiratory
• Men’s Women’s and Pelvic Health
• Gerontology
• Musculoskeletal
• Neurology
• Occupational Health
• Paediatrics
• Sports

Currently, the pathway to specialist recognition by the College is a three-tiered process through one of the recognised APA clinical groups.

Step 1: Achieve titled membership in one of the eligible areas of practice (listed above)

Step 2: Apply to the two-year training program of the College in your desired area of practice

Step 3: Successfully complete all elements of the training program and exams, which have a practical and oral component.

The training program has four elements:

1. Development of specialist skills in the area of practice
2. Participation in professional education
3. Commitment to lifelong learning and professional development
4. Participation in research activities

The two-year training program is a formal period of education, facilitated by a Fellow of the College in the area of practice you’ve applied to. It involves some facilitated clinical training. You will be required to provide evidence of quality practice.

At the end of the program, you undergo examinations. These run over a two-day period and require demonstration of specialist-level skills.

You must be a titled member of a national group that offers specialisation (see above list) to be considered for Fellowship by Specialisation.

Titling is a mandatory pre-requisite on the pathway to specialisation.

$110 application fee + $9 900 program fee (including GST)

The program fee is paid in two instalments:

On acceptance into the program: $4950

On commencement of the second year: $4950

(Fees quoted are subject to change without notice)

Apply by: 28 October 2019

Program commences: 1 April 2020

To apply, complete the application and payment forms, and submit before 30 October 2020.

Make sure you have the following supporting documents ready:

• A detailed curriculum-vitae
• Contact details of three professional referees

Once we receive your expression of interest, we will let you know if you can proceed to application stage.

Your application will be processed by mid-December.

Trainees have a maximum of four consecutive years to complete the training program and a further four consecutive years to complete the examination program.

Read the Training Program Manual.

Each year, information sessions are held in September at each APA state branch. Keep an eye out for a session near you.

If your question hasn’t been answered by any of these resources, email the Manager of the College.

You can also write to us or call us:

Manager, ACP

PO Box 437, Hawthorn BC VIC 3122 Australia

Phone: +61 3 9092 0873

• Formal recognition of your experience and qualifications
• Something that sets you apart in the eyes of consumers and your peers
• Sense of personal satisfaction that you are at the pinnacle of your profession
• Create opportunities for yourself to lead and become more visible among the profession
• Enhanced employment opportunities
• Be part of the network of physiotherapy leaders, not only in Australia but worldwide

You can submit either original research or a published scholarly book or monograph as part of your application to become a Fellow.

Book or monograph

For a book, simply fill out the online application form below. You will be notified if you are accepted. The next step is to submit three copies of your manuscript. Your work will be assessed by two examiners within six weeks.

Original research

For original research, the process is slightly different.

Step 1: Complete the application form including an outline of your proposed work for submission

Step 2: If your application is successful, you become an Associate of the College.

Step 3: You work with your allocated supervisor to prepare your work for submission to the Board of Censors. This must happen within two years.

Step 4: Two examiners assess the work and provide their assessment within six weeks.

Whether you submit original research or a book/monograph, all submissions are assessed on whether they:

• Are original work
• Show academic rigor
• Have made a significant contribution to the advancement of an area of knowledge relevant to the physiotherapy profession.

For all applications:

• you must be a registered physiotherapist and a member of the Australian Physiotherapy Association.
• the work you submit cannot be submitted for any other award, like a PhD or master’s thesis.

There are also separate eligibility criteria depending the type of work you submit.

Original research

• A collection of at least three peer reviewed papers must be submitted.
• As the applicant, you must be the sole or first author of at least two.
• At least two papers relate to original research you have undertaken.

Book or monograph

• As the applicant, you must be the sole or main author.
• The work demonstrates academic or professional leadership in a field of physiotherapy practice.
• The work is evidence-based, not simply a synthesis of knowledge.
• Books published during the previous year may be submitted.

$110 application fee + $2200 review fee of final work submitted

Each resubmission of work with major revisions: $2200

(Fees quoted are subject to change without notice)

Applicants can submit their application at anytime throughout the year.

To apply, fill out the application form.

Make sure you have the following supporting documents ready:

• a detailed curriculum-vitae
• certified copies of academic transcripts (including undergraduate and graduate records)
• contact details of two professional referees (it’s strongly recommended that one of your referees is a Fellow of the College)

Once your application is accepted, you will be asked to submit three hard copies of your manuscript, along with one soft copy.

It takes up to six weeks to process your application.

If you are submitting a collection of papers, you have up to two years to do this.

Once your work has been submitted, assessment takes approximately six weeks.

Read the information package on Fellowship by Original Contribution.

If that doesn’t answer your question, contact the Manager of the College.

You can also write to us or call us:

Manager, ACP

Australian Physiotherapy Association

PO Box 437, Hawthorn BC VIC 3122 Australia

Phone: +61 3 9092 0873