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Advancing Your Career
Titling
Available to physiotherapists with at least two years of practice experience who are members of selected national groups. The APA Physiotherapist Title is a measure of career progress. It represents a physiotherapist who is highly qualified in a particular area of practice. If you attain the APA Physiotherapist Title, you have undergone a rigorous selection process to prove your clinical experience and knowledge.
- Formal recognition of your experience and qualifications
- Something that sets you apart in the eyes of consumers
- The first step towards specialisation as awarded by the Australian College of Physiotherapists
- Opportunities to lead and become more visible among the profession
- Enhanced employment opportunities
The following areas of practice have a titling pathway:
- APA Cardiorespiratory Physiotherapist
- APA Continence and Women's Health Physiotherapist
- APA Gerontological Physiotherapist
- APA Musculoskeletal Physiotherapist
- APA Neurological Physiotherapist
- APA Occupational Health Physiotherapist
- APA Paediatric Physiotherapist
- APA Pain Physiotherapist
- APA Sports and Exercise Physiotherapist
There are two pathways that lead to Titling. The one that suits you will depend on your area of practice and how many years of experience you have.
Academic pathway
To be eligible for Titling via the academic pathway you must complete an Australian Master's degree by coursework (not research) and complete two years of relevant clinical experience.
The Occupational Health group does not accept academic pathway applications.
Fees: $135 application and assessment fee.
Experiential pathway
If you haven’t completed an approved Master’s degree, you can still apply for Titling via the experiential pathway. To be eligible you must gain five years full-time equivalent (FTE) of relevant clinical experience with three years FTE in the selected discipline.
The process involves first assessing your past experience and continuing professional development. After you’ve passed the application stage you are then required to undertake a written and a clinical exam.
Exceptions:
Occupational Health physiotherapists are assessed on a portfolio and viva-in lieu of written and clinical exams.
The experiential pathway for Musculoskeletal Physiotherapists is temporarily suspended.
Fees: $135 application fee + $1200 written exam + $1700 practical/viva exam
Once you have successfully completed one of these pathways, you have the right to use the APA Titling nomenclature in your professional Title.
Example: Jane Smith completed the Titling process in the discipline of sports and exercise physiotherapy. Jane can now refer to herself as an ‘APA Sports and Exercise Physiotherapist’.
Please refer to the Australian Physiotherapy Board guidelines for the use of Titles.
Each pathway has its own eligibility criteria. However, all pathways have some minimum requirements.
All pathways
- Accrue at least 20 CPD hours each year to maintain your AHPRA registration
- Membership of the relevant National Group in which you’re applying for Title
Academic Pathway
You must have:
- Successfully completed an Australian Master's degree by coursework
- At least two years of full-time equivalent clinical experience in physiotherapy, with evidence of working in the relevant field
Experiential pathway
You must have:
- At least five years of clinical/practical experience, with evidence of at least three years full-time equivalent in the relevant field
- Completed pre-requisite course(s) for the Title you are applying for
- Accrued (with supporting evidence) 20 CPD hours in the relevant discipline in the last year.
Academic pathway
$135 application and assessment fee.
Experiential pathway
$135 application fee + $1200 written exam + $1700 practical/viva exam
You can apply for Titling at any time.
Apply for APA National Group Physiotherapy Title* or APA Pain Physiotherapist Title
To apply for Occupational Health Titling, review the portfolio requirements and contact the APA prior to applying.
*Please note that National Group includes Cardiorespiratory, Continence and Women’s Health, Gerontological, Musculoskeletal, Neurological, Occupational Health, Paediatric or Sports and Exercise.
Academic applications: Normally processed within 2 - 4 weeks.
Experiential applications: Section one and selection two of the application process is usually processed within 8 weeks.
If there are any delays, we will let you know by email or phone.
These process details are all in the APA Title Information Booklet.
Read the APA Title Information Booklet.
If that doesn’t answer your question, contact the Titling Officer.
You can also write to us or call us:
Titling Officer
PO Box 437 Hawthorn BC, VIC 3122
Phone: 03 9092 0816
Specialisation
Available to titled physiotherapists who are prepared to undergo at least two additional years of training in the relevant field.
Specialisation as awarded by the Australian College of Physiotherapists is conferred to physiotherapists who have attained the highest level of expertise in their particular field of physiotherapy. These physiotherapists have undergone a rigorous training and examination process.
Once you achieve specialisation, you are known as a Fellow of the Australian College of Physiotherapists, the pre-eminent professional body representing specialist physiotherapists in Australasia. Fellows are sought-after by peers, other health professionals and consumers for their expertise. As a Fellow, you may contribute to the professional education of your colleagues, actively engage in your own professional development, and be involved in research activities.
- 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:
- Development of specialist skills in the area of practice
- Participation in professional education
- Commitment to lifelong learning and professional development
- 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: 27 October 2017
Program commences: 1 April 2017
To apply, fill out the application form (currently being revised) before the cut-off date. 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
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
Fellowship by original contribution
Available to any member of the Australian Physiotherapy Association who is undertaking original research or publishing a scholarly book.
Fellowship by Original Contribution is an academic pathway to Fellowship of the College. It involves an application process, then the submission of original work that is scientific work, professional, academic or all three. However, becoming a Fellow of the College by original contribution does not mean you are clinical specialist.
Once your work is passed by the Board of Examiners, you are known as a Fellow of the Australian College of Physiotherapists. Fellows are sought-after by peers, other health professionals and consumers for their expertise. As a Fellow, you may contribute to the professional education of your colleagues, actively engage in your own professional development, and be involved in research activities.
- 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
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