• 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
• Gerontology
• Musculoskeletal
• Neurology
• Occupational Health
• Paediatrics
• Pain
• Sports and Exercise
• Women’s, Men's and Pelvic Health

There are 3 steps to specialist recognition by the College:

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 an eligible area of practice

Step 3: Successfully complete all elements of the training program including practical and exams.

The training program is structured around four elements:

1. Development of specialist skills
2. Participation in education of the profession
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) and meet entry criteria to be considered for Fellowship by 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

Clinical Examination and Viva: $3300

Exam repeat (if required) $110 per segment.

(Fees quoted are subject to change without notice)

Intake opens: 9 September 2021

Apply by: 1 November 2021

Program commences: 1 April 2022

To apply, complete the application and payment forms, and submit before 1 November 2021.

Make sure you have the following supporting documents ready:

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

Your application will be processed by mid-December.

Registrar has a maximum of four consecutive years to complete the training program and a further four consecutive years to complete the examination program.

Find out more by viewing the recording of the specialisation information session ( free access to APA members via CPD4Physios website).

Read the Training Program Manual.

The Australian College of Physiotherapists holds a live-streamed Specialisation Training Program information evening in September each year.

Go to the PD Search and use ‘College’ as the keyword for further details.

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:

ACP Manager, Specialisation and Fellowship Programs

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.

Original research

For original research, the process is slightly different.

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

Step 2: If your application is successful, you become a Member of the College.

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

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

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, including 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.
• As the applicant, you must be the sole or first author of at least two.
• At least two papers must 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.
• The work must have been published within 3 years of the application date.

$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)
• statement of purpose outlining why you want to become a Fellow by Original Contribution

Once your application is accepted, you will be asked to submit one soft copy and up to three hard copies if requested.

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 ACP Manager of the Fellowship and Specialisation Tranining Program.

You can also write to us or call us:

ACP Manager, Fellowship and Specialisation Training Program

Australian Physiotherapy Association

PO Box 437, Hawthorn BC VIC 3122 Australia

Phone: +61 3 9092 0873