APA | STP application

Specialisation Training Program Selection

Information for applicants

This information is available in PDF format to download and print.

Important dates

Information Session: Wednesday, 4 September 2024
Applications Open: Monday, 16 September 2024
Applications Close: Monday, 4 November 2024 (5:00pm AEDT)
Interview Date: Friday, 29 November 2024

Note:

In 2024 all applicants who meet the eligibility criteria will be interviewed for 2025 entry.

Remember to pay the non-refundable $300 application fee on receipt of your invoice.

Applying to enter the Specialisation Training

Applicants can apply in the following disciplines:

Cardiorespiratory
Gerontology
Musculoskeletal
Neurology
Occupational Health
Paediatric
Pain
Sports and Exercise
Women’s, Men’s, and Pelvic Health

It is expected that applicants will ensure they meet the eligibility criteria before applying. Applicants who do not meet the above eligibility criteria will be notified by College staff and will not be eligible to progress to interview.

The requirements of the STP program are outlined in the Specialisation Training Program Registrar Manual available on the ACP Fellowship web page.

Eligibility criteria

To apply, applicants must:

Be a Registered physiotherapist in Australia
Be a Financial Member of the APA
Be a College member and member of a National Group that offers Specialisation
Be a Titled Physiotherapist via the Experiential, Evidence Portfolio or Academic Pathway
Have completed three years full-time equivalent clinical practice in the relevant discipline
since being Titled.

Desirable attributes (assessed as part of the written application and at interview): teaching, research, professional and social networks, discipline-specific professional development. Applicants must be able to demonstrate a suitable depth and breadth of clinical practice, experience and client patient base, as well as recency of practice.

Application form and documentation

The STP Application Form is available online and for reference in Appendix 1 (PDF) and must be completed in English.

In addition to the application form, the following must be submitted at the time of application:

A covering letter addressed to the Selection Panel Chair, Dr Debra Shirley
A current CV
Copy of AHPRA CPD diary, including reflections, for the previous three years

Additional material supporting the application and demonstrating the applicant's interest in Specialisation may be submitted as an Appendix to the application. Declaration of Authenticity is acknowledged upon submission of the application form and associated documents.

Applicants will receive a confirmation email once the application has been received by the College.

Late and/or incomplete application submissions will NOT be accepted.

Application fee

Non refundable application fee: $300.00 is payable on receipt of invoice following submission. In 2024 (2025 intake), there will be no additional interview fee. An invoice and payment options will be forwarded following submission of the application form.

Referee criteria

Applicants should request permission from their nominated referees prior to completing the Application Form. When confirmed, the referee section of the application form should be completed. Applicants must not contact their Referees, regarding any aspect of their reference, after submitting their application form. References are provided in strict confidence by Referees.

The applicant must provide details of two referees who can attest that you:

are competent in the relevant discipline
show initiative
are a self-directed learner
are willing to contribute to physiotherapy knowledge and practice
accept feedback and evaluation of peers.

Your referees must be able to attest to your clinical ability through recent personal observation.

It is strongly recommended that at least one of the referees is a Fellow of the Australian College of Physiotherapists.

Name and contact details, including email addresses and phone numbers of the referees must be provided on the application form.

The College will contact the referees directly to request completion of a confidential Referee Report. Should the College not be able to contact the referee, or not receive the confidential Referee Report within the required time frame, applicants will be advised by the College, and additional referee details will be requested.

Referees must not be:

an employee with whom the applicant is associated
an office bearer of the College—either a member of the College Council or the Board of Censors

APPLY ONLINE

Selection panel

The Selection Panel comprises ACP Fellows including a representative from the Board of Censors and Fellowship Pathways Standing Committee and a minimum of two other Fellows. Applications are reviewed by the Selection Panel prior to Interview.

The interview process is conducted by the Selection Panel with administrative support from College staff. All applicants eligible for interview, will attend their interview using Zoom video conferencing.

At interview, applicants will be assessed and scored on their answers to questions pertaining to the selection criteria, desirable attributes and suitability for Specialisation Training in terms of clinical skills, knowledge, client base and recency of practice.

The Selection Panel will make a recommendation to the Fellowship Pathways Standing Committee who will endorse the successful applicants.

Application outcome

The outcome will be determined by the Selection Panel following consideration of both the written application and performance in the interview. Applicants will be contacted via email, in mid-December, with their outcome letter.

Successful applicants receive a letter offering them a place in the program. Successful applicants must pay an initial training fee by a set deadline to accept their place in the program.

Unsuccessful applicants receive a letter advising they have not been accepted into the program.