Specialisation Training Program Selection
Information for applicants
This information is available in PDF format.
Important dates
- Information session: Tuesday, 5 August 2025
Watch the recorded session. - Applications open: Friday, 8 August 2025
- Applications close: Thursday, 4 September 2025 (5:00pm AEST)
- Interview date: Friday, 17 October 2025
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.
The requirements of the STP program are outlined in the Specialisation Training Program Registrar Manual.
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 in the relevant discipline via the Experiential, Evidence Portfolio or Academic Pathway
- have completed three years full-time equivalent clinical practice in the relevant discipline since being Titled or since successfully completing an APA-recognised coursework Master’s degree in the relevant discipline.
Applicants who do not meet the above eligibility criteria will be notified by College staff and will not be eligible to progress to interview.
In 2025, a limited number of interviews will be held. Once the Selection Panel has reviewed the written applications from candidates who meet the criteria outlined above, only those who are shortlisted will be invited to the interview stage.
Highly desirable selection criteria
Desirable attributes: teaching, research, professional and social networks, discipline-specific professional development.
While the following areas are not mandatory and there is no minimum requirement, applicants who can demonstrate experience and/or exposure in these domains may present a stronger application and achieve a higher overall score. The Selection Panel will consider evidence of:
- teaching experience beyond entry-level physiotherapy students (for example, involvement in postgraduate education, peer education, or professional workshops)
- increasing involvement in research activities. This may include Pedro reviews, contributing to published work, participating in research projects, or pursuing higher research qualifications
- an expanding professional network, including exposure to or engagement with Specialists within the applicant’s discipline
- a wide range of professional development activities extending beyond self-directed learning. Direct interaction or face-to-face engagement with Specialist Physiotherapists (e.g., through mentoring, observation, or collaborative learning activities) will be viewed favourably.
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.
The breadth, depth, and complexity of an applicant’s patient caseload are key considerations in assessing readiness for entry into the Specialisation Training Program.
A diverse and sufficiently complex caseload that reflects a wide variety of discipline-specific conditions is essential. While the Selection Panel assesses experience holistically, an applicant’s current clinical role and caseload—particularly in the period since achieving Titling—may indicate whether the applicant has had adequate opportunity to consolidate and advance their practice at a Titled level.
In some cases, the Selection Panel may encourage an unsuccessful applicant to develop their capacity in these areas before reapplying in a future intake.
Application form and documentation
The STP Application Form is now available online and a print version available in Appendix 1 (PDF). It 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
Application Fee: $320.00 (payable on receipt of invoice following submission). Please note the following:
- the application fee is non-refundable
- in 2025 (2026 intake), there will be no additional interview fee
- an invoice and payment options will be forwarded following submission of the application form.
Referee criteria
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 shortlisted 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
Shortlisted applicants will be determined by the Selection Panel and invited to attend an interview following review of their written application.
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-November, 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.
Contact us
STP Selection: Jennifer Keating, Assessment and Training Manager
The College: email the ACP team