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Member organisation

Australian Physiotherapy Association

AustraliaAsia Western Pacific
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The roots of the physiotherapy profession in Australia date back to 1906 when the Australasian Massage Association was formed. In 1939 the organisation became the Australian Physiotherapy Association.

One of our 11 founding members in 1951, the association is part of the World Physiotherapy Asia Western Pacific region. Our 6th general meeting took place in Melbourne in 1967 and our 11th general meeting was due to take place in Sydney in 1987.
 

Subgroups

The Australian Physiotherapy Association has member groups participating in the following World Physiotherapy subgroups:

World Physiotherapy member since

1951

Year members reported

2019

Number of physiotherapist members

19,135

Contact details

    Key contacts

    Australia: a profile of the profession in 2019

    mo-pdf-iconDownload profilemo-pdf-iconData disclaimerData correct as at 30 June 2019

    Professional titles protected by law

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    Physiotherapist

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    Physical therapist

    About Australian Physiotherapy Association and the physiotherapy profession in Australia

    Practising physiotherapists in the country/territory

    33,792

    13.52

    Per 10,000 population

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    % female

    66%

    In this country/territory

    49%

    In this region

    66%

    Globally

    Physiotherapist members in this member organisation (MO)

    19,135

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    % female

    62%

    In this MO

    47%

    In MOs in this region

    58%

    In MOs globally

    Physiotherapy professional entry level education

    Minimum qualification required to practice

    Bachelors degree

    Equivalent fulltime years

    4

    Number of programmes

    41

    Entry level physiotherapy education programmes

    https://www.ahpra.gov.au/education/approved-programs-of-study.aspx

    Regulation

    * = Continuing Professional Development

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    Registration required to practice

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    CPD* required for re-registration

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    CPD* required for membership

    The system of regulation in the country/territory

    Physiotherapists must be registered with the Physiotherapy Board of Australia: http://www.physiotherapyboard.gov.au/ The legislation that established the National Registration Scheme is the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law: http://www.ahpra.gov.au/Legislation-and-Publications/Legislation.aspx

    Practice

    Which authority defines scope of practice

    One or more independent regulation/licensing/registration authorities

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    Standards of practice

    More than one

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    Education for autonomous practice

    All programmes

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    Legislation to prevent private practice

    Physiotherapists are permitted to

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      Act as first contact/autonomous practitioners

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      Assess patients/clients

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      Make a diagnosis

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      Offer preventative advice/services

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      Refer to other specialists/services

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      Treat (interventions, advice and evaluation of outcome)

    Direct access

    *Direct access means a person can refer themselves to a physiotherapist without referral from another health professional

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    Direct access* permitted?

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    Can people self refer to physiotherapists in private practice?

    Will this be reimbursed?

    In part

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    Can people self refer to physiotherapists in the public system?

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    Limitations

    Waiting lists exist in the public system, and many services in the public system are available on medical referral only.

    Special interest groups recognised by the member organisation

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      Aquatics

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      Acupuncture

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      Cardiorespiratory physical therapy

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      Educators in physical therapy

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      Mental health

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      Orthopaedics/manual therapy

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      Older people

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      Oncology/palliative care

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      Pain

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      Paediatrics

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      Sports physical therapy

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      Womens health

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      Animal practice

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      Management/administration

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      Neurology

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      Occupational health and ergonomics

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      Private practitioners

    Continuing Professional Development (CPD) events

    https://cpd4physios.com.au/

    APA Online Learning Portal

    https://www.physiotherapy.asn.au/APAWCM/LearningDevelopment/event_search.aspx

    APA Professional Development Event Search

    Profile of the profession in this region

    A global profile of the profession is also available.

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    Accessible version of data

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    Afghanistan

    How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?

    100-1000

    How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population

    <1

    What is the minimum qualification required to practice?

    Diploma

    How many entry level education programmes per 5,000,000 population

    1-5

    Is registration required to practice?

    No

    Which authority defines scope of practice?

    Not defined

    Is practice guided by specified standards of practice?

    No

    Are physiotherapists educated for autonomous practice?

    Yes

    Is direct access permitted?

    Yes

    Can people self-refer to physiotherapists in private practice?

    Yes

    Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?

    Yes

    Do physiotherapists need to be a member of our member organisation to practice?

    No

    Australia

    How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?

    >10000

    How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population

    10-15

    What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?

    40-60%

    What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?

    60-80%

    What is the minimum qualification required to practice?

    Bachelors degree

    How many entry level education programmes per 5,000,000 population

    5-10

    Is registration required to practice?

    Yes

    Which authority defines scope of practice?

    Independent

    Is practice guided by specified standards of practice?

    Yes, more than one

    Are physiotherapists educated for autonomous practice?

    Yes

    Is direct access permitted?

    Yes

    Can people self-refer to physiotherapists in private practice?

    Yes

    Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?

    Yes

    Do physiotherapists need to be a member of our member organisation to practice?

    No

    Bangladesh

    How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?

    100-1000

    How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population

    <1

    What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?

    40-60%

    What is the minimum qualification required to practice?

    Bachelors degree

    How many entry level education programmes per 5,000,000 population

    <1

    Is registration required to practice?

    No

    Which authority defines scope of practice?

    Is practice guided by specified standards of practice?

    Yes, the WCPT member organisation specific standard

    Are physiotherapists educated for autonomous practice?

    Yes

    Is direct access permitted?

    Yes

    Can people self-refer to physiotherapists in private practice?

    Yes

    Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?

    Yes

    Do physiotherapists need to be a member of our member organisation to practice?

    Yes

    Bhutan

    How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?

    <100

    How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population

    <1

    What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?

    20-40%

    What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?

    40-60%

    What is the minimum qualification required to practice?

    Bachelors degree

    How many entry level education programmes per 5,000,000 population

    0

    Is registration required to practice?

    Yes

    Which authority defines scope of practice?

    Government

    Is practice guided by specified standards of practice?

    Yes, the standards of the regulatory/licensing/registration authority

    Is direct access permitted?

    Yes

    Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?

    Yes

    Do physiotherapists need to be a member of our member organisation to practice?

    No

    Cambodia

    How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?

    100-1000

    How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population

    <1

    What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?

    <20%

    What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?

    20-40%

    What is the minimum qualification required to practice?

    Diploma

    How many entry level education programmes per 5,000,000 population

    <1

    Which authority defines scope of practice?

    Government

    Is practice guided by specified standards of practice?

    Yes, the standards of the regulatory/licensing/registration authority

    Are physiotherapists educated for autonomous practice?

    Yes

    Is direct access permitted?

    Yes

    Can people self-refer to physiotherapists in private practice?

    Yes

    Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?

    No

    Do physiotherapists need to be a member of our member organisation to practice?

    No

    Fiji

    How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?

    <100

    How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population

    1-5

    What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?

    40-60%

    What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?

    60-80%

    What is the minimum qualification required to practice?

    Bachelors degree

    How many entry level education programmes per 5,000,000 population

    5-10

    Is registration required to practice?

    No

    Which authority defines scope of practice?

    Partnership

    Is practice guided by specified standards of practice?

    Yes, the WCPT standard

    Are physiotherapists educated for autonomous practice?

    Yes

    Is direct access permitted?

    Yes

    Can people self-refer to physiotherapists in private practice?

    Yes

    Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?

    No

    Do physiotherapists need to be a member of our member organisation to practice?

    Yes

    Hong Kong

    How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?

    1000-10000

    How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population

    1-5

    What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?

    20-40%

    What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?

    40-60%

    What is the minimum qualification required to practice?

    Bachelors degree

    How many entry level education programmes per 5,000,000 population

    1-5

    Is registration required to practice?

    Yes

    Which authority defines scope of practice?

    Independent

    Is practice guided by specified standards of practice?

    Yes, the standards of the regulatory/licensing/registration authority

    Are physiotherapists educated for autonomous practice?

    Yes

    Is direct access permitted?

    No

    Can people self-refer to physiotherapists in private practice?

    No

    Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?

    Yes

    Do physiotherapists need to be a member of our member organisation to practice?

    No

    Indonesia

    How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?

    >10000

    How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population

    <1

    What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?

    60-80%

    What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?

    60-80%

    What is the minimum qualification required to practice?

    Diploma

    How many entry level education programmes per 5,000,000 population

    <1

    Is registration required to practice?

    Yes

    Which authority defines scope of practice?

    Government

    Is practice guided by specified standards of practice?

    Yes, the standards of the regulatory/licensing/registration authority

    Are physiotherapists educated for autonomous practice?

    Some

    Is direct access permitted?

    No

    Can people self-refer to physiotherapists in private practice?

    Yes

    Do physiotherapists need to be a member of our member organisation to practice?

    Yes

    Japan

    How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?

    >10000

    How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population

    10-15

    What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?

    20-40%

    What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?

    20-40%

    What is the minimum qualification required to practice?

    Diploma

    How many entry level education programmes per 5,000,000 population

    10-15

    Is registration required to practice?

    Yes

    Which authority defines scope of practice?

    Government

    Is practice guided by specified standards of practice?

    Yes, the WCPT member organisation specific standard

    Are physiotherapists educated for autonomous practice?

    No

    Is direct access permitted?

    No

    Can people self-refer to physiotherapists in private practice?

    No

    Do physiotherapists need to be a member of our member organisation to practice?

    No

    Korea (Republic of)

    How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?

    >10000

    How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population

    5-10

    What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?

    40-60%

    What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?

    40-60%

    What is the minimum qualification required to practice?

    Diploma

    How many entry level education programmes per 5,000,000 population

    5-10

    Is registration required to practice?

    Yes

    Which authority defines scope of practice?

    Government

    Is practice guided by specified standards of practice?

    No

    Are physiotherapists educated for autonomous practice?

    No

    Is direct access permitted?

    No

    Can people self-refer to physiotherapists in private practice?

    No

    Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?

    No

    Do physiotherapists need to be a member of our member organisation to practice?

    No

    Kuwait

    How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?

    100-1000

    How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population

    1-5

    What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?

    40-60%

    What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?

    60-80%

    What is the minimum qualification required to practice?

    Bachelors degree

    How many entry level education programmes per 5,000,000 population

    1-5

    Is registration required to practice?

    Yes

    Which authority defines scope of practice?

    Government

    Is practice guided by specified standards of practice?

    Yes, more than one

    Are physiotherapists educated for autonomous practice?

    No

    Is direct access permitted?

    No

    Can people self-refer to physiotherapists in private practice?

    No

    Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?

    No

    Do physiotherapists need to be a member of our member organisation to practice?

    No

    Macau

    How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?

    100-1000

    How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population

    1-5

    What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?

    40-60%

    What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?

    40-60%

    What is the minimum qualification required to practice?

    Bachelors degree

    How many entry level education programmes per 5,000,000 population

    0

    Is registration required to practice?

    Yes

    Which authority defines scope of practice?

    Government

    Is practice guided by specified standards of practice?

    Yes, the standards of the regulatory/licensing/registration authority

    Is direct access permitted?

    Yes

    Can people self-refer to physiotherapists in private practice?

    Yes

    Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?

    Yes

    Do physiotherapists need to be a member of our member organisation to practice?

    No

    Malaysia

    How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?

    1000-10000

    How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population

    <1

    What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?

    40-60%

    What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?

    60-80%

    What is the minimum qualification required to practice?

    Diploma

    How many entry level education programmes per 5,000,000 population

    5-10

    Which authority defines scope of practice?

    Government

    Is practice guided by specified standards of practice?

    Yes, the standards of the regulatory/licensing/registration authority

    Is direct access permitted?

    No

    Can people self-refer to physiotherapists in private practice?

    Yes

    Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?

    Yes

    Do physiotherapists need to be a member of our member organisation to practice?

    No

    Mongolia

    How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?

    100-1000

    How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population

    <1

    What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?

    >80%

    What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?

    >80%

    What is the minimum qualification required to practice?

    Bachelors degree

    How many entry level education programmes per 5,000,000 population

    1-5

    Is registration required to practice?

    Yes

    Which authority defines scope of practice?

    Government

    Is practice guided by specified standards of practice?

    Yes, the standards of the regulatory/licensing/registration authority

    Are physiotherapists educated for autonomous practice?

    Yes

    Can people self-refer to physiotherapists in private practice?

    Yes

    Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?

    No

    Do physiotherapists need to be a member of our member organisation to practice?

    No

    Myanmar

    How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?

    100-1000

    How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population

    <1

    What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?

    >80%

    What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?

    >80%

    What is the minimum qualification required to practice?

    Bachelors degree

    How many entry level education programmes per 5,000,000 population

    <1

    Is registration required to practice?

    No

    Which authority defines scope of practice?

    Government

    Is practice guided by specified standards of practice?

    Yes, the WCPT standard

    Are physiotherapists educated for autonomous practice?

    No

    Is direct access permitted?

    No

    Can people self-refer to physiotherapists in private practice?

    No

    Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?

    Yes

    Do physiotherapists need to be a member of our member organisation to practice?

    No

    Nepal

    How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?

    100-1000

    How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population

    <1

    What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?

    <20%

    What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?

    20-40%

    What is the minimum qualification required to practice?

    Bachelors degree

    How many entry level education programmes per 5,000,000 population

    <1

    Is registration required to practice?

    Yes

    Which authority defines scope of practice?

    Government

    Is practice guided by specified standards of practice?

    No

    Are physiotherapists educated for autonomous practice?

    Yes

    Is direct access permitted?

    No

    Can people self-refer to physiotherapists in private practice?

    Yes

    Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?

    Yes

    Do physiotherapists need to be a member of our member organisation to practice?

    No

    New Zealand

    How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?

    1000-10000

    How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population

    10-15

    What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?

    60-80%

    What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?

    60-80%

    What is the minimum qualification required to practice?

    Bachelors degree

    How many entry level education programmes per 5,000,000 population

    5-10

    Is registration required to practice?

    Yes

    Which authority defines scope of practice?

    Independent

    Is practice guided by specified standards of practice?

    Yes, the WCPT member organisation specific standard

    Are physiotherapists educated for autonomous practice?

    Yes

    Is direct access permitted?

    Yes

    Can people self-refer to physiotherapists in private practice?

    Yes

    Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?

    Yes

    Do physiotherapists need to be a member of our member organisation to practice?

    No

    Papua New Guinea

    How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?

    <100

    How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population

    <1

    What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?

    40-60%

    What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?

    20-40%

    What is the minimum qualification required to practice?

    Bachelors degree

    How many entry level education programmes per 5,000,000 population

    <1

    Is registration required to practice?

    Yes

    Which authority defines scope of practice?

    Government

    Is practice guided by specified standards of practice?

    Yes, the standards of the regulatory/licensing/registration authority

    Are physiotherapists educated for autonomous practice?

    Yes

    Is direct access permitted?

    Yes

    Can people self-refer to physiotherapists in private practice?

    Yes

    Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?

    Yes

    Do physiotherapists need to be a member of our member organisation to practice?

    Yes

    Philippines

    How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?

    1000-10000

    How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population

    1-5

    What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?

    20-40%

    What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?

    40-60%

    What is the minimum qualification required to practice?

    Bachelors degree

    How many entry level education programmes per 5,000,000 population

    1-5

    Is registration required to practice?

    Yes

    Which authority defines scope of practice?

    Independent

    Is practice guided by specified standards of practice?

    Yes, the standards of the regulatory/licensing/registration authority

    Are physiotherapists educated for autonomous practice?

    No

    Is direct access permitted?

    No

    Can people self-refer to physiotherapists in private practice?

    No

    Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?

    Yes

    Do physiotherapists need to be a member of our member organisation to practice?

    No

    Saudi Arabia

    How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?

    100-1000

    How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population

    1-5

    What is the minimum qualification required to practice?

    Bachelors degree

    How many entry level education programmes per 5,000,000 population

    1-5

    Is registration required to practice?

    Yes

    Which authority defines scope of practice?

    Government

    Is practice guided by specified standards of practice?

    Yes, the standards of the regulatory/licensing/registration authority

    Are physiotherapists educated for autonomous practice?

    Yes

    Is direct access permitted?

    Yes

    Can people self-refer to physiotherapists in private practice?

    Yes

    Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?

    No

    Do physiotherapists need to be a member of our member organisation to practice?

    No

    Singapore

    How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?

    100-1000

    How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population

    1-5

    What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?

    20-40%

    What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?

    60-80%

    What is the minimum qualification required to practice?

    Bachelors degree

    How many entry level education programmes per 5,000,000 population

    1-5

    Is registration required to practice?

    Yes

    Which authority defines scope of practice?

    Independent

    Is practice guided by specified standards of practice?

    Yes, the standards of the regulatory/licensing/registration authority

    Are physiotherapists educated for autonomous practice?

    Yes

    Is direct access permitted?

    Yes

    Can people self-refer to physiotherapists in private practice?

    Yes

    Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?

    Yes

    Do physiotherapists need to be a member of our member organisation to practice?

    No

    Taiwan

    How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?

    1000-10000

    How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population

    1-5

    What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?

    <20%

    What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?

    40-60%

    What is the minimum qualification required to practice?

    Diploma

    How many entry level education programmes per 5,000,000 population

    1-5

    Is registration required to practice?

    Yes

    Which authority defines scope of practice?

    Government

    Is practice guided by specified standards of practice?

    Yes, the standards of the regulatory/licensing/registration authority

    Are physiotherapists educated for autonomous practice?

    Yes

    Is direct access permitted?

    No

    Can people self-refer to physiotherapists in private practice?

    No

    Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?

    Yes

    Do physiotherapists need to be a member of our member organisation to practice?

    No

    United Arab Emirates

    How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?

    100-1000

    How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population

    1-5

    What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?

    <20%

    What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?

    60-80%

    What is the minimum qualification required to practice?

    Bachelors degree

    How many entry level education programmes per 5,000,000 population

    1-5

    Is registration required to practice?

    Yes

    Which authority defines scope of practice?

    Independent

    Is practice guided by specified standards of practice?

    No

    Is direct access permitted?

    No

    Can people self-refer to physiotherapists in private practice?

    Yes

    Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?

    Yes

    Do physiotherapists need to be a member of our member organisation to practice?

    No

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