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The South African Society of
Subgroups
The South African Society of
Year established
1924
World Physiotherapy member since
1951
Year members reported
2022
Number of physiotherapist members
3,789
Contact details
Key contacts
Magda Fourie
Primary contact
[email protected]Lonese Jacobs
President
[email protected]
South Africa: a profile of the profession in 2022
Download profile
Data disclaimerData correct as at 30 June 2022Professional titles protected by law
Physiotherapy/pist
Physical Therapy/pist
About South African Society of Physiotherapy and the physiotherapy profession in South Africa
Practising physiotherapists in the country/territory
8,570
1.43
Per 10,000 population
% female
86%
In this country/territory
In this region
Globally
Physiotherapist members in this member organisation (MO)
3,789
% female
90%
In this MO
In MOs in this region
In MOs globally
Physiotherapy professional entry level education
Minimum qualification required to practice
Bachelors degree
Equivalent fulltime years
4
Number of programmes
8
Entry level physiotherapy education programmes
https://www.saphysio.co.za/about-us/become-a-physiotherapist/
Regulation
* = Continuing Professional Development
Registration required to practice
CPD* required for re-registration
CPD* required for membership
What is required to practice in the country/territory?
The Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) is the compulsory regulatory body and you need to remain registered at the HPCSA in order to practice in SA. After the 4-year training , it is compulsory to do a one-year community service year in the public service before becoming an Independent Practitioner. 30 CPD points of which 5 is for ethics and medical law is required to remain registered for practice. Regular audits are performed to monitor practitioners. More information: https://www.hpcsa.co.za/
Practice
Which authority defines scope of practice
One or more independent regulation/licensing/registration authorities
Standards of practice
More than one
Education for autonomous practice
All programmes
Legislation supports private practice
Physiotherapists are permitted to
Act as first contact/autonomous practitioners
Assess patients/clients
Make a diagnosis
Offer preventative advice/services
Refer to other specialists/services
Treat (interventions, advice and evaluation of outcome)
Provide telehealth services
Direct access
*Direct access means a person can refer themselves to a physiotherapist without referral from another health professional
Direct access* permitted?
Can people self refer to physiotherapists in private practice?
Will this be reimbursed?
In part
Can people self refer to physiotherapists in the public system?
Limitations
What are the circumstances in which direct access is limited?
Setting (eg. outpatient, private practice, school setting, prevention and wellness, etc)
Population/health condition (eg. musculoskeletal, non-complex, etc)
Time (eg. medical referral required if treatment is needed beyond 30 or 60 days)
Training (eg. certification, academic training, or CPD to demonstrate skill necessary to treat patients without referral from a medial doctor)
Other
Due to the referral system in public sector and admission criteria at rehabilitation centres it might be difficult to accept self-referrals. Private medical Schemes have their own rules which might for example exclude to pay for X-rays which were ordered by a physiotherapist.
Special interest groups recognised by the member organisation
Aquatics
Cardiorespiratory physiotherapy
Mental health
Orthopaedics/manual therapy
Older people
Oncology/palliative care and HIV
Pain management
Paediatrics
Sports physiotherapy
Womens health
Neurology
Private practitioners
Continuing Professional Development (CPD) events
http://www.saphysio.co.za
Info to the CPD committee - [email protected]
Http://www.hpcsa.co.za
HPCSA overseen all CPD activities
Profile of the profession in this region
A global profile of the profession is also available.
Accessible version of data
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Benin
How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?
115 (100-1000)
How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?
0.2 (<1)
What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?
61% (60-80%)
What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?
56% (40-60%)
What is the minimum qualification required to practice?
Bachelors degree
How many entry level education programmes per 5,000,000 population?
0.4 (<1)
Is registration required to practice?
Yes
Which authority defines scope of practice?
Ministry of Health or another government department (Government)
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?
Public only
Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?
Yes
Do physiotherapists need to be a member of our member organisation to practice?
No
Are physiotherapists permitted to provide telehealth services?
No
Cameroon
How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?
100 (<100)
How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?
0.09 (<1)
What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?
50% (40-60%)
What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?
80% (60-80%)
What is the minimum qualification required to practice?
Diploma
How many entry level education programmes per 5,000,000 population?
1.1 (1-5)
Is registration required to practice?
Yes
Which authority defines scope of practice?
Ministry of Health or another government department (Government)
Is practice guided by specified standards of practice?
Yes, The World Physiotherapy member organisation specific standard
Are physiotherapists educated for autonomous practice?
No
Is direct access permitted?
Public only
Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?
Yes
Do physiotherapists need to be a member of our member organisation to practice?
Yes
Are physiotherapists permitted to provide telehealth services?
Yes
Congo (Democratic Republic)
How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?
345 (100-1000)
How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?
0.14 (<1)
What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?
77% (60-80%)
What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?
67% (60-80%)
What is the minimum qualification required to practice?
Diploma
How many entry level education programmes per 5,000,000 population?
0.32 (<1)
Is registration required to practice?
No
Which authority defines scope of practice?
Ministry of Health or another government department (Government)
Is practice guided by specified standards of practice?
No
Are physiotherapists educated for autonomous practice?
Yes, All programmes (Yes)
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
Are physiotherapists permitted to provide telehealth services?
Yes
Eswatini
How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?
38 (<100)
How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?
0.37 (<1)
What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?
66% (60-80%)
What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?
65% (60-80%)
What is the minimum qualification required to practice?
Bachelors degree
Is registration required to practice?
Yes
Which authority defines scope of practice?
A partnership between a regulation/licensing/registration body and your organisation (Partnership)
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?
Yes
Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?
Yes
Do physiotherapists need to be a member of our member organisation to practice?
No
Are physiotherapists permitted to provide telehealth services?
Yes
Ethiopia
How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?
50 (<100)
How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?
0.05 (<1)
What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?
46% (40-60%)
What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?
44% (40-60%)
What is the minimum qualification required to practice?
Diploma
How many entry level education programmes per 5,000,000 population?
0.21 (<1)
Is registration required to practice?
Yes
Which authority defines scope of practice?
Ministry of Health or another government department (Government)
Is practice guided by specified standards of practice?
Yes, More than one
Are physiotherapists educated for autonomous practice?
Yes, All programmes (Yes)
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
Are physiotherapists permitted to provide telehealth services?
Yes
Ghana
How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?
120 (100-1000)
How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?
0.09 (<1)
What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?
54% (40-60%)
What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?
67% (60-80%)
What is the minimum qualification required to practice?
Bachelors degree
How many entry level education programmes per 5,000,000 population?
0.47 (<1)
Is registration required to practice?
Yes
Which authority defines scope of practice?
Ministry of Health or another government department (Government)
Is practice guided by specified standards of practice?
Yes, More than one
Are physiotherapists educated for autonomous practice?
Yes, Some programmes (Some)
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
Are physiotherapists permitted to provide telehealth services?
Yes
Ivory Coast
How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?
80 (<100)
How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?
0.07 (<1)
What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?
35% (20-40%)
What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?
32% (20-40%)
What is the minimum qualification required to practice?
Diploma
How many entry level education programmes per 5,000,000 population?
0.18 (<1)
Is registration required to practice?
No
Which authority defines scope of practice?
Ministry of Health or another government department (Government)
Is practice guided by specified standards of practice?
No
Are physiotherapists educated for autonomous practice?
No
Is direct access permitted?
No
Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?
Yes
Do physiotherapists need to be a member of our member organisation to practice?
No
Are physiotherapists permitted to provide telehealth services?
Yes
Kenya
How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?
205 (100-1000)
How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?
0.38 (<1)
What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?
35% (20-40%)
What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?
33% (20-40%)
What is the minimum qualification required to practice?
Diploma
How many entry level education programmes per 5,000,000 population?
0.91 (<1)
Is registration required to practice?
Yes
Which authority defines scope of practice?
Ministry of Health or another government department (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, Some programmes (Some)
Is direct access permitted?
Private only
Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?
No
Do physiotherapists need to be a member of our member organisation to practice?
No
Are physiotherapists permitted to provide telehealth services?
Yes
Madagascar
How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?
94 (<100)
How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?
0.07 (<1)
What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?
53% (40-60%)
What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?
60% (40-60%)
What is the minimum qualification required to practice?
Diploma
How many entry level education programmes per 5,000,000 population?
0.18 (<1)
Is registration required to practice?
No
Which authority defines scope of practice?
Ministry of Health or another government department (Government)
Is practice guided by specified standards of practice?
No
Are physiotherapists educated for autonomous practice?
Yes, Some programmes (Some)
Is direct access permitted?
Private only
Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?
No
Do physiotherapists need to be a member of our member organisation to practice?
No
Are physiotherapists permitted to provide telehealth services?
No
Malawi
How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?
114 (100-1000)
How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?
0.09 (<1)
What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?
59% (40-60%)
What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?
59% (40-60%)
What is the minimum qualification required to practice?
Bachelors degree
How many entry level education programmes per 5,000,000 population?
0.25 (<1)
Is registration required to practice?
Yes
Which authority defines scope of practice?
A partnership between a regulation/licensing/registration body and your organisation (Partnership)
Is practice guided by specified standards of practice?
Yes, The World Physiotherapy standard
Are physiotherapists educated for autonomous practice?
Yes, All programmes (Yes)
Is direct access permitted?
Private only
Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?
Yes
Do physiotherapists need to be a member of our member organisation to practice?
Yes
Are physiotherapists permitted to provide telehealth services?
Yes
Mauritius
How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?
37 (<100)
How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?
0.79 (<1)
What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?
59% (40-60%)
What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?
65% (60-80%)
What is the minimum qualification required to practice?
Bachelors degree
How many entry level education programmes per 5,000,000 population?
3.95 (1-5)
Is registration required to practice?
Yes
Which authority defines scope of practice?
Ministry of Health or another government department (Government)
Is practice guided by specified standards of practice?
Yes, More than one
Are physiotherapists educated for autonomous practice?
Yes, All programmes (Yes)
Is direct access permitted?
Private only
Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?
No
Do physiotherapists need to be a member of our member organisation to practice?
No
Are physiotherapists permitted to provide telehealth services?
Yes
Morocco
How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?
513 (100-1000)
How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?
1.07 (1-5)
What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?
68% (60-80%)
What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?
70% (60-80%)
What is the minimum qualification required to practice?
Diploma
How many entry level education programmes per 5,000,000 population?
0.54 (<1)
Is registration required to practice?
No
Which authority defines scope of practice?
Ministry of Health or another government department (Government)
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
Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?
No
Do physiotherapists need to be a member of our member organisation to practice?
No
Are physiotherapists permitted to provide telehealth services?
Yes
Namibia
How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?
132 (100-1000)
How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?
0.56 (<1)
What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?
83% (>80%)
What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?
79% (60-80%)
What is the minimum qualification required to practice?
Bachelors degree
How many entry level education programmes per 5,000,000 population?
1.93 (1-5)
Is registration required to practice?
Yes
Which authority defines scope of practice?
Ministry of Health or another government department (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, All programmes (Yes)
Is direct access permitted?
Private only
Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?
No
Do physiotherapists need to be a member of our member organisation to practice?
No
Are physiotherapists permitted to provide telehealth services?
No
Niger
How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?
60 (<100)
How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?
0.03 (<1)
What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?
25% (20-40%)
What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?
23% (20-40%)
What is the minimum qualification required to practice?
Diploma
How many entry level education programmes per 5,000,000 population?
0.4 (<1)
Is registration required to practice?
No
Which authority defines scope of practice?
Ministry of Health or another government department (Government)
Is practice guided by specified standards of practice?
No
Are physiotherapists educated for autonomous practice?
No
Is direct access permitted?
Yes
Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?
No
Do physiotherapists need to be a member of our member organisation to practice?
No
Are physiotherapists permitted to provide telehealth services?
Yes
Nigeria
How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?
799 (100-1000)
How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?
0.05 (<1)
What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?
38% (20-40%)
What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?
40% (20-40%)
What is the minimum qualification required to practice?
Bachelors degree
How many entry level education programmes per 5,000,000 population?
0.47 (<1)
Is registration required to practice?
Yes
Which authority defines scope of practice?
One or more independent regulation/licensing/registration authorities (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, Some programmes (Some)
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?
Yes
Are physiotherapists permitted to provide telehealth services?
Yes
Rwanda
How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?
75 (<100)
How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?
0.3 (<1)
What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?
40% (20-40%)
What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?
48% (40-60%)
What is the minimum qualification required to practice?
Diploma
How many entry level education programmes per 5,000,000 population?
0.38 (<1)
Is registration required to practice?
Yes
Which authority defines scope of practice?
One or more independent regulation/licensing/registration authorities (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, All programmes (Yes)
Is direct access permitted?
Private only
Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?
Yes
Do physiotherapists need to be a member of our member organisation to practice?
No
Are physiotherapists permitted to provide telehealth services?
Yes
Senegal
How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?
80 (<100)
How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?
0.07 (<1)
What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?
40% (20-40%)
What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?
27% (20-40%)
What is the minimum qualification required to practice?
Masters degree
How many entry level education programmes per 5,000,000 population?
0.29 (<1)
Is registration required to practice?
Yes
Which authority defines scope of practice?
Ministry of Health or another government department (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, All programmes (Yes)
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
Are physiotherapists permitted to provide telehealth services?
Yes
South Africa
How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?
3,789 (1000-10000)
How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?
1.43 (1-5)
What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?
91% (>80%)
What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?
86% (>80%)
What is the minimum qualification required to practice?
Bachelors degree
How many entry level education programmes per 5,000,000 population?
0.67 (<1)
Is registration required to practice?
Yes
Which authority defines scope of practice?
One or more independent regulation/licensing/registration authorities (Independent)
Is practice guided by specified standards of practice?
Yes, More than one
Are physiotherapists educated for autonomous practice?
Yes, All programmes (Yes)
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
Are physiotherapists permitted to provide telehealth services?
Yes
Tanzania
How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?
89 (<100)
How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?
0.08 (<1)
What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?
60% (40-60%)
What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?
69% (60-80%)
What is the minimum qualification required to practice?
Diploma
How many entry level education programmes per 5,000,000 population?
0.49 (<1)
Is registration required to practice?
Yes
Which authority defines scope of practice?
Ministry of Health or another government department (Government)
Is practice guided by specified standards of practice?
No
Are physiotherapists educated for autonomous practice?
Yes, All programmes (Yes)
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
Are physiotherapists permitted to provide telehealth services?
Yes
Togo
How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?
85 (<100)
How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?
0.47 (<1)
What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?
18% (<20%)
What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?
9% (<20%)
What is the minimum qualification required to practice?
Bachelors degree
How many entry level education programmes per 5,000,000 population?
0.59 (<1)
Is registration required to practice?
Yes
Which authority defines scope of practice?
Ministry of Health or another government department (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, All programmes (Yes)
Is direct access permitted?
Private only
Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?
No
Do physiotherapists need to be a member of our member organisation to practice?
No
Are physiotherapists permitted to provide telehealth services?
No
Uganda
How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?
355 (100-1000)
How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?
0.08 (<1)
What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?
16% (<20%)
What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?
49% (40-60%)
What is the minimum qualification required to practice?
Diploma
How many entry level education programmes per 5,000,000 population?
0.42 (<1)
Is registration required to practice?
Yes
Which authority defines scope of practice?
Ministry of Health or another government department (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, All programmes (Yes)
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
Are physiotherapists permitted to provide telehealth services?
Yes
Zambia
How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?
48 (<100)
How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?
0.16 (<1)
What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?
69% (60-80%)
What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?
60% (40-60%)
What is the minimum qualification required to practice?
Bachelors degree
How many entry level education programmes per 5,000,000 population?
1.06 (1-5)
Is registration required to practice?
Yes
Which authority defines scope of practice?
Ministry of Health or another government department (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, All programmes (Yes)
Is direct access permitted?
Yes
Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?
No
Do physiotherapists need to be a member of our member organisation to practice?
No
Are physiotherapists permitted to provide telehealth services?
No
Zimbabwe
How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?
13 (<100)
How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?
0.27 (<1)
What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?
69% (60-80%)
What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?
63% (60-80%)
What is the minimum qualification required to practice?
Bachelors degree
How many entry level education programmes per 5,000,000 population?
0.35 (<1)
Is registration required to practice?
Yes
Which authority defines scope of practice?
One or more independent regulation/licensing/registration authorities (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, All programmes (Yes)
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
Are physiotherapists permitted to provide telehealth services?
No
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