South African Society of Physiotherapy

Member organisation

South African Society of Physiotherapy

South AfricaAfrica

The South African Society of Physiotherapy is a founding member of World Physiotherapy in 1951 and is part of our Africa region.

Specialty groups

The South African Society of Physiotherapy, or its national special interest groups, are members of the following specialty groups recognised by World Physiotherapy:

Year established

1924

World Physiotherapy member since

1951

Year members reported

2023

Number of physiotherapist members

3,373

Contact details

South Africa: a profile of the profession in 2023

Download profileData correct as at 30 June 2023

Professional 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

8,791

1.47

Per 10,000 population

% female

59%

In this country/territory

62%

In this region

63%

Globally

Physiotherapist members in this member organisation (MO)

3,373

% female

87%

In this MO

70%

In MOs in this region

58%

In MOs globally

Physiotherapy professional entry level education

Minimum qualification required to practice

Bachelors degree

Equivalent fulltime years

Number of programmes

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

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?

Can people self refer to physiotherapists in the public system?

Limitations

What are the circumstances in which direct access is limited?

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

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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Angola

How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?

2,470 (1000-10000)

How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?

0.69 (<1)

What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?

75% (60-80%)

What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?

75% (60-80%)

What is the minimum qualification required to practice?

Diploma

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

0.7 (<1)

Is registration required to practice?

Yes

Which authority defines scope of practice?

Member organisation

Is practice guided by specified standards of practice?

Yes, The World Physiotherapy standard

Are physiotherapists educated for autonomous practice?

Yes, Some programmes (Some)

Is direct access permitted?

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?

Benin

How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?

108 (100-1000)

How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?

0.19 (<1)

What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?

56% (40-60%)

What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?

52% (40-60%)

What is the minimum qualification required to practice?

Bachelors degree

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

0.37 (<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?

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?

Are physiotherapists permitted to provide telehealth services?

Cameroon

How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?

100 (<100)

How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?

0.11 (<1)

What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?

65% (60-80%)

What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?

53% (40-60%)

What is the minimum qualification required to practice?

Bachelors degree

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

0.36 (<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 World Physiotherapy member organisation specific standard

Are physiotherapists educated for autonomous practice?

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?

Are physiotherapists permitted to provide telehealth services?

Yes

Congo (Democratic Republic)

How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?

312 (100-1000)

How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?

0.13 (<1)

What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?

78% (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?

0.3 (<1)

Is registration required to practice?

Which authority defines scope of practice?

Ministry of Health or another government department (Government)

Is practice guided by specified standards of practice?

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?

Are physiotherapists permitted to provide telehealth services?

Yes

Eswatini

How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?

32 (<100)

How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?

0.28 (<1)

What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?

69% (60-80%)

What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?

68% (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?

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?

Are physiotherapists permitted to provide telehealth services?

Yes

Ethiopia

How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?

78 (<100)

How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?

0.06 (<1)

What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?

47% (40-60%)

What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?

45% (40-60%)

What is the minimum qualification required to practice?

Bachelors degree

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

0.2 (<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?

Are physiotherapists permitted to provide telehealth services?

Yes

Ghana

How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?

135 (100-1000)

How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?

0.09 (<1)

What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?

58% (40-60%)

What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?

58% (40-60%)

What is the minimum qualification required to practice?

Bachelors degree

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

0.45 (<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?

Are physiotherapists permitted to provide telehealth services?

Yes

Ivory Coast

How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?

90 (<100)

How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?

0.08 (<1)

What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?

33% (20-40%)

What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?

35% (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?

Which authority defines scope of practice?

Ministry of Health or another government department (Government)

Is practice guided by specified standards of practice?

Are physiotherapists educated for autonomous practice?

Is direct access permitted?

Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?

Yes

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

Are physiotherapists permitted to provide telehealth services?

Yes

Kenya

How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?

243 (100-1000)

How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?

0.4 (<1)

What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?

42% (40-60%)

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?

1.02 (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, Some programmes (Some)

Is direct access permitted?

Private only

Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?

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

Are physiotherapists permitted to provide telehealth services?

Yes

Madagascar

How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?

95 (<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?

55% (40-60%)

What is the minimum qualification required to practice?

Bachelors degree

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

0.17 (<1)

Is registration required to practice?

Which authority defines scope of practice?

Ministry of Health or another government department (Government)

Is practice guided by specified standards of practice?

Are physiotherapists educated for autonomous practice?

Yes, Some programmes (Some)

Is direct access permitted?

Yes

Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?

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

Are physiotherapists permitted to provide telehealth services?

Malawi

How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?

240 (100-1000)

How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?

0.09 (<1)

What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?

21% (20-40%)

What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?

22% (20-40%)

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?

41 (<100)

How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?

0.71 (<1)

What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?

59% (40-60%)

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?

3.96 (1-5)

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?

Private only

Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?

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

Are physiotherapists permitted to provide telehealth services?

Yes

Namibia

How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?

137 (100-1000)

How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?

0.57 (<1)

What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?

73% (60-80%)

What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?

68% (60-80%)

What is the minimum qualification required to practice?

Bachelors degree

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

1.95 (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, 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?

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

Are physiotherapists permitted to provide telehealth services?

Niger

How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?

62 (<100)

How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?

0.03 (<1)

What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?

26% (20-40%)

What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?

29% (20-40%)

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?

Which authority defines scope of practice?

Ministry of Health or another government department (Government)

Is practice guided by specified standards of practice?

Are physiotherapists educated for autonomous practice?

Is direct access permitted?

Yes

Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?

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

Are physiotherapists permitted to provide telehealth services?

Yes

Nigeria

How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?

790 (100-1000)

How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?

0.06 (<1)

What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?

40% (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?

0.48 (<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?

101 (100-1000)

How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?

0.3 (<1)

What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?

30% (20-40%)

What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?

52% (40-60%)

What is the minimum qualification required to practice?

Bachelors degree

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

0.36 (<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?

Are physiotherapists permitted to provide telehealth services?

Yes

Senegal

How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?

86 (<100)

Sierra Leone

How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?

33 (<100)

How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?

0.04 (<1)

What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?

58% (40-60%)

What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?

58% (40-60%)

What is the minimum qualification required to practice?

Bachelors degree

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

1.16 (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 standard

Are physiotherapists educated for autonomous practice?

Is direct access permitted?

Yes

Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?

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

Yes

Are physiotherapists permitted to provide telehealth services?

Yes

South Africa

How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?

3,373 (1000-10000)

How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?

1.47 (1-5)

What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?

87% (>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?

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?

Are physiotherapists permitted to provide telehealth services?

Yes

Sudan

How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?

69 (<100)

How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?

0.77 (<1)

What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?

77% (60-80%)

What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?

93% (>80%)

What is the minimum qualification required to practice?

Bachelors degree

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

1.49 (1-5)

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?

Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?

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

Are physiotherapists permitted to provide telehealth services?

Yes

Togo

How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?

95 (<100)

How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?

0.51 (<1)

What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?

29% (20-40%)

What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?

16% (<20%)

What is the minimum qualification required to practice?

Bachelors degree

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

0.57 (<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?

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

Are physiotherapists permitted to provide telehealth services?

Uganda

How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?

255 (100-1000)

How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?

0.1 (<1)

What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?

34% (20-40%)

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?

Are physiotherapists permitted to provide telehealth services?

Yes

Zambia

How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?

93 (<100)

How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?

0.6 (<1)

What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?

72% (60-80%)

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?

0.5 (<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?

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

Are physiotherapists permitted to provide telehealth services?

Zimbabwe

How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?

7 (<100)

How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?

0.26 (<1)

What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?

71% (60-80%)

What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?

51% (40-60%)

What is the minimum qualification required to practice?

Bachelors degree

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

0.31 (<1)

Is registration required to practice?

Yes

Which authority defines scope of practice?

One or more independent regulation/licensing/registration authorities (Independent)