Introduction

The Australian Physiotherapy Association (APA) is the peak body representing physiotherapists across Australia. The association plays a crucial role in advocating for the profession, supporting its members, and ensuring physiotherapy is effectively integrated into healthcare policies and workforce planning. To enhance its advocacy, APA recognised the need for comprehensive workforce data that could provide a clearer picture of industry trends, employment challenges, and professional needs.

What didn’t they know?

Before undertaking this research, APA lacked a reliable, national dataset on the physiotherapy workforce. Workforce data existed in pockets, but it was incomplete and often anecdotal. The association needed a cohesive, evidence-based understanding of key issues such as workforce distribution, employment trends, and barriers to professional mobility.

The APA was particularly interested in understanding the career intentions of physiotherapists. Ensuring the physiotherapy workforce is able to meet the needs of Australians both now and into the future required an understanding of the retention and attrition factors of the profession. The association also wanted to capture student perspectives to better understand future workforce trends and identify potential gaps in training and career pathways. Additionally, APA sought greater insights into the experiences of private practice physiotherapists, who make up a significant portion of its membership. Funding concerns, staffing issues, and regulatory pressures were frequently cited as challenges, but without structured data, it was difficult to quantify their impact.

What did they learn?         

The research provided critical workforce insights that challenged assumptions and uncovered new advocacy opportunities. One of the most significant findings was that a large proportion of physiotherapists were open to working in rural areas. The survey also identified key barriers preventing them from making the move, finding inadequate professional support, limited career development opportunities, and lifestyle concerns to be among the most inhibitive barriers to physiotherapists accepting rural work.

Interestingly, the Census exposed a gender pay gap that widens with experience. Despite being an industry where 68 percent identify as women, men earn on average 15 per cent more than women do. This is amplified by men being more likely to hold management positions.

The findings also confirmed long-standing challenges in private practice, including difficulties in securing funding, hiring staff, and navigating compliance requirements. These insights reinforced existing advocacy efforts while providing concrete data to support policy discussions.

In addition, the research shed light on student concerns and career expectations, offering valuable information on how new graduates perceive the profession and what factors influence their career choices. Understanding these perspectives allowed APA to refine its approach to workforce planning and professional development initiatives.

How did they apply what they learned?

The research findings were immediately applied to strengthen APA’s advocacy efforts. By presenting detailed workforce data alongside identified solutions, APA was able to engage in more targeted discussions with policymakers. The association shared the findings with federal health ministers, state and territory allied health leaders, and key policy stakeholders, ensuring the data informed broader workforce planning discussions. They also shared the reports with their membership, providing them with crucial career-defining data.

The rural workforce findings were particularly impactful, prompting direct engagement with regional healthcare stakeholders to explore collaborative solutions. By using concrete data rather than anecdotal evidence, APA could make a stronger case for policy changes that would support physiotherapists working in rural areas.

Beyond advocacy, the research provided APA with a stronger foundation for workforce planning. Understanding the challenges faced by private practice physiotherapists helped shape support initiatives for members, ensuring the association’s services aligned with industry needs. The insights into student perspectives also helped inform discussions about training pathways and career development opportunities.

Recognising the long-term value of this research, APA has committed to conducting workforce surveys every two years. By tracking trends over time, the association will be able to measure the impact of policy changes, refine its advocacy strategies, and continue providing evidence-based recommendations to government and industry leaders.