Document type Reference Issuing function Date of issue

INFORMATION PAPER PD032 PRACTICE AND DEVELOPMENT DECEMBER 2010

Working in Australia
What a CSP member needs to know

THE CHARTERED SOCIETY OF PHYSIOTHERAPY

14 Bedford Row, London WC1R 4ED, UK www.csp.org.uk Tel +44 (0)20 7306 6666 Email enquiries@csp.org.uk

Working in Australia
What a CSP member needs to know
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. Introduction ............................................................................................................................... 5 Disclaimer ................................................................................................................................. 5 Version information ................................................................................................................... 5 2. The National Physiotherapy Professional Body ........................................................................ 6 Associate Membership of the APA ............................................................................................ 6 3. Registering to work as a Physiotherapist in Australia ............................................................... 6 a) Australian Physiotherapy Council (APC) ........................................................................... 6 b) Physiotherapy Registration Board ..................................................................................... 6 Registration procedure .............................................................................................................. 7 Eligibility ................................................................................................................................ 7 Registration ........................................................................................................................... 7 Limited registration ................................................................................................................ 7 Recognition via Trans-Tasman Mutual Recognition process .................................................... 7 4. Migration / Work Permits / Visas ............................................................................................... 8 Australia Visa Requirements ..................................................................................................... 8 Further information on visas .................................................................................................. 8 5. Miscellaneous information ........................................................................................................ 8 Getting Work ............................................................................................................................. 8 Government recruiting............................................................................................................... 9 Recruiting Agencies/Australian Employers ............................................................................... 9 Australian Masters Courses .................................................................................................. 9 Expat Exchange ........................................................................................................................ 9 7. Your Professional Liability Insurance ...................................................................................... 10 8. ERUS International Information .............................................................................................. 10 9. Communicate with physiotherapists around the world ............................................................ 10 10. CSP Member Services .......................................................................................................... 10 11. International Links ................................................................................................................. 11 World Confederation for Physical Therapy ............................................................................. 11 World Health Organisation ...................................................................................................... 11 European Observatory on Health Systems and Policies ........................................................ 11 12. CSP Member names and contact details .............................................................................. 11

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Working in Australia
What a CSP member needs to know
1. INTRODUCTION
The following is the information we currently have on practising physiotherapy in Australia. In addition, we have listed useful websites and any other information we feel you should know. Please note that the information in this document is intended primarily for CSP members who are British citizens. Non-UK nationals may be subject to different immigration controls and recognition procedures when entering other countries to practise as physiotherapists. If you are not a UK national, please take advice from the visa department of the Embassy or Consulate office, and from the relevant physiotherapy association or registration body. We have included a list of CSP members believed to be currently resident in the country (if there are any). These people have volunteered to be a point of contact and help, so feel free to get in touch with them if you have any questions. They have not volunteered to help you with anything other than advice, which they give free and in their own time. So please do not overload them with questions and expectations, or ask them to assist you in finding work or solving any other problems you encounter. If you intend to telephone them, please be sensitive to time differences. A midnight caller wont get as much help as hoped! It would also be of help if you could add your name to our "Willing to be contacted" list. Don't think your inexperience of the country will be a handicap; the fact that you have recently addressed the issues of going to work there often makes your experience more relevant.

Disclaimer
This paper is updated regularly but the CSP cannot guarantee that the information or advice given in it remains current. You are advised to check all information yourself for accuracy and completeness before making any decision based upon it. Your input is valuable to us. If you discover any errors or outdated information in this document, please let us know.

Version information PD032 Version 2 Authors: Birgit Mueller-Winkler MCSP and Pat Olver. Last updated: December 2010. Revision date: December 2012.

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2. THE NATIONAL PHYSIOTHERAPY PROFESSIONAL BODY

Australian Physiotherapy Association http://www.physiotherapy.asn.au The role of the Australian Physiotherapy Association is to assist registered and registerable physiotherapists with employment, education, lobbying, inter- and intraprofessional relationships, insurance, standards of care etc. Contact the APA for information on standards and codes of ethics, and for more information about practice.

Associate Membership of the APA

The Australian Physiotherapy Association has introduced an Associate Membership category for overseas physiotherapists not working in Australia. Benefits include a selection of APA publications, resources and member access to the APA website. For more information visit http://apa.advsol.com.au/join/associate.cfm

3. REGISTERING TO WORK AS A PHYSIOTHERAPIST IN AUSTRALIA

Unlike the UK, there are two organisations you will need to contact during the registration process, each with different responsibilities.

a) Australian Physiotherapy Council (APC)

http://www.physiocouncil.com.au/ This is a national standards advisory body which, amongst other things, oversees the assessment of the qualifications of overseas-qualified physiotherapists seeking registration to practise in Australia. It also oversees the Australian Physiotherapy Competency Standards. It is not responsible for registering physiotherapists. This is the function of the Physiotherapy Registration Board. The Members of the Australian Physiotherapy Council are the Physiotherapists Registration Board, the Australian Physiotherapy Association and a representative of the Schools of Physiotherapy in Australian Universities.

b) Physiotherapy Registration Board

http://www.physiotherapyboard.gov.au/ The Board is roughly analogous to the Health Professions Council in the United Kingdom. Registration is handled only by the Registration Board.

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As in the United Kingdom (where the CSP cannot assist with State Registration applications, which are the responsibility of the entirely separate, government administered Health Professions Council) so in Australia the Australian Physiotherapy Association cannot intervene or assist in the Australian registration process.

Registration procedure
This comprises four stages: 1. Submission of documentation to APC demonstrating your eligibility to sit the professional examinations 2. The written exam 3. The clinical exam 4. Registration with the Registration Board. Successfully going through this process allows you to practise physiotherapy on a permanent basis. Eligibility To take the exams, applicants must be deemed eligible by APC, with qualifying education of no less than three years. Registration Members are reminded that registration to practise as a physiotherapist is a legal requirement in all States and Territories. All registered physiotherapists pay an annual fee. Limited registration Physiotherapists wishing to work in Australia for a defined period of time can apply for limited registration in the public interest. For this form of registration, which will be issued for a maximum of 12 months, an employer has to be named who is willing to supervise the applicants practice. The application form can be found on the Physiotherapy Councils website. Applications are processed on a case-by-case basis. You should expect this process to take at least four weeks from the time your application is received by the Australian Physiotherapy Council.

Recognition via Trans-Tasman Mutual Recognition process

Physiotherapists registered in New Zealand automatically have full rights to work in Australia via the Trans-Tasman Mutual Recognition process. Therefore, if an overseas trained physiotherapist has already been granted registration to work in New Zealand, they will not need to go through the Australian registration procedure.

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4. MIGRATION / WORK PERMITS / VISAS Australia Visa Requirements

There are three main categories of visa permitting you to work - emigrant, temporary resident or working holiday visa. Visit the Australian Governments official immigration website for details: http://www.immi.gov.au There are websites which charge a fee to assist you with your visa application. It is not necessary to use an intermediary to obtain a visa and the CSP cannot endorse any of the commercial sites. Further information on visas For further information on migration and visa issues, application forms, and any other queries, you should contact the Australian High Commission in London: http://www.australia.org.uk

5. MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION Getting Work

UK physiotherapists seem to have an excellent reputation for knowledge, hard work and enthusiasm, and clinical aptitude is rarely questioned. If the jobs are there, they will be offered. There are usually many vacancies, especially in the more rural areas. Demand for staff fluctuates in the big cities; in the Australian summer (Jan/Feb) newly qualified staff are coming on to the job market, and private practices might reduce their workload at this time. Some points to bear in mind:

Many people who start out as locums will be offered longer term work At the end of their financial year in May/June, hospitals may not have funding to fill locum posts. If you have trouble, try again in July when the new financial year starts. The best months for jobs are September to November Work is easier to find if you have two years' experience Hospital jobs are keenly sought after The private sector is large and lucrative but the corporate nature could present a challenge to those who have not worked in these settings before Rewarding jobs can be found in rural areas, where you will be exposed to a more varied caseload. Locums in rural areas are often helped to settle into the community Finding accommodation may be difficult in larger cities, especially furnished accommodation. Regional hospitals may be able to offer accommodation to locums

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If you are in Australia as a temporary resident, superannuation can be reclaimed from the State Government when you leave the country. Rebates are, of course, taxed.

Government recruiting
The individual State Health Boards display physiotherapy job vacancies on their websites: Australian Capital Territory: http://www.health.act.gov.au/c/health New South Wales: http://www.health.nsw.gov.au/ Northern Territory: http://www.health.nt.gov.au/ Queensland: http://www.health.qld.gov.au/ South Australia: http://www.sahealth.sa.gov.au/wps/wcm/connect/Public+Content/SA+Health+Internet/ Tasmania: http://www.dhhs.tas.gov.au/new_home Victoria: http://www.health.vic.gov.au/jobs Western Australia: http://www.health.wa.gov.au/home/

Recruiting Agencies/Australian Employers

Global Health Source: http://www.globalhealth.com.au/ Reed Healthcare: http://www.reedhealthcare.com.au/content_static/home.asp These agencies are particularly helpful in finding an employer when you have limited registration. Australian Masters Courses Not all Masters courses in Australia require you to complete a research component, but this is a requirement of UK Masters programmes. You may therefore want to ensure you choose a Masters programme which does include a research component, so that you have comparable research skills with UK Masters students. If manual therapy is your area of interest, you should note that the manual therapy Masters courses in Australia do not give you automatic eligibility for membership of the CSP Manipulation Association of Chartered Physiotherapists (MACP) interest group, whereas some UK Masters courses do. Check with the MACP where you would stand if you completed the Australian manual therapy Masters.

Expat Exchange
Information exchange and advice from ex-pat residents in many countries around the world: http:// www.expatexchange.com

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7. YOUR PROFESSIONAL LIABILITY INSURANCE

The CSPs PLI cover ceased in Australia on 30th June 2005 as a result of a change in Australian law. CSP members working in Australia for an employer will be covered by their employers PLI insurance. Members working in the private sector should arrange separate cover from an Australian insurance provider such as: http://www.guildinsurance.com.au http://www.aon.com

8. ERUS INTERNATIONAL INFORMATION

The CSP Employment Relations and Union Services (ERUS) has links to, and contacts with, a number of organisations with an interest in international employment, human rights and campaigning issues. Contact ERUS for further information on +44(0)20 7306 6666.

9. COMMUNICATE WITH PHYSIOTHERAPISTS AROUND THE WORLD

If you have internet access, you can communicate online with other physiotherapists from anywhere in the world. Discussion forums for physiotherapists in education and practice enable members to share experiences, enhance collaboration, make new contacts, aid research, announce events and keep up to date with advancements in physiotherapy. Interactive CSP (current CSP members only): http://www.csp.org.uk/ JISC Physio discussion list: http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/lists/physio.html and the WCPT International Work and Study forum : http://www.wcpt.org/smfforum/index.php You may also benefit from keeping in contact via the CSPs Professional Networks and Alliances (formerly the clinical and occupational interest groups): http://www.csp.org.uk/ of which one group with relevant experience of international working is ADAPT, the Chartered Physiotherapists in International Health and Development.

10. CSP MEMBER SERVICES

For all queries, please contact the CSP Enquiry Handling Unit:
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Tel: +44(0)20 7306 6666 Fax: +44(0)20 7314 7890 Email: enquiries@csp.org.uk Replacement CSP Membership Certificate: If you have lost your original you may obtain a replacement, for a small charge, from the CSP Membership Officer. CSP Qualifying Certificate: If you qualified by the Diploma route, certified copies are available from the Development & Research Unit Administrator (Education). Course transcripts: Transcripts giving details of your course content should normally be available from your University. In case of difficulty, please contact the Development & Research Unit Administrator (Education). If you qualified by the Diploma route and your school is now closed, the Development & Research Unit Administrator (Education) will supply a transcript on request.

11. INTERNATIONAL LINKS World Confederation for Physical Therapy

http://www.wcpt.org For information about Australia go to the webpage http://www.wcpt.org/node/24558

World Health Organisation

Country information pages: http://www.who.int/countries/en/

European Observatory on Health Systems and Policies

Country health system information pages: http://www.euro.who.int/observatory/ctryinfo/ctryinfo

12. CSP MEMBER NAMES AND CONTACT DETAILS

The following CSP Members are either currently working in Australia or have worked there recently, and have said they are happy to answer some of your questions. Please respect their time and the voluntary nature of this service.

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Carol Parker Email: carol_parker001@yahoo.com.au Victoria Harriet Tully Email: iamroxygirl@hotmail.com South Australia Pete Hall Email: phall_11@hotmail.co.uk

If you are, or have recently been, involved in applying to work in Australia, please offer to share your experiences. Email the CSP Enquiry Handling Unit at enquiries@csp.org.uk, with the subject Attention: Professional Adviser: International Development.

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