The scope of practice of a physiotherapist in Australia is clearly defined and these healthcare professionals must adhere to defined policies and procedures. If you are a physiotherapist in Australia, Medfuture provides a guideline on your scope of practice within the healthcare sector.

What is a scope of practice?

Before learning what the scope of practice is for a physiotherapist, it is important to know what is meant by a scope of practice in general terms. Professional competence, regulations, legislation, and workplace safeguards are the base of the scope of practice of a healthcare professional. It provides physiotherapists the tools they require to know what is expected of them within their scope of service. It consists of processes, procedures, and actions that physiotherapists can perform, which progress from knowledge, experience, and professional development. Therefore, physiotherapists can provide productive care that keeps their patients, health administration staff, and themselves safe.

What do you need to become a physiotherapist in Australia?

You must have completed a bachelor, master’s, or professional doctorate programme to become a physiotherapist in Australia. This should also include supervised clinical practice modules. After obtaining the relevant qualification, all physiotherapists must register via the Australian Health Practitioner Regulatory Agency (AHPRA) to start working anywhere in the country. This should be done via the National Physiotherapy Board of Australia, whilst completing continuous professional development as members of the Australian Physiotherapy Association.

The Australian Physiotherapy Council assesses overseas-trained physiologists to practice under the General Skilled Migration (GSM). Every physiotherapist must be assessed for fitness to practice in Australia. This includes conducting criminal checks and providing evidence of meeting recency of practice standards.

What are the tasks and duties of a physiotherapist?

Physiotherapists work with different kinds of people with various physiotherapy and mobility-related issues. They work towards improving mobility, functionality, pain, and quality of life by focusing on their physical movements and body structure. Physiotherapists do this through examining, diagnosing, developing treatment plans, and provisioning of care.

Treatment plans involve care including the following:

• Manual therapy
• Ultrasound therapy
• Acupuncture
• Strapping
• Advice on lifestyle modification
• Exercise supervision
• Health and injury prevention awareness
• Support and aid

Problems that physiotherapists aim at may develop from injuries, health conditions, or wear and tear. Some of issues include the following:

• Headaches
• Back and neck pain due to prolonged sitting or poor posture
• Cancer
• Obesity
• Post-surgery recovery
• Injury prevention

Chronic medical conditions, including heart disease, diabetes, osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, and neurological diseases

Physiotherapists work in a variety of settings, including the following:

• Hospitals
• Private practices
• Community programmes
• Aged care homes
• Early intervention programmes
• Sporting organisations

Physiotherapists work within their scope of practice to provide quality care

Physiotherapy treatment is beneficial for patients in the means that it allows them to achieve better mobility and find comfort while engaging in their ordinary daily activities. It improves the overall health status and wellbeing of the individual. However, to ensure that this is achieved and that patients find utmost comfort through physiotherapy treatment, physiotherapists must work within the limits of their scope of practice.

Doing this prevents situations that result in subpar care or dire consequences. If any physiotherapist is found to be practicing beyond their scope of work, they can be reported and put under investigation to take appropriate action.

Physiotherapist scope of practice in Australia

According to AHPRA, physiotherapist scope of practice is defined as ‘advanced scope of practice’ and ‘extended scope of practice’.

Advanced scope of practice: This is a role that is within the present scope of practice for physiotherapists but has, through custom and practice, been conducted by other professions. It is an advanced role that may require extra training, additional professional experience, and competency development.

Extended scope of practice: This is role that is beyond the present recognised scope of physiotherapy practice and one that needs any form of credentialing following extra training, competency development, professional development, and legislative change.

The physiotherapy practice domain has broadened to meet the requirements of the Australian health system and its stakeholders. As a result, it has shown a significant impact on enhancing and speeding up patient access to medical service with improved health and financial results for the community.

Barriers to extended and advanced scope practice

Physiotherapists must address the following barriers to undertake extended and advanced roles.

Legislative

Many of the new roles introduced as an expansion of the present scope of practice, are regulated by mostly state-based, Acts of Parliament. Some of these are the different Physiotherapists’ Registration Acts, Radiation Safety Acts, and Poison Acts.

Funding

It is legal and ethical to refer medical specialists within the scope of practice for physiotherapists in Australia. It is best avoided when a physiotherapist refers a patient to a medical practitioner or procedure that does not fall under the MBS schedule. Physiotherapists can refer medical specialists such as radiologists for taking x-rays. However, doing the same for the purpose of obtaining diagnostic ultrasound and CT scans are restricted by Medicare Australia. A physiotherapist can request these investigations, however is will not be covered by the MBS schedule.

Cultural

Prominent cultural differences and barriers within the healthcare sector may be a cause for physiotherapists to be discouraged from undertaking roles that are generally manages by other medical practitioners.

Regulation

Physiotherapy is a very much regulated profession in Australia. This profession is regulated via a new national scheme, since July 2010. The legislation for this particular scheme does not give a definition of physiotherapy scope of practice. However, it restricts the use of the title physical therapist and physiotherapist.

Physiotherapy is identified by legislation in Australia, so professionals in this field are responsible for defining physiotherapy practice. The Australian Physiotherapy Association (APA) gives the following definition of physiotherapy practice in Australia.

Physiotherapy practice in Australia takes a holistic approach to preventing, diagnosing, and providing therapeutic care for disorders involving an individual’s mobility. As a result, it works towards the enhancing the health and welfare of citizens.

The APA’s position

The APA supports a standardised and regulated system of physiotherapy practice. It ensures physiotherapy practice in Australia is effective, flexible, and accountable.

Here is the position the of APA with regard to the scope of practice for physiotherapy in Australia.

The scope of physiotherapy in Australia may involve both emerging and exiting practices.

Physiotherapists may practice under a broad scope of physiotherapy as long as they are adequately qualified, experienced, trained, and competent to practice.

The procedure should allow various professions to share overlapping scopes of practice.

It should prevent medical professionals from maximising their contribution to the wellbeing of Australians.

Professionals must be committed to provide support in their fullest extent with the knowledge, skills, and experience they possess.

Educational providers should be encouraged and motivated to develop specialist courses for physiotherapists, which will further equip them with knowledge and skills required to do their tasks successfully.

Physiotherapy practice thresholds and its uses

The Physiotherapy Board of Australia (PhysioBA) has developed and regularly reviews the physiotherapy practice thresholds for threshold competence required for physiotherapy practice in Australia. It describes the threshold competence that is required to register and continue working as a physiotherapist in Australia.

Following are the uses of physiotherapy practice thresholds:

Registering those who have completed a recognised physiotherapy programme in Australia

Registering those who complete their first level of physiotherapy qualification overseas

Re-registering those who have previously registered as physiotherapists in Australia

Assessing and monitoring those whose competence level to practice poses a risk of harm to the general public

Key features of physiotherapy in Australia

Physiotherapy practice in Australia revolved around a culture of ethical practice which the community generally considers to be trustworthy, responsible, and credible. Physiotherapists in Australia work in collaboration with individuals to enhance their daily activities and function of life.

It is a culturally-diverse community, so physiotherapists in Australia must know how to effectively work with people from different communities and cultural backgrounds. The culture includes factors like gender, age, sexual orientation, religion, race, and physical and mental status of the individual.

Look to Medfuture, as we connect reputed healthcare organisations with qualified and skilled healthcare professionals. Medfuture updates its job board with the latest and high-paying physiotherapist jobs spread across all states and suburbs in Australia. Visit the Medfuture website for an insight into the healthcare industry and related job scope in Australia.