- OVERSEAS
TRAINED PHYSIOTHERAPISTS
In August 2003 the Australian Council of Physiotherapy
Regulating Authorities Incorporated (ACOPRA Inc now called APC)
prepared a paper on limited registration for overseas trained
physiotherapists. This paper was prepared due to the national
shortage of physiotherapists and attempted to provide a more
flexible approach to registering overseas trained physiotherapists
who may want to work in Australia for a limited time. The paper
proposed that State Boards may be able to register overseas
trained physiotherapists for a period of up to 12 months under
conditions including that of supervision.
The NSW Physiotherapists Registration Board (NSW Board)
recognises that there is a need to provide quality physiotherapy
services to communities throughout NSW. It supported in principle
the ACOPRA document and a working party was established to
determine the criteria that would be required to allow overseas
trained physiotherapists to work in NSW without the need to sit
for the full registration exam.
The criteria governing temporary registration for Overseas
Trained Physiotherapists is designed to ensure:
- adequate screening of overseas trained physiotherapists in
relation to their qualifications and work experience; and
- appropriate supervision arrangements by the host facility to
ensure public safety.
The NSW Board will consider initial applications at the
Board meeting following receipt of applications by both the
overseas trained physiotherapist and the host facility. The
Registrar will advise the applicant and the host facility of the
Board's decision regarding an application.
Once an applicant's host has received approval any future
placements for the applicant will be able to be processed within
24 hours provided that approved supervisors are nominated.
- ELIGIBLE QUALIFICATIONS
- EXCHANGE PROGRAMMES
Temporary registration may be granted
to people who are in Australia on a work exchange visa. Temporary
registration may be granted to enable the applicant to work for
the duration of their visa in a position supervised by a NSW
registered physiotherapist for the sponsoring employer only
Citizens of New Zealand do not require visas to enter Australia
and are therefore not eligible for this type of approval to
practise.
- TEACHING / RESEARCH
Temporary registration
to practise as provided
for in section 14 of the Act may be granted to persons for the
purpose of undertaking teaching or research in physiotherapy.
