Frequently Asked Questions

Why do I need registration with the Physiotherapists' Registration Board of WA and the Australian Physiotherapy Association (APA)

If you want to practise physiotherapy or use the title "physiotherapist" you are required to maintain registration with the Board.

Membership of the APA, or any other professional body, is voluntary.

What is the period of registration?

The registration period is in line with the Australian financial year from 1 July to 30 June.

What do I do if I go interstate or overseas?

Depending on how long you will be out of Western Australia, you may elect to do one of the following:

• Advise the Board in writing (email is acceptable) to withdraw your name voluntarily from the Register prior to 30 June.
• Maintain your registration but ensure the Board is advised in writing of an address where you will receive your renewal reminder.

How do I effect my renewal payment if overseas?

• If you have maintained a bank account in Australia, you will be able to make the payment using BPay.
• If you do not have funds in Australia, you will need to ensure a Bank Cheque in AUSTRALIAN DOLLARS for the full amount is forwarded to the Board.
• You could arrange for a friend or family member to make the payment on your behalf.

Unless there are extenuating circumstances for a short delay in the payment of your renewal (the reasons for which must be explained IN WRITING to the Board), in accordance with the Act, your name will be removed from the Register, your payment returned, and you will need to present in person at the office of the Board to restore your name.

If you are in doubt about your payment being received by the Board please contact the Board BEFORE 30 June to seek clarification.

What are the penalties for practising whilst unregistered?

The Board has been successful in prosecuting practitioners for practising whilst unregistered, and the penalties that could be imposed under the Act are as follows:

• Section 83  Persons who may practise physiotherapy or a specialty:

1. A person must not practise physiotherapy unless that person is a registered person.
2. A person must not practise a specialty unless that person is a specialist registered to practise that specialty.

Penalty applicable to subsections (1) and (2):

1. in the case of an individual —
   1. for a first offence, $5 000; and a daily penalty of $200;
   2. for a second or subsequent offence, $10 000; and a daily penalty of $400;
2. in any other case —
   1. for a first offence, $10 000; and a daily penalty of $400;
   2. for a second or subsequent offence, $20 000; and a daily penalty of $800.

• Section 84  Persons who may be employed or engaged to practise physiotherapy or a specialty:

1. A person must not employ or engage a person to practise physiotherapy unless the person employed or engaged is a registered person.
2. A person must not employ or engage a person to practise a specialty unless the person employed is a specialist registered to practise that specialty.

Penalty applicable to subsections (1) and (2):

1. in the case of an individual —
   1. for a first offence, $5 000; and a daily penalty of $200;
   2. for a second or subsequent offence, $10 000; and a daily penalty of $400;
2. in any other case —
   1. for a first offence, $10 000; and a daily penalty of $400;
   2. for a second or subsequent offence, $20 000;and a daily penalty of $800.

What if I cannot present in person?

If you are not in Western Australia then you are not practising in the state, and therefore will not be disadvantaged if you do not restore your name until you return to Western Australia.

What happens if I do not renew my registration?

If in the future you would like to practise in Western Australia, you will be required to present in person at the office of the Board, complete the necessary documentation, and pay the penalty payment, the current practising fees, and any practising fees unpaid since 1 January 2008.

How do I obtain registration in Western Australia if I do not hold qualifications prescribed in the Physiotherapists Act 2005?

You will need to have your qualifications accredited by the Australian Physiotherapy Council (APC).  This process requires you to undertake a written exam and a clinical exam.

Once you have received an Interim Certificate following successful completion of the written exam, you are able to apply to the Board for conditional registration for six weeks to enable you to undertake a supervised practice audit.  At the conclusion of the six-week period you must cease practising.  Once the Board is informed of the date on which you will take the clinical examination, you will be granted conditional registration for that day only.

On satisfactory completion of the accreditation process, the APC will provide you with a Final Certificate.  In order for you to obtain full registration in Western Australia, you will need to provide the Board with a certified copy of this document.

How do I obtain certification of documents?

If you are applying for registration from overseas, your documents need to be certified by an officer of the Australian Embassy or Consulate.

If you are applying for registration in Australia, your documents may be certified by a person authorised to witness a statutory declaration.

For how long are police clearances valid?

The Physiotherapists’ Registration Board of Western Australia requires updated police clearances every four years.  These may be in the form of a:

• National Police Clearance available through a post office.
• Working With Children Check available through a post office.
• Department of Education screening.
• Department of Health screening.

If you are overseas, you will need to furnish the Board with a clearance from the country in which you are resident.

Can I perform acupuncture and pilates?

Yes, physiotherapists may perform acupuncture and pilates.

Recency of practice

If you have not practised physiotherapy for a period of five years, you will be removed from the Register.  Should you wish to return to practising, you will be required to undertake a supervised practice audit.  Please view the Board’s policy on Recency of Practice.

What are the registration requirements for interstate practitioners to attend professional development seminars, conferences or sporting events in WA?

If there is any hands-on component during your visit, even if you are demonstrating on a fellow participant, you are required to obtain conditional registration.

While a registration number will be allocated, and a letter confirming the applicant’s registration will be issued, a registration certificate will not be produced.

The requirements for conditional registration are summarised below:

For events less than seven days’ duration, applicants will need to provide the Board with certified copies of:

• Application form.
• Photographic identification (driver's licence or passport).
• Current practising certificate from the state in which registration is held.
• A letter outlining the event, and dates for registration.

Please note the Board has agreed to waive the application and registration fees under these circumstances.

For events in excess of seven (7) days, applicants will be required to provide the Board with the normal documentation:

• Application form.
• Photographic identification (driver's licence or passport).
• Current practising certificate from the state in which registration is held.
• A letter outlining the event, and dates for registration.
• Current National Police Clearance.
• Pay the relevant application and practising fees.

To facilitate the registration process, applicants are permitted to mail applications providing copied documents bear original certification by someone authorised to sign statutory declarations.

As a member of the public, how can I make a complaint against a physiotherapist?

In the first instance, please visit the section on our website entitled “Complaints and Conciliation” to download the Board’s policies.
When preparing your complaint in writing to the Board, please be sure to include an accurate chronology and details of your attendance at the practitioner.  You may also like to visit the Office of Health Review website for additional information.  The link for this is: 

What happens if my renewal payment does not reach the Board by 30 June?

If there is doubt of your payment being received by the Board by 30 June, please contact the Board to check on whether the renewal has been received.  Please allow yourself time to make payment in person at the office of the Board on the 30 June if it has not been received.

Can I make a complaint in response to an internet consultation?

You may make a complaint to the registration board with whom the practitioner is registered.  For example, if you reside in Western Australia, and are obtaining consultation over the internet from a practitioner registered in, say, New South Wales, then you would need to direct any complaint to the Registration Board of New South Wales.  The Board would recommend clarification of the registration status of the practitioner in the first instance.

What are the registration requirements for additional studies of the Masters programmes at the University of Western Australia and Curtin University?

The fees for conditional registration for these courses are different, and you would need to contact the Registration Board for clarification.