Grades of Physio in Australia

[Laura01]

Can anyone explain the grade system used in Australia? I'm just having a look at some of the job adverts for instance which are advertising for a grade 2 physio. Does quantify to years of experience?
Thanks
Laura

Similar Threads:

• UK paediatric Physio in Australia
• Belgian qualified physio looking for help for physio related jobs in Australia( melbourne)
• on-call payment rates for uk basic grades

[APC Office]

Hi Laura

Like many things in Australia, the Grades differ between States/Territories. You would get the most accurate and correct information by asking the employer what "Grade 2" means.

[physiobob]

It seems that this is an ever changing structure within Australia, and differs between states as well. The Australian Physiotherapy Association did publish a draft review on where it sees this structure going. A link to it is here: http://www.physiotherapy.asn.au/Docu...2013_FINAL.pdf

The summary within that document suggests the following notion.

The 2013 the Australian Physiotherapy Association proposed a 7 stage career progression for clinical practice, as follows:

• Stage 1 - Entry Level/Graduate Physiotherapist
• Stage 2 - Rotating Junior Physiotherapist
• Stage 3 - Commencing Specialising Physiotherapist
• Stage 4 - Established Specialising Physiotherapist
• Stage 5 - Titled Physiotherapist
• Stage 6 - Specialist Physiotherapist
• Stage 7 - Consultant Physiotherapist

The number of physiotherapy employment “levels/grades” differs between states:

• NSW: 8 levels with increments
• VIC: 4 levels with increments
• QLD: 8 levels with increments (physiotherapist commences at level 3)
• WA: 9 levels with increments (+ Classes 1-4, above level 9)
• SA: 6 levels with increments
• TAS: 6 levels with increments
• ACT: 6 levels with increments
• NT: 5 levels with increments

There are different guidelines for how a practitioner should progress from one level to another in each jurisdiction. Some grades are hardly used at all in some states (especially some higher grades). In most jurisdictions, a practitioner progresses up an increment on an annual basis however to move up a grade requires that person to successfully apply for a higher position. There are guidelines for the roles and responsibilities for each grade in many state agreements.

Accordingly, 7 criteria have been identified by the APA for each career stage:

– Professional Characteristics

1. Professional Development – refers to PD education and seminars provided to others
2. Education Level – refers to level of education/training attained by physiotherapist
3. Specialisation Profile – e.g. level 1, 2, 3, Titled, Specialist
4. Scope of practice – complexity of clients a therapist can manage independently
5. Breadth of Skill Development – expected competencies of a physiotherapist working at a particular level
6. Standard Caseload
7. Leadership Status