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