Updated accreditation standards for entry-level physiotherapy practitioner programs now in effect

12 Sep 2025

Accreditation standards for entry-level physiotherapy programs have been updated with a refreshed format, revised criteria and a new cultural safety domain, following a review by the Australian Physiotherapy Council (APC).

The updated standards have been approved by the Physiotherapy Board of Australia and take effect from 12 September 2025.

What’s changed

Key updates include:

• updated criteria to the public safety, academic governance and quality assurance, programs of study, student experience, and assessment domains
• a new cultural safety domain and corresponding criteria
• a standard statement for each domain, with supporting criteria for each statement
• the addition of ‘intent of criteria’ for each standard statement
• removal of domain numbers and the development of a naming system.

Why the updates matter

Regular review of accreditation standards ensures graduates of an accredited entry-level program have the knowledge, clinical skills, and professional attributes for safe and ethical practice of physiotherapy in Australia.

This includes delivering culturally safe care as defined by the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health and Cultural Safety Strategy 2020-2025.

The project was funded by the Board, with the APC conducting extensive consultation, research and benchmarking in line with Ahpra and National Board ‘Procedures for the development of accreditation standards’.

Where to find out more

The updated accreditation standards are available on the Board’s Accreditation page.