Physiotherapist Career Information

Occupation snapshot

22,900 physiotherapists in Australia1

5,725 physiotherapists in Victoria (25%)1

Average gross weekly earnings AUD$1,3002

Average weekly hours 38.83

Download Skills Australia’s labour market report for physiotherapists (RTF, 131kb)

A physiotherapist demonstrates a technique using a model of a human spine 

Victoria is currently offering visa sponsorship for eligible physiotherapists and graduate physiotherapists. To be eligible to apply for sponsorship, physiotherapists must:

  • have a minimum of two years experience
  • have an IELTS score of six or above in each band
  • meet Victoria's other eligibility requirements
  • address Victoria's sponsorship assessment criteria in your application.

If you are a graduate and wishing to apply for sponsorship through the Skilled – Sponsored (886) visa, you must have an IELTS score of six or above in each band.

In addition to these requirements you must:

  • meet Victoria's other minimum eligibility requirements
  • address Victoria's sponsorship assessment requirements in your application.

For more information on the Skilled Sponsored (886) visa, please visit the Department of Immigration and Citizenship's website.

Detailed information about applying for Victorian Government visa sponsorship is available in the Visas and Immigration section.


Licensing and registration

To work as a physiotherapist in Victoria you must be registered with the Physiotherapy Board of Australia.

For more information on registration, please contact:

Physiotherapy Board of Australia

Australian Health Practitioner Registration Agency
GPO Box 9958
Canberra ACT 2601
Telephone: 61 3 8708 9001
Email: Online enquiry form
Website: www.physiotherapyboard.gov.au

Tip

Think about applying for licensing and registration before you arrive in Australia, once you have your visa, as the process can take some time.


Industry contacts

Professional bodies and industry associations are a good source of information about physiotherapists in Victoria.


Finding a job

Physiotherapists work in hospitals, community health centres, rehabilitation centres, fitness centres and government departments. They may also work in research or occupational health and safety. In addition, large numbers of physiotherapists work in private practices.

Physiotherapists are employed across several industries including: Health Care and Social Assistance; Education and Training; Administrative and Support Services; and Public Administration and Safety.3


Tip

We suggest that you only apply for jobs when your visa to live and work in Australia has been issued. The visa application process can take time, and employers are less likely to employ you if you don’t know when you will arrive in Australia and don’t have a work visa.


To search for Victorian recruiters who specialise in physiotherapists, visit the Recruitment and Consulting Services Association's Member Index.

For more general information on Victoria’s job market, including where and how to find jobs, and workplace culture, visit our Working and Employment section.


Migrating to Victoria

Detailed information about how to migrate to Australia, including information about visa sponsorship from the Victorian Government, is available in the Visas and Immigrating section. You can also find detailed information about visa pathways including employer sponsorship on the Department of Immigration and Citizenship’s website.



Skill assessment information

For information on obtaining a skill or qualification assessment, and the requirements for practicing your occupation in Australia, please refer to the Australian Skills Recognition Information (ASRI) website.

The ASRI website provides:

  • a list of all occupations which require skills assessment to practise in Australia if you gained your skills or qualifications overseas
  • information on who to contact to get your skills or qualifications assessed
  • information on who to contact to obtain licensing and registration in a particular state or territory of Australia, if it is required by Australian law
  • links to the websites of the organisations that carry out skills assessment in Australia and the relevant state-level organisations that carry out licensing and registration.

1 Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations, Job Outlook – Occupation pages – Employment levels. Retrieved April 2 2012 from joboutlook.gov.au

2 Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations, Job Outlook - Occupation pages. Retrieved April 2 2012 from joboutlook.gov.au. Please note that wages will vary according to your level of skill and qualification. For more information about your wage earning potential, visit the job seeker sites listed above under Finding a Job.

3 Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations, Job Outlook - Occupation pages - Prospects for Employment. Retrieved April 2 2012 from joboutlook.gov.au

Migration Tools

Healthcare Career Guide

Healthcare Career Guide

For Health Practitioners

Designed to help you discover the opportunities available here, find a great job within the health industry and settle into your new life in Victoria.

Read More