If you're planning to migrate to Australia as a physiotherapist, here’s a number that should instantly grab your attention: over 8,000 internationally trained physiotherapists applied for overseas licensing pathways across major Western countries in the last two years, according to workforce estimates published by various national physiotherapy boards. Australia alone continues to face a strong and rising demand for physiotherapists due to chronic disease trends, an ageing population, and increased public funding towards rehabilitation services.
This growing demand has made Australia one of the world’s most attractive destinations, but it also means one thing:
Your APEP Exam preparation needs to be rock-solid.
That starts with choosing the right APEP Exam Preparation Resources. It starts with books, study guides, practice kits and clinical references that mirror the standards used in Australian universities, hospitals and clinical placements.
This guide has been crafted to give you the most comprehensive, practical and up-to-date list of study materials you’ll need for the Written Assessment under the Australian Physiotherapy Entry Pathway (APEP).
Why Your APEP Exam Resources Matter More Than Ever
The Written Assessment under the APEP pathway evaluates your competency across musculoskeletal, cardiorespiratory, neurological and professional practice domains.
The questions are application-based, case-driven and aligned with Australian clinical reasoning standards, which means memorising theory isn’t enough.
You need exposure to:
- Australian-style clinical decision making
- Australian terminology & practice guidelines
- Updated evidence-based protocols
- Local health frameworks and care models
Using outdated or generic physio books simply won’t cut it.
Below is a carefully curated, thoroughly vetted list of the best resources physiotherapy educators in Australia recommend, so you can prep like a local student, not a foreign-trained candidate guessing the syllabus.
APEP Exam Preparation Resources
Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy: Core Reading List
Musculoskeletal (MSK) topics form a major chunk of the APEP Written Assessment. These texts are widely used in Australian university curricula and clinical placements.
1. Brukner & Khan’s Clinical Sports Medicine (5th Edition)
Authors: Brukner et al.
Why it’s gold:
This is Australia’s most trusted MSK reference. It is extremely clinically oriented, packed with diagnostic algorithms, red flags, assessment sequences and evidence-based interventions.
Perfect for APEP:
- Covers tendinopathy, joint injuries, sports injuries and biomechanics
- Provides clinical reasoning flowcharts you can replicate in exam scenarios
2. Grieve’s Modern Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy (4th Edition)
Authors: Jull, Moore, Falla, Lewis, McCarthy & Sterling
Why it helps:
A deep dive into MSK assessment and treatment concepts, particularly spinal disorders—an area commonly tested.
Great for strengthening your clinical reasoning and understanding the why behind treatment choices.
3. Orthopaedic Physical Assessment (6th Edition)
Author: David J. Magee
Why Australian educators love it:
- Crystal-clear special test procedures
- High-quality illustrations
- Differential diagnosis tables
In the APEP Written Assessment, where you’re expected to choose the most appropriate or most effective assessment, Magee’s structured test guides are invaluable.
4. Principles of Neuromusculoskeletal Treatment & Management (2nd Edition)
Editor: Nicola Petty
Great for refining your ability to plan management pathways aligned with the Australian model of care, focusing on biopsychosocial principles.
5. Neuromusculoskeletal Examination and Assessment (5th Edition)
Authors: Petty & Ryder
If you struggle with systematic clinical examination sequences or differential diagnosis logic, this book will fill those gaps.
Cardiorespiratory Physiotherapy: Essential Resources
Cardiorespiratory topics carry significant weight in APEP, especially because Australia has a strong hospital-based physio workforce. These resources reflect current Australian guidelines.
1. Bronchiectasis Toolbox
A widely used Australian online resource that includes videos, diagnostic criteria, treatment planning and patient education tools.
Excellent for case-based questions involving chronic respiratory conditions.
2. Lung Foundation Australia: Pulmonary Rehabilitation Toolkit
This is directly aligned with Australian best practice. It covers:
- Pulmonary rehab prescription
- Safety criteria
- Outcome measures
- COPD management
Highly recommended for APEP respiratory case questions.
3. Cardiorespiratory Physiotherapy: Adults and Paediatrics (5th Edition)
Editors: Main & Denehy
This is one of the core textbooks used in the University of Melbourne and several Australian PT programs.
It includes:
- Clinical pathways
- ICU and ward-based management
- Ventilation concepts
- Adult & paediatric cases
4. National Heart Foundation Australia: HeartOnline Resources
Provides the most updated Australian guidelines on:
- Heart failure management
- Cardiac rehabilitation
- Exercise prescription
APEP candidates often overlook this, yet many questions follow Heart Foundation protocols verbatim.
5. NSW Agency for Clinical Innovation (ACI)
ACI’s clinical guides are used across Australian hospitals. Read their:
- Respiratory Network resources
- Virtual care guidelines
- Rehabilitation care standards
Neurology & Neuro-Rehab Resources (Expert-Recommended)
Though not included in the initial list provided, Australian universities commonly recommend:
Neurological Rehabilitation – Darcy Ann Umphred
Great for fundamental neuro concepts.
Motor Control: Translating Research into Clinical Practice (Shumway-Cook & Woollacott)
Excellent for understanding movement science, stroke rehab and gait analysis (frequent APEP topics).
Lifespan Neurorehabilitation Resources from Stroke Foundation Australia
These are useful for case-based reasoning, similar to APEP exam questions.
Professional Practice, Ethics & Australian Healthcare System Resources
Some APEP questions revolve around safe practice, ethics and procedural norms in the Australian environment.
Recommended:
- Australian Physiotherapy Association (APA) Professional Standards
- AHPRA Physiotherapy Board Registration Standards
- National Safety & Quality Health Service (NSQHS) Standards
- Australian Charter of Healthcare Rights
Understanding these will help you answer ethics, supervision and red flag decision-making questions.
Practice Resources & Mock Exam Kits
While textbooks build your foundation, practice resources help you apply your knowledge the way APEP expects.
APEP-style Mock Tests
We offer:
✓ Full-length simulated Written Assessments
✓ Exam-style MCQs
✓ Case-based questions
✓ Detailed rationales
✓ Personalised feedback from Australian-trained physiotherapists
This is crucial because many foreign-trained physios struggle with the style of questioning, not necessarily a lack of knowledge.
Clinical Scenario Workbooks
Practice with:
- MSK case packets
- Resp ward scenarios
- Neuro case studies
- Post-op management cases
These sharpen your ability to pick the most appropriate intervention, an essential APEP skill.
Ready to start your APEP preparation the right way? Join Academically’s APEP preparation course, 100% aligned with APC standards.
Do you want to know more about our course modules, AI-based Grand tests, study guides, casebooks, mentorship and structured preparation?
Study Strategies: How to Use APEP Resources Effectively
Having great books is only useful if you know how to study strategically.
1. Start with the Australian guidelines first
This helps you build a local lens for clinical reasoning.
2. Use textbooks only for clarification
Don’t try to memorise entire chapters.
3. Practice 30-40 MCQs daily
Focus on:
- Red flag identification
- Acute care decisions
- Prioritisation
- Most appropriate intervention questions
4. Use flowcharts, tables and clinical pathways
These are the backbone of APEP exam decision-making.
5. Study in domains (MSK → Neuro → Cardioresp)
Avoid switching domains within the same study block.
6. Simulate exam conditions weekly
Timed mock tests help reduce exam-time anxiety.
Are you looking for checklists, topic inventory, revision strategy and mock test schedule? Let our APEP experts help you with a study plan.
Bonus Reading: Online Australian Physio Resources
These websites provide free, highly relevant content:
Conclusion
Preparing for the APEP Written Assessment becomes far easier and far more effective when you rely on trusted APEP Exam Preparation Resources used across Australian universities and hospitals. By practicing from evidence-based textbooks, updated national guidelines and structured mock exams, you can build the clinical reasoning skills the exam demands. With the right strategy and the right study tools, clearing the APEP pathway becomes a confident, achievable milestone in your Australian physiotherapy career journey.
