The Australian Physiotherapist Council (APC) is urgently inviting physiotherapists from India and other countries. Why so? Australia has a critical skilled occupation shortage list for physiotherapists and it's slated to increase more in the coming years. Hence, it is a good time for overseas physiotherapists to migrate to Australia to enjoy a great lifestyle and a high salary. APC introduced the Australian Physiotherapist Entry Pathway (APEP) in 2025, which has now quickly become one of the easiest licensure pathways for overseas physiotherapists dreaming of working in Australia.
Meet Amritpal, one of the candidates of Academically who successfully cleared the new Capability Assessment of the APEP pathway on his very first attempt. His journey is not just a success story. It is a roadmap for every physiotherapist aspiring to build a global career. This is the story of determination, discipline, and the right guidance. Let’s begin.
Amritpal’s Professional Journey From India to Australia as a Registered Physiotherapist
Amritpal completed his bachelor of physiotherapy (BPT) in 2015 and began working as a physiotherapist soon after. Over the years, he worked with multiple companies and built substantial hands-on experience managing a variety of conditions. But like many Indian physiotherapists, he soon realised the limitations of salary, growth, and learning opportunities in the local market. He wanted more: international exposure, advanced clinical standards, and long-term career stability.
This aspiration led him to explore opportunities in Australia. One online search changed the course of his life.
“I found Academically on Google for my physiotherapy licensure preparation,” Amrit shared.
From that moment, his APEP preparation began with structured guidance, clarity and a goal-oriented approach.
Why Australia? Why APEP?
For physiotherapists, Australia offers one of the most rewarding environments in terms of:
- Professional autonomy
- Evidence-based practice
- Competitive salary
- Strong demand for skilled clinicians
- Long-term migration opportunities
However, the Australian Physiotherapist Council mandates a licensure exam that you can take from the comfort of your home. With the introduction of the APEP Pathway in 2025, overseas physiotherapists now undergo:
Part 1: Eligibility Assessment + Cultural Safety Training + Written Assessment Exam
Part 2: Capability Assessment (which has replaced the previous clinical exam)
Amid this updated framework, Amritpal became one of the first candidates to complete the entire pathway and successfully clear each stage.
How Amritpal cleared the first stage of APEP Assessments
Amrit cleared the following components from the comfort of his home and with much ease:
1. Eligibility Assessment
This stage verifies academic qualifications, professional experience, and alignment with APC’s standards. It ensures that candidates meet the baseline criteria for practising as physiotherapists in Australia.
2. Cultural Safety Training
A mandatory module focusing on culturally respectful, safe, and inclusive care, particularly within the Australian healthcare context. This step prepares candidates to communicate effectively, uphold cultural awareness, and practise responsibly.
3. Remote Written Assessment
This remote, proctored exam evaluates:
- Foundational physiotherapy knowledge
- Clinical reasoning
- Ethical and professional standards
- Patient-centred care principles
- Communication and safety considerations
Through structured preparation, focused revision, and continuous feedback, Amritpal successfully cleared the Written Assessment, marking his official transition into the Capability Assessment.
How to Pass the NEW Capability Assessment
The Capability Assessment evaluates whether a physiotherapist can communicate, reason, and practice safely within the Australian healthcare environment.
Amritpal’s experience gives invaluable insight for future candidates.
Exam Format Breakdown (based on Amritpal’s experience)
- Short Case Questions: 3 cases (from each module)
- Extended Case: The candidate gets 15-minute preparation time to present the case scenario-based questionnaire.
- Total Questions asked to him: Around 20
- Mode: Online, through the official APC platform
- Interaction: With assessors assessing communication, reasoning and safety
Clinical Scenarios Covered as per Amritpal’s Experience
Amrit faced cases related to:
- General Surgery (post-operative management)
- Stroke rehabilitation
- CABG (Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting) post-op day 1
- General pain-related assessment
These cases tested not only physiotherapy knowledge but also:
- First impressions
- Patient interaction
- Clinical prioritisation
- Ethical decision-making
- Interprofessional collaboration
Amritpal says, “They were not just looking at the physiotherapy aspect; they were looking at general aspects of patient care as well.”
Effective Communication Skills: Your Key to APEP Success
One point that Amritpal repeatedly emphasised:
“Communication matters as much as clinical knowledge.”
Assessors closely observe:
- How you talk to colleagues
- How you interact with patients
- How do you take a patient's history
- How do you explain conditions and treatment
- How ethically and professionally you respond
These are core expectations of the Australian healthcare system.
Did Amritpal struggle with any Questions?
Surprisingly, no.
Amrit confidently answered all 18 questions asked during the assessment. His seven years of clinical experience became his biggest strength. Furthermore, he also stressed, “Academically’s written exam preparation course was more than enough to ace the capability assessment. So it’s a win-win.”
Amritpal says, “Experience matters. It helped me manage every question confidently.”
Skills and Experience outweigh bookish knowledge
Many physiotherapists chase MPT degrees without practical exposure, believing it will exempt them from exams. It doesn’t. For global pathways, including Australia and Gulf countries, clinical experience holds more value than an MPT degree.
MPT or Work Abroad through License Exam?
When asked why Amritpal didn’t pursue MPT, his answer was simple:
“I wanted to practice. I wanted real-world experience.”
This decision not only shaped his professional skills but also made clearing APEP smoother for him.
How Structured Physiotherapy Coaching Classes Helped in Amrit’s Success
Amrit repeatedly attributed his success to the structured preparation and guidance he received. Academically supported him through:
- Conceptual clarity for initial assessments, such as the cultural safety training, arranging eligibility documents and tackling the written assessments
- Case-based mock training for capability assessments
- Guidance on communication strategies
- Ethical and professional practice coaching
- Exam-oriented preparation strategy
- Continuous mentoring through community groups and personalised consultations
His success validates our belief: “With the right mentorship, even the toughest licensure pathways become accessible.”
If you are a physiotherapist dreaming of working in Australia, Amrit’s journey proves one thing: It is absolutely possible. With discipline, clinical experience, and guided preparation, you can clear the APEP exams and build a fulfilling global career. Our expert team is here to support you at every step.
