Express FLYR vs FLYR Pathway: Physiotherapists Pathway to Australia

Aug 03, 2024 3 min read
Express FLYR vs FLYR Pathway

Key Takeaways: 

  • Australia offers high salaries, a great quality of life, and many job opportunities for physiotherapists.
  • The Express FLYR Pathway is for physiotherapists from Canada, the UK, Ireland, and Hong Kong, involving four steps: training, eligibility assessment, cultural safety training, and receiving the final certificate, with a total cost of AUD 1,600.
  • The FLYR Pathway is for physiotherapists from South Africa, the Netherlands, and Singapore, involving six steps: training, eligibility assessment, cultural safety training, interim certificate, written assessment, and final certificate, with a total cost of AUD 3,322.
  • Other pathways include the Standard Assessment Pathway, which is the common route with written and clinical exams costing AUD 7,585; the Equivalence Pathway, which checks if your qualifications match Australian standards, costing AUD 1,777; and the Skilled Migration Pathway, which evaluates qualifications for visa eligibility.
  • Choose the pathway that fits your qualifications and career goals.
  • Understanding the requirements and steps helps you succeed in becoming a licensed physiotherapist in Australia.

With Australia’s fast-growing healthcare system and abundant career opportunities, the country is one of the most preferred career destinations for international physiotherapists. Apart from the great work-life balance, incredible quality of life, and immense growth potential, registered physiotherapists in Australia earn an average annual salary of  AUD 93,000. 

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There are multiple pathways to seeking registration as a physiotherapist in Australia. Express FLYR and FLYR are two such pathways. In today’s blog, we will be examining the key differences between the Express FLYR and FLYR pathways.

Purpose of the Express FLYR Pathway

The Express FLYR pathway is an expedited pathway for international physiotherapists that helps them into the Australian healthcare system without taking the written assessment. Only a few steps are involved in this pathway. This does not require much time. This pathway is only applicable to specified countries.

Purpose of the FLYR Pathway

The FLYR pathway is a streamlined option for physiotherapists who have trained in specific countries with fewer steps than the standard assessment pathway. This pathway leads you to registration to practise in Australia faster than the standard assessment pathway.

Countries for Express FLYR Pathway 

The countries that are eligible for the Express FLYR pathway are:

  • Canada
  • United Kingdom
  • Ireland
  • Hong Kong (SAR of China)

Countries for FLYR Pathway

The list of countries eligible for the FLYR pathway is as follows:

  • South Africa
  • Netherlands
  • Singapore (qualifications must be a bachelor-level degree)

Steps Involved in the Express FLYR Pathway 

The Express FLYR is a fast pathway with very few steps involved in it. There are four main steps involved in this process.

  1. You must train and register in a country that is eligible for the Express FLYR pathway.
  2. You must clear the eligibility assessment.
  3. You must complete the cultural safety training.
  4. You will receive the final certificate.

Steps Involved in the FLYR Pathway

As compared to the standard assessment pathway, this is an option with lesser steps and a faster process. There are six steps involved in this pathway.

  1. You must be trained and registered in a country that is eligible for the FLYR pathway.
  2. You must clear the eligibility assessment.
  3. You must complete the cultural safety training.
  4. You will receive the interim certificate.
  5. You must pass the written assessment.
  6. You will receive the final certificate.

Fees Required for the Express FLYR Pathway

Step

Fees in AUD

Eligibility assessment 

$1,372

Cultural safety training

$228

Total

$1,600

Fees Required for the Express FLYR Pathway

Step

Fees in AUD

Eligibility assessment 

$1,136

Cultural safety training

$228

Written assessment 

$1,958

Total

$ 3,322

Other Pathways for International Physiotherapists

Apart from the Express FLYR and FLYR pathways, there are three other pathways that can be chosen by international physiotherapists. 

Standard Assessment Pathway

The Standard Assessment Pathway by the Australian Physiotherapy Council (APC) is the most common pathway for foreign-trained physiotherapists seeking registration to practise in Australia. The written assessment and clinical assessment involved in this pathway will determine the capability of the physiotherapist to match the standards set by the Physiotherapy Practice Thresholds in Australia. This pathway involves the following steps.

  • Eligibility assessment 
  • Cultural safety training
  • Written assessment
  • Clinical assessment

The total fee required for the standard assessment pathway is AUD 7,585.

Equivalence of Qualification Pathway

The Equivalence of Qualification Pathway consists of an assessment that is based on the documents of the qualifications of international physiotherapists. The purpose of this pathway is to determine if you have the same competencies as an entry-level physiotherapist qualified in Australia and if you are fit to deliver safe and effective practice in Australia. The steps involved in this pathway are:

  • Online application and fee payment
  • Cultural safety training
  • Application outcome from the Council

The total fee required for this pathway is AUD 1,777.

Assessment for Skilled Migration Visas

The Assessment for Skilled Migration Visas is a pathway that involves an assessment of your qualifications and skills based on the documents. The purpose of this pathway is to make sure that you meet the requirements of certain visa applications in Australia. This pathway is provided by the Australian Physiotherapy Council on behalf of the Australian government’s Department of Home Affairs (DHA) to physiotherapists who wish to migrate to Australia.

Conclusion 

Australia offers many opportunities for international physiotherapists with its fast-growing healthcare system, high salaries, and great quality of life. The Express FLYR and FLYR pathways provide streamlined routes to practise in Australia, each with its unique advantages and requirements.

The Express FLYR pathway is the quickest, with fewer steps and no written assessment, but it is only available to physiotherapists from certain countries like Canada, the UK, Ireland, and Hong Kong. The FLYR pathway is also faster than the standard assessment pathway, involving a written assessment, and is available to physiotherapists from countries like South Africa, the Netherlands, and Singapore.

Apart from these, the standard assessment pathway, the equivalence of qualification pathway, and the assessment for skilled migration visas offer other routes for international physiotherapists to work in Australia. Each pathway has different steps, fees, and eligibility requirements, so it's important to choose the one that best suits your qualifications and career goals.

Understanding these pathways can help you navigate the process more effectively and achieve your goal of becoming a registered physiotherapist in Australia. With the right preparation and choice of pathway, you can make a successful transition and enjoy a rewarding career in Australia's dynamic healthcare system.

To start your journey towards becoming registered physiotherapist in Australia, connect with our experts today for a free consultation.

Nuha Mariyam
Nuha Mariyam
about the author

Nuha Mariyam has more than three years of experience in content writing. She strongly believes in the power of creativity and the impact that it makes. With a keen eye for detail and a love for words, Nuha specialises in creating engaging and informative content across various fields, including healthcare.