Most physiotherapists believe that migrating to Australia requires multiple exams, clinical tests and long international travel. That is no longer the case. With the Australian Physiotherapy Entry Pathway (APEP), you can complete the entire assessment process from your home country, without a clinical exam.
To succeed, it’s essential to understand the APEP exam topics for physiotherapists that are most frequently assessed.
What Does the APEP Assess?
The APEP evaluates your understanding and application of physiotherapy knowledge across three areas:
1. Clinical Areas
You must demonstrate reasoning and management skills in the following core domains:
| Clinical Area | What to Focus On |
| Musculoskeletal | Assessment, red flags, differential diagnosis, rehab planning |
| Cardiorespiratory | Acute care, post-operative care, chronic disease management |
| Neurology | Functional outcomes, multidisciplinary management, long-term rehab |
2. Across the Lifespan
Expect questions involving different age groups and related considerations:
- Paediatrics
- Adults
- Older Adults (Gerontology)
- Gender Health
3. Different Practice Settings
Scenario-based questions often reflect these real-world practice environments:
| Setting | Common Scenarios |
| Acute | ICU, post-surgical respiratory cases, trauma |
| Subacute/Rehab | Stroke rehab, joint replacement rehab, MSK recovery |
| Community | Chronic disease management, home-based rehab |
| Private Practice | MSK conditions, sports injuries, workplace rehabilitation |
| Rural and Remote | Limited-resource clinical decision making |
4. Professional Practice Knowledge
Many candidates lose marks in this section despite it being straightforward.
Focus on:
- Evidence-based practice and appraisal of research
- Ethical and culturally-competent practice
- Risk management and patient safety
- Health promotion and patient education
- Quality assurance, audits and service improvement
If you want structured guidance, case-based practice, mock exams and expert feedback, join Academically’s APEP Preparation Course. It’s designed to help physiotherapists clear the APEP confidently on the first attempt.
High-Yield APEP Exam Topics for Physiotherapists
Below are the most commonly tested conditions and concepts for each domain.
Musculoskeletal
- Muscle injuries: contusions, strains, tears, weakness
- Ligament injuries: sprains, tears, instability
- Tendon conditions: tendinopathy, tendinosis, ruptures
- Fasciitis
- Joint derangements and dysfunction (loose bodies, hypo/hypermobility)
- Fractures, dislocations, subluxations
- Osteoporosis and osteopenia
- Degenerative joint disease
- Mechanical spinal conditions (e.g., low back pain, scoliosis, postural dysfunction)
- Inflammatory and infectious MSK conditions
- Amputations and prosthetic rehabilitation
- Congenital MSK malformations (e.g., talipes equinovarus, developmental hip dysplasia)
- Nerve compression and neural disorders (e.g., carpal tunnel syndrome, radiculopathy, spinal stenosis)
- Peripheral nerve injuries and neurodynamic dysfunction
Cardiorespiratory
- Heart disease, malformations, and injuries
- Myocardial ischaemia and infarction (including post-surgical management)
- Heart failure and cor pulmonale
- Pneumonia (primary and post-operative)
- Atelectasis (primary and post-operative)
- Adult/infant respiratory distress syndrome (e.g., acute lung injury)
- Asthma
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
- Restrictive lung diseases
- Cystic fibrosis
- Peripheral arterial disease
Neurology
- Stroke and transient ischaemic attack (TIA)
- Acquired brain injury
- Brain and spinal tumours
- Degenerative neurological and neuromuscular disorders
(e.g., muscular dystrophy, ALS, Parkinson’s disease) - Demyelinating disorders (e.g., multiple sclerosis)
- Inflammatory/infectious neurological conditions (e.g., meningitis)
- Cerebellar disorders
- Neuropathies (e.g., peripheral neuropathies)
- Developmental and birth injuries (e.g., cerebral palsy)
- Dementia, affective and cognitive disorders
Why These Topics Matter in APEP
The APEP exam is case-based. It assesses how you apply knowledge in realistic clinical scenarios. Memorisation alone is not enough; the exam requires:
- Clinical reasoning
- Best-practice decision making
- Safe and patient-centred management approaches
Most candidates struggle not with learning, but with knowing what to prioritise. A structured study plan and understanding of APEP’s high-yield topics can save weeks of effort and prevent overwhelm.
How Will You Be Assessed in the APEP?
Internationally qualified physiotherapists are assessed through two main steps under the Australian Physiotherapy Entry Pathway (APEP):
1. APEP Written Assessment
This is an online written exam completed from your home country and consists of two papers on the same day:
- Paper 1: Morning (2 hours)
- Paper 2: Afternoon (2 hours)
Each paper contains 15 clinical case scenarios with a total of 60 multiple-choice questions. The exam focuses on knowledge application, clinical reasoning and decision-making across core physiotherapy practice areas.
2. Remote Capability Assessment
This is an online, open-book oral assessment conducted by an Australian physiotherapist assessor. The total duration is approximately 2 hours (with around 1.5 hours of active exam time).
You will be assessed through:
- 3 short clinical cases
- 1 long case
During the assessment, you must demonstrate clinical reasoning, patient safety, ethical practice, and culturally appropriate care.
Exam Location:
Both the Written Assessment and the Capability Assessment are completed remotely, allowing candidates from India and other countries to sit the exam without travelling to Australia.
Tips to Clear APEP on the First Attempt
| Strategy | Benefit |
| Focus on high-yield clinical scenarios | Helps with case-based questions |
| Practise clinical reasoning, not rote learning | Matches APEP exam format |
| Study conditions across the lifespan and settings | Develops adaptable reasoning |
| Allocate time to Professional Practice | Easy marks if prepared |
| Enrol in a structured APEP preparation course | Provides guided learning, mock exams and expert feedback |
Final Thoughts
Clearing the APEP becomes much easier when you know exactly what to study. By focusing on the high-yield APEP exam topics for physiotherapists, and understanding how the assessments work, you can prepare more efficiently and confidently.
With the right study approach and consistent practice, you can successfully pass the APEP and begin your physiotherapy career in Australia.
If you still have questions or need help planning your APEP preparation, you can speak directly with our experts. We’ll guide you based on your background, timeline and learning needs.