Did you know that as of 1 October 2025, about 80% of the assessment journey for internationally trained physiotherapists in Australia can now be completed remotely? With the launch of the Australian Physiotherapy Entry Pathway or APEP, the Australian Physiotherapy Council has dramatically reduced the burden of travel, time, and cost. And all this is done without compromising on quality.
Under APEP, the Capability Assessment replaces the older in-person clinical exams. This will give candidates a more flexible and accessible way to prove they’re ready to work in Australia.
This shift isn’t just convenient. It’s a structural change built to mirror real-world clinical decision-making. Let us take a closer look at the new Capability Assessment.
What Is the Capability Assessment?
The Capability Assessment is a remote, oral exam conducted via video call, designed specifically to test the real-world clinical competence of international physiotherapists. Rather than relying on simulations or actor-patients, this exam evaluates:
- Clinical reasoning and decision-making
- Risk identification and patient safety
- Communication and professionalism
- Ability to interpret assessment findings
- Appropriate management strategies
- Ongoing reassessment and treatment planning
It’s delivered by an experienced Australian physiotherapist assessor and includes three short cases plus one long case. It is
- Safer
- More practical
- More reflective of on-the-ground clinical work
How It Works: Format, Timing and Structure
| Particulars | Details |
| Format | Online spoken exam via video conferencing One-on-one assessment |
| Structure | 3 short clinical scenarios. 1 long case. Preparation time for the long case. Google searches and books are allowed for the long case No reading time for the short cases. |
| Duration | 1.5 hours of active exam time Total test session is of 2 hours |
| Assessor | A registered Australian physiotherapist Focus will be on how safely and competently you reason through each case. |
The assessment covers real-life clinical situations, so the questions aren't just theoretical. You'll need to show you can think, act, and communicate like a physiotherapist working in Australian healthcare.
What Has Changed: APEP vs. the Old Clinical Exam
Under the old Standard Assessment Pathway, international physiotherapists had to travel to Australia to complete separate in-person clinical exams in a simulation lab.
With APEP, the clinical assessment has been replaced by:
- Capability Assessment - A remote, oral exam. You can take it from anywhere in the world
- Clinical Workshop - A one-day, face-to-face training session in Melbourne. It is focused on small-group learning and real-world practice.
In other words, instead of three separate high-stakes in-person practical tests, you now have one remote exam and one in-person workshop.
What’s Easier and Why It’s Better
Here’s what makes the new Capability Assessment easier and more efficient for candidates:
- No need for repeated travel: Most of the assessment happens remotely. You avoid multiple visits to Australia.
- Real-world relevance: The oral, case-based format lets you show how you think in real clinical scenarios.
- Open-book preparation: During the long-case reading time, you can refer to resources.
- Supportive face-to-face learning: The Clinical Workshop in Melbourne isn’t an exam. It is a training-style day where you learn, interact with peers, and get feedback.
- Faster overall process: According to the APC, candidates who move quickly can complete the entire APEP pathway in about six months.
Cost and Time Savings
Official APEP Fees
Here’s a breakdown of the current APEP fees:
| Stage | Fee (AUD) |
| Eligibility and Cultural Safety Training | $1,136 + $228 |
| Written Assessment | $1,958 |
| Capability Assessment | $2,842 |
| Clinical Workshop | $1,421 |
| Total | $7,585 (₹4.25 lakh) |
Where You Save Big
- Travel and Accommodation: Under the older system, you might have needed to travel to Australia multiple times for the clinical exams. Now, you only need to travel once, for the one-day workshop.
- Time: Thanks to remote assessments, the total pathway can be wrapped up in 6 months. This shortens the journey by months compared to previous timelines.
These changes don’t just save money. They also cut down on visa stress, time away from work, and logistical headaches.
Your Australian Move Just Got Easier
The APEP pathway has made it much easier and faster for overseas physios to register and practice in Australia. Now is your chance to sow the seeds for a successful future.
Take advantage of Academically’s APEP Exam Preparation Course and begin your journey.