If you’ve asked ‘what does a physiotherapist do in aged care’, we’re about to answer that question for you.

The challenges that come with aging can impact a person’s mobility which in turn has an effect on physical health and mental wellbeing. To address this a physiotherapist will:

• Assess and manage the musculoskeletal, neurological and mobility issues in the elderly
• Develop personalised exercise and rehabilitation plans
• Work in collaboration with other healthcare professionals including doctors, nurses, occupational therapists, etc
• Manage chronic conditions such as arthritis, osteoporosis and muscle degeneration
• Help to prevent falls through therapeutic interventions
• Work toward pain management through personalised exercise and treatment plans
• Educate patients, families and residential care staff on movement and appropriate health strategies

Maintaining functional ability and engaging in physical activity is important as we get older. A reduction in movement can contribute to or accentuate a range of physical and psychological conditions later in life.

Aged care physiotherapists are best placed to help seniors maintain their sense of independence. Through exercise and treatment plans, patients in the community and in residential care can carry on with everyday tasks including personal care, socialising, shopping or cooking.

Physiotherapy in elderly care helps seniors stay active which benefits their overall health, manages pain and helps to prevent falls. The latter is a real concern. Not only can an elderly person sustain serious injuries, but a fall can create a sense of anxiety about moving around.

This loss of confidence can have a snowball effect, causing further decline in a patient’s physical, psychological and emotional health and making them reluctant to be mobile. Being the person that can restore that confidence is hugely rewarding for any health professional.

So, what are the necessary aged care physiotherapist qualifications and how can you get into this rewarding career? Below is a summary of how to obtain the necessary qualifications to start a career in aged care. We’ll also detail the required skills and need for ongoing development.

Educational requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Physiotherapy or related field if followed by a Masters in Physiotherapy
• Masters degree in Physiotherapy
• Other appropriate post graduate qualification such as a Doctorate

Registration

• Physiotherapy Board of Australia (PBA)
• Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA)

Once you have your qualification, you are required to register with the Physiotherapy Board of Australia and the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency. You cannot practice without being registered with these authorities.

Continuing professional development

As a requirement of the PBA, all physiotherapists must continually upgrade their skills and professional knowledge

Core skills
As well as the educational qualifications, registration requirements and professional development, physiotherapists must demonstrate other core skills including:

• Empathy: Being able to understand the emotions of those you are helping as a physiotherapist allows you to do your job better.
• Communication: Effective communication with patients helps you explain the treatment and exercises you are doing for their benefit. Clear communication with colleagues is also very important when discussing patients and their needs.
• Problem solving: As each patient is different, being able to adapt your approach to varying needs is essential. Overcoming problems is an important aspect of patient care as is communicating the benefit of this mindset to those in your care.
• Knowledge of geriatric care: Knowledge of geriatric care allows you to take a holistic approach to your treatment plan for patients rather than focusing purely on the mechanics of movement.
• Teamwork: The ability to work in collaboration with colleagues and as part of a multidisciplinary team is essential for an aged care physiotherapist.
• Active listening: The role of physiotherapist in aged care is not restricted to the physical aspect. Being an active listener is important to truly understand your patient and their needs.

Other qualifications and additional certifications can enhance your CV. Consider training in disciplines such as manual handling or fall prevention. With a combination of these hard and soft skills, you can make a positive impact on the lives of the elderly in Australia.

The salary expectations for physiotherapists working in elder care will vary depending on several factors including:

• Experience: how long you have been qualified and working as a physiotherapist
• Location within Australia: pay varies across different states and territories
• Rural or urban roles: choosing to work in rural community or city environment
• Part time or full time working: the number of hours worked per day/week
• Shift allowances: any work done outside normal scheduled hours

That said, an average salary for an aged care physiotherapist in Australia is between $70,000 and $90,000 per year. The following are the anticipated salary ranges for entry level and experienced physiotherapists.

• Physiotherapist salary aged care entry level: $70,000 – $80,000
• Experienced practitioners: $90,000 – $100,000

Where you decide to settle and work will impact the salary you can expect to receive as a qualified physiotherapist. Below are the average salaries for this profession in different states and territories.

1. New South Wales, Victoria & Tasmania: $85,000 – $100,000
2. Queensland: $85,000 – $95,000
3. Northern Territory: $90,000 – $105,000
4. Western & South Australia: $90,000 – $100,000

The latest figures below show how much you can expect to earn per hour as a physiotherapist.

• Average hourly rate: $45 – $50

Shift allowances may be payable for outside normal working hours or weekends and are typically weighted according to experience and pay grade.

Once you have qualified as an aged care physiotherapist, you may consider the potential for career progression. Opportunities to progress your rewarding aged care career include:

• Senior physiotherapist
• Community physiotherapist
• Team leader
• Locum physiotherapist
• Mobile physiotherapist
• Advanced musculoskeletal physiotherapist
• Rehabilitation consultant
• Aged care facility manager

There are a multitude of opportunities for career advancement, professional development and training. With so many vacancies in the allied health sector for physiotherapists, you will never be short of options.

Upskilling through specialised geriatric or rehabilitative care certifications is a great way to boost your qualifications. This gives you an advantage when applying for more senior or specialised roles in aged care.

It’s also worth noting that, when deciding where to settle and work, many rural communities offer incentives to attract physiotherapists. Having the opportunity to work in a small practice often means you get to treat a wider range of conditions. This can rapidly expand your knowledge. The sense of community is also a draw for many health workers.

With the population aging, there is an ever increasing demand for physiotherapy care in Australia. Mobility issues, chronic health conditions and the need for rehabilitation mean that the requirement for this specialisation is only going to grow in the future. This is evidenced by falling birth rates and increased life expectancy which continue to fuel this demographic change.

Acknowledging this issue, the Australian government along with state and territory governments are providing incentives for physiotherapists to join the aged care sector.

Programs such as the Workforce Incentive Program (WIP) – Practice Stream, provide funds for general practices to engage allied health professionals such as physiotherapists in more rural areas.

The New Aged Care Act due to be implemented in July 2025 will address the shortage of allied health workers including physiotherapists in the sector. Reforms put in place are designed to make sure that aged care is fit for purpose and can meet future needs.

New technologies such as telehealth, wearables and virtual reality are being deployed to address the deficit of physiotherapists for aged care in Australia.

These advancements promote independent living, reduce the risk of falls and increase access to allied health professionals. This support, alongside personal interaction and care, plays a key part in the health and wellbeing of Australian seniors.

Getting into aged care as a physiotherapist takes time, but the process is straightforward:

• Obtain a physiotherapy degree
• Register with Physiotherapy Board of Australia (PBA) and Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA)
• Get experience through placements or internships in aged care facilities or residential homes
• Join allied health professionals associations
• Network with aged care facilities and services

Find the perfect role by searching available resources for jobs in aged care. Whether you are newly qualified, looking to change career direction or applying from abroad, there are plenty of job sites carrying vacancies to suit your situation.

Register with hopstep and make applying for your next physiotherapy role as simple as a swipe.

Whatever stage of your physiotherapy career that you’re at, there’s a great role in aged care waiting for you. It is one of the most fulfilling jobs you will ever have. Knowing that you are supporting seniors’ independence, wellbeing and overall health is great motivation to join this branch of allied health for older adults.

There are numerous vacancies in this sector and job stability is almost guaranteed with the expanding cohort of elderly Australians. Check out the availability of training pathways, certification and job opportunities in this growing and incredibly rewarding field.

For multiple career opportunities explore hopstep today. Your journey in aged care physiotherapy starts here.