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APA Vision
All Australians will have access to quality physiotherapy,
when and where required, to optimise health and well-being.
Preamble
Physiotherapy is a profession with a holistic approach to the undertake a formal specialisation pathway and are recognised
prevention, diagnosis and therapeutic management of conditions as ‘titled’ members of the APA or with further experience and
affecting human movement. The practice of physiotherapy is education as specialists or Fellows of the Australian College
based on contemporary scientific evidence. of Physiotherapists.
Physiotherapy includes a range of specialties to meet the health The APA Code of Conduct establishes the basis for ethical
needs of people of all ages. Physiotherapy involves a partnership and professional conduct which meets community expectations
with clients to achieve better health outcomes. and justifies community trust in the standing, judgement and
integrity of APA members. The Code is reviewed on a regular
Physiotherapy offers health care in many different settings including
basis in consultation with a wide range of stakeholders including
private practice, hospitals, community health centres, aged care
consumer bodies.
facilities, industry and clients’ own homes.
Australian physiotherapists are registered health professionals
with university degree qualifications. They are primary contact
practitioners who work independently and also within
Ethical Principles
multidisciplinary health teams. The following ethical principles are the foundation
The Australian Physiotherapy Association (APA) is the peak national of the APA Code of Conduct:
body representing the physiotherapy profession in Australia. • Respect the rights and autonomy of the individual
Physiotherapists, physiotherapy students and physiotherapy • Cause no harm
assistants are eligible for membership of the APA. • Advance the common good
All members of the APA are expected to participate in continuing • Act fairly.
professional development. Some physiotherapist members
• Where a client is unable to make an informed decision about a • Members shall accept responsibility for their own physical
physiotherapy program, members shall seek informed consent and psychological wellbeing to protect their professional
from an appropriate person acting on behalf of the client. knowledge, competence and judgement.
• Members shall respect the right of clients to obtain a second • Members shall participate in continuing professional
opinion or cease physiotherapy. development to enhance their professional knowledge,
competence and judgement.
• Members shall manage client complaints in a professional,
sensitive and timely manner. • Members shall have appropriate and adequate professional
indemnity insurance.
• Members shall not exploit their professional relationships
with clients.
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• Members shall not engage in any sexual activity with a person PA members must strive
A
who is a current client. for standards of excellence
• Members shall not engage in any sexual activity with a person in physiotherapy.
who is a former client where such activity would constitute
exploitation of a professional relationship. • Members shall demonstrate a commitment to lifelong learning.
• Members shall participate in peer review and program
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evaluation for the purpose of continuous quality improvement
PA members must comply with the
A in physiotherapy practice, management, leadership, education,
laws and regulations governing the research and health promotion.
practice of physiotherapy in Australia. • Members shall be aware of contemporary research evidence
• Members shall have a full understanding of the laws and integrate such evidence into physiotherapy practice.
and regulations relevant to physiotherapy in Australia. • Members shall support research which contributes to effective
and cost efficient physiotherapy outcomes.
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PA members must practise
A • Members shall abide by the rules governing the ethical conduct
of research and be generous in sharing their learning.
in a safe, competent and
accountable manner.
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• Members shall define their scope of physiotherapy practice
PA members must respect the
A
based on contemporary knowledge and competency standards confidentiality, privacy and security
and shall accept responsibility for the exercise of sound of client health information.
judgement.
• Members shall protect the confidentiality and privacy of client
• Members shall incorporate safety and risk management health information including clinical information, clinical opinion,
into all aspects of physiotherapy practice. personal information generally and practical details such as
• Members shall provide physiotherapy services that are attendance for treatment.
clinically justifiable. • Physiotherapists shall ensure that all people working
• Members shall use available health care resources under their supervision respect the confidentiality
appropriately. and privacy of client health information.
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interest.
PA members must communicate and
A
co-operate with colleagues and relevant • Physiotherapists shall not exploit or abuse colleagues, students
agencies in the best interests of their or physiotherapy assistants during supervision or mentoring.
clients and the wider community. • Physiotherapists shall share professional knowledge and
expertise with colleagues and students and shall provide
• Members shall provide accurate information about physiotherapy positive role models to build successive generations of
to professional colleagues, clients and the wider community. the physiotherapy profession.
• Members shall collaborate professionally with all relevant
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providers to achieve optimal client outcomes.
PA members must strive to contribute to
A
• Members shall refer clients to more suitably qualified colleagues the development and implementation of
and/or other health professionals as reasonably required.
health service delivery which enhances
• Members shall be alert to the possibility of non-accidental injury the health status of the community and
to an adult or child and shall consider and act upon their legal
promotes social justice.
and ethical obligations in such circumstances.
• Physiotherapists shall participate in the planning and
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implementation of health service delivery designed to
PA members must act in a manner
A provide equitable access to quality health care and
which maintains the good standing achieve optimal health outcomes for local communities.
of the physiotherapy profession. • Physiotherapists shall encourage the innovative extension
of the scope of physiotherapy practice where such
• Members shall conduct themselves both professionally
development is based on evidence of efficacy and safety.
and personally in a manner that enhances the integrity,
culture and standing of the physiotherapy profession. • Members shall integrate health promotion activities into
physiotherapy practice.
• Members shall not be associated or involved with conduct
which may bring the physiotherapy profession into disrepute • Members shall support research which contributes to
and shall make reasonable efforts to refer evidence of such effective and cost efficient community health outcomes.
conduct to the relevant authorities.
• Members shall participate in public education programs
• Members shall use only titles which correctly describe their to explain the scope, efficacy and cost efficiency of
professional status, expertise or scope of practice. physiotherapy intervention.
• Only Fellows of the Australian College of Physiotherapists are
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entitled to use the term ‘Specialist’ or any of its derivatives.
PA members must comply with the
A
• Members shall apply fair, reasonable and honest business Constitution and Regulations of the
principles when dealing with clients and others.
Australian Physiotherapy Association.
• Members shall attribute an appropriate value to their services
when determining any fee and shall account for special • Members shall have a full understanding of the Constitution
circumstances. and Regulations of the Australian Physiotherapy Association.