Physiotherapy

  • ​​Physiotherapists address the prevention, assessment and treatment of human movement   and functional disorders. Physiotherapists work collaboratively with people to manage the physical difficulties resulting from illness, injury, disability or ageing. Physiotherapists work in a range of settings including hospitals, health centres, industry, private practices and sports clubs, treating people of all ages. Physiotherapists work closely with general practitioners and other health workers to achieve a person's optimal function and health.

    Download as PDF

    Workforce characteristics for NSW Health physiotherapy workforce in 2040

    2888
    Headcount

    74.1%
    Female

    28.9
    Work hours per week

    38.4
    Years average age

    7%
    Future 60+

    3.4%
    Aboriginal workforce target

    ​​Demand is expected to grow 1.6% (low demand scenario) to 1.9% (high demand scenario).


    Reasonable career opportunities

    ​​Workforce modelling indicates the need to grow the NSW physiotherapy workforce by around 36 to 50 new professionals per annum to meet community need in 2040 across both demand scenarios.


    Projected FTE growth for NSW Health physiotherapy workforce to 2040

    20212022202320242025202620272028202920302031203220332034203520362037203820392040
    High Demand1547157115961661
    		1722177918301875191419481980201120402067209221152137215721762194
    Status Quo15471571159616211646167116931712172817431756177217861799181218241836184618561865
    Low Demand15471571159616501702175017931831186418931920194719721995201720372056207420902105

    Workforce characteristics for NSW Health physiotherapy workforce in 2021

    2042
    Headcount

    28.2
    Work hours per week

    38.5
    Years average age

    76.1%
    Female

    2%
    Aged 60+

    1.3%
    Aboriginal

    Metropolitan Sydney

    1205
    Headcount

    29
    Work hours per week

    37.3
    Years average age

    0.9%
    Aged 60+

    Non-Metropolitan Sydney

    872
    Headcount

    27
    Work hours per week

    40.1
    Years average age

    1.1%
    Aged 60+

    Physiotherapy junior entrant positions into NSW Health

    Year20172018201920202021
    Graduates273159139145133

    Workforce distribution for NSW Health physiotherapy workforce in 2021

    The geographic distribution of the public workforce by local health district/network, by facility and per 100,000 population.

Legends

Per local health district

0 1-25 26-50 51-75 76-100 100+

Per 100,000 population

0 1-5 6-10 11-15 16-20 20+

Per facility

0 1-25 26-50 51-75 76-100 100+

Other networks

  • Sydney Children's Hospitals: 1 to 50 | 6 to 10 per 100,000
  • Enable NSW: 0 | 0 per 100,000
  • Justice Health and Forensic Mental Health: 1 to 50 | 11 to 15 per 100,000

  • Workforce considerations

    • Population demographics and increasing incidence of complex and chronic disease may increase demand for physiotherapy services.
    • New government funding initiatives and policy will influence Physiotherapy workforce movement (gains / attrition) in NSW Health (i.e. Medicare Benefits Scheme, National Disability Insurance Scheme, rural funding grants and initiatives).
    • Changes in integrated models of care for the physiotherapy workforce influences workforce demand (i.e. scope of practice, service coverage, accessibility).
    • Changes to modes of service delivery may influence both physiotherapy workforce demand and its distribution (e.g. virtual care, advances in technology etc).
    • Physiotherapists are able to work to top of scope when potentiated by supporting Allied Health Assistant or student workforce.
    • Data available does not include unmet need and may not capture all specialty areas/clinics in which physiotherapists work.
    • This workforce will prioritise sustainable training pipelines, new graduates and student educators to ensure future workforce is resourced, based on the needs of the community.

    Notes

    • Data source: NSW Health. Vacancy data is excluded from the workforce model. Excludes affiliated health organisations.
    • Note: 2040 workforce characteristics reflect the high demand scenario,
    • Data included is limited to the workforce employed under the relevant health professional award.
    • Specialty health networks are not displayed geographically in the workforce distribution maps.
    • LHD/SHN may engage in sessional arrangements in selected circumstances.
    • Workforce that cannot be aligned to a physical location have been attributed to a pre-determined facility within each LHD/N. This may impact on Headcount shown at these facilities within the distribution map.
    • NSW Health does not make any representations or warranties whether expressed or implied with respect to the accuracy and completeness of the information contained in the fact sheet.
Current as at: Monday 29 May 2023
Contact page owner: Workforce Planning and Talent Development