Physiotherapist
Shortage Now
States / territories with a shortage signal
Why this shortage: Long training gap
Snapshot
Median salary
A$82,200
Full-time annual
Shortage signal
Shortage (national)
Categories identify where a shortage occurs; they are not a severity score.
What you actually do
Assesses, diagnoses, treats and prevents disorders in human movement caused by injury or disease.
Alternative titles
Physical Therapist
Specialisations
Skills & main tasks
Official main tasks
- Administers muscle, nerve, joint and functional ability tests to identify and assess patients' afflictions
- Treats patients to reduce pain, improve circulation, strengthen muscles, improve cardiothoracic, cardiovascular and respiratory functions, restore joint mobility, and improve balance and coordination
- Treats patients using the therapeutic properties of exercise, heat, cold, massage, manipulation, hydrotherapy, electrotherapy, ultraviolet and infra-red light, and ultrasound
- Reviews, monitors, assesses and evaluates programs and treatments
- Consults with other Health Professionals about patients' conditions, needs and progress
- Educates patients on their physical health conditions, and provides them with structured management plans
- Advises patients, families and guardians about procedures to be practised at home
- Maintains records of patients' treatments, responses and progress
- Develops and implements screening and preventative health promotion programs
Credentials & Pathway
OSCA skill level 1
A classification attribute describing the occupation; it is not a personal eligibility or qualification decision.
Registration or licensing
Registration or licensing is required.
Official VET pathways
Diploma of Remedial Massage
Progression pathway
Related study options
Real jobs right now
Live signal from SEEK, Indeed & moreCurrent vacancy signal
QLD · May 2026
267
ACT · May 2026
24
VIC · May 2026
323
NT · May 2026
17
SA · May 2026
102
NSW · May 2026
342
2030 & 2035 employment outlook
to 2030
+20%
9,249 projected jobs
to 2035
+35%
16,490 projected jobs
Where could this career take you?
Compare state-level shortage signals, salary context, study options and visa information for Physiotherapist.
Regional demand
Largest employment base
#1 Melbourne - Inner
2,722 estimated employed
- 1
Melbourne - Inner
2,722 employed
VIC
-4.32%
year on year
- 2
Perth - North West
1,980 employed
WA
+1.54%
year on year
- 3
Brisbane Inner City
1,409 employed
QLD
+35.35%
year on year
- 4
Gold Coast
1,398 employed
QLD
+14.68%
year on year
- 5
Melbourne - Inner South
1,326 employed
VIC
+11.06%
year on year
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Ranked by current shortage signal and projected employment growth.
Workers in this occupation
27,035
Moved in from another occupation
2,985
Moved to another occupation
1,175
Recommendation score: shortage = 2 points, no shortage = 1 point, plus 1 point for each 10% of projected growth to 2035.
- 1Sales Representative (Medical and Pharmaceutical Products)
15 observed moves
No shortage +12035 +25% · +3CSOL listed4
points
- 2
3
points
- 3
3
points
- 4
3
points
- 5
3
points
Data status
- Classification
- OSCA 262431
- Last updated
- Refresh pending
- Sources
- Jobs and Skills Australia OSL · Jobs and Skills Australia DOM · ABS OSCA · OSCA 2024 — Jobs and Skills Australia
Labour-market data coverage
- Shortage signal and drivers: JSA Occupation Shortage List (ANZSCO unit group where applicable).
- Regional employment: JSA NERO, June 2026.
- Career-move observations: JSA DOM, last available 2020–21. Observed Australian worker transitions are not personalised recommendations; many contractors and sole traders are excluded, as are transitions below 10 workers.
- Vacancy signal: JSA Internet Vacancy Index, 3-month average (ANZSCO unit group).
- Employment outlook: JSA employment projections (ANZSCO unit group).
- Training pathways: JSA Training Occupation Pathways.
Data confidence: estimate.