Physical Therapist Salary in Australia: Pros and Cons of Migrating for Filipino PTs
Introduction
Australia has become one of the most attractive destinations for Filipino Physical Therapists (PTs) and internationally educated physiotherapists looking for better pay, career progression, and long-term migration opportunities.
With its strong demand for healthcare workers, competitive salaries, and high quality of life, Australia offers a promising pathway for PTs wanting to elevate their careers or secure a stable future for their families.
But how much does a physical therapist actually earn in Australia? And is migrating truly worth the investment?
This complete guide breaks down the physical therapist salary in Australia, state-by-state comparisons, cost of living, and the real pros and cons of working and migrating as a PT in Australia, specifically tailored to Filipino PTs.
Table of Contents
Physical Therapist Salary in Australia (2025 Updated)
Physiotherapists in Australia are among the better-paid allied health professionals. Salaries vary based on:
State or territory
Experience level
Type of employer (public hospital, private clinic, aged care, NDIS, sports rehab)
Whether you are new, experienced, or working in regional areas
Here’s what you can expect:
1. Entry-Level Physiotherapist Salary (New Migrant / Overseas PT)
AUD $65,000 – $85,000 per year
(₱2.4M – ₱3.2M per year)
This is typical for:
Newly arrived Filipino PTs with less than 2–3 years of experience
Those entering private practice or community/NDIS work
Fresh graduates starting in public hospitals (Grade 1 Physio)
2. Mid-Level Physiotherapist Salary (3–5 Years Experience)
AUD $85,000 – $100,000+ per year
(₱3.2M – ₱3.8M per year)
With experience, PTs can earn more through:
Specialization (musculoskeletal, neuro, women’s health)
Working in regional areas (usually has higher pay)
Taking on caseloads under NDIS providers
Evening or weekend shifts
3. Senior Physiotherapist Salary (5–10+ Years Experience)
AUD $100,000 – $120,000+ per year
(₱3.8M – ₱4.5M per year)
Senior PTs often work in:
Public hospitals as Senior Grade Physios
Multidisciplinary clinics
Private practice leadership
Aged care clinical leadership roles
Physical therapist salary in Australia : Comparison vs other countries
| Country | Salary in USD | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
Australia |
$43,155 to $59,753 |
Strong wages Great climate and lifestyle Many PR pathways High demand in private and public sectors |
Difficult licensing Costly exams Competitive job market in major cities No to very few direct employers or hospitals directly hiring for foreign-PTs for visa sponsorship |
United States |
$80,000 to $110,000 |
Highest salary Citizenship Opportunities Strong immigration pathways High demand Professional autonomy Opportunity to specialize |
Licensing can take time NPTE costs are high Immigration paperwork can be lengthy |
Canada |
$32,000 to $65,121 |
Easy immigration options High quality of life Family-friendly environment Path for citizenship |
Licensing process can be lengthy Credentialing is strict. English Exam needed prior credentialing assessment Cold winters Visa slots competition No agency or direct hire companies New exam format coming in 2026 |
United Kingdom |
$32,624 to $52,432 |
No board exam Fast processing Strong Filipino community Clear pathway to PR |
Strong job competition Starting salary is far lower compared to USA/Canada High cost of living in major cities Heavy NHS workload No citizenship pathway Prefers highly skilled/experienced PTs |
New Zealand |
$31,827 to 46,295 |
Easier than Australia Work-life balance is exceptional Growing opportunities |
Lower salary than Australia/Canada Fewer urban centers Limited specialty practice options |
Middle East |
$1,331 to $3,842 |
Tax-free salary Fast hiring No board exam in some cases Good starting point for savings Also a good starting point if you want to gain experience for PT jobs abroad before migrating to better countries like United States. |
Limited path to citizenship Conservative culture Workload can be heavy |
Highest-Paying PT Roles in Australia
As a Filipino PT, you can reach senior-level physical therapist salary in Australia after a few years, especially if you continue up-skilling, gain Australian experience, and develop strong communication skills.
| Role | Typical Salary Range (AUD) |
|---|---|
Aged Care Senior Physio |
AUD $100k – AUD $130k |
NDIS Physiotherapist |
AUD $95k – AUD $140k |
Private Practice Senior Physio |
AUD $90k – AUD $120k |
Regional/Rural Physiotherapist |
AUD $100k – AUD $135k |
Physio Clinic Manager |
AUD $110k – AUD $150k |
State-by-State Physiotherapist Salary Comparison
Here’s a quick view of average physical therapist salary in Australia by location:
| State / Territory | Entry-Level | Average | High-End |
|---|---|---|---|
New South Wales (Sydney) |
AUD $70k |
AUD $90k |
AUD $120k |
Victoria (Melbourne) |
AUD $65k |
AUD $90k |
AUD $115k |
Queensland (Brisbane/Gold Coast) |
AUD $65k |
AUD $90k |
AUD $120k |
Western Australia (Perth) |
AUD $70k |
AUD $95k |
AUD $125k |
South Australia (Adelaide) |
AUD $65K |
AUD $85K |
AUD $105K |
Tasmania |
AUD $65K |
AUD $85K |
AUD $105K |
Northern Territory |
AUD $75k |
AUD $95k |
AUD $130k |
ACT (Canberra) |
AUD $70K |
AUD $95K |
AUD $120K |
Pros of Migrating to Australia as a Filipino PT
1. High Salary & Strong Job Security
Australia has a shortage of allied health professionals. Physiotherapists are consistently in demand across:
Hospitals
Clinics
Aged care
Disability (NDIS)
Sports rehab
Community health
Regional towns
Job security is excellent.
2. Clear Pathway to Permanent Residency (PR)
As a physiotherapist, you can qualify for:
Subclass 189 (Independent PR)
Subclass 190 (State-nominated PR)
Subclass 491 (Pathway to PR after 3 years)
Healthcare workers are priority applicants. However, these visas require at work experience as a physiotherapist prior to qualify. Example, Skilled Visa 186 and 494 require at least 3 years of experience.
3. Better Work-Life Balance
Compared to the Philippines:
Standard: 38-hour work week
Paid leaves: 20 days annual leave + 10–12 public holidays
Optional overtime
Strong worker protection laws
4. High Quality of Life
Australia consistently ranks in the top 10 for:
Safety
Healthcare system
Education
Clean environment
Work-life balance
Income equality
Perfect for PTs planning to bring their families later.
5. Opportunities for Career Development
Australia offers strong professional growth, including:
Postgrad studies (sports physio, neuro, women’s health)
Clinical specialization
Leadership roles
Private practice ownership
Telehealth opportunities
Excellent CPD programs
Cons of Migrating to Australia as a Filipino PT
While Australia offers high salaries and strong opportunities, it’s important to understand the challenges and realities before making the move. Here are the major disadvantages Filipino PTs commonly face, expanded to include housing crisis, cost of living, and difficulty obtaining PR as you requested.
1. High Cost of Living (Especially in Major Cities)
Australia is consistently ranked as one of the most expensive countries in the world. Filipino migrants often feel the difference immediately, especially when converting from pesos to AUD.
Common expensive necessities include:
Rent
Groceries
Transportation
Utilities
Childcare
Medical special services (outside Medicare)
Cities like Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, and Brisbane have particularly high prices. Even though salaries for physiotherapists are good, the cost of living can significantly affect your savings if you are not careful.
2. Housing Crisis in Australia
Australia is currently facing a nationwide housing shortage, which affects both locals and migrants.
Challenges include:
Very high rental prices in major cities
Limited availability of apartments and rooms
Extremely competitive rental applications
Requirement for significant documentation, references, and proof of financial capacity
Some employers do not offer housing assistance
Filipino migrants often report: “Mas mahirap kumuha ng bahay dito kaysa makakuha ng trabaho.”
This housing pressure is especially intense in Sydney and Melbourne, where demand heavily outweighs supply.
3. Getting Permanent Residency Can Be Costly and Difficult
Although physiotherapists are “in-demand” and usually have strong visa pathways, getting PR is not guaranteed and can be:
Expensive
Costs include:
Skills assessment fees
English tests (IELTS / PTE)
NAATI CCL test (if needed for points)
Visa fees
Medical exams
Police clearances
Document certifications
Airfare
Initial settlement costs
TOTAL estimated expenses for a single applicant can reach ₱1,500,000 – ₱4,500,000+ depending on your situation.
Competitive
The Australia PR process for Physiotherapists relies on points:
Age
English scores (need to be proficient or score at least 7 in all IELTS aspects)
Work experience (a 3-4 year experience gets you a 5-points)
NAATI language points
Partner points
State nomination requirements
Not everyone gets an invitation immediately. Some applicants wait months or even years.
Read this related article: Occupation & Points Threshold Trends (Based on Previous Year)
4. Competitive Visa System & State Nomination Requirements
Even if physiotherapists are on the skilled occupation list, states may prioritize other occupations depending on:
Local shortages
Economic targets
Budget allocations
Migration quotas
Some states require:
Job offers
Regional residency
Work experience in Australia
Commitment statements
Specific documentation
It’s not always straightforward, and pathways differ per state.
5. Overseas and/or Australian Work Experience Expectations
Employers may prefer candidates who already have:
Local experience
Knowledge of the NDIS system
Strong communication skills
Familiarity with Australian clinical documentation
Confidence in dealing with diverse patient groups
And the work experience doesn’t only apply from employers but also affects your points and eligibility to most of the Skilled Visa and Permanent Visa options. This means Filipino PTs may start with:
Entry-level roles
Regional placements
Lower-paying clinics
Practice-based training to build confidence
Frequently asked questions of internationally-educated PTs planning to migrate to Australia
The average PT salary in Australia ranges from AUD $65,000–$100,000 per year, depending on your experience, location, and employer. This is lower than USA but competitive compared to other asian countries.
The most common skilled visas for physiotherapists are:
Subclass 189 (Skilled Independent – no sponsor)
Subclass 190 (State Nominated – PR)
Subclass 491 (State/Regional Sponsored – provisional → PR pathway)
All require:
APC Skills Assessment (APEP/MA)
EOI on SkillSelect
Invitation to Apply by the government/state/territory
No. For Skilled Visa 189, 190, and 491 visas — you do NOT need an employer.
What you need instead is:
A positive skills assessment
- Pass the English Exam requirements
- Preferably with at least 1year to 3 years experience in Physiotherapy
A competitive Expression Of Interest points score
An invitation from the federal or state government
Finding an employer after processing your visa might be more challenging because of competition with locals and other foreign PTs.
However, some PTs choose an employer-sponsored route (482 → 186) which does require a job offer.
Timelines vary, but average durations for Physical Therapists with qualified work experience are:
APC APEP Assessment: 6 months to 8 months
- Skills Assessment: 1-2 months
EOI waiting time: 1–12 months depending on points
Visa processing: 6–12 months
A motivated applicant have a chance of completing everything in 18 to 24 months or more.
Not always. But...
You can pass the APC assessment with 0 years experience if you meet the academic requirements.
For visa points, work experience helps but is not required. If you have less than 3 years of work experience, that's equivalent to zero points on the Skilled Visa Point System calculator.
New grads can migrate, but may have lower points and need state nomination. At least 65 points is needed for a pass mark. You may try the Australia Skilled Visa Points Calculator here.
Who Is This Pathway Best For?
You are an ideal candidate if you:
✔ Are a licensed PT in the Philippines or internationally
✔ Have strong and proficient English skills
✔ Want long-term stability
✔ Are willing to work in various clinical settings
✔ Plan to pursue PR in the near future
Tips for Filipino PTs Preparing to Migrate in Australia
Improve English early (IELTS/PTE)
Aim for at least IELTS 7 or PTE 65 for competitive scores.
Take the NAATI CCL test
This gives you 5 extra visa points — often critical.
Build your clinical experience
Especially in:
Musculoskeletal
Neuro
Orthopedic rehab
Community or home-care settings
Understand the APEP Pathway
This is required for skills assessment before you can apply for any skilled visa.
Plan your finances
Migration is an investment — prepare at least ₱1,500,000–₱2,000,000.
Final Thoughts
Australia offers one of the best salary packages and career opportunities for Filipino physiotherapists. While the journey involves effort, documentation, and financial preparation, the long-term rewards—higher income, permanent residency, career advancement, and better quality of life—make it a top choice for internationally educated PTs.
If your goal is to build a stable future, Australia remains one of the most rewarding countries to pursue your physiotherapy career.
