Application for Accreditation
New Entry-Level Physiotherapy Program
Education Provider:
Date:
2016 V1
Page 1
OVERVIEW ........................................................................................................................ 3
INSTRUCTIONS.................................................................................................................. 3
SECTION 1 - PROGRAM PROFILE ........................................................................................ 4
SECTION 2 - ACCREDITATION REQUIREMENTS ................................................................... 6
REQUIREMENT 1: PROGRAM ATTRIBUTES........................................................................... 6
Element 1.1 Program and Degree Nomenclature ........................................................................... 6
Element 1.2 Duration of Program .................................................................................................. 7
REQUIREMENT 2: QUALITY SYSTEMS ................................................................................... 8
Element 2.1 Program Outcomes .................................................................................................... 8
Element 2.2 Graduate Outcomes ................................................................................................... 9
Element 2.3 Benchmarking .......................................................................................................... 10
Element 2.4 Research Environment and Outcomes..................................................................... 11
REQUIREMENT 3: ACADEMIC PROGRAM ........................................................................... 12
Element 3.1 Pedagogy .................................................................................................................. 12
Element 3.2 Curriculum ................................................................................................................ 13
Element 3.3 Assessment............................................................................................................... 14
Element 3.4 Research/Evidence-based Practice .......................................................................... 15
Element 3.5 Clinical Education Model .......................................................................................... 16
Element 3.6 Clinical Education Placements.................................................................................. 17
REQUIREMENT 4: RESOURCES AND INFRASTRUCTURE ELEMENTS ................................... 18
Element 4.1 Academic and Research Leadership......................................................................... 18
Element 4.2 Academic Staffing ..................................................................................................... 19
Element 4.3 Clinical Educators ..................................................................................................... 20
Element 4.4 General Staffing........................................................................................................ 21
Element 4.5 Physical Resources ................................................................................................... 22
Element 4.6 Funding ..................................................................................................................... 23
Element 4.7 Organisational Structure .......................................................................................... 24
Element 4.8 Policies...................................................................................................................... 25
Element 4.9 Procedures ............................................................................................................... 26
SECTION 3 - EVIDENCE MAP ............................................................................................ 27
SIGNATURE & CONTACT DETAILS HEAD ACADEMIC UNIT ................................................. 28
2016 V1
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OVERVIEW
The Australian Physiotherapy Council Limited (the Council) is the Accrediting Authority for entry-level
physiotherapy programs in Australia. It operates under a formal agreement with the Australian Health
Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) and the Physiotherapy Board of Australia (PhysioBA). Whilst
the work of the Council is undertaken as a statutory responsibility, it aims to operate in a collegiate
manner, in a context of continuous improvement.
As part of the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law Act (2009) (the National Law), the Council
is responsible for assessing entry-level physiotherapy programs of study, and the education providers,
to determine whether the programs meet approved accreditation standards. The Council is also
required to conduct monitoring activities to ensure the program and provider continue to meet the
accreditation standards.
An application for accreditation, requires the education provider to submit comprehensive evidence
for each Element of the Accreditation Standard. A site visit will be scheduled to verify and expand on
evidence provided in the application.
INSTRUCTIONS
1.
Please refer to the Accreditation of Entry-Level Physiotherapy Programs Guide for Education
Providers 2016, for examples of evidence that may assist in the preparation of your response
https://physiocouncil.com.au/for-education-providers/accreditation-resources/
2.
Complete the Program Profile; the Physiotherapy Board of Australia will use this data on its
website.
3.
Where the provider is lodging applications for more than one campus for the same program, and
the evidence provision for an Element is identical, there is no need for duplication. The provider
should identify one application as the primary application, and refer to the Element response in
that document for the subsequent campus program.
4.
The application must address each Accreditation Element and focus on the provision of clear
evidence.
5.
The education provider must explain how the evidence demonstrates meeting the criterion for the
Element. Evidence may appear in the body of the application, be attached as appendices or as
links to a URL. Evidence should be clearly labelled and reference the relevant Accreditation
Element. It is acknowledged that some evidence may be relevant to more than one Element, and
labelling should reflect this. If referring to a section in an Appendix, specific details (e.g., p3, para
2) should be referenced. Section 3 – Evidence Map is to be completed to assist the Accreditation
Panel to navigate the application.
6.
Where an honours program is included under this application, ensure clear details of the honours
program, are detailed under applicable Elements.
7.
The Council will provide you with a Dropbox link to uploading your application. Please ensure that
file names do not exceed 128 characters.
Should you require more information or assistance please contact the Council at on 03 98638077.
2016 V1
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SECTION 1 - PROGRAM PROFILE & ENROLMENT PROJECTIONS
The Education Provider is requested to complete the blue sections of Table 1. This program profile will
be used in all notifications to the Physiotherapy Board of Australia.
Table 1: Program Profile
Country
Australia
State/Territory
Education Provider:
Campus to be approved:
Name of Program(s) of Study*:
Course Code(s)*
Course Abbreviation(s)*
Course Type
AQF Level*
* If an honours program is also to be included, identify, and include course code in applicable box.
2016 V1
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The Education Provider is requested to complete the relevant table below, depending on the length of
the proposed program.
Table 2: Enrolment Projections
Four Year Program
2017
STUDENT NUMBER ENROLMENT PROJECTIONS
2018
2019
2020
2017
STUDENT NUMBER ENROLMENT PROJECTIONS
2018
2019
2020
2017
STUDENT NUMBER ENROLMENT PROJECTIONS
2018
2019
2020
Year 1
Year 2
Year 3
Year 4
Three Year Program
Year 1
Year 2
Year 3
Two Year Program
Year 1
Year 2
2016 V1
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SECTION 2 - ACCREDITATION REQUIREMENTS
REQUIREMENT 1: PROGRAM ATTRIBUTES
Element 1.1 Program and Degree Nomenclature
Criterion
The University must provide evidence that the title of the program and the title of the degree
emphasise the profession of physiotherapy.
Education provider response:
2016 V1
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Element 1.2 Duration of Program
Criterion
The university must provide evidence that the program is of sufficient duration to provide adequate
opportunity for the personal and professional development required for entry to the professional
practice of physiotherapy as defined by the Australian Standards for Physiotherapy.
Education provider response:
2016 V1
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REQUIREMENT 2: QUALITY SYSTEMS
Element 2.1 Program Outcomes
Criterion
The philosophy and learning outcomes of the program are clearly stated and are consistent with the
professional practice of physiotherapy and the Australian Standards for Physiotherapy.
Education provider response:
2016 V1
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Element 2.2 Graduate Outcomes
Criterion
The university must provide evidence through the collection and evaluation of longitudinal assessment
data that graduates of the program demonstrate the specific attributes defined in the Australian
Standards for Physiotherapy in conjunction with the graduate attributes defined by the university.
Education provider response:
2016 V1
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Element 2.3 Benchmarking
Criterion
The university must provide evidence of comparative analysis of the program including systematic
benchmarking with comparable physiotherapy programs and an evaluative commentary.
Education provider response:
2016 V1
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Element 2.4 Research Environment and Outcomes
Criterion
The university must provide evidence that the program is conducted in an academic unit that fosters
and explicitly undertakes and supports research and scholarship in physiotherapy.
Education provider response:
2016 V1
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REQUIREMENT 3: ACADEMIC PROGRAM
Element 3.1 Pedagogy
Criterion
The university must provide evidence that the program is based on a philosophical pedagogy that
facilitates attainment of graduate attributes through the progressive development and integration of
knowledge, clinical skills and independent thinking, ethical and value analysis, communication skills,
clinical reasoning and decision-making.
Education provider response:
2016 V1
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Element 3.2 Curriculum
Criterion
The university must provide evidence that the curriculum addresses the Australian Standards of
Physiotherapy and that there are appropriate processes in place to develop and improve the
curriculum.
Education provider response:
2016 V1
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Element 3.3 Assessment
Criterion
The university must provide evidence that academic and clinical staff utilize a range of appropriate
assessment methods to report whether students know and understand theoretical material and are
competent and safe to function in the clinical setting according to the Australian Standards for
Physiotherapy.
Education provider response:
2016 V1
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Element 3.4 Research/Evidence-based Practice
Criterion
The university must provide evidence that graduates of the program can apply an evidence-based
approach to their own practice.
Education provider response:
2016 V1
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Element 3.5 Clinical Education Model
Criterion
The university must provide evidence that the program includes a clinical education model that has
sufficient breadth, depth and comprehensive coverage to ensure that the learning outcomes of the
program and the Australian Standards for Physiotherapy are met.
Education provider response:
2016 V1
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Element 3.6 Clinical Education Placements
Criterion
The university must provide evidence that the clinical education program includes clinical education
placements that provide opportunities to develop the ability to apply knowledge and clinical skills in
the key areas of physiotherapy, exposure to a range of settings (acute, rehabilitation and community)
and to clients of all ages.
Education provider response:
2016 V1
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REQUIREMENT 4: RESOURCES AND INFRASTRUCTURE ELEMENTS
Element 4.1 Academic and Research Leadership
Criterion
The university must provide evidence that it has the necessary and appropriate level of academic and
research leadership to provide an entry-level physiotherapy program in an environment that fosters
research and scholarship. Universities that are in the planning stages must provide evidence that they
are in a position to appoint academic and research leaders and that a full professorial appointment in
physiotherapy will be advertised within the first year of offering the program.
Education provider response:
2016 V1
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Element 4.2 Academic Staffing
Criterion
The university must provide evidence that it has appointed academic staff at a level that enables
provision of an entry level physiotherapy program that satisfies all of the accreditation requirements.
Universities that are in the planning stages must provide evidence that they are in a position to appoint
academic staff with appropriate postgraduate qualifications and experience in each of the key areas
of physiotherapy practice to assist in the development and delivery of the program.
A comprehensive list of academic staff must be provided as part of this response, including sessional
staff. Enter ”sessional” under EFT column as applicable. Curriculum vitae of staff appointed should be
provided. Identify start date if appointed but not yet commenced.
Table 3: Staff appointed
Name
Qualifications
Level of
appointment
Fraction EFT
committed to
physiotherapy
program
Specify main teaching
or research area and
position.
Start date if applicable
If staff are still in the process of being appointed, planned EFT and recruitment timeframe should be
identified.
Table 4: Staff to be appointed
Position
Qualifications
Level of
appointment
Fraction EFT
committed to
physiotherapy
program
Specify main teaching
or research area and
position. Planned
start date
Education provider response:
2016 V1
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Element 4.3 Clinical Educators
Criterion
The university must provide evidence that students within, and those who will enter the program have
access to sufficient and experienced clinical educators to provide a comprehensive clinical education
experience.
Education provider response:
2016 V1
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Element 4.4 General Staffing
Criterion
The university must provide evidence that the level of general staff and services is adequate to meet
the needs of the students and the academic staff including adequate access to secretarial,
administrative, technical, laboratory and computing support.
Education provider response:
2016 V1
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Element 4.5 Physical Resources
Criterion
The university must provide evidence that the physical resources reflect contemporary teaching and
learning in physiotherapy both on campus and at off-campus clinical education sites.
Education provider response:
2016 V1
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Element 4.6 Funding
Criterion
The university must provide evidence of a program funding model that enables provision of an entry
level physiotherapy program that satisfies all of the accreditation requirements.
Education provider response:
2016 V1
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Element 4.7 Organisational Structure
Criterion
The university must provide evidence that the structure of the university is appropriate for the delivery
of an entry level program in physiotherapy.
Education provider response:
2016 V1
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Element 4.8 Policies
Criterion
The university must provide evidence that it has in place appropriate policies for program
development, approval, delivery, assessment, evaluation and review to ensure that standards of
education are maintained.
Policies may be listed with appropriate hyperlink where accessible
Education provider response:
2016 V1
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Element 4.9 Procedures
Criterion
The university must provide evidence that it has in place appropriate procedures for program
development, approval, delivery, assessment, evaluation and review to ensure that standards of
education are maintained.
Procedures may be listed with appropriate hyperlink where accessible
Education provider response:
2016 V1
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SECTION 3 - EVIDENCE MAP
Complete the following table by listing the evidence provided to support each element of
accreditation and the location of that evidence within the application i.e. page number, appendix
number or URL link. (Some evidence may be applicable to multiple elements.)
Table 5: Evidence Map
Accreditation Element
Evidence
1.1 Program and Degree Nomenclature
1.2 Duration of Programs
2.1 Program outcomes
2.2 Graduate outcomes
2.3 Benchmarking
2.4 Research environment & Outcomes
3.1 Pedagogy
3.2 Curriculum
3.3 Assessment
3.4 Research/Evidence Based Practice
3.5 Clinical Education Model
3.6 Clinical Education Placements
4.1 Academic and Research Leadership
4.2 Academic Staffing
4.3 Clinical Educators
4.4 General Staffing
4.5 Physical Resources
4.6 Funding
4.7 Organisational Structure
4.8 Policies
4.9 Procedures
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SIGNATURE & CONTACT DETAILS HEAD ACADEMIC UNIT
Name:
Date:
Position title:
Phone:
Email:
Signature:
2016 V1
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