Physiotherapists in Australia are considered to be primary contact practitioners. This means that a referral to see a physiotherapist from a medical practitioner is NOT required. This has been the situation in Australia since 1978. Australian physiotherapists were the first in the world to attain primary contact status. Many countries around the world have subsequently followed this move.
The only exception to this rule in Australia is if the patient's injury is subject to workers compensation or a compulsory third party insurance claim.
