Melbourne-based cardiorespiratory physiotherapist Liz Webb APAM has always had a keen interest in how the lungs work.
This lead her to start investigating physiotherapy interventions for people with bronchiectasis, a condition that makes it hard to clear phlegm and damages the lungs.
To assist with her research, Liz applied for, and received, a 2025 Physiotherapy Research Foundation (PRF) Seeding Grant. The grant will allow Liz to quickly conduct research by funding participant interviews, transcription, and support from a senior qualitative researcher.
‘It was quite an honour to receive the PRF Seeding Grant,' Liz shares. 'I’m passionate about this area and I think the research will make a difference for these families.’
Read more about Liz's research and how the PRF Seeding Grant will allow her to undertake this research in a timely manner, in the May issue of InMotion. Link in bio ⤴️
Learn about the PRF Research Grants, and hey they contribute to the advancement of physiotherapy, on the APA website.
International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Intersex Discrimination and Transphobia, shortened to IDAHOBIT and also known as International Day Against LGBTQIA+ Discrimination, is the anniversary of May 17, 1990, when the World Health Organisation removed homosexuality from the Classification of Diseases.
Whilst equality for LGBTQIA+ people has advanced greatly over the years, the unfortunate reality is that many milestones for this community have only been reached in recent years. The majority of Australians alive today existed during a time when it was illegal to be gay, with Tasmania only decriminalising homosexuality in May 1997.
IDAHOBIT was first held in 2005, and has grown to be acknowledged by millions of people around the world. Its purpose is to celebrate the progress that has been made, whilst raising awareness for the discrimination and stigma that LGBTQIA+ people face to this day.
What can you do today, and every day, to promote and uphold safe and affirming healthcare environments for people who are LGBTQIA+? 🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️
Read about three easy ways to make an inclusive and safe healthcare environment, as shared by Dr Julie Walters APAM, past member of the APA's LGBTQIA+ Advisory Committee.
The APA's LGBTQIA+ Hub provides access to up-to-date content, education and ways to connect. Check it out on the APA Membership page.
If you’d like to learn more about IDAHOBIT, head to @minus18youth 👈
What can happen when you show up, contribute and stay open to connection?
In this story from this month's InMotion, Victorian physiotherapist Michael Dermansky APAM reflects on how volunteering with the APA has helped shape his career in ways he never expected. What began as a desire to learn and give back led to meaningful professional relationships, new opportunities and lasting impact.
Networking and connecting with other physiotherapists is the initial reason why Michael started volunteering, but his long-term 'why' reflects the reason why he was drawn into physiotherapy in the first place.
‘It's really simple. I wanted to make a difference in people’s lives,’ he asserts.
Read the May feature article to hear why connection, contribution and being in the room matter. Link in bio ☝️
The 2026–27 Federal Budget includes some important wins for physiotherapy, particularly in veterans’ health, but significant questions remain around disability reform, aged care and long-term health system design.
In this video, APA National President Dr Rik Dawson MACP unpacks what the Budget means for physiotherapy, including:
• the increase to DVA physiotherapy consultation fees from 1 July 2027
• concerns around proposed NDIS budget reductions impacting physiotherapy supports
• the importance of embedding prevention, rehabilitation and multidisciplinary care into reform from the outset
• why physiotherapy must be recognised as part of the solution to growing health system pressures.
The APA will continue advocating for reforms that improve access, support workforce sustainability and ensure physiotherapy is properly recognised in policy and funding decisions.
Read the APA's full budget analysis on PhysioHub 🔗 link in bio.
Do you know someone with a life-limiting illness? Every day in Australia, over 450 people across the age spectrum die of a life-limiting illness.
This week is National Palliative Care Week, which opens up conversation, raises awareness and advocates for better access to palliative and end-of-life care for all Australians.
This year's campaign is 'Getting to the heart of it. Big Questions. Real Answers.' This aims to make palliative care easier to understand by encouraging honest questions to be asked, with clear, human answers.
Physiotherapists play a key role in a multifaceted palliative care team in a variety of settings, including hospitals and residential aged care facilities. Physiotherapy interventions in palliative care can include, but isn't limited to, exercise prescription, massage and myofascial release, respiratory physiotherapy and advice on positioning, mobility aids, equipment prescription and manual handling (Bernabeu-Wittel et al 2021).
For those working in an aged care environment, Strengthened Aged Care Standard 5.7 emphasises the importance of recognising the goals, needs and preferences of people in palliative and end-of-life care. Physiotherapists play a key role in upholding this standard by supporting comfort, dignity, mobility and enhancing quality of life.
The APA acknowledges and supports physiotherapists around Australia who form part of the multidisciplinary teams supporting patients in palliative care.
➡️ Support @Palliative.Care.Australia and learn more about National Palliative Care Week
In Australia, the annual rate of primary ACL reconstructions (ACLR) increased BY 43% between 2000 and 2015 and rose 74% in people under 25 years old. The fastest growth was seen in children aged 5 to 14, and especially in girls.
ACL rehabilitation is more than assessing strength, hop tests or time since surgery.
In this five facts article, Matthew Fels APAM, Adrian Kan APAM, Rod Grof APAM, Dr Larissa Sattler APAM and Emma Blake APAM of the APA Orthopaedic national group explore key considerations in anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction, rehabilitation and return to sport.
From adolescent rehab and graft maturation timelines to psychological readiness and individualised return to sport planning, the article highlights why ACL recovery needs to reflect the whole person, not just the knee.
Read the full five facts in the latest issue of InMotion 🦵 Link in bio!
The APA cautiously welcomes the reform-focused sentiment of the 2026-27 Federal budget tonight and a positive announcement for veterans’ health.
APA President Dr Rik Dawson said that 'while these reforms represent a positive step forward, deeper, structural reforms will be needed to truly alleviate the current strains on the Australian health care system.’
The APA will continue to work through the detail of this budget and provide more updates in the coming days.
Read more in our media release 🔗 Link in bio.
The APA has been advised by the Department of Veteran Affairs that the 2026-27 Federal Budget announced tonight includes a major boost for physiotherapy services within the DVA, with physiotherapy rebates set to increase from $75.10 to $110 from 1 July 2027.
Find more information at the link in our Instagram Story.
A further breakdown of the announcements will follow in the coming days.
We are counting down the days until we get to gather at the Pullman Cairns International in Cairns/Gimuy in October for FOCUS26 ☀️
This 5-star resort and conference space offers spacious rooms, an on-site pool, spa and fitness centre, and a lively bar for winding down after a busy day networking.
The tropical gateway to the Great Barrier Reef, Cairns is where business and paradise combine. Take a half-day or full-day trip to explore the world’s largest coral reef system, or venture into the ancient Wet Tropics rainforest for a true adventure.
FOCUS26 is going to be a conference you don't want to miss as we elevate practices and empower physiotherapy.
Learn more about FOCUS26's venue 📍www.focus.physio/venue
Register for FOCUS26 🎟️ www.focus.physio/registration
Thank you to our destination partners @tropicalnorthqueensland and @pullmancairnsinternational 🙌
Lung disease is one of the most common conditions in Australia, and almost a third of the population has a lung disease. With over 30 different kinds of lung disease, they can affect people of any age or level of health, and even people who haven't smoked.
May marks Lung Health Awareness Month, which aims to raise awareness and reduce the stigma of conditions affecting the lungs 🫁
Physiotherapy plays an important part in the multifaceted approach to care for those with lung disease. Staying active can greatly benefit people with a lung disease. A respiratory physiotherapist can advise you on a program tailored to your needs to build strength and increase lung health.
Learn more about lung health, and keep your lungs strong at 🌬️ @lungfoundation
New South Wales has released a Thriving Kids EOI that centres on government agencies and NGOs, with limited pathways for private physiotherapists.
This model risks shrinking local capacity, reducing family choice and access and destabilising the very workforce governments say they need.
We know this will be a significant concern for affected members and for the children and families who rely on your supports.
We are also conscious that approaches adopted in NSW may influence future models in other states and territories.
If you expect this to affect your practice, workforce or patient access and would like to share a case example to aid advocacy efforts, please contact the APA’s policy team at [email protected].
Currently, the West Australian government has an open survey for providers on the Thriving Kids market to help shape the design and rollout in WA.
We encourage all WA members to participate in the survey and voice your feedback and concerns here: https://www.wa.gov.au/government/announcements/taking-next-steps-supporting-young-children-and-families.
Stay tuned for updates.
Long COVID continues to affect millions of people worldwide, often with ongoing symptoms that can have a major impact on function, quality of life and daily living.
In this Journal of Physiotherapy Invited Topical Review, Malin Nygren-Bonnier and Anne Holland explore the role physiotherapists can play in supporting adults with long COVID, including through exercise-based rehabilitation, respiratory muscle training and self-management support.
The blog also highlights important considerations for practice, including post-exertional symptom exacerbation, postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) and the need for more research to strengthen care.
Read the blog or full Invited Topical Review to explore the evidence, current challenges and the role of physiotherapy in long COVID management.
Research translation blog - /4nal1Hy
JoP Invited Topical Review - /4eZuQpw
This blog is a Physiotherapy Research Foundation initiative.
