5 Things I Wish I Knew Before Taking the APC Exams

I've spoken to dozens of physiotherapists who've gone through the Australian registration process. Here are the insights that come up again and again – the things people wish they'd known at the start.

1. The Australian Healthcare System is Part of the Exam

This sounds obvious, but it catches a lot of people out. The exams don't just test physiotherapy knowledge – they test physiotherapy knowledge in the Australian context.

You need to understand:

• How Medicare works (and what it covers)
• The role of GPs as gatekeepers
• NDIS and how it affects therapy provision
• Private health insurance and its limitations
• WorkCover and return-to-work processes

If a question asks about managing a patient with chronic low back pain, the "correct" answer considers what's realistic within the Australian system – not just what's theoretically best.

What to do: Spend time learning about the healthcare system, not just clinical content. Read the AIHW reports. Understand the Medicare Benefits Schedule. Know what NDIS is and isn't.

2. Your Clinical Experience Might Not Translate Directly

This is a hard one to hear. You might be an experienced senior physiotherapist in your home country, but some of that experience won't directly transfer.

Why?

• Different healthcare systems emphasise different things
• Scope of practice varies between countries
• Evidence-based practice standards differ
• Clinical reasoning frameworks may be different

I've seen excellent clinicians struggle because they answered questions based on "how we do it back home" rather than current Australian/international guidelines.

What to do: Study Australian practice guidelines specifically. Approach the exam as if you're learning a slightly different version of physiotherapy, not just brushing up on what you already know.

3. Cardiorespiratory is Often the Weak Point

If your background is primarily musculoskeletal outpatient work, cardiorespiratory can be a shock. Australian physiotherapy training places heavy emphasis on acute care and ICU work. The exams reflect that.

You might be asked about:

• Ventilator settings and weaning
• Chest X-ray interpretation
• Cardiac rehabilitation protocols
• Post-operative respiratory management

If you haven't worked in an acute hospital setting, this can feel like a whole different profession.

What to do: Don't neglect cardiorespiratory in your preparation. If possible, spend time in an acute setting (even through observation) before the exams. Study ICU physiotherapy specifically.

4. Time Management is a Skill You Need to Practice

The Written Assessment gives you 90 seconds per question on average. The Clinical Assessment has strict time limits. These aren't generous timings – they're designed to test whether you can work efficiently under pressure.

The worst thing that happens: running out of time with questions unanswered or clinical tasks incomplete.

What to do: Practice under timed conditions. Do full-length mock exams. For clinical practice, time yourself doing assessments and treatments. Efficiency is a skill you can develop.

5. Mental Preparation Matters More Than You Think

The registration process is long. Eligibility assessment takes weeks. Waiting for exam dates is frustrating. The exams themselves are stressful. And you're often doing all this while working, possibly in a new country, possibly on a visa that adds pressure.

Burnout is real. Candidates who try to rush through everything often do worse than those who pace themselves.

What to do:

• Set realistic timelines (most successful candidates spend 6-12 months preparing)
• Build breaks into your study schedule
• Connect with others going through the same process
• Don't let the process consume your whole life

The Bigger Picture

Registration is a marathon, not a sprint. The APC exams are passable – thousands of international physiotherapists have done it. But they require respect. Proper preparation. And a realistic understanding of what you're facing.

If you approach it right, you'll get there.

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Looking for structured preparation and support? Our prep courses are designed specifically for international physiotherapists navigating the Australian registration process.