Factors associated with the retention and attrition of physiotherapists in Australia: Insights from the Physiotherapy Attrition and Retention Collaboration (PARC) project

Rechu Divakar; Jade Tan; Lee Barclay; Bronwyn Darmanin; Paula Harding; Sheila Lennon; Gillian McDermott; Jackie Robertson; Lowana Williams; Sunita Bapuji Bayyavarapu; Sarah Anderson; Kim Gibson

doi:10.1071/AH25095

Factors associated with the retention and attrition of physiotherapists in Australia: Insights from the Physiotherapy Attrition and Retention Collaboration (PARC) project

Aust Health Rev. 2025 Nov 25:AH25095. doi: 10.1071/AH25095. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Rechu Divakar, Jade Tan, Lee Barclay, Bronwyn Darmanin, Paula Harding, Sheila Lennon, Gillian McDermott, Jackie Robertson, Lowana Williams, Sunita Bapuji Bayyavarapu, Sarah Anderson, Kim Gibson

PMID: 41292065
DOI: 10.1071/AH25095

Abstract

Objective: Identify factors influencing retention and attrition of physiotherapists in Australia.

Methods: Cross-sectional survey and analysis of 10 years of Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (Ahpra) registration data, involving current or previously registered physiotherapists.

Results: Among participants, 6,045 (80.2%) intended to stay in the profession, 711 (9.3%) were unsure, and 779 (10.3%) intended to leave. Of those intending to leave 87% wanted to leave within one-year. Reasons for leaving included retirement, unsatisfactory remuneration, lack of career advancement, professional dissatisfaction, and mental burnout. Respondents more likely to leave or be unsure included: older physiotherapists (over 50: OR = 1.6, 95% CI = 1.2-2.0), those with fewer than 15 years of experience (OR ~ 2.0, 95% CI ~ 1.1-2.8), males (OR = 1.2, 95% CI = 1.0-1.4), practitioners with further qualifications (OR = 1.2, 95% CI = 1.1-1.4), those without Australian Physiotherapy Association (APA) membership (OR = 1.7, 95% CI = 1.5-2.0), those with non-practising (OR = 12.2, 95% CI = 9.2-16.1), and unregistered practitioners (OR = 39.5, 95% CI = 28.7-54.4). From 2014 to 2023, physiotherapists per 100,000 population rose by 41.6% and the replacement rate (~2.5) remained stable overall, with higher replacement rates among males.

Conclusion: Most physiotherapists intended to stay with registration data indicating strong workforce growth and stable replacement rates over the past decade. However, nearly one in five physiotherapists plan to leave or remain uncertain - most citing retirement, remuneration, career progression, dissatisfaction, or burnout as reasons. Strategies targeting these factors may improve retention.