AGY-1121 | Physiotherapists Registration Board

Full description

The Physiotherapists Registration Board was created under the provisions of the Physiotherapists Registration Act 1945 (Act No. 9, 1945). The Act received its assent on 21 March 1945 but did not commence until 1 November 1946. (1) The Board is responsible for the registration of physiotherapists and regulates the qualifications for such registration. The Board must determine the health professional standards or experience required for registration as a physiotherapist. The Board is also responsible for the maintenance of professional and ethical standards through the administration of disciplinary provisions.

Under section 23 of the Act, the Board would remove from the register, the names of:
(a) every deceased physiotherapist;
(b) every physiotherapist who has ceased to possess or does not possess the qualifications in respect of which he was registered;
(c) every physiotherapist who has become an insane person or patient or an incapable person within the meaning of the Lunacy Act of 1898. (2)

The Physiotherapists Registration (Amendment) Act 1987 (Act No. 274, 1987) provided for an increase in the number of Board members from seven to twelve. (3) The Board would now elect a Deputy President in addition to the President and could appoint advisory committees to make recommendations to the Board in connection with the exercise and discharge of any of its powers, authorities, duties and functions.

The 1987 Amendment Act also provided for Professional Standards Committees consisting of two physiotherapists and a lay person (defined as a person who is not a physiotherapist) appointed from among a panel of lay persons nominated by the Minister. (4)

The Board's accounts and employees are managed by the Health Administration Corporation. (5) From 1 July 1990, the Board was placed on a self-funding basis to ensure that costs associated with its administration are met from fees received. (6) Funds received by the Board are transmitted to the Health Administration Corporation in accordance with the Physiotherapists Registration (Amendment) Act 1987 Act.

On 1 July 2010, the Board was succeeded by the Physiotherapy Council of New South Wales as a result of the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law (NSW) 2009 (Act No.86a, 2009). (7)

Endnotes
1. New South Wales Government Gazette, 23 March 1945, p. 504; New South Wales Government Gazette, 25 October 1946, p. 2417.
2. Physiotherapists Registration Act, Act No. 9, 1945.
3. Physiotherapists Registration (Amendment) Act, Act No. 274, 1987 Section 2.
4. loc. cit.
5. New South Wales Physiotherapists Registration Board, Annual Report for the year ended 30 June 1997, p. 12.
6. loc. cit.
7. Health Practitioner Regulation National Law (NSW) 2009 (Act No.86a, 2009).