AHPRA CPD Requirements for Allied Health: Where Concussion Education Fits
A practical guide to annual CPD obligations for physiotherapists, osteopaths, chiropractors, and exercise physiologists — and how structured concussion education counts toward them.
CPD Is Not Just a Box to Tick
Every AHPRA-registered practitioner knows they need to complete continuing professional development each year. But with annual renewal approaching (registration runs 1 December to 30 November for most disciplines), the practical questions are always the same: how many hours do I need? What counts? And how do I choose CPD that actually improves my clinical practice rather than just meeting the minimum?
This guide covers the CPD requirements for the four allied health disciplines most commonly involved in concussion management — physiotherapy, osteopathy, chiropractic, and exercise physiology — and explains how concussion education fits within each framework.
CPD Requirements by Profession
Physiotherapists
Physiotherapy Board of Australia / AHPRA
CPD activities can be formal (accredited courses, conferences, seminars, online learning, in-service education) or non-formal (reflective practice, journal reading, quality assurance activities, peer discussion). A CPD portfolio must be maintained for 5 years and is subject to Board audit.
How concussion education fits:Structured online courses with assessment components qualify as formal learning activities. An 8-hour online course covering SCAT6, VOMS, BESS, and return-to-play protocols would count as 8 hours of formal CPD — 40% of the annual requirement in a single activity.
Osteopaths
Osteopathy Board of Australia / AHPRA
CPD is categorised as Learning with Others (courses, conferences, webinars, coaching, peer review) and Learning by Oneself(journal reading, distance learning, publications). Osteopaths must also hold a current Senior First Aid (Level 2) certificate, renewed every 3 years — this does not count toward the 25 hours. Portfolios are retained for 5 years.
How concussion education fits:Online concussion courses qualify under “Learning by Oneself” (distance learning). A hands-on workshop qualifies under “Learning with Others.” Combined, an 8-hour online + 6-hour workshop covers 14 of the 25 required hours — 56% of annual obligations.
Chiropractors
Chiropractic Board of Australia / AHPRA
The Chiropractic Board no longer categorises CPD into “formal” and “informal” learning. Instead, practitioners must develop learning goals, plan CPD activities to meet those goals, and reflect on how the learning will improve their practice. Chiropractors must also hold a current Level 2 / Senior First Aid certificate.
How concussion education fits:If you treat active or sporting populations, concussion management directly aligns with defensible learning goals. The goal-oriented CPD framework makes it straightforward to justify: “improve my ability to recognise and manage sport-related concussion using standardised assessment tools.”
Exercise Physiologists
ESSA (Exercise & Sports Science Australia) — self-regulated
Important distinction: Exercise physiologists are not AHPRA-regulated. They are self-regulated through ESSA, which is part of the National Alliance of Self-Regulating Health Professions (NASRHP). ESSA uses standards closely modelled on AHPRA's framework. The registration period runs on a calendar year (January to December), not the December–November AHPRA cycle.
How concussion education fits:Structured courses with assessments qualify under the Further Education category. An 8-hour online course would count as 8 of the required 15 Further Education points — over half the mandatory category in a single activity.
At a Glance
| Profession | Regulator | Annual Requirement | Registration Cycle |
|---|---|---|---|
| Physiotherapist | AHPRA | 20 hours | 1 Dec – 30 Nov |
| Osteopath | AHPRA | 25 hours (incl. 4 mandatory) | 1 Dec – 30 Nov |
| Chiropractor | AHPRA | 20 hours | Annual |
| Exercise Physiologist | ESSA (self-regulated) | 20 points (15 Further Ed) | Jan – Dec |
Why Concussion Education Is Particularly High-Value CPD Right Now
Not all CPD is equal in terms of clinical impact. Here's why concussion management sits at the intersection of regulatory relevance, clinical need, and professional opportunity:
How to Log Concussion Education for AHPRA
When adding concussion education to your CPD portfolio, log it as:
- Activity type: Educational Activity — Reviewing & Reflecting
- Category: Formal learning (for accredited/structured courses with assessment)
- Hours: As per course certificate (e.g., 8 hours for online, 14 hours for online + workshop)
- Evidence: Certificate of completion with CPD hours, certificate ID, and completion date
- Retention: Keep certificates in your CPD portfolio for at least 5 years
For exercise physiologists logging through ESSA, structured online courses count under the Further Education category. The same completion certificate serves as evidence.
References
- AHPRA (2024). Continuing Professional Development. ahpra.gov.au
- Physiotherapy Board of Australia. CPD Guidelines. physiotherapyboard.gov.au
- Osteopathy Board of Australia. CPD Resources. osteopathyboard.gov.au
- Chiropractic Board of Australia. Continuing Professional Development FAQ. chiropracticboard.gov.au
- ESSA. CPD Hours Guidelines. essa.org.au
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