UNITED KINGDOM
Overview
Comprised on four nations: England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, the United Kingdom is known for its rich culture and iconic landmarks. From historic castles, scenic countryside and bustling cities, like its capital London, the United Kingdom has something for everyone (Visit Britain, 2024).
Physiotherapy Overview
Employment
Job prospects for both domestic and internationally trained physiotherapists in the United Kingdom have increased in recent years. Following Brexit, the UK has faced a shortage of physiotherapists due to restricted visa access for European professionals (Indu, 2025). Recent data from a review of the physio workforce shows there is currently one physiotherapist for every 1,136 people in the UK compared to Australia where there is one for every 742 people (Critical Recruit, 2024). As a result, demand for physiotherapists grew by 7% in 2024 and continue to grow as per the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy UK (2024).
Income
A physiotherapist working under the NHS will earn between £31,000 as a newly qualified Band 1, and £55,000 + as a Band 8 at Manager level.
In private practice, a physiotherapist will earn on average between £35,000 and £40,000 or between ina specialist or senior role.
Locum workers will earn on average £18- £42 per hour which equates to annual full time equivalent of £40,000- £65,000.
(Firdaus, 2025)
For more information about income as a physiotherapist in the United Kingdom. Click the link icon.
Licensing and Registration
Regulatory Body: Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).
To practise as a physiotherapist in the UK you must be registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).
You will need to complete an application to join the HCPC register that demonstrates how you meet standards of conduct, performance & ethics, proficiency for physiotherapists and standards of continuing professional development (Health and Care Professionals Council, 2025).
Process: Application via HCPC website –> Application is reviewed –> further verification may/or may be needed –> successful applicant will receive a registration letter and name is added to register.
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- Application via HCPC website – fee of £678.38
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You will need to provide the following information
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- Proof of identity forms
- Certified copy of your professional qualification certificate
- Written explanation of professional experience
- provide details of any registration or membership you currently and/or have previously held in countries outside of the UK.
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(Health and Care Professionals Council, 2025)
Find out more about Licensing and Registration in the UK by clicking the link icon.
Work Permit/ Visa
If you are not a British citizen you will need to apply for a visa from the UK Visas and Immigration Department before you can enter and work in the UK.
Youth Mobility Visa
The Youth Mobility Visa allows workers between the ages of 18-35 from Australian, or other approved countries, to live and work in UK for up to 2 years.
This visa does not require you to have a job or sponsorship prior to applying.
Health and Social Care Visa
The Health and Social Care Visa allows medical professionals to work an eligible job with the NHS for up to 5 years.
This visa requires you to have a job offer and sponsorship from your employer before you apply.
Skilled Worker Visa
A Skilled Worker Visa allows you to work an eligible job with an employer approved by the Home Office for up to 5 years.
This visa requires you to have a job offer and sponsorship from your employer before you apply.
(GOV.UK, 2019)
Click the icon to find out more about Work Visas
Cost Of Living
Cost of Living Index: United Kingdom – 64.2 Australia – 63.0
The average lifestyle in the United Kingdom is 1.2% more expensive than the same lifestyle in Australia.
(Numbeo, 2025)
Lived Experience
Hear about Lulus experience living and working in London for 2 years.
Lulu studied her Bachelors of Physiotherapy at Monash University and worked for 3 years at the Austin Hospital before moving to New Zealand and later to London where she worked as a locum physio in a range of hospitals settings.
References
Critical Recruit. (2024, January 11). Working as a Physiotherapist in the UK. Critical Recruit. https://criticalrecruit.com/working-as-a-physiotherapist-in-the-uk/
Firdaus, S. (2025). Physiotherapist Jobs UK 2025: Salary, Demand & Career Growth. Academically.com. https://academically.com/blogs/physiotherapist-jobs-in-the-uk/
GOV.UK. (2019). Work in the UK – GOV.UK. Www.gov.uk. https://www.gov.uk/browse/visas-immigration/work-visas
Health and Care Professionals Council. (2025). Eligibility to apply for registration |. Www.hcpc-Uk.org. https://www.hcpc-uk.org/registration/getting-on-the-register/international-applications/eligibility/
Indu, K. (2025, May 7). Job Opportunities For Physiotherapists In The UK. Academically Global Health Care Academy. https://academically.com/blogs/job-opportunities-for-physiotherapists-in-uk/
Numbeo. (2025). Cost of Living Index by Country 2025. Numbeo.com. https://www.numbeo.com/cost-of-living/rankings_by_country.jsp
The Chartered Society of Physiotherapy. (2024, April 18). The Chartered Society of Physiotherapy. The Chartered Society of Physiotherapy. https://www.csp.org.uk/
Visit Britain. (2024). The Official Website For UK Tourism. VisitBritain. https://www.visitbritain.com/en
Photos courtesy of Pixabay.