What it costs to move to Australia as an OT, speech pathologist or physio: the official fees, by profession

Written by Callum Trevorrow. Last checked 28 October 2026 against official sources.

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Before visas and flights, the official fees to get recognised in Australia start at A$388 for OTs whose degree is on the OT Board’s lists, A$825 for speech pathologists on SPA’s Mutual Recognition Agreement and A$2,414 for physios on the Physiotherapy Council’s Express FLYR route (our arithmetic, from fees current in October 2026). The routes with more assessment cost more: up to A$2,000 for SPA’s OSQCA and A$8,993 for a physio on APEP, before any resits.

Every fee below is from the body that charges it, with the date it applies from where the body gives one. Totals are our arithmetic, and I’ve labelled them that way. Visa charges aren’t in the tables: check them on Home Affairs, and talk to a registered migration agent about which visa fits you.

Occupational therapists

Our arithmetic: A$388 if your degree is listed or HCPC/CORU-approved in the window (A$380 in NSW); A$1,076 with a portfolio assessment found substantially equivalent. If the outcome is “relevant”, you first take limited registration (A$250 + A$138), do 6 months’ supervised practice with a competence assessment facilitated by the OTC (no fee published; ask the OTC), then apply for general registration. Add A$800 if your visa needs the OTC assessment. Not sure whether your degree is listed? Check the OT degree list.

Speech pathologists

Speech pathologists aren’t registered by Ahpra. Speech Pathology Australia (SPA) assesses you, so there’s no Ahpra fee.

Our arithmetic: A$825 on the MRA; A$2,000 for the OSQCA if every stage passes first time. Each OSQCA stage allows up to 3 submissions, and each one is charged again. SPA membership is a separate yearly cost, so check SPA’s membership fees page. Details are in the MRA guide and the OSQCA guide.

Physiotherapists

Overseas-qualified physios go through the Australian Physiotherapy Council (APC) first, then register with the Physiotherapy Board of Australia through Ahpra.

Our arithmetic: A$2,414 on Express FLYR, A$4,162 on FLYR, A$8,993 on APEP (A$20 less in NSW). Resits cost A$2,078 (written), A$2,928 (capability) or A$1,903 (workshop). APC fees are “as at 21 October 2026” and rose twice in 2026, so check the Council’s fees page on the day you apply. Which route you’re on is explained in Express FLYR, FLYR or APEP.

English tests: if you need one

For registration and SPA assessment, whether you need a test depends mainly on where you studied. For Ahpra (OTs and physios), education pathways in a recognised country can apply, and South Africa came off that list from 18 March 2026. SPA exempts only speech pathology degrees taught in English at a university in the UK, Canada, NZ, the USA or Ireland. The English tests guide has the scores and exemptions.

IELTS prices vary by test centre, and none of these pages is dated, so check your own centre before you book. OET paper sub-test retakes (only after a full test, not offered in the USA) cost AU$315, AU$415 or AU$515 for 1, 2 or 3 sub-tests. A$ figures are our calculation at RBA rates on 27 October 2026 (US$0.7021, £0.5264, €0.6286, C$0.9841, NZ$1.2335 per A$1); the rand figure uses a cross rate of about R11.67 per A$1 from ECB and RBA rates, because the RBA doesn’t publish a rand rate.

Bringing a cat or dog

The UK, Ireland, Canada, South Africa and mainland USA are all Group 3 countries. Group 3 means an import permit, a rabies vaccination and antibody blood test, and at least 180 days after the blood sample reaches the lab before the animal can travel. Allow at least six months.

The department reviews these fees each year. Flights, vet work and the import permit are on top. New Zealand is Group 1, with different rules. The pets guide goes through the steps.

What the first role pays, by profession

For budgeting against these costs (Queensland Health rates from 1 September 2026; gross, before tax):

• OTs: Queensland Health’s HP3 grade is A$83,824–120,740. More in the OT salary guide.
• Speech pathologists: Queensland Health employs speech pathologists at HP3 (A$83,824–120,740) and seniors at HP4. More in the speech pathology salary guide.
• Physios: HP3 is the grade below senior; the October 2026 listings showed physio roles at HP4 (A$132,689–142,315) and HP5. More in the physio salary guide.

What isn’t in these tables

• Visa charges and any dependants’ charges: check Home Affairs for current pricing, and ask a registered migration agent which visa applies to you. General information only here.
• Ahpra’s international criminal history check (OTs and physios): you pay an Ahpra-approved supplier directly, and Ahpra doesn’t state the price. See the document checklist.
• Flights, shipping, a rental bond and your first weeks’ living costs. For Brisbane, see cost of living in Brisbane.

I’ve walked overseas clinicians through working holiday and Skills in Demand visas alongside registered migration agents, and I run a multi-site paediatric allied health practice in South East Queensland where several of our clinicians came from overseas. On the numbers above, the items most likely to change your total are a resit, the route you land on, and how long a pet must wait before it can travel.

Your next step

• OTs: check whether your degree is on the OT Board’s lists, because that decides whether you pay A$388, A$1,076, or more on a “relevant” outcome, before English.
• Speech pathologists: check whether you’re a full member of an MRA association with 1,000 hours in the past five years; if not, budget for the OSQCA.
• Physios: check which APC route your country and registration put you on; it’s the difference between A$2,414 and A$8,993.

The pathway check asks those questions for your profession and tells you what to do next, including whether an info session is the right first step.