Senior Sports Physiotherapist

Play Performance is seeking an experienced and highly enthusiastic Senior Sports Physiotherapist to join our high-performance team. This role blends clinical physiotherapy with on-floor coaching and rehabilitation, bridging the gap between traditional physiotherapy and strength & conditioning within an elite sports environment.

The successful candidate will work with athletes ranging from junior amateurs through to senior professionals, delivering gold-standard assessment, treatment, and rehabilitation while collaborating with our high-performance staff. You will treat clinically at our Brookvale facility using VALD force plate and dynamometry systems and GymAware, with objective data driving every return-to-sport decision, and with our full recovery suite behind you including infrared sauna, cold plunge and Normatec compression.

Just as importantly, you will lead the continued build of our Athlete Rehab Program. The program is already established, with over 18 months of athletes and systems behind it, so you are extending a working foundation rather than starting from scratch. Consult and booking processes, athlete onboarding, testing and screening protocols, return-to-sport exit criteria, and the handover pathway into our performance programs. This is collaborative with our senior high-performance staff, but you will be the one driving it.

We are looking for an energetic practitioner with a passion for sport rehabilitation and performance, who thrives in a collaborative environment, and who is eager to grow with the business. Above all, you need the experience to back your own judgement. Complex presentations, difficult diagnoses and stalled rehabs will land with you, and there is no senior clinician above you to hand them to.

The role starts on a casual basis. Hours, responsibilities and remuneration grow with the rehabilitation side of the business and with what you demonstrate in the role. There is a clear path to a permanent part-time contract and, for someone who proves they can lead the department, to Head of Physiotherapy.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Deliver high-quality physiotherapy services including assessment, diagnosis, treatment, programming, on-floor rehabilitation, and clearance testing.
• Develop and lead testing, assessment, and screening protocols for the rehab program using technology and tools supplied by Play Performance, as well as contribute to the creation and refinement of processes and systems to support athletes’ return to sport. While this will be a collaborative effort with other senior high-performance staff, the successful candidate is expected to take a lead role, drawing on their knowledge and experience to guide these initiatives.
• Lead the integration of physiotherapy with strength & conditioning practices to optimise athlete recovery and performance.
• Facilitate return-to-play protocols with clear exit criteria and effective communication to coaching staff.
• Manage the Athlete Rehab Program including on-floor interventions, compliance monitoring, and progression planning.
• Provide clinical consultations onsite at Play Performance, including treatment, reporting, and admin.
• Collaborate with high-performance staff to ensure athlete-centred care and seamless communication across disciplines.
• Oversee and manage physiotherapy/medical equipment and stock.
• Contribute to the growth of the rehab and performance programs while supporting wider business operations.
• Manage other physiotherapists and staff as the business and the role expand.

About the Successful Candidate

• A natural leader who thrives in a fast-paced, high-performance environment.
• Accountable, organised, and able to manage time effectively.
• Outstanding work ethic with a strong drive to succeed and help others succeed.
• Able to operate independently in the diagnosis and management of sports injuries with confidence.
• Empathetic and athlete-focused with excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Commercially minded and understands the importance of business growth and income generation in the private sector.
• Committed to continuous learning, professional development, and contributing to the mentorship of junior staff.
• Flexible and willing to work evenings and Saturday mornings as required.

Essential Requirements

• Current registration as a physiotherapist with AHPRA.
• Minimum 4 years’ experience delivering physiotherapy services in high-performance sport settings.
• Proven experience in return-to-play planning, load management, and integration with strength & conditioning.
• Working With Children Check.
• Current First Aid and CPR certification.
• Demonstrated excellence in both clinical practice and on-floor coaching.

Desirable Attributes

• Level 1 ASCA accreditation (or comparable).
• Experience working within a high-performance team setting alongside multidisciplinary staff.
• Familiarity with sport science technology (e.g., Vald systems).
• Competency with Microsoft Excel and athlete management software (e.g., TeamBuildr).

What We Offer

• Competitive remuneration (commensurate with skills and experience).
• A role with significant growth potential, expanding into lead/head of department positions as the business grows.
• Opportunity to increase hours, moving into part-time or full-time employment.
• The chance to work with athletes across a wide range of sports, levels, and age groups in a professional high-performance environment.
• The potential to work with sporting teams partnered with Play Performance.
• Access to state-of-the-art testing technology and high-end equipment in a leading private facility.
• Direct involvement in the development and expansion of our athlete rehabilitation program, as well as opportunities for mentorship, leadership, and professional growth.