Are you a Physiotherapist who believes movement changes lives? Do you want to do work that matters — supporting people with disability and complex mental health needs to live with greater independence, confidence and connection? At Cardinal Care Support Services, we are growing our team and looking for a passionate Physiotherapist to join us in Cairns and help our participants build brighter futures.

Cardinal Care is a registered NDIS provider with a strong commitment to mental health, dignity and person-centred care. We have grown from our western Brisbane home to support communities across Queensland and Tasmania — and we are now bringing our therapeutic supports to Cairns and the Far North Queensland region. This is a unique opportunity to help shape our local physiotherapy service from the ground up.

Why you’ll love this role

• Meaningful work – support NDIS participants with disability, psychosocial and chronic conditions to move better and live fuller lives
• Real-world rehab – mobile, community-based caseload across Cairns; treat people in their homes, community and our therapeutic settings, not just inside four clinic walls
• Multidisciplinary team – collaborate with our support coordinators, behaviour support practitioners, psychosocial recovery coaches and accommodation teams
• Grow with support – mentoring, regular clinical supervision and a dedicated professional development allowance
• Tropical lifestyle – live and work in beautiful Cairns, the gateway to the reef and rainforest

What you’ll do

• Conduct comprehensive physiotherapy assessments – including muscle, nerve, joint and functional ability tests – to identify and assess each participant’s physical problems and goals
• Design individualised, evidence-based treatment and rehabilitation programs aligned with each participant’s NDIS plan and lifestyle goals
• Deliver hands-on treatment to reduce pain, improve circulation, strengthen muscles, support cardiothoracic, cardiovascular and respiratory function, restore joint mobility, and improve balance and coordination
• Apply therapeutic techniques including exercise therapy, manual therapy, massage and manipulation, heat and cold therapy, hydrotherapy, electrotherapy and ultrasound where clinically appropriate
• Review, monitor and evaluate treatment programs on an ongoing basis, adjusting plans to reflect progress, setbacks and changing goals
• Consult and collaborate with GPs, occupational therapists, psychologists, support coordinators, behaviour support practitioners and support workers about participants’ problems, needs and progress
• Instruct participants, families and support workers in home exercise programs, safe transfers, equipment use and self-management strategies they can continue between sessions
• Maintain accurate, timely clinical records of treatments delivered, participant responses, progress against goals and outcome measures, in line with NDIS quality standards and AHPRA requirements
• Contribute to screening, falls prevention, functional capacity building and health promotion programs that prevent further injury and support long-term wellbeing

About you

• Bachelor degree (or higher) in Physiotherapy from a recognised university
• Current general registration as a Physiotherapist with the Physiotherapy Board of Australia via AHPRA (essential)
• NDIS Worker Screening Check (Yellow Card) – current, or willing to obtain prior to commencement (essential)
• National Police Check – current, or willing to obtain prior to commencement (essential)
• Current First Aid and CPR certification (essential)
• Working with Children Check (Blue Card) – desirable, given our youth and early childhood services
• Current Australian driver’s licence and reliable vehicle, with full Australian working rights
• Demonstrated experience or strong interest in working with NDIS participants, people with disability, complex mental health or chronic conditions
• Sound clinical reasoning, with confidence delivering both exercise-based and manual therapy approaches
• Excellent written and verbal communication – you can explain a treatment plan clearly to a participant, their family and their support team
• Warm, respectful, culturally aware approach – you understand that great therapy starts with trust, and you are comfortable working with people from diverse and CALD backgrounds, including First Nations participants
• Self-motivated and organised – able to manage a community caseload, prioritise effectively and keep documentation up to date

What we offer

• Structured clinical supervision and mentoring from experienced allied health and mental health practitioners
• Annual professional development allowance and study leave to maintain AHPRA registration and grow your skills
• Supportive, values-driven team that genuinely lives “Building Brighter Futures Together”
• Variety – work across NDIS Therapeutic Supports, Core Supports, Supported Independent Living and community settings
• Employee Assistance Program and a real commitment to your own wellbeing
• Genuine opportunity to help build and shape our Cairns presence

Next Steps

To submit your application please click 'Apply Now' by the closing date.