Health Practice Insights: Growth Strategies for Allied Health Practices

Private Practice Growth with Daniel Lee: My First Five Years as an Owner

Tue, 11 Nov 2025 11:30:00 +0930

Physiotherapist Daniel Lee talks about his first five years as a private practice owner - Any Stage Physiotherapy and Sports Medicine, in Sydney, Australia.

You’ll hear how Daniel built his referral networks early on, his first clinic, employing his first staff member, the challenges he’s faced, and the opportunities along the way.

From a solo practitioner, creating a business plan, building a professional support team, winning contracts, managing a team of healthcare professionals, Daniel is building a sustainable and successful business.

We discuss what the practice looks like now, including clinical presentations and patient acquisition strategies, and we also hear the role the Australian Physiotherapy Association has, and continues to have in his practice’s success.

Disclaimer. This podcast is for informational purposes only. The views expressed are those of the hosts and guests and do not constitute professional advice. We make no representations or warranties regarding the accuracy, completeness, or applicability of the content. You should consult your professional advisors for specific advice relating to your situation.

Becoming an Employer of Choice in Your Health Practice with Cecilia White

Mon, 14 Jul 2025 15:00:00 +0930

Cecilia White, HR Consultant and Director at Perks People Solutions explores the evolving expectations of both new and existing staff, offering actionable strategies for employers to adapt and thrive in today’s competitive environment.

The discussion covers how to become an employer of choice by focusing on organisational culture, values, and leadership, and highlights the importance of having robust HR policies in place.

Key Takeaways

1. Ongoing Talent Shortage. Finding high quality staff is increasingly difficult across the health sector, with heightened competition and rising salary expectations, especially among early career professionals

2. Evolving Workplace Laws and Compliance. Employers face more complex workplace relations and legal obligations, including new psychosocial hazard and sexual harassment laws that require proactive, preventative measures

3. Health Sector-Specific Challenges. The health sector faces unique issues such as the ‘brain drain’, competition with public sector and interstate salaries, and difficulty accessing reliable salary benchmarking data

4. Burnout as a Major Risk. Burnout is a significant concern for health professionals, driven by long hours, high stress, and workplace pressures, making retention a challenge for employers

5. Flexibility is Essential. Flexible work arrangements - including four-day work weeks, flexible hours, additional leave, and work-from-home options - are now expected and can help attract and retain staff

6. Leadership and Culture Matter. Strong, emotionally intelligent leadership and a positive, inclusive workplace culture are critical for staff engagement and long-term retention

7. Building a Strong Employee Value Proposition. Employers should define and promote their unique value proposition, focusing on culture, compensation, flexibility, and career development opportunities to stand out as an employer of choice

8. Importance of Solid HR Policies. Clear, compliant, and contemporary HR policies signal professionalism and help attract quality candidates while supporting a positive workplace environment

Our Guest

Cecilia White is a Human Resources Consultant and Director at Perks People Solutions - a leading provider of outsourced HR and recruitment services. Cecilia has 25 years’ experience in human resources and employment law.

Perks People Solutions

(08) 8273 7804

cwhite@ppsconsulting.com.au

www.ppsconsulting.com.au

Connect

Host: Wallace Long

Guest: Cecilia White

Mentioned in this Episode

Tan J et al. (2025) Trends in retention and attrition in nine regulated health professions in Australia. Australian Health Review 49, AH24268. Doi:10.1071/AH24268

Resources

Use this link to request the following resources

Ep 2. Becoming an Employer of Choice, Cecilia White - Podcast summary (PDF)
Subscribe to the free Health Practice Insights Email Newsletter

Disclaimer

This podcast is for informational purposes only. The views expressed are those of the hosts and guests and do not constitute professional advice. We make no representations or warranties regarding the accuracy, completeness, or applicability of the content. You should consult your professional advisors for specific advice relating to your situation.

Increasing Practice Profitability with Philip Arnfield: Strategies for Health Practices

Thu, 12 Jun 2025 17:00:00 +0930

In this episode of the Health Practice Insights podcast, host Wallace Long speaks with business advisor and chartered accountant Philip Arnfield.

Philip shares practical strategies for health practice owners to address their biggest business challenges. The conversation covers pricing for profitability, becoming an employer of choice, customer segmentation, and the crucial distinction between compliance and advisory services.

Whether you're a sole trader, small or medium sized practice, this episode is a must listen.

Key Takeaways

Price Strategically for Profitability: Don’t just absorb rising costs - review and adjust your pricing to ensure you can invest in your people and maintain a profitable practice
Become an Employer of Choice: Attract and retain quality staff by offering a valued work environment, professional development, competitive earnings, and modern facilities
Segment Your Customers: Analyse your patient base by payer type and value, and manage appointment bookings to ensure higher value clients aren’t crowded out by lower - paying ones
Leverage Your Team: Recognise the critical role of front desk staff in shaping profitability through strategic diary management and customer prioritisation

Our Guest

Philip Arnfield is a chartered accountant and business advisor with over three decades of experience. After selling his successful chartered accounting practice, Philip now advises businesses and delivers his ‘How to Build a Better Business’ training programs across Australia to small businesses and accounting firms.

Timestamps

00:00 – Welcome

02:00 – Guest Introduction

03:00 – Main Challenges Facing Health Practices

04:00 – How Businesses Are Responding

05:00 – Research Insights & Attracting Patients

06:00 – The Simple Business Equation

07:00 – Accountants vs. Business Advisors

09:00 – Becoming an Employer of Choice

10:30 – The Cost of Being an Employer of Choice

11:00 – Pricing and Profitability

12:00 – Health Sector Pricing Mindset

13:00 – Customer Segmentation

14:00 – Diary Management & Receptionist’s Role

15:00 – Hidden Sales & Marketing Issues

16:00 – Practical Strategies

Connect

Host: Wallace Long
Guest: Philip Arnfield

Mentioned in this Episode

Unearthing drivers of patient demand and practice productivity. CommBank Dental Insights 2024. Australian Dental Association 2024.

General Practice Health of the Nation 2024 - an annual insight into the state of Australian general practice. Royal Australian College of General Practitioners 2024.

Build a Better Business

Resources

Use this link to request the following resources

Ep 1. Increasing Practice Profitability Philip Arnfield CA - Podcast summary (PDF)
Subscribe to the free Health Practice Insights Email Newsletter

Disclaimer

Introducing Health Practice Insights: Growth Strategies for Allied Health Practice Owners

Thu, 01 May 2025 15:00:00 +0930

Hi, I’m Wallace Long and welcome to the Health Practice Insights Podcast.

The podcast that brings you the business knowledge that matters most.

Join us for insightful interviews with leading experts as Health Practice Owners discover fresh perspectives, the latest insights and growth strategies for their practice.

In 2024 separate health sector research by the CommBank and RACGP (1,2) highlighted the main challenges faced by Health Practice Owners.

increasing business costs
business profitability
sourcing and retaining health professional and support staff
growing and maintaining patient numbers
keeping up with new technology

In this podcast I’ll be speaking with leading experts in the fields of finance, law, technology, human resources and marketing.

I’ll be reaching out to health associations to gain their perspective, and look forward to speaking with health business owners to hear their approach to tackling these challenges in their businesses.

The Health Practice Insights podcast is bought to you by C2M Consulting, marketing advisors to health sector.

If you’d like to find out more about this podcast you can jump on our website www.healthpracticeinsights.com.au

(1) Unearthing drivers of patient demand and practice productivity. CommBank Dental Insights 2024. Australian Dental Association 2024. (2) General Practice Health of the Nation 2024 - an annual insight into the state of Australian general practice. Royal Australian College of General Practitioners 2024.