What NDIS physiotherapy is for
Physiotherapists assess how you move and build programs to improve or keep strength, mobility, balance and function. Under the NDIS the focus is on the effect of your disability on everyday life, so the goal is usually something practical: walking safely around your home, managing transfers, keeping up with friends, or slowing the loss of function from a progressive condition.
NDIS physiotherapists must hold current registration as a physiotherapist with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA).
- Mobility, gait and balance programs, including falls prevention
- Strength, flexibility and posture work to keep function
- Programs for people with neurological conditions such as cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis or acquired brain injury
- Assessment for mobility equipment such as walkers, standing frames and some wheelchairs
- Home exercise programs, and training for family and support workers to carry them on
- Physio delivered in a pool (hydrotherapy or aquatic physiotherapy) when a physio delivers it as therapy
NDIS or the health system?
This is the question that trips most people up. The NDIS funds therapy that is needed because of your disability and helps you manage everyday activities. The health system is responsible when physio is part of treating a medical condition, or part of rehabilitation after an accident, injury or surgery.
For example, physio after a hip replacement or a sports injury is a health system support, even if you are an NDIS participant. Ongoing physio to keep someone with cerebral palsy moving and independent is a typical NDIS support. Some people use both, for different reasons, and that is fine as long as each is used for its own purpose.
NDIS physio or Medicare?
Medicare does not cover most physio, but a GP chronic condition management plan gives eligible people up to 5 Medicare subsidised allied health services each calendar year, shared across all allied health types. That is rarely enough for ongoing disability related physio, which is why the NDIS funds it for participants. Private health insurance extras cover can also contribute, depending on your policy.
How much NDIS physio costs
The 2026/27 NDIS price limit for physiotherapy is $183.99 an hour in most of Australia, $257.59 in remote areas and $275.99 in very remote areas. Physios can charge less, but cannot charge agency managed or plan managed participants more than the limit. Self managed participants are not bound by price limits, though they are a useful benchmark.
Physios can also claim for some time that is not face to face, such as writing reports, plus travel to you and short notice cancellations, following the Pricing Arrangements. Agree all of this in your service agreement before you start.
Which budget pays for it
Physio is usually paid from the improved daily living skills part of your Capacity Building budget. Since 1 October 2026 that budget is reduced by 10% when your plan is created, reassessed or renewed, under a support determination, so plan your sessions with the remaining funding in mind.
Equipment your physio recommends is paid from Core for low cost items or Capital for mid and high cost items, and those budgets are not part of the October 2026 reset.
Finding the right physiotherapist
Look for a physio with experience in your type of disability. Neurological physiotherapy, paediatric physiotherapy and physio for older adults are quite different skills. Ask whether they come to your home, which often gives the most useful results because the program fits your real environment.
- Ask what the goals of the program are, and how progress will be measured
- Ask for a written home program so the work carries on between sessions
- If you are agency managed, you need a registered provider. Plan managed and self managed participants can also use unregistered physios
- Keep progress reports. They are useful evidence at your next plan reassessment