Exercise physiology providers in Australia

Build Strength and Manage Your Health with Exercise Physiology at Home in Australia

Exercise is one of the most powerful tools available for managing chronic disease, recovering from injury, and maintaining independence as we age. But for many people in Australia, getting to a gym or exercise clinic is not practical. Limited mobility, complex health conditions, fatigue, or simply the challenge of travelling with equipment makes home-based exercise support a far better fit.

Through Carevo, you can connect with Exercise and Sports Science Australia (ESSA) accredited exercise physiologists who design and deliver individual exercise programs in your home. These are allied health professionals with specialist training in the therapeutic use of exercise for people with injury, illness, and disability. 354 exercise physiologists are listed on Carevo.

The Right Support is About More Than Just Fitness

Are you worried about:

• Falling at home? The fear of a fall, and the loss of independence that can follow, is one of the most common concerns for older Australians.
• Managing a chronic health condition? Whether it is type 2 diabetes, heart disease, or chronic pain, you may feel unsure how to exercise safely without making things worse.
• Recovering from surgery? The gap between hospital discharge and returning to normal activity can feel long and uncertain without professional guidance.
• Disability and physical deconditioning? A period of inactivity due to illness or injury can cause fitness to decline rapidly, making everything harder.

Exercise physiologists through Carevo address these concerns with structured, safe, and progressive programs built around your specific health goals.

How In-Home Exercise Physiology Helps You Move Better

Australia exercise physiologists through Carevo work with clients across a wide range of conditions and health goals.

Programs and Conditions Covered

• Falls Prevention and Balance Training: Targeted programs to improve strength, reaction time, and balance, with an assessment of your home environment to identify and reduce fall hazards.
• Chronic Disease Management: Exercise programming for type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, obesity, and other chronic conditions where physical activity is a key treatment component.
• Post-Surgery and Injury Rehabilitation: Progressive return-to-function programs following joint replacement, cardiac surgery, cancer treatment, or musculoskeletal injury.
• Neurological Condition Support: Exercise programs for people with Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, stroke, or acquired brain injury, focused on maintaining function and quality of life.
• NDIS Disability Fitness and Conditioning: Capacity-building programs that improve physical function, energy levels, and independence for NDIS participants with physical and neurological disabilities.

Working in Your Real Environment

An exercise physiologist visiting your home can assess the space you actually live in, use everyday items as exercise equipment where appropriate, and build programs that account for your home layout and lifestyle. This produces programs you are far more likely to follow through with consistently.

Conditions Exercise Physiology Treats at Home in Australia

Exercise physiologists through Carevo prescribe and supervise exercise programs for people with chronic health conditions and disability:

• Cardiovascular disease: Cardiac rehabilitation, exercise programming after heart attack or bypass surgery, and long-term cardiovascular risk management.
• Type 1 and type 2 diabetes: Blood glucose management through structured exercise, with adjustments for medication and monitoring requirements.
• Obesity and metabolic syndrome: Evidence-based exercise programs combined with behavioural change support for sustainable weight management.
• COPD and respiratory conditions: Pulmonary rehabilitation, breathing efficiency training, and activity tolerance programs.
• Cancer rehabilitation: Exercise support during and after treatment to manage fatigue, maintain strength, and reduce treatment side effects.
• Stroke and acquired brain injury: Structured exercise programs to rebuild cardiovascular fitness, strength, and functional movement post-stroke.
• Parkinson’s disease: High-intensity exercise programs shown to slow motor symptom progression, maintain balance, and support independence.
• Multiple sclerosis: Fatigue management through tailored exercise, heat management strategies, and progressive strength and aerobic training.
• Spinal cord injury: Upper body strength, wheelchair fitness, and prevention of secondary health complications.
• Intellectual disability: Physical health programs addressing obesity, poor fitness, and inactivity commonly associated with intellectual disability.
• Mental health conditions: Exercise as an adjunct treatment for depression, anxiety, and PTSD, with strong evidence for improving mood and reducing symptoms.
• Osteoporosis: Bone-loading exercise programs to reduce fracture risk and maintain bone density.

Contact a provider through Carevo if your condition is not listed. Exercise physiologists can design programs for a wide range of clinical presentations.

NDIS Support Items for Exercise Physiology

Exercise physiology is funded under the Therapeutic Supports registration group (0128), which sits in Improved Daily Living (Support Category 15). It can also be funded under Improved Health and Wellbeing (Support Category 12) using the 0126 registration group.

NDIS Code	Description	Unit	Max Rate (National)
12_027_0126_3_3	Advice provided by an Exercise Physiologist regarding exercise required (Improved Health and Wellbeing)	Hour	$161.99
15_200_0128_1_3	Assessment, recommendation, therapy or training - Exercise Physiologist (Therapeutic Supports)	Hour	$161.99
01_799_0128_1_1	Provider travel - non-labour costs	Each	Quote

Under the NDIS Pricing Schedule 2026-27, provider travel, non-face-to-face work, and NDIA-requested reports are claimed as separate line items rather than being built into the hourly session rate. Provider travel is charged at 50% of the service rate. Your provider will set this out in your service agreement.

The $161.99/hour limit is the national (standard) price limit for MMM 1-5 areas. Remote (MMM6) areas have a higher limit of $226.79/hour and very remote (MMM7) areas $242.99/hour.

Exercise physiology sits at a lower rate than some other allied health disciplines on the NDIS schedule. Note that physiotherapy and exercise physiology overlap in scope for some presentations. Your provider can advise which discipline is most appropriate for your goals.

Why Australia Residents Trust Exercise Physiology Providers Through Carevo

Accredited Allied Health Professionals

Exercise physiology in Australia is delivered by Accredited Exercise Physiologists (AEPs), accredited through Exercise and Sports Science Australia (ESSA). AEP accreditation requires a four-year university degree in exercise physiology plus a period of supervised clinical practice. AEPs are distinct from personal trainers and hold specific clinical training in exercise for disease, disability, and injury. Ask each provider through Carevo about their ESSA accreditation.

Working Alongside Your Medical Team

Exercise physiologists do not work in isolation. They communicate with your GP, specialist, or other allied health professionals to ensure your exercise program fits within your broader health and treatment plan. For people with complex health conditions, this coordination is essential to safety.

NDIS and Aged Care Experience

Providers in the Carevo network have experience working with NDIS participants and aged care clients, understanding how to frame goals, write progress reports, and coordinate with support coordinators and package managers.

How to Access Home Exercise Physiology in Australia

NDIS Pathway

1. Identify the budget: Exercise physiology is typically funded under Capacity Building - Improved Daily Living (Category 15), where the Therapeutic Supports group (0128) sits, or under Improved Health and Wellbeing (Category 12). Check your plan document with your support coordinator.
2. Self-managed and plan-managed participants: Contact any accredited exercise physiologist through Carevo. No GP referral is required for NDIS-funded sessions.
3. Agency-managed participants: You need an NDIS-registered provider.
4. Initial assessment: Your exercise physiologist will assess your current fitness, medical history, medications, and goals. They will design a home-based exercise program and demonstrate how to perform each exercise safely.
5. Ongoing sessions: Frequency varies by condition and goals. Many clients start with weekly sessions and transition to fortnightly as they become confident with their program.
6. Progress reporting: Exercise physiologists provide goal progress reports for NDIS plan reviews.

Medicare Pathway (Chronic Disease Management)

1. Get a GP referral: A GP Chronic Condition Management Plan (GPCCMP) provides up to five allied health visits per calendar year with a Medicare rebate. Exercise physiology is an eligible discipline. The GPCCMP is now the single plan that replaced the GP Management Plan (GPMP) and Team Care Arrangements (TCA).
2. Find a provider: Use Carevo to find exercise physiologists in Australia who accept Medicare referrals.
3. Attend sessions: Sessions focus on your prescribed exercise program within the GP management plan goals.

Support at Home Pathway

Speak with your package coordinator. Exercise physiology is funded under Support at Home as an allied health/therapeutic service (clinical supports), particularly for older Australians managing chronic conditions, post-hospitalisation deconditioning, and falls risk.

Making Funding Simple

Providers through Carevo are experienced in navigating the funding for in-home exercise physiology.

• Support at Home (formerly Home Care Packages): Exercise physiology is available under Support at Home, particularly for falls prevention, chronic disease management, and maintaining mobility and independence in older adults.
• NDIS Plans: Exercise physiology is funded under Capacity Building - Improved Daily Living (Therapeutic Supports, Category 15) or Improved Health and Wellbeing (Category 12). This supports physical conditioning, strength building, and programs that improve a participant’s capacity to engage in daily activities.
• Private Funding & Other Sources: Medicare covers exercise physiology visits under a GP Chronic Condition Management Plan for eligible chronic conditions. DVA funding is available for eligible veterans. Private health insurance extras may also apply.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens at the first home exercise physiology visit? Your exercise physiologist will conduct a thorough health and fitness assessment, including a review of your medical history, current medications, and any restrictions from your doctors. They will assess your strength, balance, flexibility, and functional movement before developing a personalised exercise program with you.

Is exercise physiology safe for people with serious health conditions? Yes, and in fact it is specifically designed for people with health conditions. Accredited Exercise Physiologists are trained to prescribe exercise safely for people with chronic disease, disability, and post-surgical recovery. They work within guidelines from your medical team and adjust programs as your condition changes.

How often will the exercise physiologist visit? Visit frequency depends on your goals and funding. Some clients benefit from weekly visits during an intensive rehabilitation phase. Others move to fortnightly or monthly sessions for progression checks and program updates once they are confident with their routine. Your AEP will recommend a schedule after your initial assessment.

What is the difference between an exercise physiologist and a physiotherapist? Both disciplines use exercise therapeutically, but they differ in focus and training. Physiotherapists treat musculoskeletal injuries, pain, and movement disorders with hands-on techniques and exercise. Exercise physiologists specialise in chronic disease management and health conditions where exercise is the primary intervention. There is significant overlap, and both disciplines can be funded under NDIS. Your provider can advise which is more appropriate for your situation. See physiotherapy if your needs are primarily injury or movement-related.

Do I need to have exercise equipment at home? No. Exercise physiologists design programs using body weight, resistance bands, and everyday household items. For clients who want to progress further, they can recommend equipment appropriate to your space and budget. The first priority is a safe, effective program that you can actually do at home.

Can exercise physiology help with mental health goals in my NDIS plan? Yes. Exercise has strong evidence as an adjunct treatment for depression and anxiety. If your NDIS plan includes mental health goals, an exercise physiologist can contribute to those goals through structured physical activity programs. They typically work alongside a psychologist or other mental health provider as part of a broader support team.

Start Building Your Strength and Independence

Get matched with someone who can help with exercise physiology For a free, no-obligation chat about your Exercise Physiology needs.