Exercise physiology

NDIS Capacity Building support

An exercise physiologist designs safe, tailored exercise programs to improve strength, movement, fitness and long-term health, including for people with chronic conditions or disability.

The short answer

An exercise physiologist designs safe, tailored exercise programs to improve strength, movement, fitness and long-term health, including for people with chronic conditions or disability.

About Exercise physiology

Exercise physiologists are university-trained health professionals who use exercise as a treatment. They work with people who have long-term conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, arthritis, chronic pain or neurological conditions, as well as people recovering from injury or living with disability. The aim is to improve function, strength and wellbeing safely.

A program starts with an assessment of your health, abilities and goals. The exercise physiologist then designs exercises that suit your body, often adapting equipment or movements, and supervises you at the start so that you learn how to do them safely. Programs can be delivered in a clinic, gym, pool or at home.

Exercise physiology overlaps with physiotherapy. Physiotherapists tend to focus on assessing and treating injury and movement problems, while exercise physiologists focus on exercise as a tool for long-term health. Many people see both, and a good practice will communicate with your other health professionals.

Who is this service for?

People who want a safe, tailored exercise program to improve strength, movement and long-term health, including people with chronic conditions or disability.

What a typical session looks like

An exercise physiologist begins by learning about your health, history and goals, and may assess strength, fitness, movement and any limits on what you can do. From this they design a program of exercises that suits your body and your aims, whether that is managing a condition, building strength, improving balance or increasing everyday energy.

Sessions can take place in a clinic, gym, pool or at home. The physiologist demonstrates each exercise, watches your technique, adjusts the load and explains how to do the program on your own between appointments. They review your progress regularly and change the program as you improve or as your needs change.

Who delivers this support

Accredited exercise physiologists have university degrees in exercise science and clinical training, and are accredited by Exercise and Sports Science Australia. They differ from personal trainers in that they are trained to work with people who have medical conditions or disability. Ask about experience with your condition and whether they work with your doctor or physiotherapist.

How to choose a provider

• Ask about the exercise physiologist's qualifications and professional accreditation.
• Find out whether they have experience with your condition or disability.
• Ask where sessions take place and whether home visits are possible.
• Check how they adapt exercises and equipment for your needs.
• Ask how progress will be measured and how often the program will change.

Questions to ask a provider

• Are you an accredited exercise physiologist?
• Do you have experience with my condition or with people who have a disability?
• What will my program focus on, and how will you measure progress?
• Where will sessions take place, and is the equipment accessible?
• How will you keep me safe and adjust the program if I feel unwell?
• Will you share information with my doctor and physiotherapist?

Common mistakes to avoid

• Starting an exercise program without checking that it is safe for your health.
• Doing too much too soon, then stopping because of pain or exhaustion.
• Not following the program between sessions.
• Choosing a trainer without experience in your condition.
• Ignoring signs such as dizziness or chest pain, instead of reporting them.

Getting started

1. Talk to your doctor about exercise and your health needs.
2. Book an assessment with an exercise physiologist.
3. Set simple goals for strength, mobility or fitness.
4. Review your program regularly and keep moving between sessions.

How it fits with the rest of your plan

Exercise physiology complements physiotherapy, medical care and personal training. A physiotherapist may treat an injury or movement problem, and an exercise physiologist can then help build long-term fitness and function. A doctor's advice about what is safe is also important, particularly if you have a heart, lung or metabolic condition.

Eligibility

You can use NDIS funding for Exercise physiology if it is included in your NDIS plan. The NDIS funds supports that are reasonable and necessary: they relate to your disability, help you pursue your goals and represent value for money. Not sure whether it is in your plan? Check your plan, or ask your planner, Local Area Coordinator or support coordinator. You can also arrange it privately.

Funding

Capacity Building supports help you build skills and independence. If Exercise physiology is in your plan, it is normally paid from a Capacity Building budget. These budgets are usually set for particular types of support, so check which one your plan uses. Many NDIS supports have price limits, so ask providers for a quote and check it against the current NDIS Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits. Whether your plan is managed by the NDIA, by a plan manager or by you, ask for a written quote and a service agreement before you start. If your plan is plan-managed or self-managed you can use providers who are not registered with the NDIS. If it is NDIA-managed you generally need a registered provider.

What it costs

Supports such as Exercise physiology that are funded by the NDIS are paid at rates that follow the NDIS Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits, which the NDIA reviews regularly. Many items have a maximum price, and some prices are higher in remote areas. Before you start, ask for a written quote that lists each support, the hours and the price, and check it against the current NDIS Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits on the NDIS website. A provider may charge less than a limit. If you pay privately, the provider sets its own fees. Plan-managed and self-managed participants can also use providers who are not registered, and those providers set their own prices.

Therapy services providers on the NDIS register

10,460 NDIS providers list therapy services supports on the NDIS Commission register of registered providers. A register listing shows what the register says, not who has capacity.

Providers listing therapy services

• 00 Towards your Horizon - SA; includes Glenelg South, SA
• 1 Abbira Care Services - VIC; includes Fraser Rise, VIC
• 1 All Care - SA; includes Findon, SA
• 1 Care Connect - NSW; includes Manly, NSW; Rooty Hill, NSW; Rosehill, NSW
• 1 Disability Support Services - SA; includes Prospect, SA
• 1 Roof Therapy and Assessment - NSW; includes Caringbah, NSW
• 1 Stop Paediatric Services - SA; includes Mount Gambier, SA
• 1-Care - NSW; includes Lalor Park, NSW
• 10 Plus Care - VIC; includes Camberwell, VIC
• 101 Physio - VIC; includes Melton West, VIC
• 121 Therapy Australia - NSW; includes North Haven, NSW
• 122 Health - VIC; includes Warrnambool, VIC

See all 10,460 therapy services providers

Listings by state and territory

• New South Wales (3,918)
• Victoria (2,645)
• Queensland (2,122)
• South Australia (967)
• Western Australia (833)
• Tasmania (251)
• Australian Capital Territory (234)
• Northern Territory (155)

Suburbs with the most listings

• Brisbane, QLD (576)
• Melbourne, VIC (354)
• Sydney, NSW (338)
• Central Coast, NSW (262)
• Parramatta, NSW (198)
• Perth, WA (188)
• Adelaide, SA (186)
• Blacktown, NSW (180)
• Liverpool, NSW (168)
• Campbelltown, NSW (160)
• Ipswich, QLD (154)
• Canberra, ACT (153)

Listings covering the most areas

• Permalink Support Services - 503 areas
• Physihome - 316 areas
• Bayside Mobile Physio - 185 areas
• Aligned Assist - 184 areas
• Allied Horizon Disability Services - 154 areas
• Butter Fish Services - 143 areas
• Blooming Life Support Services - 140 areas
• Number 1 Care Provider - 134 areas

Checking credentials

• Check registration Search the NDIS Commission's register of registered providers to see whether a provider is registered and for which types of support. Plan-managed and self-managed participants can also use unregistered providers.
• Ask about worker screening Ask whether workers hold a current NDIS Worker Screening Check where their role requires one, and how the provider checks its workers' identity and qualifications.
• Get it in writing Ask for a written quote and a service agreement that describes the support, the prices, how to change or end it and how to make a complaint.

Regulation and safeguards

NDIS providers and their workers must follow the NDIS Code of Conduct, and registered providers are regulated by the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission.

• NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission Regulates NDIS providers and handles complaints about the quality and safety of NDIS supports. Phone: 1800 035 544.
• National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) Runs the NDIS. Contact them about your plan, your funding and eligibility. Phone: 1800 800 110.

Related services

• Financial and organisational skills
• Group skills development
• Higher education and training support
• Housing search and matching

Frequently asked questions

What does an exercise physiologist do?

An exercise physiologist designs and supervises exercise programs to improve movement, strength, fitness and long-term health, often for people managing chronic conditions or recovering from injury.

How is it different from physiotherapy?

The two overlap. Physiotherapists focus on assessing and treating movement problems and injury, while exercise physiologists focus on exercise as a tool for health. Many people see both.

Do I need a referral to see an exercise physiologist?

Not always. A referral from your doctor or another health professional can be helpful. Ask the practice what they need when you enquire.

Is exercise safe with my condition?

A qualified exercise physiologist plans exercise around your health conditions and checks with your doctor where needed.

Do I have to go to a gym?

No. Programs can be designed for a clinic, home, pool or community setting, depending on what suits you.

How is it different from a personal trainer?

Exercise physiologists have health training and work with medical conditions, while personal trainers usually focus on fitness. Ask trainers about their experience with your needs.

What is the difference between an exercise physiologist and a personal trainer?

Exercise physiologists are trained health professionals who work with medical conditions and disability. Personal trainers focus on general fitness and may not have the clinical training to work with complex health needs.

Can exercise physiology help with chronic conditions?

Yes. It is used for many conditions, including diabetes, heart disease, arthritis and neurological conditions, to improve strength, fitness and everyday function.

Do I need my doctor's approval before starting?

Often it is a good idea, especially if you have a health condition. An exercise physiologist can tell you what information they need from your doctor.

Can I use my NDIS plan to pay for Exercise physiology?

If Exercise physiology is in your NDIS plan and is reasonable and necessary for you, then yes. Check with your planner, Local Area Coordinator or support coordinator. You can also arrange it privately.

How do I find a Exercise physiology provider near me?

Browse providers on SolDirectory, or send a free enquiry with your location and what you need and suitable providers will review it. Then ask each one about availability, a quote and a service agreement before you decide. Details come from providers and registers, so confirm them directly.

Sources and further reading

• NDIS: how the NDIS works, plans and price limits
• NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission: find a registered provider, make a complaint

Browse the NDIS and aged care provider directory