Exercise Physiology in New South Wales & Queensland

An Accredited Exercise Physiologist (AEP) is an ESSA-accredited Allied Health clinician who specialises in designing and delivering clinical exercise programs for people with chronic disease, disability, injury, and complex health conditions. This is quite different from a Personal Trainer — AEPs hold a four-year university degree and meet ESSA’s accreditation standards, which qualify them to work with clinical populations under Medicare, NDIS, DVA, and WorkCover.

Common conditions referred to Exercise Physiologists include Type 2 diabetes, heart disease, NDIS Capacity Building goals, depression and anxiety (as part of a multi-modal approach), cancer rehabilitation, return-to-work conditioning, COPD, and chronic musculoskeletal pain. Your AEP will conduct a clinical assessment, set goals with you, design a personalised exercise program, and supervise your sessions in the clinic, at home, or in Hydrotherapy where available.

No — for private, self-funded appointments, you can book directly without a GP referral. However, a GP referral is required to access Medicare funding under the Chronic Disease Management (CDM) plan; your GP must initiate the CDM plan and provide a referral letter to CAHC.

WorkCover and CTP-funded appointments require insurer approval, and DVA-funded appointments require a D904 referral form available from your GP or specialist. If you are an NDIS participant, your support coordinator can assist with confirming your funding pathway. For private appointments, simply contact your nearest CAHC clinic or book online.

For self-funded appointments, please contact your nearest CAHC clinic for current fee information — rates may vary by location and session type. Under the Medicare CDM plan, a rebate applies to eligible sessions; rebate amounts are subject to change — confirm current rates with your GP or the clinic.

A gap payment may apply, as Exercise Physiology is not bulk-billed at CAHC. For private health fund members, rebates vary by fund and level of cover, HICAPS on-the-spot claiming is available at all CAHC clinics. DVA Gold Card holders face no out-of-pocket cost for clinically necessary treatment. Approved WorkCover and CTP patients have no upfront cost. CAHC’s Free Insurance Claims Advisory manages all insurer correspondence. Rebate amounts are subject to change — confirm current rates with your GP or the clinic.

Yes — under the Medicare Chronic Disease Management (CDM) plan, patients with a chronic condition lasting six months or more can access up to 5 individual Allied Health sessions per calendar year, or up to 8 group sessions, with a GP referral to an eligible provider such as CAHC. Your GP initiates the CDM plan and provides a referral letter. Please note this is not a bulk-billing arrangement, a gap payment may apply, and the rebate does not cover the full session fee. Rebate amounts are subject to change, confirm current rates with your GP or the clinic.

Yes — Exercise Physiology is funded under the Capacity Building — Improved Daily Living budget category of your NDIS plan. CAHC Exercise Physiologists can deliver NDIS-funded sessions in the clinic, via home visits, or through Hydrotherapy at select locations. Eligibility depends on your individual NDIS plan goals — speak with your support coordinator or contact us to confirm. For more information about NDIS services across all nine CAHC disciplines, visit our NDIS services page.

Both are Allied Health clinicians with four-year university degrees, and both are available at CAHC. An Accredited Exercise Physiologist (AEP) focuses primarily on clinical exercise prescription for chronic disease, disability, long-term health conditions, and functional conditioning — their credential is ESSA accreditation. A Physiotherapist focuses on the assessment and rehabilitation of injuries, post-surgical recovery, and conditions affecting movement and function — their credential is AHPRA registration.

In practice, many CAHC patients benefit from both disciplines: a Physiotherapist may manage the acute or post-surgical phase, while an Exercise Physiologist supports long-term conditioning and chronic disease management. Our team can help identify the most appropriate pathway for your patient or situation.

This is one of the most common questions we receive. An Accredited Exercise Physiologist holds a four-year university degree in Exercise Physiology or Exercise Science, plus ESSA accreditation — they are Allied Health clinicians qualified and credentialled to work with clinical populations under Medicare, NDIS, DVA, and WorkCover.

A Personal Trainer is not required to hold a university degree, is not clinically credentialled, and is not qualified to work with clinical populations under any of these funding streams. If you have a chronic disease, disability, or complex health condition, ESSA-accredited Exercise Physiology, not Personal Training, is the appropriate Allied Health pathway.

Yes — CAHC offers Hydrotherapy at select clinic locations across the network. Hydrotherapy involves exercise therapy conducted in a heated pool, using buoyancy and water resistance to support movement for patients who find land-based exercise difficult or painful. It is particularly beneficial for arthritis sufferers, post-surgical patients, people with neurological conditions, aged care clients, and NDIS participants with physical disabilities. All Hydrotherapy sessions are supervised by an ESSA-accredited AEP. Availability varies by clinic — please contact your nearest CAHC location or our booking team to confirm Hydrotherapy availability before booking.

Exercise is recommended as part of a multi-modal approach to managing depression and anxiety, and ESSA-accredited Exercise Physiologists are well-placed to design and supervise structured exercise programs as part of a patient’s broader mental health management plan.

It is important to speak with your GP about your overall mental health management, including whether a Mental Health Treatment Plan (MHTP) for Psychology, medical management, or other supports are appropriate for your situation and whether an Exercise Physiology referral is a suitable addition. Under the Medicare CDM plan, eligible patients may access Exercise Physiology sessions; rebate amounts are subject to change — confirm current rates with your GP or the clinic.

Session numbers depend on your individual condition, goals, and funding stream. Your AEP will discuss an expected program and review frequency at your first appointment. Under the Medicare CDM plan, up to 5 individual sessions per year are available for eligible patients (rebate amounts are subject to change — confirm current rates with your GP or the clinic).

NDIS participants may have a higher session allocation depending on their plan goals (eligibility depends on your individual NDIS plan goals). WorkCover and CTP session numbers are typically determined in consultation with the insurer and treating GP. For private patients, your AEP will recommend a program based on your clinical needs and goals.

Yes — home visits are available for NDIS participants, aged care clients, and other patients who are unable to attend a clinic due to mobility, transportation, or health constraints. Home-visit Exercise Physiology sessions are delivered by ESSA-accredited AEPs and can include a personalised exercise program, supervised practice, and a home exercise plan. For information about CAHC’s broader home visit and mobile services, visit our Home Visits page. Contact your nearest CAHC clinic or our booking team to discuss home visit availability and confirm your eligibility.

Can Exercise Physiology help with WorkCover or CTP rehabilitation?

Yes — CAHC Exercise Physiologists are SIRA-eligible providers for WorkCover NSW rehabilitation and return-to-work conditioning. Exercise Physiology is also available for CTP (motor vehicle accident) rehabilitation within the 52-week statutory benefits period. CAHC’s Free Insurance Claims Advisory handles all insurer paperwork and correspondence — patients and GPs do not need to manage claim liaison. A complimentary functional assessment is available for MVA and WorkCover patients. For more information, visit our Workers Compensation page or our CTP page.