Are Exercise Physiology Services Covered by the NDIS?

Short answer: Yes—NDIS participants can be funded for Exercise Physiology (EP) when it’s clearly linked to their disability-related needs and goals, and it’s a reasonable and necessary way to build capacity or maintain function. Funding typically sits in Capacity Building budgets, most commonly under Improved Daily Living and/or Improved Health & Wellbeing depending on your plan.

What is Exercise Physiology?

An NDIS exercise physiologist is a university-qualified allied health professional who prescribes and supervises tailored, evidence-based exercise programs. These programs aim to enhance function, manage chronic conditions, prevent injury, and foster independence for people with disabilities, injuries, or health challenges. EPs conduct capacity assessments, set goals, deliver safe programs, and monitor outcomes.

Who Typically Benefits?

EP can be suitable for participants who want to:

• Improve mobility, balance, strength, and endurance to perform daily activities more independently
• Manage long-term conditions such as neurological conditions, cardiometabolic disease, or chronic pain
• Reduce falls risk and deconditioning after injury, surgery, or periods of inactivity
• Learn safe movement strategies, energy conservation, and home/community exercise routines

These supports are aimed at building skills and capacity so participants can engage more fully at home, in the community, at work, or in education.

How the NDIS Funds Exercise Physiology

1) Where it appears in your plan

EP is usually funded from Capacity Building budgets:

• Improved Daily Living – assessments, therapy, and training that increase independence in everyday activities
• Improved Health & Wellbeing – activities that help improve or maintain health and physical wellbeing

2) Price limits and claiming

The NDIA sets maximum price limits and rules in the NDIS Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits (PAPL). Providers claim against relevant support items (for example, items within Exercise Physiology & Personal Well-being Activities / registration group 0126). Your exact hourly rate and any travel or non-face-to-face time must comply with the current PAPL (for NDIA-managed and plan-managed plans).

3) Plan management type matters

• NDIA-managed (agency-managed): you must use registered providers.
• Plan-managed: you may use registered or unregistered providers, but the provider must follow NDIS price limits when claiming.
• Self-managed: you can use registered or unregistered providers and you’re not bound by NDIS price limits, but you still need to meet reasonable and necessary rules and keep records.

What the NDIS Generally Doesn’t Fund

The NDIS typically does not fund general gym memberships because they are considered everyday living costs. However, EP sessions (including capacity-building exercise programs supervised or prescribed by an AEP) may be funded when they directly relate to disability support needs and goals. If access to equipment or a facility is needed to deliver your EP program, your provider can outline this in your service plan and progress notes.

What an NDIS-Funded EP Journey Looks Like

• Set clear, disability-related goals in your plan (e.g., “increase independence with transfers,” “walk safely in the community,” “reduce falls”).
• Initial assessment by an EP: functional tests, risk screening, goal alignment, and a written plan of care.
• Program delivery & review: supervised sessions, home/community programs, education on pacing/technique, and outcome tracking with periodic reports to show progress toward goals.
• Collaboration: EPs often coordinate with OTs, physios, support workers, and carers to ensure your program is safe, achievable, and integrated with other supports.

Practical Tips to Access EP in Your Plan

• Check your budget lines: look for Capacity Building – Improved Daily Living and/or Improved Health & Wellbeing.
• Use registered providers if you’re NDIA-managed (you can confirm registration status via the NDIS Commission’s Provider Register).
• For plan- or self-managed participants: you can engage unregistered providers; ensure invoices include dates, item descriptions, hours, and rates aligned to NDIS rules (plan-managed must meet price limits).
• Evidence helps: ask your EP for clear assessment findings, goals, session plans, and progress reports—useful for plan reviews to demonstrate outcomes and value for money.

Common Questions

Can EP be delivered at home or in the community? Yes—delivery can be at home, in clinics, or community settings, as long as it’s safe and appropriate for your goals and plan.

How many sessions will I get? It depends on your goals, functional needs, and approved funding. Clinicians should propose a schedule and review points based on your assessment.

Do I need a referral? The NDIS doesn’t require a GP referral to use your plan; you can contact EPs directly (your provider may request clinical info to ensure safety). You can locate providers via the NDIS Provider Finder.

References

• NDIS Pricing Arrangements & Price Limits 2025–26 (PAPL) — NDIA’s official documents and guidance for 2025-26
• NDIS “Improved Health & Wellbeing” guidelines — Defines the scope and inclusions, including exercise physiology
• NDIS Improved Daily Living (Capacity Building) — Explains the category’s purpose and examples
• Support Budgets and Categories — Shows where these types of supports fall into NDIS plan budgets
• Healthdirect – Exercise Physiologist Overview — Defines what an exercise physiologist does and how they differ from physiotherapists

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