Do I Need a Referral for Mobile Physiotherapy?
The short answer: it depends on how you are paying. No referral needed for private. GP referral needed for Medicare. Here is a clear breakdown of each pathway.
The Short Answer
In Australia, you do not need a GP referral to see a physiotherapist privately. Physiotherapists are primary contact practitioners, which means you can book an appointment directly without a referral from your doctor. This applies to both clinic-based and mobile physiotherapy.
However, if you want to access physiotherapy through a funding pathway such as Medicare, DVA, or a Support at Home package, a referral or approval from a specific person is required. The requirements differ depending on the funding source.
Below is a clear breakdown of each pathway, who you need to speak to, and what paperwork is involved.
Private Physiotherapy: No Referral Needed
If you are paying for physiotherapy privately - either out of pocket or using private health insurance extras cover - no referral is required. You can contact a physiotherapy provider directly and book an appointment.
This is the simplest and fastest way to access physiotherapy. There are no forms, no waiting for approvals, and no limits on the number of sessions you can have. You decide when to start, how often to attend, and when to stop based on your needs and your physiotherapist's recommendations.
Private health insurance: If you have extras cover that includes physiotherapy, you may receive a rebate for each session. The amount depends on your fund and level of cover. Check with your insurer for details on your entitlements and whether mobile physiotherapy is included. Most funds cover physiotherapy regardless of whether it is delivered in a clinic or at home.
Medicare: GP Referral Required
If you want to access a Medicare rebate for physiotherapy, you need a GP referral through a Chronic Disease Management (CDM) plan. This is sometimes called an Enhanced Primary Care (EPC) plan or a GP Management Plan.
Here is how it works:
Step 1: See Your GP
Make an appointment with your GP and discuss your need for physiotherapy. If you have a chronic condition (such as arthritis, chronic back pain, COPD, diabetes, or a neurological condition), your GP can create a Chronic Disease Management plan that includes a referral for allied health services.
Step 2: GP Creates the Plan
Your GP prepares a GP Management Plan (item 721) and Team Care Arrangement (item 723). This involves the GP documenting your condition, identifying your goals, and referring you to the relevant allied health professionals. The GP visit is bulk-billed or covered by Medicare.
Step 3: Up to 5 Allied Health Sessions Per Year
Under this plan, you are entitled to a Medicare rebate for up to 5 individual allied health sessions per calendar year. These 5 sessions are shared across all allied health disciplines (physiotherapy, podiatry, dietetics, etc.), not 5 sessions per discipline. Each session attracts a Medicare rebate, though there may be a gap payment depending on the provider's fee.
Limitation: The 5-session cap under Medicare is a common frustration. For many conditions, 5 sessions per year is not enough to achieve meaningful outcomes. If you need more sessions than Medicare covers, you can continue on a private basis or explore other funding options.
Support at Home Packages: Care Coordinator Approval
If your parent or family member has a Support at Home package (formerly Home Care Package) through My Aged Care, physiotherapy can be included as part of the care plan. In this case, the person who needs to approve the service is the care coordinator or case manager at the package provider - not your GP.
The process typically involves:
- Speaking to the care coordinator about adding physiotherapy to the care plan
- The care coordinator confirming there is sufficient budget in the package for physiotherapy services
- The package provider arranging the physiotherapy either through their own team or by engaging an external mobile physiotherapy provider
The cost of physiotherapy is funded from the package budget. In most cases, there is no out-of-pocket cost to the client, though this depends on the individual provider's fee structure and the package level.
DVA: D904 Referral from GP
If you hold a DVA Gold Card or White Card, you need a referral from your GP to access DVA-funded physiotherapy. The specific form is the D904 Allied Health Referral Form.
Key details about DVA referrals:
- Each D904 referral covers up to 12 physiotherapy sessions
- The referral is valid for 12 months
- Your GP can issue a new D904 when the 12 sessions are used
- There are no out-of-pocket costs for DVA-funded physiotherapy
- Gold Card holders can access physiotherapy for any condition; White Card holders for accepted conditions only
CHSP and NDIS Pathways
Two additional funding pathways are worth mentioning for completeness.
Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP)
CHSP provides entry-level support for older Australians. Allied health services including physiotherapy can be accessed through CHSP. Access is through My Aged Care - you can call 1800 200 422 or your GP can make a referral. An assessment by a Regional Assessment Service (RAS) assessor determines eligibility.
NDIS (National Disability Insurance Scheme)
For people under 65 with a permanent and significant disability, the NDIS can fund physiotherapy under the Capacity Building budget. Physiotherapy must be included in the participant's NDIS plan and related to their disability goals. No separate GP referral is needed if physiotherapy is already in the plan.
Summary: Quick Reference
Here is a quick summary of the referral requirements for each pathway:
Private: No referral needed. Book directly.
Medicare: GP referral required (CDM plan). Up to 5 sessions per year.
Support at Home: Care coordinator approval. No GP referral needed.
DVA: GP referral required (D904 form). 12 sessions per referral, no gap.
CHSP: Access through My Aged Care. GP can refer.
NDIS: Must be in your NDIS plan. No separate GP referral.
If you are unsure which pathway is right for your situation, contact us and we can help you work through the options. For a detailed guide to all funding pathways, visit our funding and payment options page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I see a physiotherapist without a GP referral?
Yes. In Australia, physiotherapists are primary contact practitioners. You can book a private physiotherapy appointment directly without a GP referral. A referral is only required if you want to access Medicare rebates, DVA-funded physiotherapy, or add physiotherapy to an aged care package.
How many Medicare-funded physio sessions can I get per year?
Under a Chronic Disease Management plan from your GP, you can receive a Medicare rebate for up to 5 individual allied health sessions per calendar year. These 5 sessions are shared across all allied health disciplines, not 5 per discipline. There may be a gap payment depending on the provider's fees.
Do I need a new referral if I change physiotherapist?
For private physiotherapy, no referral is ever needed regardless of which physiotherapist you see. For Medicare, your existing CDM plan can generally be used with a different physiotherapist. For DVA, a D904 referral is not provider-specific, so you can take it to any DVA-accepted physiotherapist. Check with your new provider to confirm.
Content reviewed by Jovi Villanueva, AHPRA Registered Physiotherapist (PHY0001876394), Principal Physiotherapist at Wellworx Physio.
Last updated: April 2026
Not Sure Where to Start?
Contact us and we will help you understand your referral and funding options. We can guide you through the process step by step.