Can You Use Your Home Care Package for Physiotherapy?
Yes. Physiotherapy is fully covered under Australia's Support at Home program as a Clinical Care service. No client contribution required.
Short Answer: Yes, Physiotherapy Is Fully Covered
If you have a Support at Home package - formerly known as a Home Care Package - physiotherapy is fully funded by the Australian Government. There is no client contribution for physiotherapy services because they fall under the Clinical Care category, which is one of three service categories in the Support at Home program.
This applies to mobile physiotherapy delivered in your home, aged care facility or retirement village. You do not need to travel to a clinic. Your physiotherapist comes to you, and the government pays the provider directly.
There is no fixed cap on the number of physiotherapy sessions you can receive. Your care coordinator works with you and your physiotherapist to determine what is clinically appropriate based on your individual needs and goals. As long as physiotherapy remains part of your care plan, it continues to be funded.
For a complete overview of all funding pathways available for physiotherapy - including Support at Home, DVA, Medicare and the Restorative Care Pathway - visit our funding and payment options page.
What Changed: Home Care Packages Are Now Support at Home
The Australian Government's Support at Home program replaced Home Care Packages from 1 November 2025. If you were already receiving services under a Home Care Package, your services continue automatically under the new program. You do not need to reapply or take any additional steps - the transition is managed for you.
The key structural change is how services are organised. Under the old Home Care Package system, all services - including physiotherapy - came from a single pooled budget. If you spent more on domestic assistance or personal care, there was less available for allied health. Under Support at Home, services are now grouped into three distinct categories:
- Clinical Care - physiotherapy, nursing, occupational therapy, podiatry, speech pathology. Fully government-funded with no client contribution.
- Independence - personal care, home modifications, assistive technology. Means-tested client contribution may apply.
- Everyday Living - domestic assistance, meal preparation, transport. Means-tested client contribution may apply.
Because physiotherapy sits in the Clinical Care category with its own separate funding, spending on other service categories does not reduce your physiotherapy budget. This is an improvement over the previous Home Care Package structure, where all services drew from the same pool.
What Types of Physiotherapy Are Covered?
Support at Home covers a broad range of physiotherapy services, provided they are clinically appropriate and form part of your care plan. All of the following can be delivered as mobile physiotherapy in your home, retirement village or aged care facility:
Falls prevention and balance training
Fall risk assessments, progressive balance exercises, gait retraining and home environment reviews to reduce your risk of falling.
Post-surgery rehabilitation
Structured recovery programs after hip replacement, knee replacement and other orthopaedic procedures, helping you regain strength and mobility.
Mobility and strength training
Targeted exercise programs to maintain and improve your ability to move safely, get in and out of chairs, and manage daily activities independently.
Pain management
Manual therapy, exercise prescription and education to help manage chronic pain conditions such as arthritis, back pain and joint stiffness.
Neurological conditions
Specialised physiotherapy for stroke recovery, Parkinson's disease, dementia-related mobility decline and other neurological conditions affecting movement and balance.
Respiratory physiotherapy
Breathing exercises, airway clearance techniques and exercise programs for COPD, pulmonary fibrosis and other chronic respiratory conditions.
How to Access Physiotherapy Through Your Support at Home Package
If you already have a Support at Home package, accessing physiotherapy is straightforward. Here is the typical process:
Contact your care coordinator or aged care provider
Let them know you would like to include physiotherapy in your care plan. If you have a specific concern - such as a recent fall, pain, or difficulty with mobility - mention this so they can prioritise the referral.
Your coordinator arranges a physiotherapy referral
Based on your assessed needs, your care coordinator organises a referral to a physiotherapy provider. You have the right to choose your own provider - you are not required to use whoever your coordinator nominates.
Your physiotherapist visits you at home
No travel required. Your physiotherapist comes to your home, retirement village or aged care facility for an initial assessment and then for ongoing treatment sessions.
Funding pays the provider directly
Because physiotherapy is a Clinical Care service, the government covers the full cost. You pay nothing for these sessions. The funding is paid directly to your physiotherapy provider.
Don't have a Support at Home package yet?
To start the process, contact My Aged Care on 1800 200 422 or visit myagedcare.gov.au to register for an aged care assessment. The assessment determines your eligibility and the level of support you may receive.
What If You Don't Have a Support at Home Package?
If you are not currently on a Support at Home package, or if you are waiting for your assessment, there are other funding pathways that may cover or subsidise your physiotherapy:
Medicare - Chronic Disease Management Plan
With a GP referral under a Chronic Disease Management plan (also known as a GPMP/TCA or CDM plan), you may be eligible for up to 5 allied health sessions per calendar year. Medicare rebates apply, and there may be a gap depending on the provider. Ask your GP if you are eligible.
DVA - Department of Veterans' Affairs
Eligible veterans with a Gold or White card can access physiotherapy at home with a GP referral. DVA covers the full cost of treatment for accepted conditions, with no out-of-pocket expense for eligible participants.
Restorative Care Pathway
A short-term, intensive rehabilitation program of up to 16 weeks, designed to help older Australians recover after illness, injury or a period of decline. Clinical services including physiotherapy are fully funded with no client contribution for eligible participants.
Private Health Insurance
Rebates for physiotherapy may be available depending on your fund and level of cover. Check with your health insurer to confirm whether home-visit physiotherapy is included in your extras cover.
Self-Funded
If you do not have a funding pathway in place, we offer competitive rates for self-funded clients. Contact us for current pricing and availability.
For a detailed breakdown of all available funding options, visit our funding and payment options page.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many physiotherapy sessions can I get through Support at Home?
There is no set limit on the number of physiotherapy sessions under Support at Home. Your care coordinator works with you to determine what is clinically appropriate based on your needs and goals. Sessions are funded under the Clinical Care category.
Can my care coordinator choose which physiotherapist I see?
You have the right to choose your own service providers under Support at Home. You are not obligated to use a provider nominated by your coordinator. If you would like to use Wellworx Physio, let your coordinator know and they can arrange the referral.
What happens to my physiotherapy if my quarterly budget runs out?
Under Support at Home, Clinical Care services like physiotherapy are funded separately from other service categories. Your physiotherapy funding is not affected by spending in other categories. If you have concerns about budget allocation, speak with your care coordinator.
Content reviewed by Jovi Villanueva, AHPRA Registered Physiotherapist (PHY0001876394), Principal Physiotherapist at Wellworx Physio.
Last updated: March 2026
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