By Gillian 
For many participants of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) in Australia, assistance from an exercise physiologist can be a game-changer. Navigating how funding works, what services qualify, and how to access them can be confusing. This article explains how exercise physiology fits into the NDIS, who can use it, what it covers, how it is funded and managed, and what to consider when choosing providers.
1. What is Exercise Physiology?
Exercise physiology is a specialised allied-health service delivered by accredited exercise physiologists (AEPs). These professionals apply evidence-based exercise interventions to prevent and manage chronic conditions, improve functional capacity, strength, coordination, mobility, balance and overall participation. The approach differs from general fitness or personal training in that it is clinically oriented, often involving people with disabilities, long-term health conditions, or complex needs.
Key features of exercise physiology:
- Assessment of a person’s health history, functional capacity, goals and limitations
- Prescription of tailored exercise programs (strength, endurance, flexibility, balance)
- Ongoing monitoring, adjustment and education for self-management
- Focus on improving independence, participation, wellbeing and preventing secondary complications
Exercise physiology for NDIS helps people living with disability achieve meaningful goals. For example, improved mobility, fewer hospital admissions, greater ability to engage in daily life, and enhanced quality of life.
2. How the NDIS Funds Allied Health Services Generally
The NDIS provides “reasonable and necessary” supports for people under 65 with a permanent and significant disability. These supports are arranged under several broader categories:
- Core Supports — daily living tasks, participation, transport, consumables
- Capacity-Building Supports — helping participants build skills, increase independence, functional capacity
- Capital Supports — assistive technology, home modifications, vehicle modifications
Allied health therapies, including exercise physiology, typically sit under Capacity-Building supports such as “Improved Health and Wellbeing” or “Improved Daily Living Skills”.
Important aspects to keep in mind:
- The participant’s goals in their plan must align with what the therapy supports.
- Funding must represent value for money.
- The therapy must support the person because of their disability. Not all exercise or activity programs qualify.
3. Where Exercise Physiology Fits with the NDIS
3.1 Is Exercise Physiology an Approved NDIS Support?
Yes — exercise physiology is an approved service under the NDIS when it meets certain criteria. It is explicitly listed under support item codes that correspond to Capacity-Building: Improved Health and Wellbeing or Improved Daily Living Skills.
3.2 Why Use Exercise Physiology in an NDIS Context?
Exercise physiology helps address the impact of a disability or associated condition. For example:
- People with neurological conditions, acquired brain injury, spinal cord injury, or developmental disabilities may use exercise physiology to improve balance, mobility, strength and prevent secondary health issues.
- It supports functional goals, such as walking independently, participating in community activities, or improving capacity to stand or transfer safely.
- It can assist in managing or preventing chronic health conditions that result from or exacerbate disability (cardiovascular issues, diabetes, osteoporosis).
- It emphasises self-management and long-term gain, not just short-term fitness.
3.3 Support Categories
Typically, exercise physiology falls under:
- Capacity-Building: Improved Health and Wellbeing
- Capacity-Building: Improved Daily Living Skills
3.4 Requirements for Funding
For exercise physiology to be funded under a participant’s plan, it generally needs to satisfy the following:
- The support is related to the participant’s disability and the functional impact of that disability.
- It is aligned with identified goals in the participant’s plan.
- Evidence is provided, often via a report from the allied health provider showing need, anticipated outcomes, and connection to disability.
- The provider is appropriately qualified and the services are delivered in a reasonable and necessary manner.
- The price charged aligns with the scheme’s pricing arrangements.
4. How to Access Exercise Physiology under Your NDIS Plan
4.1 Step-by-Step Access
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Check your existing NDIS plan
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Look at whether your plan has budgets allocated under capacity-building items like Improved Health and Wellbeing or Improved Daily Living Skills.
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Check management type: self-managed, plan-managed, or NDIA-managed.
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Identify your goals
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Make goals specific and measurable, e.g., “Improve my ability to transfer from bed to wheelchair.”
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Find an appropriate provider
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Choose an accredited exercise physiologist experienced with NDIS participants.
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Obtain an assessment
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The provider performs an assessment to establish baseline, program, and outcomes.
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Check your budget and funding
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Ensure you have enough funds in the relevant support category to cover the service.
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Service delivery and monitoring
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Sessions are delivered, progress monitored, program adjusted, and outcomes reported.
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Plan review
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Demonstrate the benefits of the service to support continued funding.
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4.2 If Your Plan Doesn’t Include Exercise Physiology
- Request inclusion through your planner or Local Area Coordinator (LAC) by showing how it meets reasonable and necessary criteria.
- Shift budget within categories if possible.
- Document rationale to support approval.
5. Pricing Arrangements
The NDIS publishes “Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits” which list maximum fees providers can charge for each support item. For example, the national price limit for exercise physiology advice is around AUD$166.99 per hour.
Key points:
- Providers should not charge hidden fees beyond agreed amounts.
- Self-managed or plan-managed participants may have more flexibility.
- Monitor budget utilisation and track outcomes.
6. Services Typically Provided
Exercise physiology under the NDIS may include:
- Initial assessment and functional testing
- Individualised exercise programs
- Exercise prescription and instruction
- Education and coaching for self-management
- Monitoring and evaluation
- Home, clinic, community, or telehealth-based sessions
- Group sessions where appropriate
This is clinical, disability-focused support, not general gym training.
7. Key Considerations
- Align with goals: Ensure goals reference functional outcomes.
- Evidence and assessment: A thorough assessment and report help justify funding.
- Budget and session planning: Agree on session numbers and costs.
- Provider choice: Check qualifications and NDIS experience.
- Track utilisation: Keep records of sessions and progress.
- Plan review: Provide evidence of benefit for continued support.
- Stay informed: Monitor NDIS reforms and pricing changes.
- Distinguish from personal training: Funding requires a clear disability link.
8. Common Myths
Myth: Exercise physiology is not funded.
Fact: It is funded when criteria are met.
Myth: If not listed, you cannot use it.
Fact: It may still be accessed through relevant capacity-building budgets.
Myth: Any gym program qualifies.
Fact: It must be reasonable, necessary, and linked to your disability.
Myth: Price limits prevent negotiation.
Fact: They set the maximum fee; providers can negotiate within that.
9. Future Considerations
Exercise physiology is under review in NDIS reforms. This may affect:
- Session numbers
- Pricing
- Assessment requirements
Participants and providers should stay informed and plan proactively.
Summary
Exercise physiology is a fundable, evidence-based support under the NDIS when aligned with functional disability goals. Choosing the right provider, tracking outcomes, understanding budgets and staying aware of reforms ensures participants maximise the benefit of their funding.
