Does My Aged Care Cover Physiotherapy?

Short answer: yes, in most cases — but which aged care program you’re on changes how you actually access it. “Aged care” isn’t one single scheme; it covers a few different programs, each with its own rules for allied health. This guide breaks down where physiotherapy fits under each one.

Support at Home

Support at Home is the main program for older Australians with higher or more complex care needs, replacing Home Care Packages in November 2025. Physiotherapy is a core allied health service funded under Support at Home.

If you self-manage your Support at Home package, you can choose your own physiotherapy provider directly — including a provider like Bayside Mobile Physio. If your package is fully managed, your provider coordinates this on your behalf. Either way, physiotherapy is generally accessible without a formal referral.

Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP)

CHSP provides entry-level support for older Australians who need some help to live independently, but not the more comprehensive support of Support at Home. Allied health and therapy services — including physiotherapy — are a covered category under CHSP.

The key difference from Support at Home: CHSP services must be delivered by a registered CHSP provider. This is a separate accreditation from what allows a provider to support Support at Home clients, so not every mobile physiotherapy provider — including Bayside Mobile Physio, at time of writing — is set up to deliver CHSP-funded sessions directly. If you’re on CHSP and want to check your options, your My Aged Care assessment or CHSP provider can confirm which registered allied health providers are available in your area.

Restorative Care Pathway

If you’ve recently had a hospital stay or a sudden health setback, you may be offered the Restorative Care Pathway — a short-term stream within Support at Home (this replaced the former Short-Term Restorative Care Programme on 1 November 2025). It provides intensive, goal-oriented allied health and nursing support, for up to 16 weeks, specifically to help you regain function and independence rather than as ongoing long-term care. Physiotherapy is a central part of this pathway, given its focus on mobility and function.

Residential Aged Care

If you live in an aged care home, physiotherapy and other clinical therapy services are generally arranged or provided directly by the facility, rather than through an external mobile provider. Bayside Mobile Physio is a home-visit service for people living in their own home, so this guide is primarily relevant if you’re receiving care at home rather than in residential care.

Private Physiotherapy

Regardless of which program applies to you, private physiotherapy is always an option — useful if you want treatment sooner than a funded pathway allows, or if a service falls outside what your current funding covers.

Which Pathway Applies to You?

Higher-level or complex care needs, want to choose your own physio? Support at Home (self-managed)
Recovering after a hospital stay or health setback? Restorative Care Pathway, via Support at Home
Entry-level support needs? CHSP, via a registered CHSP provider
Living in an aged care home? Arranged directly through your facility
Want treatment without waiting on an assessment or referral? Private

How Bayside Mobile Physio Fits In

Bayside Mobile Physio provides home-visit physiotherapy across Greater Sydney for self-managed Support at Home clients, including those on the Restorative Care Pathway. If you’re unsure which pathway applies to you, get in touch — we’re happy to help you work out where physiotherapy fits into your aged care funding.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a referral for physiotherapy under aged care funding?
It depends on the program. Support at Home, including the Restorative Care Pathway, generally doesn’t require one. CHSP access depends on your registered provider’s process.

Can I move between aged care programs?
Yes — for example, someone on CHSP may later be assessed for Support at Home as their needs change, or a Support at Home client may be offered the Restorative Care Pathway after a hospital stay. My Aged Care manages these transitions based on your assessed needs.

What if I’m not sure which program I’m on?
My Aged Care can confirm your current program and assessment status if you’re uncertain.

Get in Touch

If you’d like help understanding how physiotherapy fits into your aged care funding, we’re happy to talk it through.

Bayside Mobile Physio
Phone: 0468 079 075
Email: [email protected]
Web: baysidemobilephysio.com.au

This article is general information only and doesn’t take the place of advice from My Aged Care or your registered provider. Program rules can change — please confirm current details before making decisions about your care.