Physiotherapy Under Support at Home: No Client Contribution

Many older Australians and their families assume they’ll pay a share of every service they receive under Support at Home.

For some services, that’s true. But physiotherapy works differently.

Under Support at Home, physiotherapy is a clinical support, and the government pays the full price of clinical supports. That means you don’t pay an out-of-pocket contribution towards your physiotherapy sessions, whatever your pension or income status.

This article covers where physiotherapy fits in the program, how contributions and budgets work, and how to get started.

Where Physiotherapy Sits in Support at Home

Support at Home groups services into three categories, and each has its own contribution rules:

Clinical supports, such as physiotherapy, occupational therapy, nursing and podiatry: no client contribution
Independence supports, such as transport, respite and support to attend appointments: a moderate contribution, based on your income and assets
Everyday living supports, such as cleaning, gardening, shopping and meal preparation: the highest contribution

Physiotherapy sits in the same category as nursing care. That reflects its role in keeping people safe and independent at home, rather than treating it as an optional extra.

How Contributions Work for Other Services

As a guide, full pensioners contribute 5% of the price of independence supports and 17.5% of everyday living supports. Self-funded retirees without a Commonwealth Seniors Health Card contribute 50% and 80%. Part pensioners and Commonwealth Seniors Health Card holders sit in between, based on their income and assets assessment.

Clinical supports stay at 0% for everyone. Care management also has no contribution, and from 1 October 2026 personal care, such as help with showering and dressing, is fully funded too.

If you were receiving or approved for a Home Care Package on or before 12 September 2024, “no worse off” arrangements also apply to your other services. Your provider can confirm exactly what applies to you.

You can see the full contribution rates on the My Aged Care Support at Home costs page.

Does That Mean Physiotherapy Is Free?

Not quite, and it’s worth understanding the difference.

Physiotherapy sessions are still paid for from your quarterly Support at Home budget, at the price your provider charges. What you don’t pay is a personal contribution on top.

So physiotherapy uses some of your quarterly budget, but it doesn’t add to your out-of-pocket costs. For many people, that makes physio a good-value way to use their funding.

How the Quarterly Budget Affects Access

Your budget is released each quarter, based on your Support at Home classification. Up to $1,000 or 10% of your quarterly budget can be carried over to the next quarter.

In practice, that means physiotherapy works best when it’s planned across the quarter as part of your care plan, rather than booked on demand. Your care manager can help you work out how many sessions fit alongside your other services.

What Physiotherapy at Home Can Help With

Because there’s no contribution, cost shouldn’t be the reason someone misses out on physiotherapy that could help them stay safe and independent at home. Physiotherapy at home can help with:

Improving strength, balance and walking
Reducing the risk of falls, with a home-based falls prevention program
Recovering after a hospital stay, illness or surgery
Getting in and out of bed, chairs and the car more easily
Managing pain and stiffness from arthritis and other conditions
Recommending walking aids and equipment, including assistive technology prescription, which also has no client contribution

Seeing someone in their own home means the physiotherapist can work on the real challenges they face every day, like their own stairs, bathroom and front step.

If you’d benefit from a short burst of intensive therapy to regain function, ask your care manager about the Restorative Care Pathway. It provides coordinated allied health and nursing support in episodes of up to 16 weeks, and needs an aged care assessment to access.

How to Access Physiotherapy Through Support at Home

Under Support at Home, services are arranged through your registered Support at Home provider. The simplest way to start physiotherapy is to:

Talk to your care manager (some providers call this your care partner) and let them know you’d like physiotherapy at home.
Ask them to refer you to Bayside Mobile Physio. We work with providers as an associated provider, so your care manager arranges the referral directly with us.
We book your first home visit, usually within the same week or the following week.

You can ask your provider for a specific physiotherapist. Some providers also offer a self-managed model, where you choose and book your own allied health providers while the registered provider still holds the funding. See how self-managed Support at Home clients can access physiotherapy.

After each assessment, we keep your care manager updated with progress notes and reports, so your care plan stays on track.

For Care Managers and Aged Care Providers

We work with aged care providers across Sydney to deliver in-home physiotherapy for Support at Home clients.

Business-to-business referrals and invoicing to the provider
Prompt first appointments
Clear progress notes and reports for care plan reviews
No travel fees within our Sydney service areas

Learn more on our Support at Home physiotherapy Sydney page.

Where We Provide Home Visits

Bayside Mobile Physio provides Support at Home physiotherapy across these Sydney regions:

Western Sydney, including Parramatta, Liverpool, Campbelltown, Penrith, Fairfield and Blacktown
Canterbury-Bankstown
Inner West
Bayside
St George
Eastern Suburbs
North Shore
Northern Beaches

Availability depends on location and clinician capacity at the time of referral.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does physiotherapy cost anything under Support at Home?

There’s no client contribution. Physiotherapy is a clinical support, and the government pays the full price. Sessions are still paid from your quarterly budget.

Do I need a GP referral for physiotherapy under Support at Home?

No GP referral is needed. Physiotherapy is arranged through your Support at Home provider as part of your care plan.

Can I choose my own physiotherapist?

You can ask your provider for a specific physiotherapist, and many providers will engage the one you prefer as an associated provider.

Get Started With Physiotherapy at Home

If you or someone you care for has Support at Home funding, ask your care manager about physiotherapy at home. Care managers can send a referral through our online referral form.

Bayside Mobile Physio
Mobile Physiotherapy Across Sydney
Phone: 0468 079 075
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.baysidemobilephysio.com.au

Information in this article is general in nature and current as at October 2026. Contribution rates and program rules can change, and your circumstances may differ. Check with your aged care provider or visit My Aged Care for the latest information.