Reviewed by Matt Stanlake — Head Physiotherapist & Director, Upwell Health Collective. APA Member. AHPRA Registration: PHY0000975408. 20 years clinical experience. Last reviewed: May 2026.
The short answer: In 2026, a standard initial physiotherapy consultation in Australia costs between $110 and $160. Subsequent sessions typically range from $90 to $130. With a Medicare CDM referral, you receive a $60.35 rebate per session, leaving a gap of around $40 to $90. With private health extras, you typically pay $25 to $70 out of pocket. NDIS, WorkCover, CTP and DVA generally cover the full cost.
Physiotherapy fees in Australia vary based on three main factors: clinician seniority, appointment length, and clinic location. Capital city clinics generally charge more than regional clinics. Senior or APA-titled physiotherapists charge more than new graduates. Longer initial appointments of 45 to 60 minutes cost more than shorter standard appointments of 20 to 30 minutes.
The typical range across Australian metropolitan clinics is $110 to $160 for a standard initial consultation and $90 to $130 for subsequent sessions. At Upwell Health Collective in Camberwell, we charge $165 for a 45 to 60 minute initial consultation and $130 for a 30-minute subsequent session — reflecting our longer appointment times and multidisciplinary structure.
Medicare partially subsidises physiotherapy only through a Chronic Disease Management plan from your GP. The Medicare rebate for physiotherapy in 2026 is $60.35 per session. You receive a maximum of 5 rebated allied health sessions per calendar year, shared across all allied health services combined.
So if you pay $130 for a session, Medicare refunds $60.35 back to you, leaving an out-of-pocket gap payment of $69.65. Once you reach the Medicare Safety Net threshold of $2,544 in 2026, your rebate rises to 85% of the schedule fee for the remainder of the calendar year.
"The biggest mistake I see patients make is choosing the cheapest clinic without considering appointment length. A 20-minute session at $80 isn't cheaper than a 45-minute session at $150 if you need three of the short ones to get the assessment a single long one delivers. Always look at the cost per outcome, not the cost per appointment." — Matt Stanlake, Head Physiotherapist, Upwell Health Collective
If you have private health insurance with extras cover, you typically pay between $25 and $70 out of pocket per session after your rebate. The rebate amount depends on your specific fund and level of cover.
Top-tier extras with Bupa, Medibank, HCF, or NIB typically rebate $60 to $85 per physiotherapy session. Mid-tier extras rebate $40 to $60. Basic extras rebate $20 to $35. Before booking, call your fund and ask what your rebate is for item code 500 (initial physiotherapy) and item code 505 (subsequent consultation). That gives you an exact figure.
Important rule: you cannot claim both Medicare and private health insurance for the same session. You pick one funding source per appointment. Most patients with both options use private health for routine appointments and save their Medicare CDM sessions for higher-fee or complex sessions.
For NDIS participants with physiotherapy funding in their plan, physiotherapy is fully covered up to the NDIS price guide limit of $193.99 per hour for standard physiotherapy services in the 2025–26 price guide. This includes the assessment, treatment, and any required reporting.
NDIS participants pay no out-of-pocket cost when the service is delivered by a registered NDIS provider. Upwell is a registered NDIS provider with a fully accessible Camberwell facility.
The most expensive option is usually delay. Acute back pain that resolves in 6 to 10 sessions costing $700 to $1,000 total can become chronic back pain costing $5,000 plus in treatment, lost work days, and downstream care if left untreated. Australian research consistently shows that earlier intervention reduces total healthcare cost and improves long-term outcomes.
The second most expensive option is the wrong physio. A clinician who doesn't accurately diagnose your condition or who doesn't have time within a 20-minute appointment to deliver a proper assessment may keep you coming back for months without meaningful progress.
At Upwell Health Collective in Camberwell, $165 buys you a 45 to 60 minute initial appointment with an experienced physiotherapist in a private treatment room — not a curtained cubicle. That includes thorough history-taking, full physical assessment, clinical reasoning explanation, hands-on treatment, a tailored exercise program, and a clear plan for what comes next.
Subsequent appointments at $130 run a full 30 minutes — long enough to retest, treat, progress your program, and adjust the plan based on what's working.
A standard initial physiotherapy consultation in Australia costs between $110 and $160 in 2026. Subsequent sessions range from $90 to $130. Prices vary by location, clinician seniority, and appointment length.
Partially. Medicare covers physiotherapy only through a Chronic Disease Management plan from your GP. The rebate is $60.35 per session, capped at 5 allied health sessions per calendar year shared across all services.
The gap fee is the difference between the clinic's charge and the $60.35 Medicare rebate. Typical gap fees in Australia are $40 to $90 per session, depending on the clinic's standard fee.
The NDIS price guide for standard physiotherapy in 2025–26 is up to $193.99 per hour. NDIS participants pay no out-of-pocket cost when treated by a registered provider.
No. You can use only one funding source per session. You cannot double-dip Medicare and private health for the same physiotherapy appointment.
Australian research shows individualised physiotherapy produces significantly greater reductions in pain and disability than advice alone at 10, 26, and 52 weeks. Early physiotherapy also reduces total healthcare costs by lowering risk of pain becoming chronic.
Transparent pricing. Real time. Better outcomes. Book a 45-minute appointment with a physio who actually has time to help. Upwell Health Collective in Camberwell. All health funds accepted with on-the-spot HICAPS rebates. Medicare CDM accepted. NDIS registered. 28 free undercover carparks. See full Upwell fees or book online at upwellhealth.com.au or call (03) 8849 9096.
Matt Stanlake is the Head Physiotherapist and Director of Upwell Health Collective in Camberwell. He is a member of the Australian Physiotherapy Association (APAM) and AHPRA-registered (PHY0000975408) with 20 years of clinical experience. Matt has built Upwell into a 7x award-winning multidisciplinary allied health clinic trusted by AFL legends Mick Malthouse and Jonathan Brown. He is the author of Not Broken and the creator of the Whole Person Care framework.