How to choose a physiotherapist for your NDIS goals

Finding the Right Physio

By XRHealth · Originally published 17 November 2020

Two people exercising on mats outdoors and touching hands

Deeper review: 6 October 2026. The deeper review adds article-specific decisions and audience guidance. Historical passages and their adjacent corrections remain preserved.

Ask how the appointment connects to an everyday task

Describe what you want help doing, such as transferring, walking somewhere you use regularly or managing a movement task. Ask how the physiotherapist would assess it and review progress. Check the clinician’s current Ahpra registration as a physiotherapist; NDIS provider registration is a separate check. Look up the clinician on Ahpra’s register

Tell the clinician what makes an appointment accessible and which approaches you are comfortable discussing. A headset, app or novel technique should be explained in terms of your needs, suitability and alternatives rather than treated as proof of better results.

Check location, access, session length and communication arrangements as well as the clinical explanation. Ask for home instructions in a format you can use.

For service options, compare NDIS physiotherapy services against the tasks and communication you need.

Original article and dated context

XRHealth is a Physiotherapy Telehealth Clinic. We bring physiotherapy to you at home using virtual reality technology. You'll enjoy customised and tailored physiotherapy without leaving your house!

The NDIS has given you funds to access Physiotherapy services in relation to your NDIS goals but how do you choose a Physio?

It is important for you to know how your NDIS plan is managed.

If you are NDIS/Agency managed, then you can only access physiotherapists that are NDIS registered. Always make sure you ask your physio if they are NDIS registered. If they aren't then the NDIS will not fund your appointments with them.

If you are plan managed, then you can access any physiotherapist you like - and the invoices for the appointments you attend will be sent to your plan managers for payments.

If you are self-managed, you can also access any physiotherapist that you like, and the invoices are given to you for payment. You can either ask the physiotherapist to give you one big invoice (for multiple sessions) so that you can put it through your portal and receive the funds into your bank for payment. Or you can pay the invoices up front yourself and receive a reimbursement from the NDIS.

[Clickability update, September 2026: A bundled invoice is not blanket permission to claim future appointments. Check the service dates and keep evidence for your claim. The NDIA explains self-managed payment options.]

[Clickability update, September 2026: Choose a properly registered physiotherapist and confirm the support fits your plan and disability-related needs. “Any physiotherapist” describes provider choice, not automatic NDIS funding. Check practitioner registration with Ahpra; check NDIS funding criteria.]

Find a physio who specialises or has experience in your condition.

Different physios specialise in different areas of the body, different conditions, different injuries and fields of study. Although physiotherapists receive rounded training and can treat a huge number of common issues and injuries, it’s totally okay to ask the clinic you’ve chosen if there’s someone who specialises in your particular injury or condition. This means they’ll have that extra edge (and all-important interest) when forming a treatment plan.

Look for a physio who you feel comfortable with.

You’ll be seeing your physio regularly, for a potentially long period of time, and you’re likely to have both good days and bad days throughout your treatment journey, so you need to find a physio you can trust and build a solid relationship with. They’re going to help motivate you on your bad days, and cheer you on through your good days, after all! If you don’t feel comfortable with your physio, it’s okay to try someone new until you find the right person.

Ask which treatments they might use.

Physiotherapists are trained to use a variety of treatment methods - musculoskeletal manipulation, clinical Pilates, dry needling, massage, and simple education.

Here at XRHealth, we use virtual reality technology to accurately assess and monitor our patient’s progress to ensure their treatment plans are effective and tailored to each individual. Our patients use apps and their headsets to complete their exercises, which can be tracked and recorded on their mobile app so they can see their progress in real time.

For example, patients working on increasing their shoulder range of motion might use the Balloon Blast app to swipe and pop balloons, using a virtual sword. Patients with a neck injury might use the Rotate app, helping a dragon to collect colour and restore the virtual world back to its former colourful self.

Whether you are interested in trying out new forms of healthcare technology, or prefer a more traditional approach, you need to find a physio that uses the right treatment for you.

Choose physiotherapy around function, access and a clear quote

Compare the whole plan of appointments

Ask for proposed frequency, review points and the full cost, including permitted travel, reports or other work. Check how a home programme would fit the participant’s preference and available support. A cheaper appointment with frequent extras may not be the cheaper overall arrangement.

If you assist with exercises, ask for instruction relevant to the agreed task and what to do if it becomes difficult. Do not improvise a manual handling or exercise routine from the article. The clinician should explain what input they need from you with the participant’s consent.

Ask how information from the appointment will be shared, with the participant’s agreement.

Keep the clinical, registration and funding questions distinct

Explain which work is disability-related physiotherapy and which work falls within ordinary health treatment. Check the participant’s actual plan and management arrangement; do not promise that every physiotherapy appointment is funded. Read the official guidance

Discuss in-person and telehealth options on their practical merits, including privacy, equipment, accessibility and whether the assessment can be performed appropriately. Make the proposed rate and any separate permitted activities clear before the first visit. A preferred technology is not a substitute for informed choice.

Questions readers ask

How can I check that a physiotherapist is registered?

Use Ahpra’s practitioner register to check the clinician’s name and current registration details. Professional registration is separate from the provider’s NDIS registration. Official guidance

Can I claim any physiotherapy appointment through my plan?

No. The support must fit your plan and applicable NDIS funding requirements. Confirm this before booking rather than relying only on the clinic accepting NDIS clients. Official guidance

Is Ahpra registration the same as NDIS provider registration?

No. Ahpra registration concerns the individual health practitioner. NDIS registration is a separate provider requirement that depends on the support and management arrangement. Official guidance

Find a physio who understands your priorities

Tell Clickability the physiotherapy support you are looking for. Compare provider profiles and reviews, then ask about experience with the activities that matter to you.

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