Physio vs Occupational Therapist: What Is the Difference?

Physiotherapists and occupational therapists often visit the same people, after the same hospital stays, for what sounds like the same reason: to help someone stay independent. So when it comes to physio vs occupational therapist, it is no surprise that people are unsure which one they need. The simple way to think about it is that a physio works on how your body moves, and an occupational therapist (OT) works on how you do the tasks of daily life and the environment you do them in.

In practice the two overlap, and for many people the best result comes from seeing both. This guide explains what each one does, when you might need which, how they work together at home and how each is funded. It is general information only, not medical advice. Your GP or care team can help you decide what suits your situation.

The short answer

• Physiotherapists focus on movement: strength, balance, walking, joint and muscle pain, and recovery after injury, surgery or illness.
• Occupational therapists focus on everyday activities, such as showering, dressing and cooking, and on changing equipment or the home to make those tasks easier.
• Both can recommend equipment. Under Support at Home, home modifications must be prescribed by an OT.
• They often work together after a hospital stay, a stroke, a fall or as a condition progresses.
• Both can be funded through Medicare plans, the NDIS, DVA, Support at Home and private health extras, and neither needs a referral if you pay privately.

What a physiotherapist does

The Department of Veterans’ Affairs sums it up neatly: physiotherapy aims to reduce pain and stiffness, increase mobility and prevent further injury. A physio assesses how you move, finds what is limiting you and treats it, mostly through exercise, hands-on treatment and education.

For older people and people with disability, physiotherapy at home often focuses on:

• strength and balance training to reduce the risk of falls
• walking, including choosing and setting up a walking aid
• getting up from a chair, in and out of bed and up and down steps
• rehabilitation after joint replacement, fractures or a hospital stay
• managing pain from arthritis, back problems and other conditions
• neurological conditions, such as stroke and Parkinson’s disease

What an occupational therapist does

According to healthdirect, occupational therapy helps you take part in the activities you find meaningful, from self-care tasks like getting dressed or cooking to hobbies and social events. OTs look at the relationship between what you want or need to do, your physical and mental health and abilities, and your environment.

An OT might help with:

• finding safer or easier ways to shower, dress, cook and manage around the house
• equipment such as shower chairs, toilet frames, bed rails and kitchen aids
• home modifications, such as grab rails, ramps and bathroom changes
• managing fatigue and long-term conditions
• hand function after an injury or with arthritis
• strategies for memory and thinking changes, including dementia

In Australia, OTs must hold an approved occupational therapy degree and be registered with the Occupational Therapy Board of Australia.

Which one do you need?

It depends on the problem you are trying to solve. As a rough guide:

• Legs feel weak or you are unsteady on your feet: start with a physio.
• Pain, stiffness or an injury is holding you back: start with a physio.
• Recovering after surgery or a fracture: a physio for strength and walking, and often an OT for managing at home.
• Struggling to shower, dress or get on and off the toilet: start with an OT.
• The home itself is the problem, such as a step-in shower or no rails: an OT, who can recommend and prescribe modifications.
• Memory changes are making daily tasks harder: an OT, with a physio for mobility and falls.

There is plenty of overlap. Both can assess falls risk, both may recommend equipment, and both will look at how you manage in your own home. If you are unsure, start with whichever is easier to arrange and ask them whether the other would help.

How physios and OTs work together at home

The best results often come from a physio and an OT working towards the same goals, each from their own angle. A few common examples:

• After a hip replacement: the physio builds strength and walking, while the OT sets up a raised toilet seat, shower chair and safe ways to dress within any movement precautions.
• After a stroke: the physio works on balance, walking and the weaker side, while the OT works on arm and hand use and daily tasks. Our guide to post-stroke recovery at home explains more.
• After a fall: the physio works on strength, balance and getting up from the floor, while the OT looks at lighting, rails and hazards.
• Living with dementia: Dementia Australia notes strong research support for occupational therapy in improving daily function and quality of life for people with dementia, while physiotherapy supports strength, balance and walking.

At home, sharing information is simple but important. The physio and OT should know each other’s recommendations, so the exercises, equipment and routines fit together. At Khy Physio, we collaborate with a network of health professionals, including occupational therapists, speech pathologists, podiatrists and psychologists. Read more about our home-based physiotherapy.

How each is funded

Physiotherapy and occupational therapy are funded through the same main programs, so you can often use the same funding for both.

• Private, no referral needed. You can see a physio or an OT privately without a referral. A referral is needed if you want to claim through some government programs.
• Private health insurance extras. Some policies include physio, OT or both. What you get back depends on your policy and limits.
• Medicare. With a GP chronic condition management plan and a referral, you can claim up to 5 allied health services each calendar year. The 5 are shared, so you could use 3 for physio and 2 for OT. From 1 July 2026, the rebate for a physiotherapy service under a plan is $63.40. See does Medicare cover physio?
• NDIS. Physio and OT can both be funded as therapy supports in your plan, depending on your goals.
• DVA. Physiotherapy and occupational therapy are both covered under DVA’s allied health treatment cycle, and you can have treatment cycles for different allied health services at the same time.
• Support at Home. Allied health, including physiotherapy and occupational therapy, sits in the clinical supports category, where participants do not pay a contribution. Under the AT-HM scheme, home modifications must be prescribed by an occupational therapist.

For a wider overview, see our guide to physiotherapy funding options in Australia. For private physiotherapy with us, rates are quoted on enquiry. A travel fee applies to home visits and depends on your location. Contact our team for the cost to your area.

Frequently asked questions

Can a physio prescribe equipment?

Yes. Physiotherapists commonly recommend and prescribe mobility equipment such as walking sticks, frames and four-wheel walkers. For home modifications under the Support at Home AT-HM scheme, an OT must provide the prescription.

Do I need to see an OT before a physio, or the other way around?

No. There is no set order. Start with the professional who best matches your main problem, and ask them to involve the other if needed.

Can both come to my home?

Yes. Both physiotherapists and occupational therapists can work in people’s homes, which lets them see exactly how you manage day to day.

Is an OT the same as an exercise physiologist?

No. An exercise physiologist focuses on exercise programs for health conditions. An OT focuses on daily activities, equipment and the home environment.

Will my Medicare sessions run out faster if I see both?

Yes, because the 5 Medicare-supported allied health services each year are shared across all allied health types. Your GP and therapists can help you plan how to use them.

Talk to us about physio at home

If you are not sure whether you need a physio, an OT or both, we are happy to talk it through. Our mobile physiotherapists visit homes across Melbourne and the Geelong region and can work alongside your OT. Make a referral or contact our team on 03 8824 0712.

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