What to Expect from NDIS Physiotherapy

The basics

What is NDIS physiotherapy?

NDIS physiotherapy is funded physiotherapy delivered to participants whose plan includes support for improving physical function, mobility or independence. It sits under the Capacity Building – Improved Daily Living support category (or occasionally under Core Supports), and it can be delivered in a clinic, at home, or in the community.

For many NDIS participants in Melbourne, mobile NDIS physiotherapy — where the physiotherapist comes to your home — is the most practical option. There’s no transport to organise, no waiting rooms, and treatment happens in the environment where you actually live and move.

Your sessions

What happens in an NDIS physiotherapy session?

Here’s what to expect when you start NDIS physiotherapy with a mobile provider.

Initial assessment (first session)

Your first session is an assessment. Your physiotherapist will:

• Review your NDIS goals and any relevant medical history
• Assess your current physical function, strength, balance and mobility
• Identify areas of focus and barriers to achieving your goals
• Discuss what a treatment plan might look like

For home visits, this all happens in your own space — which is often more revealing than a clinic, because your physio can see the stairs you navigate, the chair you sit in, and the distances you actually walk.

Follow-up sessions

Once your treatment plan is established, follow-up sessions typically involve:

• Targeted exercises based on your goals
• Hands-on treatment where appropriate (manual therapy, massage)
• Education on managing your condition day-to-day
• Progress review against your NDIS goals

Sessions are usually 45 to 60 minutes. Your physio will document progress and provide reports as needed for plan reviews.