What Conditions Can NDIS Physiotherapy Support?

But physiotherapy isn’t just about physical movement or pain management—it’s about helping people participate fully in life. Whether you need support with:

• improving movement and mobility
• managing pain
• building social connections and participating in the community
• getting a job or transitioning to school
• enhancing independence and well-being

An Everyday Independence physiotherapist can work with you to achieve your unique goals. They assess your abilities, identify barriers, and collaborate with other therapists and practitioners to create tailored strategies for long lasting positive changes. Our physiotherapists oversee your therapy team, track your progress, and can prescribe assistive technology to support your journey towards independence and participation.

NDIS physiotherapy services may be available to you if your disability or condition is permanent and significantly impacts your ability to engage in everyday activities.

Here, we explain which conditions may be eligible for funding through the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) for physiotherapy and how physiotherapy can help you create positive life changes.

Physical Disabilities and Chronic Conditions

Developmental Delays

Children with developmental delay can benefit from NDIS physiotherapy to enhance motor skills, coordination and overall functional abilities. This includes support for those with:

• Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
• Downs Syndrome
• Global Developmental Delay.

Physiotherapy can:

• support early years gross motor development, mobility and physical activity
• build motor skills to be able to undertake everyday tasks
• improve coordination so a child can participate and enjoy sport with their peers
• build independence for everyday tasks such as getting dressed
• support social skill development
• help with a sleep hygiene a part of your therapy team
• help children through key transitions such as starting preschool or school.

Physical Pain

Certain chronic pain conditions, like Fibromyalgia and complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS), may be managed through physiotherapy using techniques such as graded exercise therapy, pain education, manual therapy and pain management strategies. The aim is to improve overall physical function and enhance quality of life.

Physiotherapy can help an individual to improve endurance limitations, standing tolerance or sitting tolerance so they can participate in an activity with family and friends.

Neurological Conditions

Physiotherapy is beneficial for neurological conditions that impact movement, coordination, and muscle control, such as:

• Cerebral Palsy
• Multiple Sclerosis
• Spinal Cord Injuries

Physiotherapy goals for neurological conditions may include:

• improving posture and muscle function
• managing muscle spasticity and stiffness
• enhancing strength, balance, and flexibility
• promoting functional independence and preventing joint atrophy
• community access and safety; managing steps/stairs, elevators, buses
• joining groups and classes in the community
• building a new skill specific to improving participation
• fostering a healthy lifestyle to be proactive in reducing the risk of lifestyle diseases.

Chronic Diseases

NDIS may fund physiotherapy for people with chronic and degenerative conditions that impact movement and mobility including Parkinson’s Disease, Huntington’s Disease and Motor Neuron Disease MND. Physiotherapy goals may include:

• managing symptoms and maintaining quality of life
• aquatic Physio/Hydrotherapy or access to regular swimming or water-based exercise
• enhancing balance, coordination, and movement
• support postural control and low postural tone
• reducing fall risk and maintaining independence
• supporting attendance at events of interests
• joining groups and classes in the community.

Stroke

For those recovering from a stroke, NDIS physiotherapy can help regain movement, improve balance, and prevent complications such as joint stiffness and muscle atrophy.

Our physiotherapists can also help supporting people to manage their mental health, overcome physical limitations in personal care, join groups and classes in the community, explore volunteering or work opportunities as part of the therapy team.

Physiotherapists can also prescribe low cost equipment (assistive technology) such as mobility aids, shower chairs, orthotics and adaptive aids.

Psychosocial Disabilities

NDIS Physiotherapy also benefits individuals with psychosocial disabilities that arise from mental health conditions. By addressing physical health needs, enhancing mobility, and supporting community participation, physiotherapy can help individuals engage more fully in everyday activities.

Conditions that may be supported include:

• Severe Anxiety Disorders – through structured exercise programs to manage anxiety and promote relaxation.
• Depression – by encouraging movement and improving overall well-being which can positively impact mental health.
• Schizophrenia and Other Psychotic Disorders – physiotherapy can support social engagement and physical activity, which are essential for overall health and wellbeing.

Physiotherapists at Everyday Independence take a holistic approach, working collaboratively with other allied health professionals to provide support across all life areas to help maximise positive changes.

Can You Claim Physio on NDIS?

Funding for physiotherapy services can be found under the Improved Daily Living category of your NDIS Capacity Building Supports Budget. To be eligible for NDIS physiotherapy:

• the need for physio must be directly related to your disability
• physiotherapy must help you work towards achieving your goals, and
• it must be deemed reasonable and necessary according to the NDIS Guidelines

Note: The National Disability Insurance Scheme may not fund physiotherapy for pain management unless the pain is directly related to your disability. It also generally does not cover physiotherapy for acute injuries, short-term conditions, or age-related decline unless linked to a diagnosed disability. F or more information on what is an NDIS health support, click here.

When Won’t the NDIS Fund Physiotherapy?

The National Disability Insurance Scheme will only fund physiotherapy services if the treatment is directly related to your disability.

To use NDIS physiotherapy for pain management, the pain must be directly related to your disability and not to other conditions, such as a sports injury.

While the NDIS supports a range of disabilities and health conditions, there are some conditions that do not meet NDIS eligibility criteria:

1. Acute Injuries and Short Term Conditions – NDIS does not cover physiotherapy for acute injuries such as sprains, fractures, or post-surgical rehabilitation unless they are directly related to a participant’s permanent disability.
2. Age-Related Decline – physiotherapy for general age-related conditions, such as mild arthritis or normal age-related muscle weakness, is not funded under NDIS unless it is linked to a diagnosed disability.
3. Temporary Conditions – temporary medical conditions, such as a minor back strain or short-term mobility issues, are generally not supported by NDIS physiotherapy.
4. Non-Disability Related Sports Injuries – sports-related injuries that require physiotherapy for rehabilitation are not covered unless they are linked to an existing disability.

If you’re unsure whether you are eligible for NDIS physiotherapy, find our more information here.

Would NDIS Physiotherapy Benefit You?

NDIS Physiotherapy benefits individuals with both physical and non-physical disabilities. It helps improve functional capacity, enhance social connections, and participate more fully in everyday life. Whether managing chronic pain, neurological conditions, developmental delays, or psychosocial challenges, physiotherapy plays a key role in promoting independence and well-being.

Physiotherapists at Everyday Independence take a holistic approach to supporting your goals, by coordinating therapy services with other allied health professionals they can help you get the most out of your allied heath therapy and achieve the best possible outcomes.

Our allied health services include occupational therapy, speech pathology, early childhood supports, positive behaviour support and habit coaching.

To get started, complete this form and one of our friendly team members will get in touch to find out more about your therapy needs.

Where we Deliver Physiotherapy Services

Our NDIS physiotherapists come to you to provide physiotherapy as part of your everyday routine. We come to your home, school, work, or in the community to help build your skills and create long lasting positive changes.

Summary

NDIS Physiotherapy supports individuals with both physical and non physical disabilities. It helps improve functional capacity, enhance social connections, and participate more fully in everyday life. Whether managing chronic pain, neurological conditions, developmental delays, or psychosocial challenges, physiotherapy plays a key role in promoting independence and well-being.

You may be able to receive NDIS funding for physiotherapy if your need for the service is directly related to your disability; this will vary from person to person. Speak to your support coordinator if you have support coordination services, otherwise our team can assist you.