How Much Does Physiotherapy Cost in Australia?

Are you recovering from an injury or just want to improve mobility? Physiotherapy, which costs around $90 to $130 per session, might be for you. When investing in physiotherapy, costs can get high, especially if you require regular and specialised treatments. If you want to learn more about how much a physio appointment is and how you can save on costs, we’ve created a quick guide below.

Physiotherapy or physical therapy is helpful for anyone in pain and who has problems with movement. To improve the patient’s condition, physiotherapists use a variety of treatments, such as exercise, massage, electrotherapy, and patient education. When done properly and with a professional, it should improve your mobility, help you recover from injury, and increase your strength.

In general, a physiotherapist can help with the following problems:

• Aches and pains in the neck, shoulder, joints, and back
• Sports injuries
• Arthritis
• Neurological conditions
• Managing after a heart attack or stroke
• Managing chronic diseases like diabetes, obesity, and osteoporosis
• Post-surgery rehabilitation
• Recovery after giving birth
• Incontinence

City	Average Physio Appointment Cost
Sydney	$90-$150
Melbourne	$80-$150
Brisbane	$80-$100
Canberra	$100-$120
Perth	$80-$90
Adelaide	$80-$90

Physiotherapy costs can also depend on the type of session you avail.

Service	Cost per hour/session
Initial consultation	$90-$140 per session
Extended consultation	$80-$120 per session
Subsequent consultation (exercises and stretches)	$80-$120 per session
Massage	$90-$100 per hour
Pilates	$45-$60 per session
Acupuncture	$50-$100 per session
Aquatic therapy	$95 per session
Shockwave therapy	$300-$500 per session

 

* The cost data is based on Oneflare and third-party sources

Numerous factors affect average physio costs. To give you an idea.

Number of sessions needed

The more physiotherapy sessions are required, the higher the costs. However, you may also ask for bulk discounts and packages from your trusted professional.

Age

Your age helps determine how your body will react to the treatment and how fast you’ll be able to recover. Younger patients often recover faster than older patients who have underlying conditions. Hence, age contributes to overall costs.

Severity of injury

The degree of injury also affects how much it costs to see a physiotherapist. Severe injuries need more sessions and treatment than mild injuries. For example, mobility problems after a stroke require longer treatment than back pain from prolonged sitting. Hence, the final costs will also be higher.

Treatment plan

Physiotherapists make customised treatment plans based on the needs of clients. These are usually shared after the initial consultation and include tailored exercises, advice on how to conduct routine activities like lifting and walking better, and massages. Apart from these, a physiotherapist might suggest specialised techniques, such as acupuncture, aquatic therapy, and Pilates. These will be charged separately from your consultation.

Physiotherapy tools

To accomplish physiotherapy exercises, physiotherapists use various tools to treat patients. These include exercise equipment (exercise balls, sliders, resistance bands), posture equipment (braces), massage tools (rollers, balls, sticks), electrotherapy devices (ultrasound machine, TENS units), walking aids (canes, crutches), and other therapeutic modalities (ice and heat packs). These contribute to final costs.

Physiotherapy can get expensive, especially if you need to undergo a couple of sessions. To help save up on costs, health fund rebates and your private health insurance come in handy. Often, these can cover up to $2,000 of treatment, which would be around 20 sessions.

Apart from these, some physiotherapists offer discounts for bulk sessions and special rates for low-income clients or those with referrals from healthcare providers. It helps to ask for quotes from three or more physiotherapists to help you find the best price and treatment for your case.

Recovering from an injury can be frustrating; it takes time and lots of patience. If you are feeling down and doubtful, a professional can help get you back on track with a treatment plan suited to your needs. On Oneflare, you can search for physiotherapists in your area. To get you started, here are important details to include in the request form:

• Personal information – age and location
• Medical history – be as detailed as possible and make sure to share past injuries
• Lifestyle and physical activities
• Preferred schedule

After you post a job, wait for offers from different professionals. You can ask for licences and references from previous clients to help you make an informed decision. Get up and moving again by hiring a physiotherapist on Oneflare.