National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) Physiotherapy

Our highly experienced physio team is qualified in assessing and treating NDIS patients covered under the National Disability Insurance Scheme.

What is NDIS?

The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is an Australian government initiative that supports individuals with permanent disabilities. It provides funding for a range of services and supports, including physiotherapy, to help you live a more independent and fulfilling life.

Through the NDIS, participants can access personalised physiotherapy treatments to manage disabilities, recover from injuries, and improve their overall physical function. At Physio Evolution Darwin, we are dedicated to providing high-quality physiotherapy services to NDIS participants, helping you achieve your health, mobility, and independence goals. Our team of experienced physiotherapists will work closely with you to design treatment plans tailored to your specific needs.

Our NDIS Physiotherapy Services

At Physio Evolution Darwin, we offer a wide range of physiotherapy services under the NDIS, including:

• Personalised Physiotherapy Assessments
  We conduct thorough assessments to understand your specific needs and develop a tailored treatment plan to achieve your health goals.
• Mobility and Strengthening Exercises
  Our physiotherapists guide you through exercises designed to improve mobility, strength, and overall physical performance.
• Pain Management
  We offer a variety of strategies to help manage and reduce pain, whether it’s chronic, post-injury, or related to your condition.
• Injury Rehabilitation and Recovery
  Support for recovery from injuries, including specialized rehabilitation programs to restore movement, prevent reinjury, and rebuild strength.
• Post-Surgery Rehabilitation
  Assistance with recovery following surgeries to ensure proper healing, pain management, and a smooth return to daily activities.
• Home Exercise Programs
  To support your therapy, we create personalised exercise routines that can be done at home to complement your in-clinic treatment.
• Education and Support
  We provide ongoing education and support to help you manage your condition, improve your well-being, and ensure the best outcomes in your care.
• Paediatric Physiotherapy
  Support for children with physical disabilities, focusing on improving motor skills, coordination, and overall movement.
• Sports Physiotherapy
  Tailored services for athletes, including injury prevention, rehabilitation, and performance optimization.

Do You Need a Referral?

No, you don’t need a referral to access physiotherapy services through the NDIS. As long as you are a registered NDIS participant with physiotherapy funding included in your plan, you can contact us directly to book an appointment. If you're unsure whether physiotherapy is covered in your NDIS plan, we can assist you in understanding your funding options.

• Confirming Your NDIS Plan
       We’ll ask you to provide details of your NDIS plan to confirm that physiotherapy is included. If needed, we can help you understand the funding and how it applies to your treatments.

• Booking Your First Appointment
  Once your plan is confirmed, we’ll schedule your first physiotherapy appointment. This can be in-clinic or at your home, depending on your needs and preferences.

• Initial Assessment
  During your first session, our experienced physiotherapists will conduct a thorough assessment to understand your physical needs and goals. We’ll then create a personalised treatment plan tailored to your unique requirements.

• Ongoing Support and Treatment
  Based on your assessment, we’ll begin your physiotherapy treatment, providing ongoing support, progress tracking, and adjustments to your plan as necessary. Our goal is to help you achieve long-term health and mobility improvements.

• Billing and Payment
  Depending on how you manage your NDIS funding, we’ll either bill your Plan Manager, or issue invoices for self-managed funding. We’ll guide you through the payment process, ensuring everything is clear and straightforward.

How NDIS Funding Works

NDIS funding can be used to access the physiotherapy services you need. There are three types of NDIS plans under which you can access physiotherapy:

1. Plan-Managed Funding
   If you have a Plan Manager, they will manage the funding on your behalf. We will bill the Plan Manager directly for the services we provide.
2. Self-Managed Funding
   With self-managed funding, you handle the payments for services directly. After your physiotherapy sessions, we will issue you an invoice, and you can pay for the services yourself. You can then claim the cost back through the NDIS portal.
3. NDIA Managed Funding
   Unfortunately we are not registered with the NDIS and cannot accept NDIA participants.

At Physio Evolution Darwin, we're here to support your journey to health, mobility, and independence in the Top End.

Short-Term Restorative Care (STRC)

Perfect for clients noticing early decline, like reduced walking distance, slipping in stairs, or chronic joint pain. STRC offers up to 8 weeks of intensive therapy aimed at restoring function, improving fitness, and preventing falls or hospitalisation.

Home Care Packages (HCP)

For Darwin seniors seeking ongoing support, this program is funded through My Aged Care. Depending on your level (Level 1–4), you can use your regular funding for sessions, including mobility training, chronic pain management, assistive device assessments, and group exercise programs.

Our Physiotherapy Services — What to Expect

All programs include:

1. Initial Functional Assessment
   We’ll test strength, balance, walking ability, flexibility, cognition, and home safety.
2. Personalised Treatment Plan
   Tailored to your goals, whether it’s returning home after surgery, maintaining independence, or managing chronic conditions.
3. Targeted Treatment Modalities

• Manual therapy: soft-tissue massage, joint mobilisations.
• Therapeutic exercise: resistance bands, lightweight equipment, etc.
• Balance & proprioception training: wobble-boards, stepping drills.
• Gait re-training & walking aid prescription (including bikes, walkers, ramps).
• Home exercise strategies for long-term self-management.
• Falls prevention programs with risk assessment.
• Cognitive-motor interventions, helpful post-stroke or for memory concerns.

  4. Progress Monitoring & Education
      We track your improvements, show you proper exercise form, explain what happens physiologically, and coach you in fall-  .......proofing your home.

  5. Collaborative Care
      We coordinate with your GP, case manager, occupational therapist, and NT Home Care Services to streamline care.

Referral Requirements

• TCP: Referral initiated by your hospital’s discharge planner or doctor (includes Royal Darwin, Katherine, or Nhulunbuy facilities).
• STRC: A referral via My Aged Care can be made by you or your GP, no hospital discharge required.
• HCP: We work with your HCP provider (e.g., NT Home Care or an approved provider) once your package level is allocated. A GP referral helps fast-track physio services.

Once we've received your referral and your program is confirmed we will initiate contact as soon as possible. From there we will chat about your history, needs, travel preferences (home vs. clinic), and set your first appointment. We will conduct and initial, thorough evaluation (30–60 mins)

conducted live at home or in-clinic. We review goals, treatment frequency (1–3 sessions per week), and expected milestones. Sessions begin soon after, with reassessments every 2–4 weeks for TCP/STRC and every 3 months for HCP. Updates shared with your case manager or GP.

Fees, Funding and Financial information

TCP/STRC is paid through aged care by the federal government and doesn't normally require any out of pocket fees. We handle you invoices, sending them to My Aged Care directly.

HCP is paid for by your package and the provider your with. You may be required to pay a small fee depending in your funding amount. we also invoice your HCP provider directly.

If you would like any information about the cost of the services we provide please contact us via our email.

Compulsory Third Party (CTP) and Workers Compensation (WorkCover) Physiotherapy

Whether you've been injured in a motor vehicle accident or suffered a work-related injury, our team at Physio Evolution Darwin is here to support you from day one. We offer personalised, insurer-funded rehabilitation to help you return to your daily activities, work, and life, stronger and more confident than before.

CTP Insurance – Motor Vehicle Accidents

Compulsory Third Party (CTP) insurance covers treatment costs for injuries sustained in car, motorbike, pedestrian, or cycling accidents, when another party is at fault. If your claim is accepted, physiotherapy is fully funded by the insurer (like TIO in the NT).

Typical injuries:

• Whiplash, neck & shoulder strain
• Lower back pain & disc injuries
• Concussions, dizziness, headaches
• Knee/hip injuries from impact or twisting
• Surgical rehab (fractures, tendon repairs)



Workers’ Compensation – Work-Related Injuries

If you've been injured at work or while carrying out work duties (including off-site), you may be eligible for treatment under WorkCover or workers’ compensation insurance. This applies whether you’re employed in office work, FIFO, construction, hospitality, or government roles.

Common injuries we treat:

• Lifting injuries (low back, shoulder)
• Repetitive strain (RSI, tendinitis)
• Slips, trips, falls
• Workplace fractures & trauma
• Stress-related muscular tension
• Post-surgery rehab (rotator cuff, ACL, spinal)

Our Physiotherapy Services

Our approach at Physio Evolution Darwin is based on clinical evidence, empathy, and experience.

What We Provide:

1. Initial Comprehensive Assessment

• Injury diagnosis, medical history, baseline function tests
  
• Hands-On Treatment
• Manual therapy, joint mobilisation, massage, dry needling

1. Individualised Rehab Program

• Strength, flexibility, mobility, return-to-work fitness

1. Exercise Therapy

• Gym-based or home-based, tailored to job duties and daily tasks

1. Pain Management

• Education, posture correction, movement pacing, flare-up support

1. Communication

• We coordinate with your GP, case manager, insurer, employer, and lawyer

Whether you’re aiming to return to the worksite, desk, sport, or everyday life, we build a plan around your goals.

Do You Need a Referral?

No GP referral is needed to see us. You can call or email to book in, or get your Insurer to contact us. Please let us know if you will be covered under any insurance company. We will contact them to get details and confirmation.

Onboarding Process

1. Contact Us or Your Insurer
   Provide your claim number and injury details.
2. Initial Appointment
   45–60 min assessment including function, work requirements, pain review.
3. Treatment Plan & Approval Request
   We send a detailed request to your insurer for approval of your physio sessions.
4. Start Treatment
   Sessions are booked and begin, 1 to 3 times per week depending on the injury.
5. Ongoing Review
   Progress reports sent to your insurer, employer, and GP (as needed).

Payments

Medicare and Private Health Insurance Physiotherapy

Affordable, culturally aware care with Physio Evolution Darwin

Whether you’re managing chronic pain, healing from an injury, or looking to improve strength and movement, Medicare and Private Health Insurance can help make high-quality physiotherapy accessible.

At Physio Evolution Darwin, we proudly provide care to all Territorians, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander clients, with options for additional Medicare funding where eligible.

Medicare Physiotherapy (GPCCMP Plans)

If you have a chronic health condition, you may qualify for up to 5 Medicare-subsidised physiotherapy sessions per year.

What is a Medicare GPCCMP Plan?

A GP Chronic Care Management Plan (GPCCMP) is a care plan created by your GP (General Practitioner) that allows eligible patients to receive up to five allied health visits per calendar year, partially funded by Medicare. These visits can include physiotherapy and other allied health services.

Your GP must determine that you have a chronic medical condition, one that has been present for six months or longer, to be eligible. Conditions can include (but are not limited to):

• Arthritis
• Diabetes
• Heart disease
• Chronic back or neck pain
• Asthma or chronic respiratory issues
• Osteoporosis
• Obesity-related musculoskeletal conditions
• Neurological conditions such as Parkinson’s disease or stroke rehabilitation

Who's eligible?

Anyone with a condition lasting longer than 6 months, including:

• Arthritis, back pain, shoulder pain
• Recurrent injuries
• Neurological or balance issues (e.g. Parkinson’s, MS)
• Post-surgical rehab
• Diabetes-related musculoskeletal concerns

Referral required from your GP. They’ll write a plan and list us as your physio provider.

How much is the rebate?

• Rebate: $61.80 per session (as of July 2025)
• Sessions: Up to 5 per calendar year
• Rebate can be processed on the spot via Medicare Easyclaim.

Physiotherapy Services Covered Under Medicare

Under a GPCCMP referral, you can access a wide range of physiotherapy services at Physio Evolution Darwin, including:

• Chronic pain management (e.g. back, neck, shoulder, or joint pain)
• Post-surgical rehabilitation
• Arthritis and mobility support
• Falls prevention and balance retraining
• Exercise prescription and management
• Neurological physiotherapy
• Respiratory physiotherapy (e.g. for COPD or asthma)
• Rehabilitation for long-term musculoskeletal conditions
• Support for diabetes-related musculoskeletal complications

These services are designed to improve your function, reduce pain, and enhance quality of life in the long term.

Indigenous Medicare Pathways Extra Support

If you identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander, you may be eligible for additional Medicare-funded physiotherapy sessions under:

715 Health Check (Indigenous-specific health assessment)

After a 715 Health Check with your GP, you may be referred for physiotherapy as part of your care plan. This can unlock extra allied health sessions, beyond the standard 5 visits.

• Extra sessions often come through the Follow-Up Allied Health Services Initiative
• Rebate remains $61.80 per session
• Some clinics may bulk-bill these services ask us or your GP

How to access:

1. Visit your GP and ask for a 715 Health Check
2. If physio is recommended, your GP can include it in your follow-up care
3. Bring the referral to us, we’ll handle the rest!

We are proud to offer culturally safe, respectful care to all First Nations clients and collaborate with Aboriginal health services and community clinics.

Private Health Insurance Physiotherapy

If you have extras cover, your health fund may cover part of your session fee. Contact your provider to find out your benefits.

We are registered with all major funds including but not limited to:

• Medibank
• Bupa
• HCF
• NIB
• AHM
• Defence Health
• CBHS

Do I need a referral?

• For private health insurance no referral is needed. Just bring you health fund card, hard copy or electronic.

• For GPCCMP you need a referral. Either get your GP to email it to us prior to your appointment or bring in a hardcopy with your medicare card to the initial session.