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Physiotherapist referrals: what you need and what you don't

You can book a physio directly. Medicare rebates only come with a chronic condition management plan from your MyMedicare practice or usual GP, so NewDoc does not issue them. Here is the pathway, and what we can still help with.

How to access physiotherapy through Medicare

In Australia you can see a physiotherapist without any referral, paying privately or through your private health extras cover. Medicare rebates are different: they only come through a GP chronic condition management plan with a physiotherapy referral, and since 1 July 2025 Medicare requires the plan, its reviews and those referrals to come from the practice you are registered with under MyMedicare, or from your usual GP.

NewDoc is a telehealth-only service, so it cannot be your MyMedicare practice, and most people use NewDoc alongside a regular practice rather than as the practice that provides most of their care. NewDoc therefore does not prepare plans or issue plan-based physiotherapy referrals. We say that up front so you do not book a consultation that cannot deliver the rebate pathway. The right place to start is the practice you normally attend; our chronic disease management plan guide walks through exactly what to ask for, including MyMedicare registration.

When a GP may recommend physiotherapy

A GP may recommend physiotherapy for a range of musculoskeletal problems. Common reasons include chronic back pain, neck pain, shoulder injuries, knee problems, post-surgical rehabilitation, and sports injuries. Physiotherapy is often tried before more invasive options such as injections or surgery.

For many of these conditions a NewDoc GP can assess you by video, manage your symptoms with appropriate pain relief and activity advice, and recommend physiotherapy, which you can book directly. If your condition does not improve with conservative management, the GP can arrange imaging or an orthopaedic referral where clinically appropriate. Those are standard referrals, not tied to the plan rules.

What the plan includes

A GP chronic condition management plan is prepared for a condition that has been present, or is expected to last, at least 6 months. Common qualifying conditions include chronic back pain, osteoarthritis, fibromyalgia, and long-term rehabilitation needs linked to a chronic condition, for example after a joint replacement. Whether your condition qualifies is the assessing GP's clinical decision.

Since 1 July 2025 the separate Team Care Arrangement step no longer exists. Where the GP finds complex care needs, the plan comes with allied health referrals, and Medicare rebates up to 5 sessions per calendar year, shared across physiotherapists, exercise physiologists, dietitians and the other professions on your plan. If you already had a GP Management Plan and Team Care Arrangement in place before 1 July 2025, you can keep using them until 30 June 2027.

What to expect from physiotherapy

At your first physiotherapy appointment, the physiotherapist will assess your condition through a physical examination, discuss your symptoms and medical history, and develop a treatment plan. This plan typically includes a combination of hands-on treatment, exercise prescription, and education about managing your condition at home.

Physiotherapy treatment may include manual therapy (joint mobilisation and soft tissue massage), therapeutic exercises to improve strength and flexibility, dry needling for muscle pain and tension, taping or bracing for support, and advice on posture, ergonomics, and activity modification. The number of sessions required depends on your condition and how you respond to treatment.

Costs and Medicare rebates

For physiotherapy sessions under a plan, Medicare rebates $63.40 per session (from 1 July 2026). Some physiotherapists bulk bill, meaning there is no out-of-pocket cost. Others charge a fee above the Medicare rebate, and you pay the difference as a gap. Billing for the plan consultation itself is set by the practice that prepares it. Our bulk billing physio guide covers gap fees and how to find a physio who bulk bills.

Without a plan you can still see a physiotherapist privately, paying the full session cost, and private health extras cover may rebate part of it. Private physiotherapy fees vary significantly depending on the practitioner and location.

What a NewDoc GP can still help with

A NewDoc GP can see you the same day for a bulk billed telehealth consultation if you're Medicare eligible: assessing back, neck, joint or sports injuries, pain relief and prescriptions where clinically appropriate, imaging and specialist referrals, medical certificates, and practical guidance on getting a plan from your usual practice, including MyMedicare registration.

If you need help finding a physiotherapist, the Australian Physiotherapy Association's Find a Physio directory and your health fund's provider search are good starting points, and many physiotherapists offer telehealth sessions for exercise-based care.

References

This content is informational and does not replace individual medical advice. For personal assessment, book a consultation with your GP. In emergencies, call 000.

Reviewed by Dr. Jason Yu FRACGP

Last reviewed 5 September 2026. Editorial policy

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Frequently asked questions

Do I need a referral to see a physiotherapist?

No. You can book a physiotherapist directly and pay their fee, and private health extras cover does not need a referral either. A GP referral only matters for Medicare rebates: those need a chronic condition management plan, which Medicare ties to your MyMedicare practice or usual GP.

Can NewDoc refer me to a physiotherapist?

Not for Medicare-rebated sessions. The plan and referral that unlock the rebate must come from the practice you are registered with under MyMedicare, or from your usual GP, so NewDoc does not prepare plans or issue plan-based referrals. A NewDoc GP can assess your problem and recommend physiotherapy where it will help, and you book a physio directly.

What is a GP chronic condition management plan?

The plan Medicare introduced on 1 July 2025 in place of the GP Management Plan and Team Care Arrangement. Your GP prepares it for a condition that has lasted, or is expected to last, 6 months or more. Where there are complex care needs it comes with allied health referrals: up to 5 Medicare-rebated sessions per calendar year, shared across physiotherapy, exercise physiology, dietetics and the other professions on the plan.

Can I get the plan and physio referral by telehealth?

Only through your own practice. The plan must come from your MyMedicare practice or usual GP; if that practice offers video appointments, the plan consult can happen by video. Medicare has no phone item for preparing a plan, so it is video or in person. Ask the practice you normally attend.

How many physio sessions does Medicare cover?

Up to 5 individual allied health sessions per calendar year under a current plan, shared across every profession on it: 3 physiotherapy and 2 exercise physiology sessions uses all 5. The count resets on 1 January and unused sessions do not roll over.

Will I have any out-of-pocket costs for physiotherapy?

Under a plan, Medicare rebates $63.40 per physiotherapy session (from 1 July 2026). Some physiotherapists bulk bill and accept that as full payment, so you pay nothing. Others charge a fee above the rebate and you pay the gap. Ask when booking. Billing for the plan consultation itself is set by the practice that prepares it.

What conditions can a physiotherapist help with?

Physiotherapists treat a wide range of musculoskeletal and movement conditions including back pain, neck pain, joint injuries, post-surgical rehabilitation, sports injuries, arthritis, chronic pain, pelvic floor dysfunction, and conditions affecting mobility or balance. They use techniques such as exercise prescription, manual therapy, dry needling, and education to help manage pain and improve function.

Can I claim physiotherapy through my private health insurance instead?

Yes. If you have private health insurance with extras cover, you may be able to claim a portion of your physiotherapy costs through your insurer without needing a GP referral. The amount covered depends on your policy. You can use private health insurance and Medicare for different sessions, but you cannot claim both for the same session.

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