Frequently Asked Questions.
General
Proactive Health is a national allied health network delivering high-quality, coordinated care through 350+ independently owned clinics across Australia. We bring together physiotherapy, exercise physiology, occupational therapy, dietetics, podiatry, health coordination (social work), and hydrotherapy under one connected network — so your care is never fragmented.
It means we coordinate your health support across multiple disciplines so you don't have to. Instead of visiting separate clinics and repeating your story, your Proactive Health team communicates, collaborates, and builds a care plan that works together. One network, one team, one plan.
Bring any relevant medical reports, imaging or scan results, your GP referral (if applicable), your Medicare/DVA/NDIS details, and a list of current medications. Wear comfortable clothing that allows your clinician to assess and treat the affected area.
Initial consultations are typically 45–60 minutes to allow for a thorough assessment. Follow-up sessions are usually 30–45 minutes depending on the service and your treatment plan. Your clinician will advise on the appropriate appointment length for your needs.
Yes — several of our services are available via telehealth, including dietetics, health coordination (social work), and some medical consultations. Availability varies by clinician and location. Ask when booking if telehealth is an option for your appointment.
Our clinics are committed to providing accessible care. Most locations offer wheelchair access, accessible parking, and ground-floor treatment rooms. If you have specific accessibility needs, contact your local clinic ahead of your visit so we can make arrangements.
We ask for at least 24 hours' notice for cancellations or changes. Late cancellation and no-show policies vary by clinic — your local team will advise you of their specific policy when you book.
Services
Our core services include physiotherapy, exercise physiology, occupational therapy, dietetics, podiatry, health coordination (social work), and hydrotherapy. Not all services are available at every location — use our clinic finder to check what's available near you.
Physiotherapy uses evidence-based hands-on treatment and exercise prescription to restore movement, relieve pain, and support recovery. You should consider seeing a physio if you're experiencing back or neck pain, a sports injury, post-surgical rehabilitation needs, chronic pain, balance issues, neurological conditions, or pelvic health concerns.
Exercise physiology is a university-qualified allied health profession focused on prescribing clinical exercise to prevent, manage, and treat chronic health conditions. Unlike personal training, exercise physiologists are qualified to work with people who have complex medical conditions including heart disease, diabetes, cancer, mental health conditions, and neurological disorders.
Physiotherapists focus on diagnosing and treating musculoskeletal conditions through hands-on manual therapy, exercise, and rehabilitation. Exercise physiologists specialise in designing and supervising structured exercise programs for people with chronic conditions and complex health needs. They often work together — your physio treats the injury, your EP builds long-term strength and resilience.
Occupational therapists help you participate in the daily activities that matter most — from self-care and household tasks to work and recreation. They assess barriers, recommend assistive equipment, modify your home or workplace, and build your skills and confidence. OT is commonly used for NDIS capacity building, aged care support, mental health, neurological conditions, and workplace injury.
Our health coordinators are qualified social workers who provide counselling, care coordination, advocacy, and psychosocial support. They help you navigate complex health and social service systems, connect with the right supports, and address the emotional and practical challenges that impact your wellbeing. This service is particularly valuable for veterans, NDIS participants, older Australians, and anyone facing life transitions.
See a dietitian if you're managing diabetes, heart disease, kidney disease, gastrointestinal issues (IBS, coeliac disease), cancer, or weight concerns. Dietitians also help with malnutrition, food intolerances, pre- and post-surgical nutrition, and general healthy eating guidance. Our dietitians are accredited practising dietitians (APDs) — not to be confused with unregulated nutritionists.
An accredited practising dietitian (APD) holds a university qualification in dietetics and is registered to provide medical nutrition therapy for complex health conditions. The title "nutritionist" is not nationally regulated in Australia, meaning anyone can use it regardless of qualifications. For clinical nutrition advice, always see an APD.
See a podiatrist if you're experiencing heel pain, plantar fasciitis, ingrown toenails, bunions, flat feet, ankle sprains, diabetic foot concerns, or any foot/ankle condition affecting your mobility. Regular podiatry check-ups are particularly important for people with diabetes or circulation issues.
No — hydrotherapy is available at selected Proactive Health locations that have access to a heated therapeutic pool. Use our clinic finder and filter by "hydrotherapy" to find locations near you. Pools are typically heated to 33–34°C.
No. Hydrotherapy exercises are conducted in shallow, warm water where you can stand comfortably. Your clinician is with you throughout the session. It's therapeutic exercise in water, not swimming.
Absolutely — that's the Proactive Health advantage. If your recovery benefits from a combined approach, we coordinate care between your physiotherapist, exercise physiologist, dietitian, OT, podiatrist, or health coordinator so everyone is working from the same plan.
Programs
A single appointment addresses the symptom. A structured program addresses the cause. Our programs are designed with clear milestones, multiple clinicians working together, standardised clinical frameworks, and measurable outcomes — so you don't just feel better temporarily, you stay better long-term.
Got Your Back is a 12-week program for chronic low back pain using an evidence-based biopsychosocial approach. It combines physiotherapy, exercise physiology, and patient education to address all contributing factors to pain — physical, psychological, and social. The program includes a structured assessment framework, management pathway, and patient education materials.
Stand Strong is a 12-week program for hip and knee osteoarthritis management. It focuses on exercise prescription, patient education, and weight management strategies as the primary interventions to improve pain and function, aligned with current clinical guidelines. The program targets key modifiable factors that influence long-term outcomes.
Stride Right is a 12-week podiatry program for foot and heel pain. It delivers thorough individualised assessment, targeted interventions, and progressive rehabilitation exercises. The program evaluates your biomechanics, develops an individualised treatment plan, and includes systematic follow-up to ensure consistent results.
Keep Connected is a social connection program designed specifically for Australian veterans. It helps ex-service members rebuild community, combat isolation, and engage in meaningful group activities facilitated by allied health professionals. Activities are chosen by participants and range from outdoor pursuits to casual coffee meet-ups — whatever feels right for you. Keep Connected is fully funded through DVA.
Find Your Form is a comprehensive, medically-supervised weight management program combining evidence-based medication management with dietetics, exercise physiology, and ongoing clinical monitoring. It's designed for adults who want a structured, team-based approach to sustainable weight management — not a quick fix or a crash diet.
Not necessarily. Medication is only prescribed when clinically appropriate, after a thorough medical assessment. Find Your Form is a multidisciplinary program — medication management is one component alongside dietetics and exercise physiology. Your medical practitioner will discuss all options transparently.
Funding & Payments
We accept Medicare (EPC/CDM plans), DVA (Gold and White Card), NDIS (plan-managed and self-managed), WorkCover/insurance, My Aged Care (Home Care Packages), all major private health funds, and private/self-funded payments.
With a GP referral and a Chronic Disease Management (CDM) plan — sometimes called an EPC plan — Medicare provides rebates for up to 5 individual allied health sessions per calendar year. The 5 sessions can be used across one or multiple allied health disciplines (e.g., 3 physio + 2 dietetics). Some clinics may charge a small gap fee — check with your local clinic.
Yes. Your annual allocation of 5 Medicare-funded allied health sessions can be split across different disciplines. For example, you could use 2 sessions for physiotherapy, 2 for exercise physiology, and 1 for dietetics — as long as each service is included on your GP's referral.
DVA Gold Card holders can access a wide range of allied health services — including physiotherapy, exercise physiology, dietetics, podiatry, occupational therapy, and mental health services (psychology) — at no out-of-pocket cost with a valid referral. White Card holders are covered for services related to their accepted conditions. Contact us for help navigating your DVA entitlements.
Allied health services including physiotherapy, exercise physiology, occupational therapy, dietetics, and podiatry can be funded under NDIS plans as capacity-building supports. We work with both plan-managed and self-managed participants. If you're agency-managed, speak with your planner or support coordinator about including allied health in your plan.
Home Care Packages are government-funded packages for older Australians to access support services while living at home. Allied health services — including physiotherapy, exercise physiology, dietetics, podiatry, and OT — can be included in your package. Speak with your Home Care Package provider about allocating funding to Proactive Health services.
Yes. If you've sustained a workplace injury, WorkCover can fund allied health services including physiotherapy, exercise physiology, and occupational therapy as part of your return-to-work plan. We liaise directly with your insurer and employer to coordinate your care and reporting.
Yes. Most of our locations offer on-the-spot claiming via HICAPS for extras-covered services including physiotherapy, exercise physiology, occupational therapy, dietetics, and podiatry. Rebate amounts depend on your fund and level of extras cover — check with your insurer.
You can attend any of our services as a private (self-funded) patient without a referral. Private fees vary by clinic and service — contact your local clinic for their current fee schedule.
Fees vary by service, appointment type (initial vs. follow-up), and location. Many patients access services at no or low out-of-pocket cost through Medicare, DVA, NDIS, or private health insurance. Contact your nearest clinic or call 1300 890 507 for specific pricing.
In most cases, yes — you can attend appointments with different clinicians on the same day and claim separately. However, Medicare has specific rules about same-day claiming. Your clinic's administration team can advise on what's claimable for your situation.
Locations & Network
We have over 350 clinic locations across Australia, operated by 45+ independent clinic owners within the Proactive Health network.
Every Proactive Health clinic operates under our national clinical governance framework, ensuring consistent standards of care, evidence-based treatment, and professional development. However, each clinic is independently owned and may have its own local character, team, and community relationships — that's part of what makes the network special.
Yes. If you relocate or prefer to attend a different Proactive Health clinic, your care can be transferred within the network. Your new clinician will have access to your treatment history (with your consent), ensuring continuity of care.
Some Proactive Health clinics offer mobile or home-visit services, particularly for aged care, NDIS participants, and patients with limited mobility. Availability varies by location — check with your local clinic.
For GPs & Referrers
You can refer patients by completing a standard allied health referral and sending it to your local Proactive Health clinic via fax, email, or our online referral form. For Medicare-funded sessions, ensure the patient has a current Chronic Disease Management plan with allied health itemised.
Yes. If you have a preferred clinician or discipline in mind, include this on the referral. Otherwise, our intake team will triage the referral to the most appropriate clinician based on the patient's condition and goals.
Yes. We provide assessment summaries, progress reports, and discharge summaries to referring GPs and specialists. Regular communication with referring practitioners is part of our clinical governance framework.
You can refer patients into Got Your Back (chronic low back pain), Stand Strong (osteoarthritis), Stride Right (foot/heel pain), Find Your Form (weight management), and Keep Connected (veteran social connection). Contact us if you'd like program-specific referral information or clinical summaries for your patients.
