Allied health for older people: physio, OT, podiatry and more

Allied health is one of the quieter but most important parts of staying well and independent as you age. These are the health professionals other than doctors and nurses, and they are often the difference between someone managing at home and needing more intensive care. A physiotherapist who prevents a fall, a podiatrist who keeps someone mobile, a dietitian who reverses unplanned weight loss: this is where a lot of independence is won or lost.

This guide explains who the main allied health professionals are, what they do for older people, and the several ways their services can be funded in Australia.

Who the allied health professionals are

"Allied health" covers a range of professions. The ones most relevant to older people include:

• Physiotherapists: movement, strength, balance, and pain. Central to falls prevention and to recovery after illness, injury, or a hospital stay.
• Occupational therapists (OTs): help people keep doing the everyday activities that matter to them. OTs assess the home for safety, recommend equipment and modifications (rails, ramps, shower aids), and find workarounds so tasks stay possible.
• Podiatrists: foot and lower-limb care. This matters more than it sounds; foot problems are a major, preventable cause of falls and lost mobility, especially for people with diabetes.
• Dietitians: nutrition. In older people the common issue is not overeating but undernutrition and unplanned weight loss, which a dietitian can address.
• Speech pathologists: communication and, importantly, swallowing. Swallowing difficulties are common with several conditions and carry real risks that a speech pathologist can manage.
• Exercise physiologists: structured exercise for chronic conditions and general strength and function.
• Psychologists and social workers: mental health and wellbeing, which matter as much in later life as at any age.

Why it matters for staying independent

The thread running through all of these is independence. Allied health is largely preventive and restorative: keeping people mobile, safe, well-nourished, and able to do the things that let them stay in their own home. A modest amount of the right therapy at the right time can prevent the fall, the hospital admission, or the decline that would otherwise push someone towards residential care. It is worth seeking out early, not only after something has gone wrong.

How allied health is funded

There are several funding pathways, and which applies depends on the person's situation. This is often the confusing part.

• Through the aged care system. Allied health can be included in a person's in-home care under Support at Home, and some allied health is available through the entry-level Commonwealth Home Support Programme. Access is via My Aged Care on 1800 200 422 and an assessment. See our guide to home support.
• Through Medicare, with a GP care plan. If you have a chronic or ongoing condition, your GP can put in place a chronic condition management plan that subsidises a limited number of allied health visits each year. You need a GP referral, and the number of subsidised visits is capped, so ask your GP what you are eligible for.
• Through the NDIS, for people with disability. Therapy is funded under the Capacity Building budget (Improved Daily Living). See our guide to NDIS budget categories.
• Through the Department of Veterans' Affairs, for eligible veterans and their dependants, with a referral.
• Privately, paying out of pocket, sometimes with a rebate from private health insurance extras cover.

Because Medicare rules, aged care programs, and the number of subsidised visits all change over time, confirm the current position with your GP, My Aged Care, or the NDIS rather than relying on a figure here. See our guide to aged care fees for how contributions fit together.

How to get started

For most older people the practical first step is a conversation with the GP. The GP can refer you for Medicare-subsidised allied health under a care plan, and can point you towards the right professional. If the person is already receiving aged care support, raise allied health with the provider or My Aged Care, since it can often be included in the care budget. For people on the NDIS, therapy is arranged through the plan.

You can browse verified health and wellbeing providers on Our Mate to find allied health services near you.

Frequently asked questions

What is allied health?

Allied health refers to health professionals other than doctors and nurses, including physiotherapists, occupational therapists, podiatrists, dietitians, speech pathologists, exercise physiologists, psychologists, and social workers. For older people they play a large role in staying mobile, safe, and independent, and much of their work is preventive and restorative.

Can I get allied health through My Aged Care?

Yes. Allied health such as physiotherapy, occupational therapy, and podiatry can be included in in-home aged care under Support at Home, and some is available through the entry-level Commonwealth Home Support Programme. Access is through My Aged Care on 1800 200 422 and an assessment of your needs.

Does Medicare cover physiotherapy for older people?

Medicare can subsidise a limited number of allied health visits a year if your GP puts a chronic condition management plan in place and refers you. The number of subsidised visits is capped and the rules change over time, so ask your GP what you are eligible for. Beyond the subsidised visits, you would pay privately, sometimes with a private health insurance rebate.

What does an occupational therapist do for an older person?

An occupational therapist helps someone keep doing the everyday activities that matter to them. For older people this often means assessing the home for safety, recommending equipment and modifications such as rails, ramps, and shower aids, and finding practical ways to keep tasks possible. OTs are central to helping people stay safely in their own homes.

How is allied health funded for people on the NDIS?

For NDIS participants, allied health and therapy are funded under the Capacity Building budget, specifically the Improved Daily Living category. This funding is tied to that category and cannot be moved to other parts of the plan. See our guide to NDIS budget categories for how the budgets work.