Paediatric physiotherapy supports children to develop the gross motor skills, coordination and mobility they need to move, play and take part in everyday life. This guide explains what to expect, how NDIS funding works, and how to choose the right physio for your child in Cairns. It also features a selection of local providers so you can start your shortlist.
General family physiotherapy clinic in Cairns treating all ages, including kids and adolescents, sports injuries, chronic pain, and post-surgical rehab. Supports NDIS, Workcover, DVA, and CTP clients; no specific paediatric therapy details, telehealth, or waitlist mentioned.
General physiotherapy clinic in Cairns offering services for clients of all ages, including sports, pre/post-surgery, pregnancy/post-natal, pelvic health, DVA and Workcover physiotherapy. No explicit paediatric services, NDIS registration, telehealth, or waitlist details mentioned.
NDIS-registered provider offering occupational therapy, speech pathology, positive behaviour support, psychology, and physiotherapy across North Queensland clinics including Cairns. Services offered in-clinic, at home, school, community, or via telehealth. No referral required except for Medicare subsidy claims.
General physiotherapy clinic in Smithfield, QLD offering musculoskeletal, sports, orthopaedic and post-surgery rehabilitation, dry needling, Clinical Pilates and Galileo vibration therapy. Welcomes patients of all ages and abilities; no NDIS, telehealth, or waitlist details mentioned.
Paediatric physiotherapy clinic in Edge Hill, QLD, seeing babies, children and teens of all abilities with or without diagnosis. Accepts NDIS (plan/self-managed), Medicare EPC referrals, and private clients. Home visits available; appointment only.
Multidisciplinary allied health practice in Bungalow, QLD offering Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy, Psychology and Exercise Physiology. Serves all ages and conditions including disabilities, chronic disease, and pain. Offers telehealth for some programs; no explicit NDIS registration or paediatric-specific focus stated.
PhyxMe is a general physiotherapy and rehabilitation clinic in Cairns/Manoora, part of the Allsports Physiotherapy Group, offering physiotherapy, exercise rehabilitation, massage, biomechanical assessments and shockwave therapy; no specific paediatric services, NDIS registration, telehealth or waitlist details mentioned.
Cairns-based physiotherapy practice since 1989 offering paediatric physiotherapy plus pelvic health services for men, women and children, and a headache/migraine clinic. General physiotherapy for adults and sports injuries; no NDIS registration, telehealth, or waitlist details mentioned.
Paediatric physiotherapists work with babies, children and teenagers on gross motor development, coordination, strength, balance and mobility. Unlike physio for adults recovering from an injury, the focus is on helping a child reach developmental milestones and build the movement skills they need for daily life — rolling, crawling, walking, running, jumping, climbing, and joining in at school and in the playground.
Common reasons families see a paediatric physio include developmental delay, low or high muscle tone, cerebral palsy, torticollis (a tight neck in babies), toe walking, hypermobility, coordination difficulties, and recovery after surgery or injury. Sessions are usually play-based, because children learn movement best through activities that feel fun rather than clinical.
Every child develops at their own pace, but you might consider a physio assessment if your child:
If you have concerns, it's worth raising them with your GP or child health nurse first. A physio can also assess without a formal diagnosis.
Paediatric physiotherapy can start in the newborn period (for example, for torticollis or feeding-related positioning) and continue right through to the late teens. Early support is often valuable, but it's never too late — teenagers benefit too, particularly around growth spurts, sport and building independence.
A first appointment usually runs 45–60 minutes. The physio will:
Bring along any relevant reports, and dress your child in comfortable clothing they can move in. It helps to note down your questions beforehand.
As a general guide, private paediatric physiotherapy in Australia typically ranges from around $180 to $230 per hour, though fees vary between clinics. Under the NDIS, therapy is delivered against the annual price caps set in the NDIS Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits, which are reviewed each year. Always confirm current fees directly with the provider, as prices change and this is a general range only.
For children on an NDIS plan, physiotherapy is usually funded under Capacity Building – Improve Daily Living. Children under 9 may access support through the NDIS early childhood approach. If your child isn't on the NDIS, you may be able to access some sessions through a GP's Chronic Disease Management (CDM) plan with a Medicare rebate, or through private health extras cover — check the details with your GP and insurer.
This page features a range of Cairns clinics — including Revolve Physiotherapy, Allied Therapeutic Services Cairns, PhyxMe Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation, Proactive Physiotherapy and others across suburbs such as Cairns City, Bungalow, Edge Hill, Manoora, Whitfield and Parramatta Park. Ratings and review numbers can be a useful starting point, but they're only one part of the picture. When comparing providers, look at:
Taking the time to ask these questions upfront helps you find a provider who's the right fit for your family — and gives your child the best chance to thrive.
Or read the full paediatric physiotherapy guide, or browse all Cairns providers.
No, you can book directly with a private physiotherapist without a referral. However, a GP referral is required if you're accessing sessions through a Medicare Chronic Disease Management plan. It's always worth discussing your concerns with your GP or child health nurse as well.
If your child has an NDIS plan, physiotherapy is generally funded under Capacity Building – Improve Daily Living. Children under 9 may access support through the early childhood approach. Fees are charged against the annual NDIS price limits. Confirm funding details with your planner or plan manager.
As a general guide, private sessions in Australia often range from around $180 to $230 per hour, but fees vary between clinics and NDIS price caps apply. Always confirm current pricing directly with the provider, as this is only an indicative range.
Paediatric physiotherapy can begin in the newborn period and continue through the teenage years. Early support can be helpful for developmental concerns, but children and teens benefit at any age, so it's never too late to seek an assessment.
All physiotherapists in Australia must be registered with AHPRA, which you can verify online. Ask the clinic whether the therapist has specific paediatric experience, and confirm their NDIS registration status if that's relevant to how your child's plan is managed.