Paediatric physiotherapy helps children build the gross motor skills, coordination and mobility they need to move, play and keep up with their peers. This guide explains what kids' physio involves, how to know if your child might benefit, and how to choose the right provider on the Central Coast — including the practices we currently feature.
Physiotherapy clinic in Charmhaven, NSW offering sports injury, pre/post-surgical and everyday injury rehab, dry needling, cupping, taping. Accepts NDIS, DVA, Medicare, private health funds and Workers Comp; no referral required; 45-60 minute consults.
Multi-disciplinary provider offering physiotherapy and occupational therapy across Erina, Green Point and Point Clare clinics, plus mobile services across the Central Coast and Newcastine/Hunter regions. Treats people of all ages; services suitable for NDIS participants and aged care packages. No specific ages, practitioners, or waitlist details provided.
Erina-based Accredited Practising Dietitian offering paediatric dietetics for infants, children and adolescents, addressing growth, weight and fussy/selective eating. Serves NDIS, private and Medicare care plan clients, plus fertility/women's health nutrition. Located within Thrive Physio Erina; offers online (telehealth) consultations.
Coastal Kids Therapy offers paediatric physiotherapy and occupational therapy for children aged 0-18 years in Wyong, NSW, addressing sports injuries, baby assessments, neuromuscular conditions, gross motor skills, and daily living tasks. Play-based therapy in a fun clinic setting.
Kariong Physiotherapy Centre offers neurodevelopmental paediatric physiotherapy alongside general musculoskeletal, sports, and NDIS-funded physiotherapy services for patients of any age. No referral necessary; treats NDIS participants and aged care packages. Also offers podiatry and massage therapy. No telehealth or waitlist mentioned.
North Gosford, NSW clinic providing mobile, clinic-based and telehealth paediatric physiotherapy across the Central Coast (telehealth Australia-wide) for ages birth to 21, treating neurological, developmental and orthopaedic conditions. NDIS self and plan-managed, private insurance, EPC/CDM plans, and self-pay accepted.
Multidisciplinary allied health provider (Sydney, Hunter, Central Coast, Tamworth) offering OT, psychology, speech pathology, dietetics, physiotherapy, positive behaviour support, and allied health assistants. Serves adolescents and adults; supports disability, mental health, aged care. Registered for NDIS, iCare, Medicare, DVA, HICAPS. Offers telepractice nationally.
Mobile allied health provider across Central Coast, Hunter New England & Newcastle regions. NDIS registered. Paediatric services (ages 0-18) include physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech pathology, dietetics, and allied health assistants, delivered in home, daycare, preschool or school settings.
Paediatric physiotherapists are movement specialists who work with babies, children and teenagers. Unlike physio focused on injury recovery in adults, kids' physio is centred on development — helping a child reach gross motor milestones like rolling, sitting, crawling, walking, running, jumping and climbing.
Sessions are usually play-based and tailored to the child's age and interests. A physio might use obstacle courses, ball games, balance activities or specialised equipment to build strength, balance, coordination and body awareness. They also work closely with families, giving you exercises and strategies to use at home, at childcare or at school.
Common areas paediatric physios support include:
Every child develops at their own pace, but it can be worth speaking to a professional if you notice your child:
If you have concerns, your GP, paediatrician, child and family health nurse, or your child's educators can be a good first point of contact. You do not need a referral to see a private physiotherapist, but a referral may be useful for other funding pathways.
Paediatric physios work with children from birth (including premature babies and newborns with feeding or positioning issues) right through to adolescence. Early support is often encouraged because young children's brains and bodies are highly adaptable, but it is never too late to seek help.
An initial assessment usually runs 45–60 minutes. The physio will ask about your child's history, pregnancy and birth, milestones and daily activities. They'll then observe how your child moves — watching them play, walk, run or complete age-appropriate tasks — and may do some hands-on assessment of strength, joints and posture.
Afterwards, the physio will talk through their findings, set goals with you, and recommend a plan. This might include a block of sessions, a home program, or referral to another professional such as an occupational therapist or speech pathologist. Bring any relevant reports, and a list of your questions and concerns.
Private paediatric physiotherapy in Australia generally ranges from around $180 to $230 per session, with initial assessments sometimes costing more. The NDIS publishes price caps for therapy supports, and registered providers cannot charge above these caps for NDIS participants. Fees vary between practices, so always confirm current pricing directly.
If your child has an NDIS plan, physiotherapy is usually funded under Capacity Building — Improved Daily Living. Funds in this category can also cover assessments, reports and some travel or telehealth. Families who self-manage or plan-manage their funding often have more flexibility in choosing both registered and unregistered providers, while NDIA-managed plans generally require an NDIS-registered provider.
Some families access support through Medicare's Chronic Disease Management (with a GP care plan, offering a limited number of subsidised sessions each year) or private health extras cover. These are separate from NDIS funding, so ask your provider how billing works before you book.
Costs are a general guide only and change over time — confirm current fees and funding options with each provider.
The Central Coast has a good spread of paediatric physio services, from Wyong and Lake Haven in the north through to Gosford and Erina. This page features practices including Coastal Kids Therapy (Physio & Occupational Therapy) in Wyong, Little Champions Therapy in North Gosford, Coastal Physio And Hand Therapy in Erina, Building Blocks Therapy Hub in Gosford, and Everyday Independence in Lake Haven and Gosford, among others.
When comparing options, check:
Or read the full paediatric physiotherapy guide, or browse all Central Coast providers.
No, you can book a private paediatric physio directly without a referral. However, a referral from your GP or paediatrician may be needed for certain funding pathways, such as a Medicare Chronic Disease Management plan, and can be helpful background for the therapist.
If your child has an NDIS plan, physiotherapy is generally funded under Capacity Building — Improved Daily Living. NDIA-managed plans usually require an NDIS-registered provider, while self- and plan-managed families have more flexibility. Check your plan and confirm registration and billing with each provider.
As a general guide, sessions typically range from around $180 to $230, with initial assessments sometimes costing more. The NDIS sets price caps that registered providers must stay within. Fees change over time and vary between practices, so always confirm current pricing directly.
Paediatric physios work with children from birth through to their teenage years, including newborns and premature babies. Early support is often encouraged, but children of any age can benefit if they have movement, coordination or mobility concerns.
All physiotherapists in Australia must be registered with AHPRA, which you can verify online. Also ask about their experience working with children and with your child's specific needs, and confirm NDIS registration if your plan is NDIA-managed.