Paediatric physiotherapy helps children build the strength, coordination and mobility they need to move, play and keep up with everyday life. This guide explains what to expect, how NDIS funding can help, and how to choose the right physio for your child on the Gold Coast. It also features some of the local providers we list, ranked by their Google rating.
Gold Coast (Burleigh Heads) paediatric therapy centre offering occupational therapy, physiotherapy, exercise physiology, and intensive therapy programs for children with diverse conditions including cerebral palsy, autism, ADHD, and genetic disorders, focusing on motor, sensory, and functional skill development.
Enhanced Physio Southport is a physiotherapy clinic in Southport, QLD. The provided website content is largely map/embed data with no explicit details on ages served, additional therapy types, NDIS registration, telehealth availability, or waitlist information.
Hiya Health Labrador offers occupational therapy (including paediatric OT), physiotherapy (including paediatric physio), and telehealth dietetics, alongside exercise physiology and hydrotherapy. Services include NDIS access support, home visits, and telehealth. Immediate availability noted for OT, physio, and exercise physiology on afternoons and weekends.
Hiya Health Burleigh Heads offers physiotherapy (incl. paediatric physio), occupational therapy, exercise physiology, and dietetics. Services children, adults and seniors across the southern Gold Coast to Tweed. Home visits and telehealth available; GAP-free initial appointments on select services.
Gold Coast practice offering dietetics from an Accredited Practising Dietitian and general physiotherapy services; no paediatric-specific details, NDIS registration, telehealth, or waitlist information mentioned.
Family-owned Gold Coast (Robina) clinic offering paediatric and adult physiotherapy, hydrotherapy, and NDIS services for babies through adults. Provides in-clinic, mobile (home/school/community), and telehealth appointments. Supports self- and plan-managed NDIS, private and Medicare clients; no waitlist mentioned.
Mobile paediatric allied health provider servicing Gold Coast and Tweed Coast (Pottsville to Ormeau), offering occupational therapy, speech pathology, and physiotherapy in homes, schools, and daycares with a play-based, family-centred approach.
Mobile paediatric physiotherapy and hydrotherapy service on the Gold Coast (Northern Gold Coast to Pottsville), visiting homes, kindergartens, schools and community settings. Provides reports and equipment prescription for NDIS funding. Run by physiotherapist Ben; no email, telehealth, waitlist, or age range explicitly stated.
Paediatric physiotherapists focus on how children move. They assess and support gross motor skills (crawling, walking, running, jumping), balance and coordination, muscle strength and tone, and overall mobility. Unlike physio for adults, sessions are built around play — using games, obstacle courses and activities that keep kids engaged while working towards specific goals.
A physio may work with children who have developmental delays, cerebral palsy, low or high muscle tone, hypermobility, torticollis, toe-walking, coordination difficulties (sometimes called dyspraxia or DCD), or those recovering from injury or surgery. The aim is usually to help a child participate more fully at home, at kindy or school, and in sport and play.
Every child develops at their own pace, but it can be worth chatting to a GP, paediatrician or physio if you notice:
Early support often makes a difference, so trust your instincts rather than waiting to see if concerns pass.
Paediatric physios work with children from newborns through to teenagers. Early intervention (0–6 years) is a common focus because young brains and bodies are highly adaptable, but school-aged children and adolescents also benefit — for example, with sports performance, hypermobility management or ongoing conditions.
An initial assessment usually runs 45–60 minutes. The physio will:
Bring any relevant reports (from a GP, paediatrician or other therapists), and dress your child in comfortable clothes they can move in. Many physios welcome siblings and encourage parents to stay involved — you'll often be given exercises to practise at home between sessions.
As a general guide, paediatric physiotherapy in Australia often ranges from around $180 to $220+ per session. The NDIS sets price caps for registered providers, so fees should sit within the current NDIS Pricing Arrangements — check the latest figures, as caps are updated regularly. Costs can vary with session length, travel and reporting time, so always confirm pricing in writing before you start.
Under the NDIS, physiotherapy is generally funded through the Capacity Building — Improved Daily Living budget. If your child has NDIS funding, you can typically use it for physio regardless of whether you're self-managed, plan-managed or NDIA-managed — though NDIA-managed plans usually require an NDIS-registered provider. Outside the NDIS, you may be able to access support through a GP Chronic Disease Management (CDM) plan (a Medicare rebate on a limited number of sessions) or private health extras.
The Gold Coast has a good spread of paediatric physios from Burleigh Heads to Southport, Robina and the hinterland. When comparing options, consider:
This page features Gold Coast providers including Centre of Movement – Paediatric Physiotherapist (Burleigh Heads), Asset Therapy (Varsity Lakes), Better Rehab – Robina, Everyday Independence (Ashmore) and Early Start Australia (Ashmore), among others. Some listed businesses focus on related supports such as occupational therapy or dietetics, so confirm each provider offers paediatric physiotherapy before booking.
Taking a little time to ask these questions upfront helps you find the right match and avoid surprises down the track.
Or read the full paediatric physiotherapy guide, or browse all Gold Coast providers.
No, you don't need a referral to book privately or use NDIS funding for physiotherapy. However, a GP referral may be needed if you want to access a Medicare Chronic Disease Management rebate, and a paediatrician's involvement can be helpful for complex needs.
Physiotherapy is generally funded under the Capacity Building – Improved Daily Living budget in an NDIS plan. Self-managed and plan-managed families can usually choose any qualified provider, while NDIA-managed plans typically require an NDIS-registered provider. Always confirm what your plan covers.
As a general guide, sessions often range from around $180 to $220+ in Australia. The NDIS sets price caps for registered providers, so fees should fall within current NDIS pricing. Costs vary with session length and travel, so ask each provider for a written quote and check the latest caps.
This depends on your child's individual needs and goals. Some children make noticeable gains within a few weeks, while others with more complex needs benefit from longer-term, ongoing support. Your physio should set clear goals and regularly review progress with you.
Many Gold Coast providers offer clinic visits, home visits or school-based sessions, and some provide telehealth for follow-ups and parent coaching. Telehealth can be handy for families in the hinterland or with busy schedules — ask each provider what options they offer.