Paediatric physiotherapy helps children build the strength, coordination and movement skills they need for everyday life — from crawling and walking to running, jumping and keeping up at school. This guide explains what to expect, how NDIS funding works, and how to choose the right physio in Hobart. It also features a shortlist of local providers to help you start your search.
FLEX Health Therapy is a Hobart physiotherapy clinic offering physiotherapy, massage, dietitian services, Pilates and gym classes. No explicit paediatric focus, NDIS registration, telehealth, or waitlist information mentioned.
Leap Health Salamanca offers Physiotherapy, Podiatry, Dietetics and Exercise Physiology from a clinic in Battery Point, TAS. No specific age range, NDIS registration, telehealth, or waitlist information stated on the page.
General physiotherapy clinic (formerly Clarence Joint Therapy) offering physiotherapy, hydrotherapy and NDIS assistance; treats children and adults for pain, injuries, posture and growing pains. Accepts NDIS, DVA, WorkCover and other schemes. No telehealth or waitlist details mentioned.
Umbrella Therapy Services offers psychology, counselling, speech pathology, occupational therapy, physiotherapy, dietetics, allied health assistants and positive behaviour support, delivered in-person or via telehealth, across Howrah and Claremont clinics in Tasmania.
Umbrella Therapy Services offers psychology, counselling, speech pathology, occupational therapy, physiotherapy, dietetics, positive behaviour support, and allied health assistants at Claremont and Howrah, Tasmania clinics. Services delivered in-person or via telehealth; no age range, NDIS registration, or waitlist details specified.
Health and wellness studio in Hobart offering Exercise Physiology, Osteopathy, Dietetics, and Physiotherapy. Serves NDIS-funded clients, the elderly, and those with chronic or musculoskeletal conditions. No paediatric-specific ages, telehealth, or waitlist details provided.
Early Start Australia Hobart (Montrose, TAS) offers speech pathology, OT, dietetics, early intervention, physiotherapy, provisional psychology, music therapy and allied health assistants for ages 0-16. In-clinic, telehealth, and offsite (home/school) appointments available statewide.
Early Start Australia Hobart (Montrose, TAS) provides in-clinic and telehealth services for ages 0-16, including speech pathology, occupational therapy, physiotherapy, psychology, dietetics, early intervention, music therapy, and allied health assistants, with home/school visits and state-wide telehealth availability.
Paediatric physiotherapists work with babies, children and teenagers to support gross motor development, coordination and mobility. Unlike physio for adults, the focus is on how a child moves through their world — rolling, crawling, walking, running, balancing, climbing and playing. Sessions are usually play-based, so therapy often looks like fun rather than 'exercises'.
A physio might work on core strength, balance, posture, walking patterns, or the physical skills needed for sport and playground games. They may also support children with diagnosed conditions such as cerebral palsy, developmental coordination disorder (DCD), hypermobility, low muscle tone, or delays following prematurity. Therapists often collaborate with occupational therapists, speech pathologists and paediatricians as part of a broader team.
Every child develops at their own pace, but it can be worth speaking to a GP, paediatrician or physio if you notice your child:
These are general observations, not a diagnosis. A qualified physiotherapist can assess whether support is appropriate.
Paediatric physios support children from birth through adolescence. Early support (in the first years of life) can be especially valuable because young children's brains and bodies are highly adaptable, but it's genuinely never too late to seek help. Many clinics see school-aged children and teens working towards specific goals.
An initial assessment usually runs 45–60 minutes. The physio will chat with you about your child's history, your concerns and your goals, then observe your child moving and playing. They may assess strength, joint movement, balance and coordination, sometimes using standardised tools.
You'll typically leave with an understanding of your child's needs and a suggested plan — this might include a block of sessions, a home program of activities, or a review down the track. Bring any relevant reports (from a paediatrician, GP or other therapists) and dress your child in comfortable clothes they can move in.
As a general guide, paediatric physiotherapy in Australia commonly ranges from around $180 to $220+ per session or hour, depending on the service and session length. The NDIS publishes price caps for allied health, and registered providers can't charge NDIS participants above these limits — so it's worth asking each clinic how they set fees. Prices vary, so always confirm current fees directly with the provider.
Under the NDIS, physiotherapy usually sits within the Capacity Building — Improved Daily Living budget. This funds therapy aimed at building your child's skills and independence. If your plan is self-managed or plan-managed, you can generally use both NDIS-registered and non-registered providers; NDIA-managed plans typically require a registered provider. Some families also access physio through Medicare (via a GP Chronic Disease Management plan, which allows a limited number of subsidised sessions), private health extras, or by paying privately.
This page features a range of Hobart-area providers — including FLEX Health Therapy, Umbrella Therapy Services (Howrah and Claremont), Early Start Australia, Optimum Health Solutions, Better Rehab, Physio Inq Tasmania, Kites Children's Therapy Tasmania, N-able Therapies and Mighty Kids Physiotherapy. Ratings and review numbers can help, but they're only a starting point — a clinic with few reviews may still be an excellent fit.
When comparing options, consider:
Taking the time to ask these questions helps you find a physio who's the right match — and gives your child the best chance to build confidence and move with greater ease.
Or read the full paediatric physiotherapy guide, or browse all Hobart providers.
No — physiotherapists are primary contact practitioners, so you can book directly. However, a GP or paediatrician referral may be needed to access Medicare-subsidised sessions, and it can be helpful to share any existing reports with your physio.
Physiotherapy is generally funded under the Capacity Building — Improved Daily Living budget if it's included in your child's NDIS plan. Self-managed and plan-managed participants can usually choose registered or non-registered providers, while NDIA-managed plans typically require a registered provider. Check your plan and confirm with the clinic.
As a general guide, sessions commonly range from around $180 to $220+ per hour in Australia. The NDIS sets price caps that registered providers must follow for participants. Fees vary between clinics, so always confirm current pricing directly.
All physiotherapists in Australia must be registered with AHPRA. You can verify a practitioner's registration on the AHPRA website. It's also worth asking about their specific experience working with children and any paediatric training.
Waitlists vary between providers and can be several weeks to months for an initial assessment. Ask each clinic directly about their current wait times, and consider joining more than one waitlist while you decide.