Paediatric physiotherapy helps children build the gross motor skills, coordination and mobility they need to move, play and keep up with their peers. This page features a selection of Newcastle-area physiotherapy providers to help you start your search. Below you'll find practical information on how paediatric physio works, what it costs, how NDIS funding fits in, and the questions worth asking before you book.
General physiotherapy practice in Newcastle offering sports injury, rehab, and hydrotherapy services; no explicit paediatric age range, NDIS registration, telehealth, or waitlist information mentioned.
NDIS-registered provider offering speech pathology, occupational therapy, physiotherapy, psychology, behaviour support and allied health assistance. Services Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, Gunnedah, Central Coast, East Maitland, plus telehealth across Eastern Australia.
Unified Health is a registered NDIS provider offering occupational therapy, physiotherapy, dietetics, and psychology to both adult and paediatric clients across NSW, via private practice, community, and in-home services.
Newcastle Dance Physiotherapy, run by physiotherapist Shelby Candian, provides dance-specific physiotherapy for dancers of all levels and styles, including injury assessment, hands-on treatment, pre-pointe assessments, onsite studio services, and strength and conditioning. No explicit mention of paediatric focus, NDIS registration, telehealth, or waitlist.
Registered NDIS provider in Beresfield/Maitland offering occupational therapy, speech pathology, physiotherapy, positive behaviour support, and early childhood supports (children up to 9) plus youth employment services (15-24 yrs). Delivered at home, school, work, community. No waitlists mentioned; private clients accepted except for PBS.
Multidisciplinary paediatric clinic in Merewether/Carrington NSW seeing children to early adulthood, requiring GP referral. Offers paediatricians, psychology/neuropsychology, dietetics, occupational therapy, speech therapy, and physiotherapy, plus telehealth via Online Children's Clinics. No NDIS registration or waitlist details stated.
Back In Motion Cessnock offers physiotherapy services, including telehealth video consultations. No specific paediatric age range, other therapy types, NDIS registration, or waitlist details are mentioned on the page.
General physiotherapy practice offering musculoskeletal, sports, women's health, and NDIS client services; some practitioners note experience with paediatric populations and paediatric incontinence. Telehealth physiotherapy consultations available. No explicit ages, waitlist, or NDIS registration details stated.
Paediatric physiotherapists focus on how children move. Rather than the sports-injury work many people associate with physio, paediatric practice is centred on gross motor development, coordination, balance, strength and mobility. A physio might help a baby who isn't rolling or sitting on track, a toddler who is late to walk, a school-aged child who trips often or struggles with running and ball skills, or a child with a diagnosed condition affecting their movement.
Sessions are typically play-based and tailored to your child's goals. A physio may work on core strength, posture, walking patterns, jumping and hopping, or using equipment such as walkers, orthotics or supportive seating. They often collaborate with occupational therapists, speech pathologists and your child's school or early learning centre so that skills carry across everyday settings.
Every child develops at their own pace, but it can be worth speaking to a GP, paediatrician or physiotherapist if your child:
A physio can assess whether what you're seeing is within the normal range or would benefit from support. This is general information only — always check any specific concerns with a qualified health professional.
Paediatric physiotherapy supports children from birth through to adolescence. Early intervention (in the first few years) can be especially valuable because young children's motor systems are highly adaptable, but there is benefit at every age. Many Newcastle providers see babies, preschoolers, primary-aged children and teens.
An initial appointment usually runs 45–60 minutes. Expect the physio to:
Bringing along any reports from your GP, paediatrician or other therapists is helpful. It's fine for your child to be nervous — good paediatric physios are skilled at building rapport through play.
As a general guide, private paediatric physiotherapy in Australia often falls in the range of $180–$230 per session, though fees vary. The NDIS publishes price caps for therapy supports each year, and registered providers must work within them. Always confirm current fees directly with the provider, as pricing changes and can depend on session length, travel and reports.
Under the NDIS, physiotherapy is generally funded through Capacity Building — Improved Daily Living. If your child has this line in their plan, you can use it toward physiotherapy assessment, therapy sessions, and report writing. How you access it depends on whether your plan is self-managed, plan-managed or NDIA-managed:
If you don't have NDIS funding, some costs may be claimable through Medicare (via a Chronic Disease Management plan with GP referral) or private health extras — check the details with your GP and insurer.
This page lists a range of Newcastle-area providers ranked by rating, including practices in Gateshead, Adamstown, Newcastle, Kotara, Jesmond, Mayfield West, Cooks Hill, Wallsend, Fennell Bay, Merewether, Bennetts Green and New Lambton. Ratings and review counts are a starting point, not the whole picture — a practice with few reviews may still be an excellent fit. Consider:
Taking a little time to compare providers and ask these questions helps you find the right long-term match for your child.
Or read the full paediatric physiotherapy guide, or browse all Newcastle providers.
You generally don't need a referral to book privately with a physiotherapist. However, a referral from your GP or paediatrician can be useful, and one may be required to access certain Medicare-funded pathways or to support an NDIS plan review. Check with the provider when booking.
If your child's NDIS plan includes Capacity Building — Improved Daily Living funding, it can typically be used for physiotherapy assessment, sessions and reports. How you access it depends on whether your plan is self-managed, plan-managed or NDIA-managed. Confirm details with your provider and plan manager.
As a general guide, private sessions often range from around $180–$230, though fees vary by provider and session length. The NDIS sets annual price caps that registered providers work within. Always confirm current pricing directly with the practice, as costs can change.
Paediatric physios support children from birth through adolescence. Early intervention in the first few years can be particularly valuable, but there's benefit at any age. If you have concerns about your child's movement or milestones, it's worth speaking to a physio, GP or paediatrician.
All physiotherapists in Australia must be registered with AHPRA (the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency). You can also ask whether the therapist has specific paediatric experience and, if relevant, confirm the practice's NDIS registration status before booking.