Paediatric physiotherapy helps children build the strength, coordination and movement skills they need to keep up with daily life and play. This guide explains what paediatric physio involves, how to spot when a child might benefit, and how to choose a provider on the Sunshine Coast — including several clinics featured on this page.
Coastal Health & Rehab is a Sunshine Coast (Buderim) clinic offering physiotherapy and exercise physiology, including dry needling, thermal imaging, light therapy, and performance training. Registered NDIS provider accepting plan-managed, self-managed and NDIA-managed participants, plus DVA and WorkCover clients. No paediatric-specific services, ages, telehealth or waitlist details stated.
General physiotherapy clinic in Mooloolaba offering sports, vertigo, and NDIS-related physiotherapy for conditions including autism, intellectual disability, and cerebral palsy. Also offers exercise physiology and functional capacity evaluations. No explicit paediatric age range, telehealth, or waitlist details stated.
General physiotherapy clinic in Maroochydore, QLD, offering manual therapy, rehabilitation, and performance services. Accepts Medicare, WorkCoverQLD, NDIS, and private health insurance. No specific paediatric focus, named practitioners, telehealth, or waitlist details mentioned.
Sunshine Coast-based neurological rehab provider serving ages 2–102 with disabilities, brain injury, stroke, MS and mental health conditions. Offers physiotherapy, occupational therapy, exercise physiology and allied health assistance via home visits and a Buderim clinic, working with NDIS participants and support coordinators.
General physiotherapy clinic in Maroochydore offering manual therapy, exercise rehab, and NDIS-funded physiotherapy services alongside Medicare and WorkCover QLD. No specific paediatric age range, additional therapy types, telehealth, or waitlist details are mentioned.
General physiotherapy clinic offering sports injury, vestibular, concussion rehab, dry needling, and hydrotherapy services; no explicit paediatric therapy types, NDIS registration, telehealth, or waitlist information mentioned.
General physiotherapy and occupational therapy practice in Maroochydore, Sunshine Coast, treating pain, sports injuries and post-surgical rehabilitation. No paediatric-specific details, NDIS registration, telehealth, or waitlist information mentioned.
Sports & Spinal Kawana is a multidisciplinary clinic offering Physiotherapy, Podiatry, Exercise Physiology, Dietetics, Remedial Massage, Pilates and Psychology. NDIS registered, accepts Medicare rebates and HICAPS claims. No paediatric-specific ages, telehealth, or waitlist details mentioned.
Paediatric physiotherapists specialise in how children move and develop physically. Their focus is on gross motor development — the big movements that use the large muscles of the body, such as rolling, crawling, sitting, standing, walking, running, jumping and climbing. They also work on balance, coordination, core strength, posture and mobility.
Unlike physio for adults, sessions for children are usually play-based. A good paediatric physio will hide the hard work inside games, obstacle courses and activities that keep a child engaged and motivated. Therapy often includes coaching for parents and carers so that skills can be practised at home between appointments.
Common reasons families see a paediatric physio include developmental delays, low or high muscle tone, coordination difficulties, toe walking, conditions such as cerebral palsy or Down syndrome, recovery from injury, and support with equipment like walkers or orthotics.
Every child develops at their own pace, but it can be worth speaking with your GP, child health nurse or a physiotherapist if you notice:
Early support can make a real difference, so it's better to ask questions early rather than wait and see.
Paediatric physiotherapy can support children from birth through to their teens. Some clinics work with newborns and babies (for example, with early movement development or torticollis), while others focus on toddlers, primary-aged children and adolescents. When choosing a provider, check they have experience with your child's specific age and needs.
An initial assessment usually runs for 45–60 minutes. The physio will ask about your child's history, pregnancy and birth, milestones, and your current concerns. They'll then observe how your child moves — watching them walk, run, climb, balance and play — and may use standardised assessments to measure gross motor skills.
At the end, the physio should explain what they've found, discuss goals with you, and outline a plan. This might include a block of therapy sessions, a home exercise program, or a referral to another professional such as an occupational therapist or paediatrician.
Private paediatric physiotherapy in Australia generally ranges from around $150 to $220+ per session, depending on session length and the clinic. The NDIS publishes price caps for therapy supports, and many providers align their fees with these. Costs vary, so always confirm current pricing directly with the clinic.
If your child has an NDIS plan, physiotherapy is usually funded under Capacity Building — Improved Daily Living. This budget covers assessments and therapy delivered by allied health professionals. Some families also access physio through Medicare (with a GP-managed Chronic Disease Management plan offering limited rebated sessions) or private health extras cover.
When enquiring, ask whether the provider is NDIS registered, and how they handle self-managed, plan-managed or agency-managed funding — as this affects how invoices are paid.
This page features a range of Sunshine Coast clinics, including SANA Physiotherapy Maroochydore Sth, Coastal Physiotherapy, Sports & Spinal Kawana and Nurture Paediatric Physiotherapy, among others across Maroochydore, Birtinya, Bokarina, Warana, Caloundra, Nambour and Minyama. When comparing options, consider:
NDIS registration — If your plan is NDIS-agency managed, you'll generally need a registered provider. Self- and plan-managed families have more flexibility, but it's still worth checking.
Therapist credentials — Physiotherapists in Australia must be registered with AHPRA (the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency). Ask about the therapist's specific experience in paediatrics, as this isn't a mandatory registration category but reflects genuine expertise. If your child also needs speech or OT input, look for practitioners registered with Speech Pathology Australia or Occupational Therapy Australia.
Waitlists — Paediatric services can have long waitlists. Always ask how long the wait is for an initial assessment and for ongoing therapy, as these can differ.
Location and telehealth — Consider travel time, parking and whether the clinic can visit your child at home, school or childcare. Some providers offer telehealth for coaching and follow-ups, which can be handy for busy families or those further from the coast's main hubs.
Fit with your child — A warm, playful therapist who your child connects with makes a huge difference to engagement and progress.
Taking the time to ask these questions helps you find a provider who's the right match for your child and family.
Or read the full paediatric physiotherapy guide, or browse all Sunshine Coast providers.
As a general guide, physiotherapists focus on gross motor skills — big movements like walking, running, balance and coordination — while occupational therapists focus more on fine motor skills, sensory processing and daily living tasks. Many children benefit from both. If you're unsure, your GP, child health nurse or an initial physio assessment can help point you in the right direction.
Yes. Physiotherapy is typically funded under the Capacity Building — Improved Daily Living budget in an NDIS plan. Whether you can use a particular clinic depends on how your plan is managed (agency, plan or self-managed) and whether the provider is NDIS registered. Always confirm this with the clinic before booking.
As a general range, private paediatric physio sessions in Australia cost roughly $150 to $220 or more, depending on length and clinic. The NDIS sets price caps that many providers follow. Costs change over time, so confirm current fees directly with the provider, and ask about Medicare or private health rebates you may be eligible for.
Waitlists vary widely between clinics and can change quickly with demand. Some providers may see new clients within a few weeks, while others have longer waits. Ask each clinic directly about their current waitlist for both an initial assessment and ongoing therapy, as these can differ.
Paediatric physiotherapists can work with children from birth through the teenage years. Some clinics support newborns and babies with early movement development, while others focus on toddlers and older children. Check that your chosen provider has experience with your child's age group and specific needs.