Paediatric physiotherapy helps children build the gross motor skills, coordination and mobility they need to move confidently through everyday life. This guide explains what to expect, how NDIS funding works, and how to choose the right physio in the Wollongong and Illawarra area. The providers featured on this page are listed below, ranked by their current ratings.
Rx Physiotherapy Shellharbour is an NDIS-registered physiotherapy clinic in Lake Illawarra, NSW, offering general and NDIS physiotherapy services for pain, injury and rehabilitation. No specific paediatric age range, telehealth, or waitlist details are stated.
Movement Therapy (Wollongong & Picton, NSW) offers NDIS-approved physiotherapy, chiropractic, and exercise physiology services with a large multidisciplinary team. No paediatric-specific age ranges, telehealth, or waitlist details are mentioned.
Purpose Physiotherapy operates multiple Illawarra locations including Fairy Meadow, offering physiotherapy and exercise physiology to private, NDIS and NDIA clients. Services include pain relief, injury rehab, hydrotherapy, dry needling, and group exercise classes.
The Little Physio Corrimal provides paediatric physiotherapy and occupational therapy for babies and children, focused on helping them play, move and thrive.
Registered NDIS provider in Wollongong/Warilla offering occupational therapy, speech pathology, physiotherapy, positive behaviour support, and allied health assistants. Services provided in-clinic, at home, in community, and via telehealth; open to NDIS and private clients.
Little Heroes Physiotherapy provides paediatric physiotherapy and early intervention services for children with neurological difficulties, based in Shellharbour City Centre, NSW. Focus on individualised care to help each child reach their maximum potential.
North Wollongong Physiotherapy provides paediatric physiotherapy for children and teens with developmental disorders, musculoskeletal and sports injuries, and post-surgical rehab. Also serves adults and elderly. Accepts NDIS (self/third party managed), Medicare/EPC, DVA and Workers Compensation clients; offers disabled access.
Wollongong-based practice offering paediatric physiotherapy ('physio for kids') and occupational therapy, alongside hydrotherapy and general physiotherapy services. NDIS-related services referenced. No specific ages, telehealth availability, or waitlist details stated.
Paediatric physiotherapists focus on how children move. Unlike physio for adults, the work is play-based and developmental — a physio will use games, obstacle courses and equipment to help a child build strength, balance, coordination and confidence. Common areas of support include gross motor milestones (rolling, crawling, walking, running, jumping), balance and coordination, muscle tone, posture, and mobility for children with conditions such as cerebral palsy, developmental delay, hypermobility or low tone.
The goal is usually functional: helping a child keep up at the playground, join in sport, manage stairs, or move around home and school more independently. Physios often work alongside occupational therapists, speech pathologists and educators as part of a broader team.
Every child develops at their own pace, but it can be worth speaking to your GP, paediatrician or a physio if you notice things such as:
This is general information only, not medical advice. If you have concerns, a GP or paediatrician can help and provide referrals where needed.
Paediatric physios work with children from birth through the teenage years. This includes babies with early movement concerns (such as torticollis or delayed milestones), toddlers and preschoolers building coordination, and school-aged children and teens working on strength, balance or sports-related goals. Some clinics, such as those listed on this page, focus specifically on babies and younger children, while others see the full paediatric age range.
An initial assessment usually runs 45–60 minutes. The physio will ask about your child's history, development, medical background and your goals. They'll then observe how your child moves — watching them play, walk, run, climb or complete age-appropriate tasks — and may assess strength, range of movement, balance and coordination.
Afterwards, the physio will discuss their findings, suggest goals, and outline a plan. This might include regular sessions, a home exercise program, or equipment recommendations. Bring any reports from your GP, paediatrician or other therapists, plus comfortable clothing your child can move in.
As a general guide, private paediatric physiotherapy sessions in Australia often range from around $180 to $220+ per hour. The NDIS publishes price caps for therapy supports each year, and many providers align their fees with these caps. Costs vary between clinics, and assessments or reports may be charged separately, so always confirm fees before booking.
Under the NDIS, physiotherapy generally sits under Capacity Building — Improved Daily Living. If your child has this funding in their plan, it can typically be used for physio assessments, sessions and reports. Whether you can access a provider depends on how your plan is managed:
Always check your plan details and confirm with the provider how they bill. Some services on this page are described as NDIS providers — confirm current registration status directly with them.
The Illawarra has a good range of options, from Fairy Meadow and Figtree through to Warilla, Albion Park, Woonona and the Wollongong CBD. When comparing providers, consider:
Taking a little time to compare providers and ask these questions helps you find the right fit for your child and family.
Or read the full paediatric physiotherapy guide, or browse all Wollongong providers.
You don't usually need a referral to see a private physiotherapist, as they are primary contact practitioners. However, a GP or paediatrician referral can be helpful for accessing certain funding, care coordination and for sharing background information. If you're using NDIS funding, check your plan and confirm with the provider.
Yes, if your child has NDIS funding under Capacity Building — Improved Daily Living, this can generally be used for physiotherapy assessments, sessions and reports. Whether you can choose a particular provider depends on whether your plan is NDIA-managed, plan-managed or self-managed. Always check your plan and confirm with the provider.
As a general guide, sessions often range from around $180 to $220+ per hour in Australia, and many providers align with the annually published NDIS price caps. Assessments and reports may be charged separately. Costs vary between clinics, so confirm fees before booking.
Paediatric physios work with children from birth through the teenage years. This includes babies with early movement concerns, toddlers and preschoolers building coordination, and older children working on strength, balance or sports goals. Some Wollongong clinics specialise in babies and younger children.
All practising physiotherapists in Australia must be registered with AHPRA (the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency), which you can verify online. It's also worth asking about their specific experience working with children and any relevant conditions, plus whether they are an NDIS-registered provider if that matters for your plan.