Mobile Physiotherapy | Home Visits | Physio to Home

Mobile physiotherapy across North Tasmania — AHPRA-registered home visits for older adults, rural residents, and post-surgery patients. Find out how to book and what to expect.

Mobile physiotherapy across North Tasmania — AHPRA-registered home visits for older adults, rural residents, and post-surgery patients. Find out how to book and what to expect.

Micheal Ghattas

2/27/2026 · 11 min read

Mobile Physiotherapy in North Tasmania: How to Book and What to Expect

By Michael Ghattas, DPT | AHPRA Registered Physiotherapist | 18 Years Experience

Physio to Home, North Tasmania | Last reviewed: February 2026

Mobile physiotherapy brings AHPRA-registered, evidence-based physiotherapy treatment directly to your home — no travel, no waiting room, no disruption to your daily routine. For older adults and people living in rural and regional North Tasmania, it is often not just the most convenient option, but the most clinically effective one.

This guide explains exactly what mobile physiotherapy is, who it is for, what happens during a visit, how to book, and how to access funding. It also links to our full library of condition-specific guides so you can explore the topics most relevant to you.

Who this guide is for

This page is for anyone in North Tasmania — or their family members and carers — who wants to understand what mobile physiotherapy involves before making a booking. Whether you are managing chronic pain, recovering from surgery, concerned about falls, or simply unsure whether physiotherapy can help with your condition, this guide will give you the information you need to take the next step.

What Is Mobile Physiotherapy?

Mobile physiotherapy — also called home visit physiotherapy or domiciliary physiotherapy — is physiotherapy delivered in your home rather than in a clinic. The physiotherapist brings all necessary assessment and treatment equipment to you.

It is not a lesser version of clinic-based care. For many patients — particularly older adults, people with limited mobility, and those in rural areas — home-based physiotherapy is clinically superior to clinic-based care because:

• Assessment and treatment happen in the actual environment where function is most relevant — your home, your furniture, your stairs, your specific daily challenges

• There is no energy expenditure on travel, which is particularly significant for patients recovering from surgery or managing fatigue-related conditions

• The physiotherapist can observe real-world movement patterns, home hazards, and daily routines that are invisible in a clinical setting

• Exercises are designed around equipment you actually have at home, making them more likely to be performed consistently

• Continuity of care is maintained — you see the same physiotherapist at every visit, building a genuine therapeutic relationship

Mobile physiotherapy is not a compromise — it is a clinical advantage

A 2019 Cochrane Review of falls prevention programs found that home-based exercise programs were equally effective to supervised clinic programs for reducing fall rates in older adults. For post-surgical rehabilitation, studies consistently show that home-based programs produce equivalent functional outcomes to outpatient clinic care — with significantly higher patient satisfaction and adherence.

Who Is Mobile Physiotherapy For?

Physio to Home provides mobile physiotherapy for a wide range of patients across North Tasmania. Our most common patient groups include:

Older Adults and Aged Care Patients

Older Tasmanians aged 65 and over — including those receiving support through My Aged Care or the Commonwealth Home Support Program — make up the largest group of patients we see. Common presentations include falls prevention and balance rehabilitation, management of arthritis and chronic musculoskeletal pain, post-surgical recovery following hip or knee replacement, and general deconditioning following illness or hospitalization.

Rural and Remote Residents

For residents in areas like George Town, Scottsdale, Ringarooma, the Tamar Valley, and surrounding townships, travelling to Launceston for regular physiotherapy appointments is often impractical — particularly for those without a driver's license, those who have recently had surgery, or those whose condition makes prolonged sitting in a car painful or risky. Mobile physiotherapy eliminates this barrier entirely.

Post-Surgical Patients

The early weeks after hip replacement, knee replacement, or other orthopedic surgery are the most important for rehabilitation — and the weeks when travel to a clinic is most difficult. Mobile physiotherapy allows rehabilitation to begin at home from the day of discharge, maintaining the momentum of recovery when it matters most.

NDIS Participants

NDIS participants with physiotherapy funded under their plan can access mobile physiotherapy as their primary or supplementary service. Home delivery is fully supported under NDIS and is often the preferred option for participants with complex needs or limited transport.

Anyone Who Prefers Home-Based Care

You do not need to have a specific medical condition or funding package to access mobile physiotherapy. Private patients who simply prefer the convenience, privacy, and quality of one-on-one home-based care are warmly welcome.

Conditions We Treat

Physio to Home provides assessment and treatment for a wide range of musculoskeletal, neurological, and aged care conditions. Our areas of particular expertise include:

• Falls prevention and balance rehabilitation — including formal falls risk assessment, vestibular physiotherapy for dizziness and BPPV, and progressive balance exercise programs

• Chronic pain management — including lower back pain, osteoarthritis, and persistent musculoskeletal conditions

• Post-surgical rehabilitation — including hip replacement, knee replacement, and other orthopedic procedures

• Common injuries in older adults — including rotator cuff conditions, hip bursitis, knee pain, and spinal conditions

• Neurological rehabilitation — including stroke recovery, Parkinson's disease management, and peripheral neuropathy

• Aged care and general deconditioning — including strength and mobility programs for patients who have lost function following illness, hospitalization, or prolonged inactivity

Not sure if we can help with your condition?

Contact us before you book. Michael will have a brief phone conversation with you to understand your situation and confirm whether mobile physiotherapy is appropriate and what it can realistically achieve for you. There is no cost or obligation for this initial conversation.

How to Book a Mobile Physiotherapy Visit: Step by Step

Booking is straightforward. Here is exactly what the process looks like from first contact to your first visit.

Step 1 Contact Physio to Home

Call or email us to make initial contact. You do not need a GP referral to book a private physiotherapy appointment, though a referral is required for Medicare-rebated sessions under a GP Management Plan. During this first contact, briefly describe your condition or concern, your location in North Tasmania, and any funding arrangements you have in place.

Step 2 Eligibility and funding check (at no cost)

Before confirming your booking, we will check your funding eligibility at no cost. This includes confirming whether you qualify for Medicare-rebated sessions, whether your My Aged Care Home Care Package or CHSP funding covers physiotherapy, and whether your NDIS plan includes relevant supports. Many patients are surprised to find their visits are more affordable than expected.

Step 3 Booking your first appointment

We will arrange a time that suits your schedule. First appointments are typically 60 minutes to allow time for a comprehensive assessment. Subsequent visits are usually 45–60 minutes depending on the complexity of your condition and treatment required. We will confirm your address, any access requirements, and what to have ready for the visit.

Step 4 Preparing for your visit

You do not need to do much. Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing you can move in easily. Have a list of your current medications ready if possible. If you have any previous imaging results — X-rays, MRIs, or surgical reports — keep them handy but do not worry if you cannot find them. Have a clear space in your main living area — enough room to stand and take a few steps.

Step 5 Your first visit

Michael will introduce himself and begin with a detailed clinical conversation about your condition, history, and goals. He will conduct a physical assessment in your home environment — observing how you move in your actual space. He will explain his findings in plain language, begin hands-on treatment where appropriate, provide a personalized home exercise program, and discuss a plan for ongoing care. You will never be pressured to commit to a treatment plan on the day.

Step 6 Ongoing care

Subsequent visits build on the first assessment, progressing your exercise programe, delivering hands-on treatment, and adjusting the approach based on your response. Michael communicates with your GP and other treating health professionals as needed, with your consent. Visit frequency is determined by your clinical needs — we will always recommend the minimum visits needed to achieve your goals, not the maximum your funding will cover.

What Happens During a Mobile Physiotherapy Visit

Every visit is tailored to the patient and the stage of treatment. Here is a general overview of what a typical visit involves:

Initial Assessment (First Visit)

The first visit is the most important. Michael begins with a structured clinical history — understanding your condition, what has been tried before, what your daily life looks like, and what you want to be able to do that you currently cannot. He will then conduct a physical assessment appropriate to your presentation — which may include balance testing, strength assessment, range of motion measurement, postural observation, and gait analysis. He will also review your home environment for relevant hazards or factors affecting your condition.

Hands-On Treatment

Depending on your assessment findings and clinical needs, treatment may include joint mobilization and manipulation, soft tissue massage and myofascial release, dry needling where appropriate and consented, and manual balance and vestibular techniques. Hands-on treatment is always explained before it is performed, and you can decline any technique at any time.

Exercise Prescription

Every visit includes a home exercise component. Exercises are chosen specifically for your presentation and designed around your home environment and the equipment you have available. Written or printed instructions are provided. The programe is reviewed and progressed at each subsequent visit.

Education and Self-Management

Understanding your condition is a core part of physiotherapy — not an optional extra. Michael takes time at every visit to explain what is happening in plain language, what to expect as you progress, what to do if symptoms worsen, and what you can do independently between visits to support your recovery.

Our Service Area in North Tasmania

Physio to Home currently provides mobile physiotherapy services across North Tasmania, including the following areas. If you are unsure whether your location is within our service area, please contact us — we will always do our best to accommodate.

• Launceston and greater Launceston metropolitan area

• George Town and the lower Tamar Valley

• Scottsdale and the northeast including Ringarooma, Derby, and surrounding townships

• Deloraine and the Meander Valley

• Westbury, Longford, and the northern midlands

• Beauty Point, Beaconsfield, and the upper Tamar Valley

Not sure if we cover your area?

Contact us with your location and we will confirm service availability. For patients in areas at the edge of our current service zone, we will always do our best to accommodate — particularly for patients with significant mobility limitations or those unable to travel to Launceston for clinic-based care.

Funding Your Mobile Physiotherapy Visits

Mobile physiotherapy through Physio to Home can be funded through several pathways. Many patients access multiple funding sources across a year.

Medicare — GP Management Plan

If your GP determines that physiotherapy is clinically necessary for a chronic or complex condition, they can create a GP Management Plan (also called a Team Care Arrangement). This entitles you to up to five Medicare-rebated physiotherapy sessions per year. A GP referral is required to access this rebate. Gap payments may apply.

My Aged Care — Home Care Package

If you receive a Home Care Package at Level 1–4 through My Aged Care, physiotherapy is a covered allied health service. The number of funded sessions available depends on your package level and care plan. Speak with your home care coordinator to add physiotherapy to your plan. We can assist with the referral process.

Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP)

The CHSP provides entry-level support for older Australians who need some assistance to remain living independently at home but do not yet have a Home Care Package. Allied health services including physiotherapy are a covered service category. Contact My Aged Care on 1800 200 422 to check your eligibility.

NDIS

NDIS participants can access mobile physiotherapy under the Improved Daily Living or Improved Health and Wellbeing support categories. Home-based delivery is fully supported under NDIS. We work with both plan-managed and self-managed participants.

Private Health Insurance

Most Australian health funds cover physiotherapy under their extras policies. Home visit physiotherapy is covered by the majority of major funds, though the rebate amount varies by policy and fund. We recommend calling your fund before your first visit to confirm your entitlements. We provide itemized receipts for all services to support your claim.

Private (Self-Funded)

Private patients are welcome without any funding arrangement. Our fee schedule is available on request. Concession rates are available for healthcare card holders — please ask when you call.

Explore Our Condition Guides

Physio to Home has developed a comprehensive library of evidence-based guides covering the conditions we treat most commonly across North Tasmania. Use these to understand your condition in more depth, find out what physiotherapy can achieve, and prepare for your first visit.

Falls Prevention and Aged Care

• How to Prevent Falls at Home — Our complete guide to fall risk factors and prevention strategies for older Tasmanians.

• When Is Dizziness a Fall Risk? — The four main types of dizziness in older adults, which ones are serious, and how physiotherapy helps.

• Balance Exercises for Seniors — A safe, progressive three-level balance program you can do at home with just a chair.

• Am I at Risk of Falling? Self-Assessment Checklist — A 34-point scored checklist based on the STEADI framework to identify your fall risk level.

• The Role of Footwear in Preventing Falls — A physiotherapist's verdict on every common footwear type — and a five-feature safety checklist.

Chronic Pain Management

• Managing Chronic Pain at Home — What chronic pain is, how physiotherapy helps, and what to expect from your first home visit.

• Lower Back Pain: Home Treatment vs When to Get Help — What you can safely manage at home, the red flags to never ignore, and when to call a physiotherapist.

Post-Surgery Recovery

• Hip Replacement Recovery Week by Week — What to expect at every stage from Day 1 to six months — including precautions, exercises, and funding.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a GP referral to book mobile physiotherapy?

No — you do not need a referral to book a private physiotherapy appointment. You can contact Physio to Home directly and book without any GP involvement. However, if you want to access Medicare-rebated sessions under a GP Management Plan or Team Care Arrangement, a GP referral and plan are required before your first session. We recommend speaking with your GP about this if you have a chronic condition — it can significantly reduce your out-of-pocket costs.

How is mobile physiotherapy different from what a clinic offers?

The clinical skills and treatment techniques are identical — Michael is the same physiotherapist whether he sees you at home or in a clinic. The difference is context. At home, the assessment happens in the environment where your condition affects you most. Exercises are designed for your actual space. Home hazards and daily routines are observed directly. For most of our patients — particularly older adults and those in rural areas — this contextual advantage produces better outcomes than an equivalent program delivered in a clinic.

What areas in North Tasmania do you service?

We currently service Launceston and the greater metropolitan area, George Town and the lower Tamar Valley, Scottsdale and the northeast, Deloraine and the Meander Valley, Westbury, Longford, and the northern midlands, and Beauty Point and the upper Tamar Valley. If you are unsure whether your location is covered, contact us and we will confirm.

How much does a mobile physiotherapy visit cost?

Our fee schedule is available on request. Many patients access significant subsidies through Medicare, My Aged Care, NDIS, or private health insurance — meaning out-of-pocket costs are often modest. We also offer concession rates for healthcare card holders. Contact us before you book and we will give you a clear picture of what your visit is likely to cost after any applicable rebates.

Can mobile physiotherapy help with conditions not listed here?

Quite possibly — the conditions listed on this page reflect our most common presentations but are not exhaustive. If you have a musculoskeletal, neurological, or aged care condition not mentioned here, contact us for a brief conversation. Michael will let you know honestly whether mobile physiotherapy is appropriate for your situation and what it can realistically achieve.

Is mobile physiotherapy available for younger adults or only older patients?

Mobile physiotherapy is available for adults of all ages. While our practice has a particular focus on older adults and aged care, we welcome any adult patient for whom home-based physiotherapy is the most appropriate or preferred option — including younger adults with injuries, chronic conditions, or post-surgical rehabilitation needs.

Ready to Book Your First Mobile Physiotherapy Visit?

Physio to Home provides AHPRA-registered mobile physiotherapy across North Tasmania — in your home, at a time that suits you, funded through Medicare, My Aged Care, NDIS, and private health insurance.

Whether you are managing chronic pain, recovering from surgery, concerned about falls, or simply want physiotherapy on your terms — we are here to help.

Contact us today to book your first visit or to ask any questions →

No referral required for private bookings. Funding check at no cost.

About the Author — Michael Ghattas, DPT

AHPRA Registered Physiotherapist | Doctor of Physical Therapy | 18 Years Clinical Experience

Michael is the founder of Physio to Home, a mobile physiotherapy practice serving older adults and rural residents across North Tasmania. He specializes in falls prevention, chronic pain management, post-surgical rehabilitation, and aged care physiotherapy — all delivered in the home setting.

References & Further Reading

Sherrington C, et al. Exercise for preventing falls in older people living in the community. *Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews*, 2019.

Coulter CL, et al. Physiotherapy after total hip replacement: a systematic review. *Physiotherapy*, 2019.

Australian Physiotherapy Association. Position statement: home-based physiotherapy. APA, 2023.

My Aged Care. Home Care Packages Program. Commonwealth of Australia, 2025. www.myagedcare.gov.au

NDIS. Physiotherapy supports. National Disability Insurance Agency, 2025. www.ndis.gov.au