FAQ

We have two locations at Ashmore and Burleigh Heads with easy parking out the front.

Mon-Fri: 7.30am-7pm
Sat: 8am – 2pm

No – lucky for you in Australia all our types of Therapists are primary contact Health Professionals, meaning you do not need a referral to come and see us.

Simply ring us on 07 55006470 or Book Online for an appointment.

Or read more below in the other questions about DVA, Medicare and Private Health Rebates.

We have health fund claiming available in clinic for processing your private health fund rebates at the time of your consult. Please contact your health fund to find out whether you are covered.

Some private health funds have established “Preferred Provider” or “Members Choice” programs. The true meaning of these terms is commonly misconstrued. Being part of a “Preferred Provider” or “Members Choice” program has no relationship to the quality of the care you will receive. It could mean the opposite. Read our position on these programs and whether we are a member here.

In fairness to everyone wanting an appointment we have s a change of appointment / cancellation policy requiring you to notify us if you need a change to your appointment by no later than 5pm on the day prior.

For our Physio BeActive Session, Pre/Post Natal Pilates and Fitness Pilates class attendance, we require a minimum of 2 Days notice of change / cancellation of your appointment.

The Fee for a change of appointment after 5pm on the day prior to your scheduled appointment (or within 2days for BeActive & Pilates sessions will now be:
• Standard Appointments: $40*
• Small Group BeActive / Pilates: $25*

Should you not show at your appointment, you will be charged the full fee schedule for your non-attendance. On paying this full fee however, your Therapist will use your paid time to create a useful resource for you (this may be useful stretches, area’s to focus on for self massage, trigger-point, education or referrals).

Workers compensation & Veterans Affairs (DVA) clients please note: As your Insurer or Government Department does not cover cancellation fees, this cancellation policy continues to apply to you personally. Any cancellation fee will therefore be billed to you directly in accordance with this policy.

*We retain the right for these fees to be debited from your Massage / Be Active / Pilates pack credit.

Thank You for your on-going custom & consideration to this when making your appointments.

Gold Coast Physio & Sports Health adheres to Australian National Privacy Standards in Healthcare. We may use AI Clinical Notes for which we will get your consent.  Please read our privacy policy for more information or contact us.

Yes.

We accept referrals to Physiotherapy, Dietitian & Psychology Services under the Enhanced Primary Care Program (Medicare). We do not bulk bill. Please see more in our FAQ below.

We also accept Department of Veteran Affairs (DVA) referrals and approved Workers Compensation are all Welcome.

For both DVA appointments and Workers Compensation you will need a referral and paperwork to accompany your first appointment.

What if I have submitted a Workers Compensation Claim but don’t know if its approved yet?

We are still able to start your care and treatment without an open Workers Compensation claim but you will need to pay privately and submit invoices for a refund from your Insurer once your case is approved.

Once you have a claim number and your service is approved, we will Invoice your Insurer directly so you will not be required to pay anything at the time of your appointment.

We can accept you to Physiotherapy, Dietitian & Psychology Services as a referral from your GP, referred under the Enhanced Primary Care Program (Medicare).

You must meet the Medicare criteria for referral which your GP will determine.

You are eligible for up to 5 visits in a Calendar Year to Physio and Dieitian, and up to 10 for Psychology. Read more from the Australian Govt Website.

If you have a referral, please bring with you the Referral Forms that your GP must complete so we know the reason for referral, how many visits your GP has referred you for, and for which service, and so we can complete the mandatory communication back to your GP to ensure you get the best outcome of care.

Will I have to pay for a Consult referred under Medicare?

We do not bulk bill Medicare appointments because of our level of experience, care and the extended consult times you receive with us.

We genuinely care about helping you achieve your goals and making sure you have a good outcome from care with us, which is why we take more time with you & we are thorough with our communication to you and your GP. It is unsustainable for us as a GC small family business to provide this level of care on the small rebated amount that Medicare pays for these consults, so you will have a gap payment to pay under a Medicare Referral to us.

How much will I be out of pocket?

This depends on which Service and Therapist you see. To see our most experienced Therapists means you will be just a little more out of pocket. Please phone us and we can provide you an exact amount (phone 07 55006470).

Can I keep coming back for 5 visits each Calendar Year?

Yes- if your GP provides a new referral each year and believes you fit the criteria for referral.

Veteran Affairs and approved Workers Compensation are all Welcome.

Do you know the difference between Pilates and Clinical Pilates (also known as Physio Pilates)?

You’re not alone if you don’t know the difference between the two.

Read The Differences Here

With us, Physio Pilates is included in our BeActive Physio Exercise Sessions where our experienced Physio’s can accurately guide you on appropriate exercise and activity based on your goals, your symptoms and your injuries.

Read More About BeActive Physio Sessions

Physiotherapists and Exercise Physiologists are both primary allied healthcare professionals in Australia. Both professions promote health and well-being.

The main difference is a Physiotherapists ability to diagnose and clinically reason a management pathway for a presenting condition or complaint and their ability to choose from a diverse range of treatment interventions and modalities.

Physiotherapists may prescribe exercise as part of their management plan. Exercise Physiologists solely prescribe exercise and education in their management approach and more commonly work with the chronic disease population of clients.

Physiotherapists have the option of working across many varied populations including sports & exercise, musculoskeletal, neurological, cardio respiratory, rehabilitation, paediatrics, men’s and women’s health and palliative care.

Physiotherapists are also a regulated health profession under the National Registration and Accreditation Scheme and have their professional standards governed by the Australian Health Professionals Regulation Authority (AHPRA). Exercise Physiologists are a self-regulated profession accredited under Exercise and Sport Science Australia (ESSA).

Difference between Physio & Exercise Physiology Factsheet from the Australian Physiotherapy Associate

Both forms of Massage involve our Therapists using their  hands in specific ways to manipulate and massage the soft tissues of your body (think muscles, tendons, ligaments, connective fascia, nerves and veins).

Both types of Therapists can help you feel better by reducing tension in your soft tissues, relaxing muscles, improving muscle contraction, recovery and improving your mobility and motion.

Techniques used by both our Remedial Massage Therapists and our Myotherapists include: soft and deep tissue massage, fascial release, muscle-fascia stretching, trigger point therapy & dry needling of myofascial trigger points.

The primary distinction between a Myotherapist and Remedial Massage Therapist is that Myotherapists use a much broader range of techniques to identify the underlying cause of the injury and can also incorporate giving you exercises to help treat your problem and achieve your goal of treatment.  They tend to have advanced knowledge and training to specifically target your area/s of concern and aim to address the underlying cause.

Additionally, the training requirements to become a Myotherapist are more extensive than a Remedial Massage Therapist.  Both Therapists will complete a Certificate in IV in Massage, & a Diploma in Massage. Myotherapists must then go to further study in an Advanced Diploma of Myotherapy at University, Tafe or a Private Insitution.

Both types of Therapy can attract Private Health Fund Rebates under your Massage allocation of funds.

This depends on your injury – all we ask is that we can see or access the affected area that you need assessed or treated.

This means if you have a knee or leg injury – shorts are preferred – or for massage, full underwear or short sport shorts. We will ensure you are draped and covered appropriately and we always get your consent to remove any clothes first.

For shoulder’s, a singlet or sports bra/crop top underneath your shirt is best.

If you forget clothes, or come straight from work, we do have some shorts in clinic you can change into as needed.

Both types of Therapy can attract Private Health Fund Rebates under your Massage allocation of funds.

For a BeActive or Pilates class we recommend wearing something comfortable and flexible – something you can move freely in but also something that will not leave you feeling exposed on the reformers in a deep squat.

We have the space air-conditioned for comfort.

Bring a smile & please check in with Frontdesk Team when you arrive and leave, and bring a towel for hygiene.

You will see spray bottles & paper towel around the clinics, or anti-bacterial spray close by & we would really, really appreciate if you can give a spray to anything you have used at the end of your session.

Pack away any equipment used.

You are welcome to use our Shower located in-clinic after your session.

An Australian Physio Association (APA) Sports & Exercise Physio is a highly qualified professional with expert knowledge & skills in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of sports injuries.

They are experts in movement analysis, exercise prescription, analysis of sports technique and returning athletes to all levels of sports participation & competition.

An APA Sports & Exercise Physio has undertaken further post-graduate Masters qualifications, specifically related to sports & exercise injuries and management, & they have undergone a rigorous selection process to ensure they have the level of experience & knowledge to be awarded the title.

For further information, please ask your Therapist or check our website Team for our Physio’s who are APA Titled in Sports & Exercise, Musculoskeletal, Womens Health or Other Area.