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Exercise physiologists

The information for exercise physiologists will differ depending on which system you work in. Please select which compensation system your client is in.

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Motor accidents

Workers compensation

Motor accidents

Guidelines for the provision of relevant services have been published

SIRA has published the Guidelines for the Provision of Relevant Services (Health and Related Services), which apply to relevant service providers providing services in the NSW workers compensation and CTP (for accidents on or after 1 December 2017) schemes.

The following sections of the guidelines apply to exercise physiologists providing relevant services in the CTP scheme:

This webpage has been updated to include content from the Guidelines and the associated legislation.

In brief

Your role includes:

  • conducting appropriate assessment, goal setting in conjunction with the injured person and providing the best treatment to help the injured person achieve their goals
  • providing treatment for injuries sustained in the motor vehicle accident to enable the injured person to resume participation in pre-injury activities that have been restricted by the motor vehicle accident related injuries
  • empowering the injured person to manage their injury and recovery
  • monitoring progress towards the injured person’s goal (for improved capacity/function) and adjusting the treatment plan as required
  • communicating and collaborating with key parties (for example, general practitioner, other allied health practitioners, case managers, rehabilitation providers and insurers) to achieve common goals.

At all times your practice needs to adhere to the relevant professional code of conduct and/or legislation of the relevant board or association.

The single allied health practitioner role does not include:

  • making referrals or coordinating the injured person’s recovery at work
  • advocating for the injured person in relation to the management of their claim or coaching them through litigation or other compensation processes
  • providing services that are not related to the injuries sustained in the motor vehicle accident.

A step by step guide on how to provide exercise physiology services is available in Providing allied health services in the NSW CTP schemes - FAQs.

Refer to the Guidelines for the Provision of Relevant Services (Health and Related Services) for the code of conduct and specific provisions that allied health providers, including exercise physiologists, must comply with.

Forms you might need

You will need the allied health recovery request (AHRR). Please read this information on the AHRR before you use this form for the first time. You can also find the form on this page. All exercise physiologists are required to submit an AHRR when seeking approval for treatment services.

Publications you might need

Fees and invoicing

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Get treatment approval first

If the insurer denies liability, or declines a treatment request because it does not meet 'reasonable and necessary' criteria, your patient is personally responsible for payment of accounts. So before treating your patient please confirm they have submitted a CTP claim and you have approval from the insurer to start treatment.

Insurers must provide a written response within 10 days of the request being received

SIRA currently does not have gazetted fees for exercise physiologists working with a motor accident claimant with the exception of a $35.60 (plus GST) fee for the initial allied health recovery request (AHRR). Subsequent AHRRs do not attract a fee and should be completed as part of the standard consultation cost.

As the exercise physiologist you can negotiate with the CTP insurer:

  • agreed fees and costs for providing approved treatment
  • payment for any request for additional reports or opinions on a claimant’s treatment or progress
  • payment for completion of the rehabilitation services request, attendant care request, equipment request or agreed goals of rehabilitation if required to be completed

What can I do to get paid quickest?

To facilitate prompt payment by a CTP Green Slip insurer, we suggest you:

  • include the appropriate service code with your invoice
  • issue the account in the form of a tax invoice and include the:
    • injured person’s name
    • date of accident
    • insurer’s reference/claim number
    • provider’s ABN, address and GST (if applicable)
  • send accounts directly to the CTP Green Slip insurer. It is difficult to ensure timely submission of accounts by other parties (for example, an injured person or their solicitor)
  • direct all enquiries about payment to the claims officer you have been dealing with.

Without prejudice payments

The CTP Green Slip insurer may agree to pay for treatment on a ‘without prejudice’ basis.

Without prejudice means that although the insurer has agreed to pay for treatment, it does not mean they are accepting liability for the accident or will pay for ongoing treatment once they have determined liability.

Agreement to pay without prejudice should be obtained in writing from the insurer before services are provided.

Service Codes

Please include the appropriate service code/s with your invoice. These are available in Providing allied health services in the NSW CTP schemes - FAQs.

Do I need a service provider number?

No.  Exercise physiologists don’t need a SIRA provider number to deliver treatment services in the motor accidents scheme.

Workers compensation

Exercise physiologists prescribe functional exercise for the purpose of increasing a worker’s capacity for employment. They also provide guidance to assist workers transition to a self-managed exercise program.

Guidelines for the provision of relevant services have been published

SIRA has published the Guidelines for the Provision of Relevant Services (Health and Related Services), which apply to relevant service providers providing services in the NSW workers compensation and CTP (for accidents on or after 1 December 2017) schemes.

The following sections of the guidelines apply to exercise physiologists providing relevant services in the workers compensation scheme:

This webpage has been updated to include content from the Guidelines and the associated legislation.

In brief

Accredited exercise physiologists must be approved by us (issued with a SIRA practitioner number) to deliver treatment services in the NSW workers compensation scheme. The workers compensation guidelines for the approval of treating allied health practitioners provide information on the approval process and outline the conditions of approval practitioners must meet and maintain.

Please read this information on the Allied Health Recovery Request (AHHR) before you use this form for the first time. All accredited exercise physiologists with a SIRA provider number must submit an AHRR when seeking pre-approval for treatment services.

A workers compensation guide for allied health practitioners provides essential information regarding the delivery of treatment services in the NSW workers compensation scheme.

Refer to the Guidelines for the Provision of Relevant Services (Health and Related Services) for specific provisions that allied health providers, including exercise physiologists, must comply with.

Practitioner framework

The Accredited Exercise Physiology Fees and Practice Requirements provides additional information on how the claims process works, and what type of payments and expenses may be available.

You might need to know about the Certificate of Capacity.

Forms you might need

Publications you might need

alert icon

Get treatment approval first

If the insurer denies liability, or declines a treatment request because it does not meet 'reasonably necessary' criteria, the insurer is not responsible for payment of accounts.

So before treating your patient please confirm they have submitted a workers compensation claim, and that you have approval from the insurer to start treatment.

The fees orders provide a maximum fee for services provided to a worker. You can't exceed the maximum fees stated in the Fees Order.

All fees you can charge are listed in the relevant fee order below:

Current health-related fees

These are the current health related fees and rates orders.

Historical health-related fees

These are the historical health related fees and rates orders.

Fees and rates orders 2024

Fees and rates orders 2023

Fees and rates orders 2022

Fees and rates orders 2021

Fees and rates orders 2020

Fees and rates orders 2019

Fees and rates orders 2018

Fees and rates orders 2017

When invoicing, we have a payment system that requires itemised invoices. This system enables consistent data collection from service providers and insurers and ensures accurate payments.

What your invoices will need to include

SIRA requires medical practitioners and other service providers to provide itemised invoices before payment can be made by the insurer.

Invoices for relevant services rendered must include:

  • the injured worker’s first and last name, and claim number
  • payee name, address, telephone number and email address
  • payee Australian Business Number (ABN)
  • name of the relevant service provider who delivered the relevant service
  • in the case of allied health services, the following provider numbers:
    • the provider’s SIRA approval number (where applicable), and
    • the provider’s AHPRA number/professional association accreditation/membership number
    • in the case of allied health services provided interstate by a service provider who doesn’t have a SIRA approval number, the service provider number INT0000 must be included on the invoice instead
    • in the case of allied health services provided to exempt workers, by a service provider who doesn’t have a SIRA approval number, the service provider number EXT0000 must be included on the invoice instead.
  • relevant SIRA payment classification code or Australian Medical Association (AMA) Fees List item number (where applicable)
  • service cost for each SIRA payment classification code or AMA Fees List item number and service duration (if applicable)
  • date of service
  • date of invoice (must be on the day of or after last date of service listed on the invoice).

Invoices must be submitted within 30 calendar days of the service being provided.

Send your invoices to the worker’s insurer.

Invoices should be submitted within 30 calendar days of the service being provided.

Send your invoices to the worker’s insurer.

Do I need a SIRA provider number?

Yes. If you're an accredited exercise physiologist you must have a SIRA provider number to deliver treatment services to workers in the NSW workers compensation system.

The SIRA practitioner number is specific to the allied health practitioner and must be provided on all tax invoices and requests to the insurer. Services must not be delivered by any other person using the allied health practitioner's provider number.

You are not required to obtain a new provider number for each different location where you deliver services or if you change your employment. However, you must notify SIRA of any change in you contact details within 14 days by email to [email protected]

How do I get a SIRA provider number?

Review the guideline for approval of treating allied health practitioners and then complete the application form.

If you meet the appropriate qualifications and requirements, you must satisfactorily complete the three-part allied health practitioner online training course. This is to ensure all practitioners working within the NSW workers compensation scheme are:

  • appropriately skilled to help workers achieve a safe and durable recovery at/return to work, and
  • aware of requirements for the delivery of services in the scheme.

The online training program is administered by the Personal Injury Education Foundation (PIEF). Access the training via the SIRA AHP NSW Learning Portal.

Once you have successfully completed the online training, you download and complete the application form and submit with all relevant documents to [email protected]

Please note: you must obtain confirmation from us that your SIRA provider number is active before delivering treatment services.

Further information

Independent consultants (peer reviews)

Independent consultants listed on SIRA's website provide independent peer review of, and advice, to allied health practitioners regarding injury management.

If you would like the assistance of an independent consultant visit independent consultants.

Where required, you must participate in a review by an independent consultant as outlined in the guideline for approval of treating allied health practitioners.

Exercise physiologists employed to deliver Workplace Rehabilitation Provider Services

It is important to understand that gaining approval to deliver treatment services in the NSW workers compensation scheme does not provide practitioners with approval to deliver Workplace Rehabilitation Provider services.

To deliver Workplace Rehabilitation Provider services exercise physiologists must be employed by a SIRA approved Workplace Rehabilitation Provider. There are also very specific requirements regarding the approval process to deliver functional and workplace assessments.

We have worked closely with ESSA to co-design an infographic that clarifies these requirements. SIRA encourages you to view the infographic if you have any questions about approval to deliver Workplace Rehabilitation Provider Services. Members are encourage to contact ESSA if they need more information.

Provider/assessor search

You can find a workers compensation provider/assessor here.

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