Yes, you can claim a personal trainer under the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), but only when the training is a reasonable and necessary support tied to your disability and your plan goals. The National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) does not fund fitness for its own sake. It funds exercise that builds strength for daily tasks, protects mobility or helps you stay independent. This guide covers what qualifies, what no longer does, what sessions cost in Melbourne, and how to set the funding up.
What NDIS covers
The NDIS funds supports that are reasonable and necessary for people with significant and permanent disability. For exercise, the NDIA looks at whether a program improves your functional capacity, such as transfers, walking, balance or managing stairs. General physical fitness, meaning a broad level of health and endurance anyone can pursue, is a mainstream goal and is not funded on its own.
Fitness supports that are commonly eligible
- Programs that build strength for daily activities such as standing from a chair or carrying shopping
- Mobility and balance training that supports independence and reduces falls
- Condition-specific exercise that helps prevent complications, such as contractures or deconditioning
- Goal-linked training that matches the wording of your plan
Programs sold to the general public, such as weight-loss challenges or aesthetic goals, are not funded. Weight management can qualify only when it is clearly linked to your disability, for example reducing load on joints that affect mobility, and when a health professional supports the link. If you want a general weight-loss plan on top of your funded sessions, this free guide can help: Download Free “9 Steps To Shed 5-10kg In 6 Weeks”, which includes an exercise plan, a nutrition plan and 20+ tips.
What is no longer covered by NDIS?
Items the NDIS has never funded, and which are not funded now, include standard gym memberships, fitness-only programs open to everyone, and general exercise equipment bought for personal fitness. The NDIA also tightens its lists of funded and non-funded supports from time to time, so check the current NDIA guidance or ask your planner before booking anything new.
Training costs and budgets
NDIS-funded personal training in Melbourne usually runs from about $60 to $120 per hour. The rate depends on qualifications, setting (home, gym or outdoors), how complex your support needs are, and travel time for mobile trainers. Rates for NDIS supports are also subject to price limits, so ask any provider which support item they invoice under.
If you are comparing options, our breakdown of personal training session costs explains what drives the price of a one-hour session across Australia. As a quick answer to “how much is a 1 hour PT session?”, expect roughly $60 to $120 in Melbourne, with specialist or home-visit sessions at the upper end.
Where funding comes from
- Capacity Building (Improved Daily Living) is the most common source for exercise and therapy-style supports
- Core Supports can sometimes be used flexibly, depending on how your plan is set up
- Many participants set aside roughly $2,000 to $8,000 a year for fitness-related supports, though your own figure depends on your plan
- Invoices must match your approved budget category
Is $300 a month a lot for a personal trainer?
Not really. At $60 to $120 an hour, $300 a month buys roughly three to five sessions, which is about one session a week at the lower end of the range. That is a common level of spending, and it sits comfortably inside a typical annual fitness budget.
Can you write off a personal trainer on taxes?
Generally, no. Personal training for your own health is a private expense, not a deduction. NDIS-funded sessions are paid from your plan instead, so you would not claim them again. If your job has a specific fitness requirement, speak to a registered tax agent about your situation.
Sports nutrition under NDIS
Nutrition support can be funded when it is directly linked to your disability. Examples include help with mobility-related weight management, building muscle for therapy goals, nutrition problems caused by medication, and preventing secondary conditions.
Nutrition service details
- Usually claimed under Capacity Building
- Typical session fees are $100 to $180 per appointment
- In-person and telehealth options are available across Melbourne suburbs such as Elwood
Dietitians and allied health professionals generally provide the clinical side. A trainer can reinforce the plan during sessions, but should not prescribe medical nutrition.
Trainer qualifications
Look for a Certificate III and IV in Fitness, current First Aid and CPR, specific experience with your disability, and familiarity with NDIS reporting and reviews. A trainer who has worked with participants before will understand how to write progress notes that suit a plan review. If you are unsure where to start, our guide to Finding the Right Disability Fitness Instructor lists what to ask before you commit.
Preferred credentials
- Experience with NDIS participants and plan-goal tracking
- Registration or membership with Fitness Australia or Physical Activity Australia
- A clear understanding of Core versus Capacity Building claiming
- Willingness to share session records with your support coordinator or allied health team
Does my trainer need to be NDIS registered?
It depends on how your plan is managed. If you are NDIA-managed, your provider must be registered with the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission. If you are plan-managed or self-managed, you can usually use an unregistered provider, although a registered provider has met extra quality and safeguarding requirements. Providers do not pay a commission to participants and you should be cautious of any offer that suggests otherwise.
Getting funding approved
Discuss your goals with your planner or coordinator, obtain letters from your GP or allied health professional explaining why exercise is needed, and show how the sessions will deliver plan outcomes. Ask for the support to be included at planning or at your review.
Approval tips
- Frame goals around function, independence and daily tasks, not appearance
- Provide clear cost estimates and a proposed session frequency
- Collect baseline and progress measures for reviews
PT vs exercise physiologist
Exercise physiologists hold university degrees and suit complex or clinical conditions. They often charge $120 to $200 per session and provide detailed reporting. Personal trainers typically charge $60 to $120 and suit ongoing strength and general conditioning work.
Both can be claimed. Exercise physiology may be approved more readily where a clinical need is documented, so many participants use an EP for assessments and a trainer for weekly sessions. A good trainer will follow the EP’s program rather than working against it.
Gym memberships
Standard gym memberships are treated as everyday living costs and are not funded. Trainer-led sessions, disability-specific programs, accessibility modifications and support worker assistance during gym visits can be funded.
Some Melbourne facilities offer NDIS-registered training, so you can claim the trainer’s time while using the gym’s equipment and accessible spaces.
How often to train
Most participants train one to three times a week, depending on goals, current capacity, budget and clinical advice. Twice weekly for 12 weeks often produces solid gains in strength and mobility.
Sessions usually run 45 to 60 minutes. They include a warm-up, goal-linked exercises, modifications for your disability and progress tracking you can use in NDIS reports.
Records to keep for invoices and reviews
Funding is far easier to keep when your paperwork is tidy. Ask your trainer for itemised invoices that show the date, session length, support item and hourly rate, and save them with your plan documents. Keep a short log of each session’s focus and any measurable change, such as how many sit-to-stands you can complete or how far you can walk.
When your trainer prepares a progress summary for your review, ask for plain, readable formatting. A clear sans-serif typeface at a comfortable size makes the document easier to read, which matters if you have a vision or cognitive disability and will be reviewing it with a planner or family member.
- Save all invoices and attendance records in one folder
- Record baseline results in the first two weeks
- Repeat the same tests every 6 to 12 weeks
- Take letters from your GP or allied health professional to every review
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a support coordinator?
No. Self-managed and plan-managed participants can arrange services directly, though a coordinator can help with choosing providers and budgeting.
Can my support worker take me to the gym?
Yes. Core Supports can fund assistance during gym visits. This is separate from trainer costs, which should align with your plan goals.
What if my plan doesn’t mention fitness?
You can sometimes use Core flexibly if the support is reasonable and necessary. At your review, add explicit fitness goals and evidence to secure ongoing funding.
Can I claim online PT?
Yes, if it suits your needs and fits within your plan. Many Melbourne trainers offer video sessions that meet accessibility and safety requirements.
Useful internal links
Explore related guides
- NDIS Personal Trainer Services Australia
- Choosing a disability fitness instructor who understands your goals
- Working with a personal trainer in Albert Park who understands NDIS claiming
This article provides general information only and does not replace advice from qualified healthcare providers or NDIS planners. Always consult professionals familiar with your specific needs and plan.