Many Melbourne parents ask this exact question when trying to support their autistic children’s health and fitness goals. The short answer is that personal trainers aren’t automatically covered under NDIS funding because they’re considered a mainstream health service, not a disability-specific support.
Why Personal Trainers Aren’t NDIS-Funded
The NDIS only funds supports that are “reasonable and necessary” and directly related to your child’s disability. Regular gym memberships and standard personal training fall under general health and wellbeing, which the NDIS expects to be covered by you, just like it would be for any other Australian.
What Does NDIS Actually Cover for Fitness?
The NDIS will fund exercise support when it meets three specific rules:
NDIS Funding Requirements
- The support directly relates to your son’s autism diagnosis
- A qualified health professional recommends it as part of his therapy plan
- The support helps him build skills or independence he can’t develop through mainstream services
Standard personal training doesn’t meet these requirements because any Australian can access a personal trainer. The NDIS won’t pay for something that’s available to everyone through normal community services.
When Can Exercise Support Be Claimed?
Exercise physiologists are different from personal trainers. These professionals have university degrees in clinical exercise science and can claim NDIS funding under Capacity Building supports.
Exercise Physiology Benefits
- Modified exercise programs for sensory processing difficulties
- Support to manage anxiety during physical activity
- Specific movement therapy for motor skill development
- Exercise plans that work alongside his occupational therapy goals
The key difference is that exercise physiologists create therapeutic exercise programs, not just fitness training. They work as part of your son’s allied health team.
9 Steps To Shed 5-10kg In 6 Weeks
Includes an exercise plan, nutrition plan, and 20+ tips and tricks.
Download FreeWhy Parents in Elwood Seek Sports Nutritionists
If you’re searching “Why can’t my autistic son claim personal trainer on NDIS” from Elwood or nearby Melbourne suburbs, you might actually need a sports nutritionist or dietitian instead.
Many autistic children have restricted diets due to sensory sensitivities or food aversions. A sports dietitian who understands autism can help your son get proper nutrition to support his physical development and energy levels.
Dietitians are covered under NDIS Capacity Building budgets when they address disability-related eating challenges. This costs between $190 and $214 per hour in Melbourne under current NDIS pricing.
What Sports Nutritionists Provide
Sports nutritionists and dietitians registered with NDIS can provide:
Nutrition Support Services
- Meal plans that work with sensory food preferences
- Nutrition education using visual supports and social stories
- Strategies to increase food variety safely
- Supplement advice if your son has nutritional gaps
- Support for healthy weight management
These professionals understand how autism affects eating patterns and can create plans that respect your son’s needs while improving his overall health.
NDIS Exercise Support Costs
Current NDIS pricing in Victoria for exercise-related supports:
Standard NDIS Rates
- Exercise Physiology: $193.99 per hour
- Dietitian Services: $193.99 per hour
- Occupational Therapy (including movement programs): $193.99 per hour
Personal trainers typically charge $60 to $120 per session in Melbourne, but you’ll need to pay this yourself as it’s not NDIS-funded.
Can Personal Training Ever Be Approved?
There’s one situation where personal training might be approved. If your son’s occupational therapist or exercise physiologist writes a report stating that he needs ongoing supervised exercise that they’ve designed, and a personal trainer will implement their program under their guidance, this might be funded as a support worker activity.
Personal Trainer Requirements
- Follow a program created by the qualified therapist
- Have experience working with autistic individuals
- Report back to the therapist regularly
- Be approved by your NDIS planner
This is rare and requires strong evidence in your son’s NDIS plan review.
What You Should Do Instead
Start by talking to your son’s occupational therapist or GP. Ask for a referral to an exercise physiologist who has experience with autistic children and teenagers.
In Elwood and surrounding bayside Melbourne suburbs, look for professionals who:
What to Look For
- Are registered NDIS providers
- Have autism-specific training
- Can work at local facilities like gyms or pools
- Understand sensory processing needs
Your NDIS plan needs to include Capacity Building funding for these supports. If it doesn’t, request a plan review and provide reports from your son’s therapy team explaining why exercise physiology or dietitian support is necessary.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can my son use his Core Supports budget for gym membership?
No. Gym memberships are considered a mainstream expense that all Australians pay for themselves. The NDIS won’t fund regular gym access.
What if my son needs one-on-one support at the gym due to his autism?
You can use Core Supports funding to pay a support worker to accompany him to the gym. The support worker helps him access the community service safely, but you still pay for the gym membership yourself.
Are swimming lessons covered by NDIS?
Standard swimming lessons aren’t covered. However, if your son needs modified swimming instruction due to his disability, an occupational therapist or exercise physiologist can provide aquatic therapy, which is NDIS-funded.
How do I find an NDIS-registered exercise physiologist in Melbourne?
Search the NDIS provider finder on the NDIS website, or ask your Local Area Coordinator for recommendations. Many exercise physiologists in the Elwood, St Kilda, and Port Melbourne areas work with autistic clients.
Can a sports nutritionist help with my son’s limited diet?
Yes. NDIS-registered dietitians who specialise in autism can address food selectivity, sensory food aversions, and nutritional deficiencies common in autistic children.
The Bottom Line
Personal trainers aren’t covered by NDIS because they provide mainstream fitness services available to all Australians. However, your autistic son can access NDIS-funded exercise support through qualified exercise physiologists and dietitians who address his disability-specific needs.
These professionals cost around $194 per hour under NDIS pricing and can make a real difference in your son’s physical health, confidence, and independence. Talk to your NDIS planner about including these supports in your next plan review.
If you’re in Elwood or nearby Melbourne suburbs, start by getting referrals from your son’s current therapy team. They can recommend local professionals who understand autism and can create exercise and nutrition programs that actually work for your family.
