Exercise Physiology Under the Support at Home Program in Melbourne
Quick Summary
- The Support at Home program replaced Home Care Packages from 1 November 2025 and funds exercise physiology for eligible older Australians
- Summit Health Group delivers exercise physiology under Support at Home at our Malvern and Blackburn clinics and through home visits
- Exercise physiology is funded under the clinical care and allied health component of the Support at Home program
- Older adults can use their Support at Home funding to build strength, improve balance, manage chronic conditions and maintain independence
- Contact Summit Health Group to discuss how your Support at Home funding can cover exercise physiology sessions
From 1 November 2025, the Australian Government’s Support at Home program replaced the previous Home Care Packages system, creating a simpler and more flexible way for older Australians to access the allied health services they need to stay active and independent at home. Exercise physiology is one of the key allied health services funded under Support at Home, and Summit Health Group’s Malvern and Blackburn clinics work directly with older adults and their care coordinators to deliver evidence-based exercise programs that align with Support at Home goals and funding categories.
What Is the Support at Home Program
The Support at Home program is an Australian Government-funded program designed to help older Australians live independently at home for longer. It was introduced following recommendations from the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety and replaced the previous Home Care Packages Program and Short-Term Restorative Care Programme from 1 November 2025.
Under Support at Home, eligible older Australians are assessed and assigned one of eight funding classifications, each with an associated budget for ongoing services. Services are organised into categories including personal care, domestic assistance, clinical and allied health support, home modifications and assistive technology.
Exercise physiology sits within the clinical and allied health category of the Support at Home program, meaning eligible participants can use their Support at Home funding to access accredited exercise physiology sessions at our Malvern and Blackburn clinics, through home visits or via telehealth.
How Exercise Physiology Fits Into Support at Home
Exercise physiology is specifically listed as an allied health and therapy service under the Support at Home program. For older adults whose Support at Home goals include maintaining mobility, building strength, improving balance, managing chronic conditions or reducing falls risk, exercise physiology is a directly relevant and funded service.
The Restorative Care Pathway within Support at Home, which provides short-term access to allied health services to help participants regain function and maintain independence, is particularly well suited to exercise physiology. This pathway is designed for older adults who want to improve their physical capacity and reduce the need for more intensive ongoing care.
Summit Health Group’s accredited exercise physiologists work with older adults and their care coordinators to develop programs that directly address the goals outlined in each participant’s Support at Home care plan. Sessions can be delivered in clinic, at home or through telehealth depending on the participant’s needs, location and preferences.
Who Can Access Exercise Physiology Under Support at Home
Older Australians who are approved for Support at Home funding and whose care plan includes allied health or clinical care services are eligible to use their funding for exercise physiology with Summit Health Group.
If you or a family member is already receiving Support at Home funded services, your care coordinator can help determine whether exercise physiology is included in your current funding allocation. If it is not currently included, a reassessment can be requested if your needs have changed.
If you have not yet applied for Support at Home, you can contact My Aged Care on 1800 200 422 or visit myagedcare.gov.au to begin the assessment process. Once approved, you can choose Summit Health Group as your allied health provider for exercise physiology sessions.
The Support at Home program is available to older Australians aged 65 and over, or 50 and over for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. You do not need to have a specific medical condition to apply, but services must be linked to goals in your individual care plan.
What Our Support at Home Exercise Physiology Programs Include
Summit Health Group’s exercise physiology programs for Support at Home clients are designed around the individual goals and physical capacity of each older adult. Programs are not generic. Every participant receives an initial clinical assessment and a structured program that progresses at a safe and appropriate pace.
Common program components for Support at Home clients include:
Strength training to maintain muscle mass, support joint stability and make everyday tasks such as standing, walking and carrying easier and safer. Muscle loss is one of the primary drivers of functional decline in older adults and targeted resistance training is the most effective intervention.
Balance and falls prevention training to improve stability and confidence in everyday movement. Falls are a leading cause of hospitalisation in older Australians and targeted balance training significantly reduces falls risk.
Mobility and flexibility work to reduce stiffness and maintain the range of movement needed for daily activities including dressing, bathing and moving around the home.
Chronic condition management including exercise programs designed for older adults living with osteoporosis, osteoarthritis, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular conditions, chronic pain and respiratory conditions.
Functional movement training to improve the ability to perform everyday tasks safely and confidently, such as getting in and out of a car, climbing stairs and moving around the home without assistance.
In-Clinic, Home Visit and Telehealth Options
Support at Home clients can choose how they access exercise physiology with Summit Health Group depending on their individual needs, mobility and preferences.
In-clinic sessions at our Malvern or Blackburn clinic provide access to our full range of equipment and the direct supervision of an accredited exercise physiologist. The Malvern clinic on Station Street is accessible for older adults across Malvern, Armadale, Caulfield, Glen Iris, Toorak and South Yarra. The Blackburn clinic serves residents across Blackburn, Box Hill, Forest Hill, Nunawading, Mitcham and Ringwood.
Home visit sessions bring the exercise physiologist to you. For older adults who have difficulty travelling to the clinic, home visits allow care to be delivered in a familiar and comfortable environment. Home-based programs are adapted to the space and equipment available at home.
Telehealth sessions are available for participants who prefer remote appointments or who are temporarily unable to attend in person. Telehealth is particularly useful for maintaining program continuity and receiving guidance on home exercise routines between in-clinic or home visit sessions.
Working With Your Care Coordinator
If you receive Support at Home services through a care coordinator, Summit Health Group works directly with your coordinator to ensure our exercise physiology services align with your care plan goals, funding category and reporting requirements.
We provide session notes and progress updates that can be shared with your care team, and we adjust your program over time based on your progress and any changes to your health or goals. Our aim is to make the process as straightforward as possible for both you and your care coordinator.
If you are a care coordinator looking to refer a client to Summit Health Group for exercise physiology under Support at Home, you can contact our Malvern clinic on (03) 9576 3216 or our Blackburn clinic on (03) 8625 0514 to discuss your client’s needs and arrange an initial assessment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is exercise physiology funded under the Support at Home program?
Yes. Exercise physiology is an allied health and therapy service funded under the Support at Home program. Eligible participants can use their Support at Home funding allocation to access exercise physiology sessions at our Malvern and Blackburn clinics, through home visits or via telehealth.
How do I access Support at Home funded exercise physiology?
Contact My Aged Care on 1800 200 422 or visit myagedcare.gov.au to begin or review your Support at Home assessment. Once approved and funded, you can choose Summit Health Group as your exercise physiology provider. Your care coordinator can help arrange sessions that align with your care plan.
Can I use Support at Home funding for in-clinic exercise physiology sessions?
Yes. Support at Home funding can cover both in-clinic sessions at our Malvern or Blackburn clinic and home visit or telehealth sessions depending on your care plan goals and funding allocation.
What if I am not yet approved for Support at Home?
You can begin the Support at Home application process by contacting My Aged Care on 1800 200 422. While your application is being processed you are welcome to access exercise physiology as a private client and discuss funding options with your exercise physiologist at your initial assessment.
Do you work with care coordinators and support managers?
Yes. Summit Health Group works directly with care coordinators and support managers to ensure our exercise physiology services align with each participant’s Support at Home care plan. Contact our Malvern or Blackburn clinic to discuss your client’s needs and arrange a referral.