If you’re an NDIS participant looking for exercise options, you might be wondering: Can I still get exercise funded? What’s changed? And what actually works for my body? NDIS exercise Brisbane.
The short answer: yes, exercise can still be funded through the NDIS — but the rules around how it’s funded have tightened since the Getting the NDIS Back on Track reforms took effect in October 2024. Here’s what you need to know.
What changed with NDIS exercise funding?
Under the October 2024 legislative reforms, the NDIS clarified what counts as an “NDIS support” and what doesn’t. The key change affecting exercise:
- General gym memberships and standard fitness classes are not NDIS supports. The NDIS does not fund everyday health and fitness costs that any Australian might pay for.
- Exercise delivered by a qualified allied health professional — as therapy — is still funded. This includes exercise physiology and physiotherapy sessions that are directly related to your disability goals.
- Group exercise programs run by NDIS providers can be funded under Social and Community Participation (Core Supports) when you need support worker assistance to participate.
In other words, the NDIS hasn’t stopped funding exercise entirely. But it no longer funds exercise simply because you want to stay fit. The exercise must be connected to your disability, delivered by qualified professionals, or accessed with disability-related support.
The three pathways to NDIS-funded exercise in 2026
1. Exercise physiology or physiotherapy (Capacity Building)
If your NDIS plan includes Improved Health and Wellbeing or Improved Daily Living funding, you can access exercise physiology and physiotherapy sessions with accredited clinicians. These are therapy appointments — not gym visits — and they’re specifically designed to address your disability-related needs.
This covers:
- One-on-one exercise physiology sessions tailored to your conditions
- Physiotherapy programs focused on mobility, strength, and pain management
- Small-group supervised exercise delivered by accredited exercise physiologists
- Programs designed to increase or maintain functional capacity, muscle strength, range of motion, balance and mobility
The NDIS Transitional Rules specifically list “exercise physiology and personal well-being activities” as an NDIS support, including personal exercise programs to increase or maintain a person’s functional capacity.
2. Community exercise programs (Core Supports)
If your plan includes Assistance with Social and Community Participation funding (Core Supports, line items starting with 04_104 or 04_105), you can use this for group exercise and fitness programs — particularly where you need a support worker to help you participate.
This pathway funds the support you need to exercise in the community, not the exercise itself. It works well for supervised group fitness, community sport programs, and therapeutic exercise classes where you need assistance to attend and participate safely.
Group-based activities are significantly more affordable — a 1:3 group ratio can cost around $29 per hour per participant compared to $70+ for one-on-one support.
3. Replacement supports (individual approval)
Under the new legislation, if a gym membership or fitness program isn’t technically an NDIS support but would replace a more expensive NDIS therapy service and deliver the same or better outcomes, you can apply to the NDIA for a replacement support determination. This is assessed individually and requires evidence that the replacement costs less and achieves equivalent results.
Why exercise matters for NDIS participants
Exercise isn’t just about fitness. For people living with chronic pain, fatigue, mobility challenges, or mental health conditions, regular movement can:
- Improve flexibility and reduce stiffness
- Build strength and confidence in your own body
- Boost mood and mental wellbeing
- Reduce the risk of secondary health complications
- Help you stay independent for longer
The challenge is finding exercise that feels safe, achievable, and won’t leave you exhausted or in pain the next day.
The problem with traditional gyms
Most gyms aren’t designed for NDIS participants. They’re loud, crowded, and built around a “no pain, no gain” mentality. The equipment assumes you can move your own body weight against resistance. Staff aren’t trained to work with chronic conditions or disabilities.
If you’ve got fibromyalgia, EDS, fatigue, or chronic pain, a standard gym can be overwhelming — physically and emotionally.
Power-assisted exercise: A better option for NDIS participants
Power-assisted exercise machines are different. The machines do most of the work. You sit on them, relax, and the equipment gently moves your muscles and joints through a full range of motion.
The benefits for NDIS participants:
- No strain. The machine handles the load, so you’re not fighting against your own body weight.
- Controlled movement. Every exercise is smooth and predictable — no jarring or sudden stress on your joints.
- Individualised. Your program is tailored to your body, your conditions, and your pace.
- Supervised. A qualified staff member is with you the whole time, monitoring how you’re feeling and adjusting as needed.
- Community. You’re exercising alongside other people with similar experiences, not alone in a crowded gym.
- No aftermath pain. Most people don’t wake up sore or exhausted the next day — they feel energised.
Because sessions at Easy Exercising are supervised by qualified staff and tailored to your disability-related goals, they align with the NDIS funding pathways outlined above — whether accessed through your Capacity Building budget or Community Participation supports.
How to access NDIS-funded exercise in 2026
- Check your NDIS plan. Look for funding under Improved Health and Wellbeing, Improved Daily Living (Capacity Building), or Assistance with Social and Community Participation (Core Supports).
- Talk to your plan manager or support coordinator. They can confirm which funding category applies and whether exercise physiology, physiotherapy, or community participation is the right pathway for you.
- Find a qualified provider. For NDIS-funded exercise, the provider must be qualified — accredited exercise physiologists, physiotherapists, or registered NDIS providers delivering supervised programs.
- Connect exercise to your NDIS goals. Under the current rules, funded exercise must clearly relate to your disability goals — improved mobility, pain management, functional capacity, or community participation. Your provider can help document this connection.
- Start with a trial. Most good providers offer a free or low-cost first session so you can see if it’s right for you.
What to look for in an NDIS-friendly exercise provider
The best providers:
- Have experience working with NDIS participants and understand the funding pathways
- Offer individualised programs, not one-size-fits-all classes
- Are supervised by qualified allied health professionals or trained staff
- Take the time to understand your conditions and limitations
- Make you feel welcome and supported, not judged
- Can provide invoices and documentation that meets NDIS requirements
The bottom line
The NDIS hasn’t stopped funding exercise — but the pathway has changed. General gym memberships aren’t covered. Exercise delivered as therapy by qualified professionals, or community exercise accessed with disability support, absolutely is.
If you’ve tried traditional gyms and they didn’t work, or if you’re looking for something gentler, supervised, and aligned with your NDIS goals, power-assisted exercise could be exactly what you need.
Ready to try? Many Easy Exercising participants use NDIS funding for their sessions — through Capacity Building, Community Participation, or plan-managed arrangements. We can help you understand which pathway suits your plan. Book a free trial session at our Capalaba or Morayfield clinic and see for yourself how different power-assisted exercise can be.
Easy Exercising offers supervised NDIS exercise in Brisbane at our Capalaba and Morayfield locations — power-assisted, gentle, and accessible for participants at every fitness level.
Last updated: March 2026. This article reflects the NDIS Transitional Rules effective from 3 October 2024 under the National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Getting the NDIS Back on Track No. 1) Act 2024. NDIS rules and funding arrangements may change — always check with your plan manager or the NDIS website for the latest information.
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