What is hydrotherapy?
Hydrotherapy — also called aquatic physiotherapy or aquatic exercise therapy — involves performing therapeutic exercises in a heated pool under the supervision of a qualified clinician. The water provides resistance, buoyancy and warmth that make exercise more accessible, comfortable and effective for many people who struggle with land-based programs.
At Exercare, hydrotherapy is designed and supervised by an accredited exercise physiologist (AEP). Programs are fully individualised — your EP assesses your condition, goals and capacity before designing a water-based exercise program that targets your specific needs.
Hydrotherapy vs swimming: Hydrotherapy is not swimming laps. It is a structured clinical exercise program performed in a pool — typically heated to 33–36°C — designed and supervised by a qualified exercise physiologist. The program is based on your goals and medical history, not general fitness.
Who benefits most from hydrotherapy?
Hydrotherapy is particularly effective for people who find land-based exercise painful, exhausting or physically difficult. It is well suited to:
- Older adults with joint pain, osteoarthritis or reduced mobility
- NDIS participants with neurological conditions such as cerebral palsy, MS or acquired brain injury
- People with chronic pain conditions including fibromyalgia and lower back pain
- Post-surgical rehabilitation where weight-bearing exercise is restricted
- Children and adults with autism who respond well to sensory water environments
- Aged care clients wanting low-impact exercise to maintain strength and balance
- People with obesity for whom land-based exercise places excessive joint load
- Anyone recovering from stroke or cardiac event requiring graded cardiovascular exercise
Why water makes exercise easier and more effective
The therapeutic benefits of exercising in water come from several key properties:
Buoyancy reduces joint load
When immersed to chest depth, the body bears only around 25% of its normal weight. This dramatically reduces the load on arthritic joints, painful hips and knees, and injured or post-surgical areas — allowing movement that would be too painful or impossible on land.
Warm water relaxes muscles
Heated hydrotherapy pools (typically 33–36°C) cause muscles to relax and blood vessels to dilate, reducing pain and stiffness before exercise even begins. This makes warm water exercise particularly valuable for people with chronic pain, spasticity, and conditions like fibromyalgia.
Water provides natural resistance
Moving through water provides resistance in all directions, building strength without the impact of weights or resistance bands. This makes hydrotherapy an effective strength training tool even for people who cannot safely use gym equipment.
Improved balance and safety
The water environment provides a safe, supported medium for balance and gait training. Falls risk is dramatically reduced, making it an ideal environment for older adults or people with neurological conditions affecting balance and coordination.
Exercare tip: Many clients find that regular hydrotherapy sessions dramatically improve their ability to participate in land-based exercise between sessions. The strength, range of motion and confidence gained in the pool transfers directly to everyday activities.
How to fund hydrotherapy in south-east Melbourne
NDIS — plan-managed and self-managed participants
Hydrotherapy supervised by an accredited exercise physiologist is funded under the NDIS as a Capacity Building therapeutic support (Support Category 07 — Improved Daily Activities). Exercare accepts both plan-managed and self-managed NDIS participants for hydrotherapy sessions.
The NDIS funds the clinician's time supervising your session. Pool entry fees are typically paid separately by the participant, though some participants may be able to include pool costs under Community Participation supports depending on their plan. Talk to your support coordinator about what applies to your plan.
Aged care — Home Care Packages and Support at Home
Hydrotherapy is an approved allied health service under Home Care Packages (HCP) and the Support at Home program. Your home care provider can approve exercise physiology hydrotherapy sessions as part of your package. Exercare works directly with home care providers across south-east Melbourne — contact us and we'll liaise with your provider on your behalf.
Medicare — Chronic Disease Management plans
If your GP has referred you under a Chronic Disease Management (CDM) plan, exercise physiology hydrotherapy sessions are claimable under Medicare. You receive up to five allied health sessions per calendar year with a Medicare rebate applied. No separate hydrotherapy referral is needed — the CDM plan covers the exercise physiologist's time.
Private health insurance
Most private health extras policies that include exercise physiology will cover hydrotherapy sessions supervised by an AEP. Check your policy's exercise physiology benefit — the rebate applies to the clinician's fee, not the pool entry.
Self-funded
Self-funded hydrotherapy sessions are available with no referral required. Contact Exercare for current rates and to arrange an initial assessment.
Interested in hydrotherapy in south-east Melbourne?
Exercare provides mobile exercise physiology including hydrotherapy sessions across Chadstone, Murrumbeena, Carnegie, Bentleigh and surrounding suburbs. Contact us to discuss your needs and arrange an initial assessment.
What to expect at your first hydrotherapy session
- Initial land-based assessment — your exercise physiologist reviews your medical history, goals, current function and any contraindications before you enter the water
- Pool orientation — your EP introduces you to the pool environment, water temperature and session structure at a pace that suits you
- Supervised exercise program — your individualised program begins, with your EP in or beside the pool guiding every exercise
- Post-session review — your EP records your session and discusses how you felt, adjusting the program as needed
- Home program — where appropriate, your EP provides exercises you can practise between sessions to build on your progress
Hydrotherapy pool locations in south-east Melbourne
Exercare works with several accessible hydrotherapy and aquatic facilities across south-east Melbourne, including pools in the Chadstone, Bentleigh, Murrumbeena, Carnegie and surrounding areas. When you book with Exercare, we'll identify the most convenient accessible pool for your location and arrange sessions there.
Pool entry costs are typically paid directly by the client or funded through community participation supports. Exercare can advise on the most cost-effective arrangement for your funding type.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to be able to swim for hydrotherapy?
No. Hydrotherapy takes place in the shallow end of the pool where you can stand. You do not need swimming ability — your exercise physiologist is with you throughout the session.
Is hydrotherapy suitable for children?
Yes. Exercare provides paediatric hydrotherapy for children with disability including cerebral palsy, autism and developmental conditions. Sessions are adapted to the child's age, ability and sensory needs.
How is hydrotherapy different from swimming lessons or water aerobics?
Hydrotherapy is a clinical service supervised by an accredited exercise physiologist. It is based on your individual goals and medical history, and sessions are recorded as part of your clinical care. It is not a group fitness or recreational activity.
This article was written by the Exercare team. Exercare provides mobile exercise physiology and hydrotherapy services across south-east Melbourne for NDIS, aged care, Medicare and private health clients. Learn more about Exercare →