Frequently asked questions

In-home physiotherapy is exactly what it sounds like: a registered physiotherapist comes to your home and conducts your session there. You don't travel to a clinic. The session happens in your living room, bedroom, hallway, or garden — wherever is most relevant to what you're working on. Everything a clinic-based session includes — assessment, exercise guidance, manual therapy where appropriate, and a personalised program — is available in a home setting.

No. A referral is welcome but not required for private appointments. You can contact us directly and book without seeing your GP first. If you do have a referral, or letters from a surgeon or specialist, please bring them to your first session — they're useful context but not a prerequisite.

Yes. All physiotherapists on our team are registered with AHPRA — the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency. AHPRA registration is a legal requirement to practise as a physiotherapist in Australia and requires meeting nationally consistent standards of education and clinical training. All practitioners also hold current professional indemnity insurance. You can verify any practitioner's registration through the public register at ahpra.gov.au.

We currently visit homes in Five Dock, Drummoyne, Burwood, Concord, Strathfield, Leichhardt, Haberfield and the surrounding Inner West suburbs of Sydney. If you're unsure whether your suburb is within our service area, please call us and we'll let you know.

Standard sessions are 45 minutes. This is a one-on-one session — just you and your physiotherapist. There's no waiting for equipment, no sharing time with other patients. The full 45 minutes is yours.

We aim for consistency. Seeing the same physiotherapist each visit means they know your history, understand your progress, and can build on previous sessions rather than starting from scratch. In the event of an unavoidable scheduling conflict, we will let you know in advance and discuss options with you.

We understand that things come up. Please contact us as soon as possible if you need to change a booking. Our cancellation and rescheduling terms will be explained at the time of booking. For clients using the introductory offer, please note that sessions must be completed within a 6-week period — rescheduled sessions still need to fall within that window to remain eligible.

The introductory offer is available to new clients aged 65 and over who have not previously received services from Five Dock Physiotherapy. It is not transferable and cannot be combined with any other offer or discount. Please ask us to confirm your eligibility when you first get in touch.

After your first 4 sessions (which are at no charge under the offer), sessions 5 through 8 are available at 90% off our standard per-session rate. Our standard rate will be communicated to you clearly at the time of booking. The 90% discount applies only to these four sessions and only within the 6-week eligibility window.

Yes. Family members, carers and next of kin often contact us on behalf of a parent or relative. Please call us and we'll discuss the situation, confirm eligibility and arrange everything from there. The sessions themselves are for the eligible client — the booking can be made by someone acting on their behalf.

No. Physiotherapy does not replace medical care. We do not diagnose medical conditions, we do not prescribe medication, and we are not a substitute for your GP or specialist. We work alongside your existing healthcare team. If something comes up during a session that we think warrants medical attention, we will advise you to consult your doctor.

Many people contact us after their hospital-based physiotherapy has ended but while they're still clearly in the recovery phase. The timing of when to begin depends on your surgery, your surgeon's advice, and your current condition. Please call us and describe your situation — we'll discuss whether the timing is appropriate and what an initial assessment would involve at your current stage of recovery.

Yes, absolutely. In fact, this is one of the most common situations we work with. We start from where you actually are — not from a textbook ideal or an assumption about what someone your age "should" be able to do. The initial assessment gives us a clear picture of your current capacity, and we build a program that is appropriate for that. Small, consistent progress is the goal.