Will Medicare pay for a personal trainer?
Medicare does not directly cover personal training services in Australia. However, Medicare does provide rebates for Exercise Physiology services, which are similar but more clinically focused, when specific conditions are met.
Medicare Coverage for Exercise Physiology
You can access Medicare rebates for exercise physiology (not personal training) if you have a chronic medical condition that has lasted or is expected to last 6 months or more. Your GP must create a Chronic Disease Management (CDM) Plan or Enhanced Primary Care (EPC) plan and refer you to an accredited Exercise Physiologist.
Under this plan, you can receive up to 5 individual allied health sessions per calendar year, which are shared across all allied health providers (physiotherapy, dietetics, podiatry, and exercise physiology combined). The Medicare rebate for exercise physiology is $61.80 per session as of July 2025, though clinics set their own fees so you may have an out-of-pocket gap.
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Chronic Conditions Covered
Common chronic conditions that qualify include diabetes, osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, chronic back pain, metabolic conditions, and cardiovascular disease. To access these services, book an appointment with your GP to discuss whether you qualify and request a CDM plan with an exercise physiology referral.
Private Health Insurance Alternative
While Medicare doesn’t cover personal trainers, some private health insurance funds like Bupa and Teachers Health provide benefits for gym memberships and personal training sessions on certain extras covers. These benefits are separate from Medicare and depend on your specific policy level and waiting periods.
