Allied health at BCH
This page will cover all of the allied health services provided by BCH—dietetics, exercise physiology, physiotherapy, podiatry, speech pathology, cardiac health and social work—as well as when these services might be beneficial for you or your family.
Our services
Ballarat Community Health provides high quality healthcare that is available to everyone. If you can’t afford to pay, you may be eligible for a government program that will cover or contribute to the cost of the service for you. If you are employed and earning an income, you can still access our excellent services. Our prices are kept affordable to ensure everyone in our community can access the healthcare they need.
Our dietitians offer evidence-based, non-judgemental support with food and eating. They will work with you to help meet your needs and support your goals. They can support you with:
- general nutrition and healthy eating
- diabetes and prevention of diabetes
- heart health, cholesterol and high blood pressure
- assistance to manage gout through diet
- fussy or selective eating
- eating disorder concerns
- body image issues
- nutrition for pregnancy and breastfeeding
- stomach and gut issues
- food intolerance and allergy
- vegetarian and vegan eating
- loss of strength or energy
- vitamin and mineral deficiencies
- confusion about popular diets
- childhood nutrition
- group education:
- LIFE! diabetes and heart disease prevention program
Our dietetic services are offered at Lucas, Sebastopol, and Wendouree sites. A referral may be required to access this service.
For more information on fees, check out the ‘BCH schedule of fees’ below.
For more information about dietetics or to make a booking, please call us on (03) 5338 4500. You can also check out our more extensive dietetics page here.
Our exercise physiology team are fully qualified health professionals with extensive knowledge skills and competencies to design, deliver and evaluate safe and effective exercise for people with medical conditions, injuries or disabilities.
BCH exercise physiologists provide a range of exercise programs for clients accessing services such as My Aged Care, NDIS which can cover or subsidise the fee.
Exercise physiologists at BCH value the importance of prevention and management of health conditions and aim to provide service in an empathetic and respectful manner.
Group programs include:
- Falls Prevention
- Living Longer, Living Stronger (fitness and strength training for over 50s)
- Remedial gym
- Stroke Group
- PD Warrior
- Parkinson’s group
- Hydrotherapy
Our exercise physiology services are offered at Lucas, Sebastopol and Smythesdale sites. A referral may be required to access this service.
For more information on fees, check out the ‘BCH schedule of fees’ below. Please note that session cost varies depending on individual consultations or group exercise classes.
For more information about exercise physiology or to make a booking, please call us on (03) 5338 4500.
Our physiotherapists will work with you to restore your function and independence. They aim to reduce pain and improve function and quality of life, utilising treatment techniques such as manual therapy, exercise and education, as well as guiding you toward self-management. Our physiotherapists treat conditions such as:
- back and neck pain
- chronic conditions such as arthritis
- post-surgery (eg, knee and hip replacements, shoulder surgery)
- general joint and muscle pain/ injury or weakness
- reduced mobility
- dizziness caused by conditions such as BPPV (benign paroxysmal positional vertigo) as well as other conditions contributing to dizziness.
We also provide children’s physiotherapy services, which can help your child to improve:
- motor development
- strength
- range of motion
- endurance
- gait difficulties
- balance
- coordination
- delayed motor development.
Our physiotherapy services are offered at Lucas and Sebastopol sites. A referral may be required to access this service. For more information about physiotherapy, check out our more extensive physiotherapy page. To make a booking, call us on (03) 5338 4500.
For more information on fees, check out the ‘BCH schedule of fees’ below.
Our podiatry team provides assessments and review for people of all ages, screenings and education around mobility, function and gait issues, foot care and monitoring foot health. Our podiatrists manage foot and lower limb conditions through prevention, assessment, diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation.
Podiatry services are offered at Lucas, Sebastopol, Wendouree and Smythesdale sites. A referral may be required to access this service. For more information about podiatry or to make a booking, please call us on (03) 5338 4500.
You can find more extensive information about podiatry, including how our podiatrists may be useful to you, here.
For more information on fees, check out the ‘BCH schedule of fees’ below.
Our service includes counselling, support, health coaching and advocacy for individuals and families living with chronic health conditions (diabetes, musculoskeletal conditions, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, etc.).
The service can include assistance with:
- behaviour change and goal setting
- stress management and enhancing wellbeing
- family and relationships issues
- grief and loss issues
- pain management
- learning about self-management principles
- illness and role adjustment
- secondary symptoms of chronic illness (e.g. low mood, worry, anger or sleep disturbance)
- health advocacy and communication support.
Our chronic disease counselling service is offered at the Lucas site and can be accessed by phoning us on (03) 5338 4500.
A referral is not required to access this service. There is currently no charge for this service unless you are receiving a Home Care Package or are considered High income as per our fees schedule (see below).
Speech pathologists work closely with parents and carers to help support a child’s growth and development in all areas of communication and eating/ feeding. Services are predominantly clinic-based, but childcare, kindergarten and school-based services can be discussed if appropriate for a child and their family.
Speech pathologists at Ballarat Community Health are able to assess and treat the following areas:
- Speech – production of speech sounds or how a child can be understood by others in conversation.
- Language – understanding concepts, following directions, listening, telling stories, using words to communicate needs and wants.
- Pragmatic language skills – social use of language.
- Literacy – development of early literacy or phonological awareness skills.
- Fluency – otherwise known as stuttering or dysfluency.
- Eating/feeding skills – children who present as picky eaters or problem feeders.
Our speech pathology services are offered at Lucas and Wendouree sites. A referral is required to access this service. For more information about speech pathology or to make a booking, please call us on (03) 5338 4500.
This service has a cost associated with it. For more information on fees, check out the ‘BCH schedule of fees’ below. For more information on funding options, look at the ‘government funding options’ tab below.
Diabetes educators support people with type 1 or 2 diabetes to live and stay well by providing self-management education and support. They can support you with:
- individual assessment, education and ongoing support
- the diabetes annual review clinic
- group education:
- Diabetes Getting Started
- Injected Medications for Type 2 Diabetes
Our diabetes education services are offered at Lucas, Sebastopol and Wendouree sites.
A referral is not required to access this service. For more information about diabetes education or to make a booking, please call us on (03) 5338 4500.
For more information on fees, check out the ‘BCH schedule of fees’ below.
Cardiac Health is an eight-week program that helps people who have experienced a cardiac event or those who are living with a heart condition.
The program involves supervised exercise classes and education sessions to enable an active and healthy life. It also helps reduce further heart events and enables interaction with others who have experienced similar heart events.
How can I access the program?
You will need a referral to My Aged Care if you are over the age of 65 years.
Talk to your GP, cardiologist. or other health professional about referrals.
Click HERE to learn more
Fees
Ballarat Community Health can offer a variety of funding options, depending on your age, circumstances and level of services required.
Clients who have been assessed as eligible for government-funded services are required to contribute to the cost of the service. The cost of service generally ranges between $12 for pensioners or concession card holders and $20 for medium income earners.
Fees are based on the estimated annual income per individual or household. For more detailed information about fees, check out the tables below.
- BCH fee schedule
- Government funding options
- NDIS
- Home care package services
- Medicare subsidies
- Exercise Physiology Group Program
- Speech Pathology
- Tab
BCH schedule of fees: annual income brackets
This schedule of fees only apply to those eligible for government funding. For more information, please see the ‘government funding options’ tab to the right of this table.
| Individual | Couple | Family (range depends on number of dependents) | Cost |
| Up to $39,089 | Up to $59,802 | Up to $66,009 – $84,627 | $12 |
| From $39,089 to $86,208 | From $59,802 to $115,245 | Between $66,009 to $84,627 and $118,546 – $137,164 | $20 |
| $86,208 or greater | $115,245 or greater | greater than $118,546 and $137,164 | $140 (60min assessments and consults) |
| $86,208 or greater | $115,245 or greater | greater than $118,546 and $137,164 | $70 (30min consults) |
*Fees effective from 01/07/2024
**Income range is based on the Centrelink income test for pensioners
In the event that you do not qualify for Government funding for whatever reason, you can still access Ballarat Community Health services for a fee-for-service cost. Please talk to us about our fees and payment options. Contact us on (03) 5338 4500 or email [email protected].
My Aged Care funding
The Federal Government subsidises aged care funded packages with are available through the Government’s My Aged Care program following an assessment of needs.
- Are you over 65 years?
- Are you finding it harder to do everyday things for yourself?
- Do you need short-term access to services to help you return to your activities of daily living?
- Are you recovering from an accident or illness, or recently been hospitalised?
You may be eligible to receive Australian Government-funded services. For more information, speak to a My Aged Care contact person on 1800 200 422, visit the My Aged Care website, or register to be assessed. You can also watch this helpful video.
Home care packages
Home care packages are funded by the Commonwealth and provide a coordinated approach to care and services to enable people to remain independent for as long as is possible.
You may be able to fund the cost of services using your package funding. For more information, speak to a My Aged Care representative on 1800 200 422, or visit the My Aged Care website.
National Disability Insurance Scheme
The NDIS provides support to Australians who are permanently and/ or significantly disabled.
- Do you have Australian residency (Citizen, Permanent resident or Special Category VISA)?
- Do you have a disability, impairment or condition that is likely to be permanent?
- Do you usually need support form a person or equipment to do everyday things for yourself
You may be eligible to receive funding through the NDIS scheme. For more information, speak to an NDIS representative on 1800 800 110, visit the NDIS website.
Chronic disease management plan
- Do you have a long-term medical condition? I.e. Arthritis, osteoporosis, diabetes, cardiovascular (heart) disease, respiratory disease (Asthma, lung and COPD) mental health conditions (dementia and Alzheimer’s), cancer etc.
- Have you had this condition for at least 6 months or is it terminal?
You may be eligible to receive Medicare funded services. For more information, speak to your GP or visit the DOH website.
Self-funded (fee-for-service)
In the event that you do not qualify for subsidised Government funded services, you can still access Ballarat Community Health services for a fee-for-service cost.
For more detailed information about fees, view the BCH schedule of fees tab.
Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA)
Services funded through DVA for BCH Allied Health programs require a referral from your GP (D0904 form). For more information regarding DVA, visit the DVA website.
NDIS services
| Service | Support item | Reference # | Support category | Cost |
| Dietitian (individual consult) | Individual assessment, therapy and/or training | 12_025_0128_3_3 | Improved health and wellbeing | $140 |
| Exercise physiologist (individual consult) | Exercise physiology | 12_027_0126_3_3 | Improved health and wellbeing | $154 (includes GST) |
| Exercise physiologist (group consult) | Exercise physiology in a group | 12_028_0126_3_3 | Improved health and wellbeing | $49.50 (includes GST) |
| Physiotherapy (individual consult) | Individual assessment, therapy and/or training | 15_048_0128_1_3 | Improved daily living | $140 |
| Podiatry (individual consult) | Individual assessment, therapy and/or training | 15_048_0128_1_3 | Improved daily living | $140 |
| Orthotics | Selection and/or manufacture of customised or wearable technology | 15_047_0135_1_3 | Improved daily living | Cost dependant on prescription |
| Speech pathology (individual consult) | Capacity building supports for early childhood | 15_040_0118_1_3 | Improved daily living | $140 |
*Fees based on NDIS price guide effective post-July 2019
**Up to a maximum of three participants per group.
Click HERE for the NDIS referral form
Home care package services
| Service | 1 hour initial consultation | 30 minute review consultation |
| Dietician (individual consultation) | $140 | N/A |
| Exercise physiologist (individual consultation) | $154 | N/A |
| Exercise physiologist (group consultation^) | $22 – $49.50 | N/A |
| Physiotherapy (individual consultation) | $140 | $70 |
| Podiatry (individual consultation) | $140 | $70 |
| Correspondence/Reporting | $35 per 15 minutes | $35 per 15 minutes |
^To access an exercise physiology or hydrotherapy group appointment, you must have previously attended an individual assessment.
*For Cardiac Health and Pulmonary Rehabilitation Services, please contact Allied Health Intake team for a pricing schedule.
**GST applies to all exercise physiology appointments.
***These rates will be charged to all agencies purchasing services on behalf of a client on a package or brokerage basis (full cost recovery).
**** Two or more participants, up to a maximum of 12 participants.
Services paid by Medicare (for clients with GP referrals)
| Service | 1 hour initial consultation | 30 minute review consultation |
| Physiotherapy (individual consultation) | N/A | $70 with a $60.34 Medicare rebate |
| Podiatry (individual consultation) | N/A | $70 with a $60.34 Medicare rebate |
| **Speech pathology | $140 with a $60.34 Medicare rebate | $70 with a $60.34 Medicare rebate |
*Fees are based on the Medicare Benefits Schedule
Exercise Physiology Group Program Fees
| Size | No. Participants in each group | Programs | Fee |
| Exercise Physiology – Small | Maximum of 3 per clinician | High-risk clients* | $8 for Government subsidised $49.50 for Home Care Package $49.50 NDIS |
| Exercise Physiology – Standard | 4 – 10 | Moderate-risk clients* | $8 for Government subsidised $33 for Home Care Package N/A for NDIS |
| Exercise Physiology – Large | more than 10 | Low-risk clients* | $8 for Government subsidised $22 for Home Care Package N/A for NDIS |
| Hydrotherapy – Small | Maximum of 3 per clinician | High-risk clients* Home care Package (HCP) NDIS |
$49.50 (Includes $6.70 pool pass) |
| Hydrotherapy – Standard | 4 – 10 | Moderate-risk clients* | $8 for Government subsidised (not including $6.70 pool pass) $40.70 for Home Care Package (Includes $6.70 pool pass) |
*Clinician will assess which group size is suitable for client at initial assessment
| Service | 1 hour | 30 minutes |
| Speech Pathology | $140* | $70* |
*Medicare rebate of $60.34 is available for clients with a complete GP Care Plan.
*Eligible low income clients may be able to access up to 5 fully subsidised sessions at not cost.
Contact us
To access services at Ballarat Community Health, make an enquiry via the customer service menu to the right-hand side of the screen, or call us on (03) 5338 4500.
It can be confusing, so if you need help with the My Aged Care process, navigating the website or any general assistance, please call us.
Speaking your language
At Ballarat Community health, diversity is respected and celebrated, and we’re proud to work with people from many different non-English speaking backgrounds.
If you would prefer to communicate with a service provider in your home language, you can now access the National Multilingual Disability Hub: a national multilingual hotline and website that provides information in-language on disability and the NDIS.
For health professionals
GPs or health professionals wanting to refer a client to Ballarat Community Health please call (03) 5338 4500 or alternatively, direct your referral enquiry to [email protected].
Doctors clinics
BCH doctors clinics are located at Lucas, Sebastopol and Wendouree sites. The clinics provide access to healthcare for people living in regional and rural communities in Ballarat and northern Golden Plains Shire.
Our GPs can help you with all of your general medical issues including:
- women’s and men’s health screening
- care planning
- immunisations
- wound management
- blood collection
- adolescent health
- and more.
Concession card holders, health carer card holders and patients under the age of 16 will be bulk billed.
All other patients will be asked to make a small contribution toward the cost of their visit, and those patients without Medicare benefits or without a Medicare card will be required to pay the full fee on the day.
Appointments are available Monday to Friday 8:30-5:00pm.
For after hours, call the after hours GP helpline on 1800 022 222
For Nurse-on-call assistance, call 1300 60 60 24
For more information on our doctors clinics, visit our doctors clinics page. To make a booking, please call us on (03) 5338 4585, or—if you are a returning patient—log in and make an appointment using the customer service screen to the right-hand side of the screen.
My Health Record
My Health Record is an electronic platform that consolidates all of your Medical information and/or history into one place! This means that any health care provider involved in your care can, with your permission, access this information, ie, medical conditions, treatments, medicines, allergies and test results.
Please speak with your GP or one of our practice nurses if you would like to have a record of your consultation uploaded to My Health Record.
For more information, visit www.myhealthrecord.gov.au.
