What Does an Accredited Exercise Physiologist (AEP) Do?
Empowering Movement, Reclaiming Independence
When people hear the word “exercise,” they often think of it as going for a 10km run, losing weight in the blink of an eye, or hitting the gym 7 days a week. But when it comes to managing chronic conditions, disabilities, and injuries, exercise becomes more than just a lifestyle choice—it becomes a form of medicine. That’s where Accredited Exercise Physiologists (AEPs) come in.
Whether you’re navigating life with a disability, recovering from an injury, or managing a chronic illness, an AEP can help you reclaim your strength, independence, and quality of life through personalised, evidence-based exercise.
So, what does an Accredited Exercise Physiologist actually do? Let’s break it down.
What Is an Accredited Exercise Physiologist?
An Accredited Exercise Physiologist (AEP) is a university-qualified allied health professional who specialises in the prescription of exercise for the prevention, treatment, and management of chronic health conditions, injuries, and disabilities.
AEPs are recognised by Medicare, NDIS, WorkCover, DVA, and most private health insurers. Unlike personal trainers, AEPs work with complex health needs and use clinical reasoning and scientific principles to tailor programs that support both physical and mental wellbeing.
At Chronic Gains, we live and breathe this mission. We believe that exercise is life-changing—because it changed our lives. We exist to guide, educate, and empower our clients so they can live with less pain, more movement, and a lot more confidence.
Key Responsibilities of an AEP
1. Clinical Assessment & Functional Evaluation
Before jumping into an exercise plan, an AEP conducts a comprehensive initial assessment to understand your medical history, lifestyle history, current limitations, functional capacity, and goals.
This may involve:
- Musculoskeletal assessments (range of motion, posture, strength)
- Balance and mobility testing
- Cardiorespiratory fitness testing
- Pain and fatigue questionnaires
- Functional movement screenings
💡 At Chronic Gains, our first consultations are 1-hour long to allow our AEPs to dig deep and build a plan that’s meaningful and actionable.
2. Exercise Prescription & Program Development
Once we know where you’re starting from, we design an individualised exercise program based on:
- Your diagnosis
- Functional limitations
- NDIS goals (if applicable)
- Personal preferences
- Your lifestyle and mental health needs
Your program may include:
- Strength and conditioning
- Cardiovascular training
- Balance and fall-prevention exercises
- Mobility and flexibility routines
- Pain management techniques
- Breathing and mindfulness tools
Every plan is tailored, trackable, and goal-oriented—helping you progress in a way that feels right for you.
3. Education and Behaviour Change Support
Exercise isn’t just about reps and sets—it’s about understanding your body and building long-term habits. AEPs spend a big chunk of their time educating clients on movement, injury prevention, and self-management strategies.
We teach you:
- Why certain exercises are beneficial
- How to modify movements – make them easier or harder
- How to listen to your body
- How to pace yourself during flare-ups and develop a strategy to manage them
- How to build confidence around movement again
We also help you understand how lifestyle factors like sleep, stress, and mental health impact your physical health—and give you strategies to improve them or get other allied health professionals involved in your healthcare.
4. Long-Term Health Management
For clients with conditions like:
- Diabetes
- Obesity
- Osteoarthritis
- Cardiovascular disease
- Fibromyalgia
- Chronic pain
- Mental health disorders
- Neurological conditions (e.g., stroke, MS)
…our job is to help you manage your symptoms, reduce medication reliance, and boost your quality of life.
We work collaboratively with your GP, physiotherapist, psychologist, or support coordinator to ensure your care is cohesive and aligned.
5. Supporting People with Disabilities (NDIS)
Under the NDIS, Exercise Physiology is a funded support aimed at improving:
- Functional mobility
- Strength and endurance
- Independence in daily activities
- Social engagement and participation
- Mental wellbeing
At Chronic Gains, our AEPs are experienced in supporting participants with:
- Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
- Intellectual Disabilities
- Physical Disabilities
- Sensory impairments
- Psychosocial disabilities
We map your NDIS goals to functional outcomes and create a plan that includes regular assessments, progress tracking, and clear communication with your care team.
6. Supporting Workers Compensation Clients
Exercise Physiologists play a vital role in WorkCover and Workers Compensation rehabilitation. If you’ve been injured at work, an AEP can help you:
- Regain physical function
- Reduce pain
- Build strength and endurance
- Return to work safely and confidently
We collaborate with case managers, rehabilitation consultants, and your Nominated Treating Doctor (NTD) to deliver goal-oriented rehab programs aligned with your return-to-work plan. We provide ongoing documentation and functional outcome measures to support your recovery journey.
7. Supporting DVA Clients
We are also proud to support Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) clients. If you are a veteran with a DVA Gold or White Card, you may be eligible for Exercise Physiology services funded by DVA to help manage:
- Chronic musculoskeletal conditions
- Pain and fatigue
- Mobility and balance impairments
- Mental health-related physical inactivity
Our AEPs are experienced in working with veterans and will collaborate with your GP and DVA to ensure your sessions are focused on restoring independence, improving daily function, and supporting long-term health.
8. Supporting Private Clients
We also support private clients—these are individuals who either have private health insurance with Extras Cover or choose to pay out-of-pocket for their sessions.
Private Health Insurance Clients:
If you have Extras Cover through your private health fund, you may be eligible for a rebate on Exercise Physiology services. Coverage varies depending on your insurer and level of cover, so we recommend checking your policy. The good news? We make it easy—just bring your private health card, and we can swipe it through our machine to check your coverage and process any rebate on the spot.
Out-of-Pocket Clients:
Some clients prefer to pay privately without using insurance. This might be because they want complete flexibility, don’t have private cover, or are looking for targeted, preventative care. Many of our private clients come to us for:
- Postural correction and injury prevention
- General strength and conditioning
- Weight management
- Chronic stress and fatigue
- Safe return to physical activity after a break
Whether you’re recovering, maintaining, or optimising your health, our tailored sessions offer the structure and support you need.
9. Supporting Medicare Clients
If you’re living with a chronic condition, you may be eligible for Exercise Physiology services through Medicare’s Chronic Disease Management (CDM) Plan—previously known as an EPC referral.
This allows your GP to refer you for up to five subsidised sessions per calendar year. These sessions are ideal for managing long-term conditions like diabetes, arthritis, chronic pain, or cardiovascular issues.
At Chronic Gains, we accept Medicare referrals and work closely with your GP to make sure your program supports your medical needs and health goals. There may be an out-of-pocket gap fee, and no private health insurance is needed to access this service.
What Makes AEPs Different From Physios or PTs?
| Profession | Focus Area | Scope of Practice |
|---|---|---|
| Exercise Physiologist | Chronic disease, injury management, long-term rehab | Assessment, clinical exercise prescription, education, lifestyle modification |
| Physiotherapist | Acute injuries, pain relief, manual therapy | Manual therapy, joint mobilisations, dry needling, early-stage rehab |
| Personal Trainer | General fitness, performance | Generic exercise programming for healthy individuals |
An AEP is best suited for people with complex health needs, who need a scientifically backed, structured, and supportive approach to exercise.
Is Seeing an AEP Right for You?
If you’re living with:
- A chronic condition
- A physical or intellectual disability
- Ongoing pain or mobility issues
- Post-surgery or injury complications
- Fear of movement or low motivation
…then yes, seeing an AEP could be life-changing.
We don’t just improve your fitness—we help you:
- Regain your confidence
- Move with less fear
- Reduce your pain
- Improve daily function
- Build a life that feels more free and fulfilling
How to Start With an AEP
NDIS Participants:
- Ask your Support Coordinator or Plan Manager to include Exercise Physiology under Improved Daily Living or Capacity Building.
- Book an initial consultation with one of our AEPs.
- We’ll assess, create a report, and start your sessions.
Medicare/Chronic Condition:
- Speak to your GP about a Chronic Disease Management (CDM) Plan to get rebates.
- Contact us directly to book your appointment.
Workers Compensation:
- Speak to your doctor about a WorkCover referral.
- Ensure your insurer or case manager approves Exercise Physiology as part of your rehab.
- We’ll liaise with all stakeholders and tailor a return-to-work focused program.
DVA Clients:
- Speak to your GP for a DVA referral.
- Ensure you hold a Gold or White Card.
- We will handle the claiming process directly with DVA.
Private Clients:
- Book directly—no referral needed.
- If you have private health insurance with Extras Cover, bring your card and we can swipe it to check your coverage and process any rebate instantly.
- Prefer to pay out-of-pocket? That’s completely fine too. We welcome all clients looking for personalised, evidence-based exercise support.
Movement Is Medicine
At Chronic Gains, we believe exercise isn’t about punishment or pushing through pain—it’s about healing, hope, and empowerment.
Our Accredited Exercise Physiologists are here to guide you every step of the way—whether you’re managing a disability, injury, or simply want to feel stronger and more in control of your body again.
👉 If you’re ready to take the next step toward reclaiming your strength and independence—get in touch with our team today.
