Health Fund Rebates & Pilates for 2026

There has been advice that some health funds are planning to reintroduce Health Fund Rebates for therapeutic Pilates on 1 January, 2026, with others reintroducing rebates from 1 April, 2026.

OVERVIEW

On 1 April 2019 Pilates, along with 15 other natural therapies were excluded from private health insurance rebates. Following this an update of the 2015 review of natural therapies (NTREAP), was announced on 7 April 2019, led by then Chief Medical Officer, Professor Brendan Murphy AC. This review was finalised in 2024. As a result, the Albanese Government has accepted the recommendations of the Natural Therapies Review and Pilates has now been recommended for re-inclusion in private health insurance in extras cover.

UPDATE NOVEMBER 2025

The Pilates Association of Australia continues to have discussions with the Health Funds Associations being Private Health Care Australia (PHA) and the Australian Regional Health Group (ARHG) as well as individual health funds. Presently the focus is on gaining health fund rebates for therapeutic Pilates, which means Pilates that is used for a specific condition rather than general fitness.

It is anticipated that Pilates Association Australia members would need to hold a minimum Level 2 Pilates Practitioner membership to be eligible to be providers. Simmone holds a Level 3 Pilates Practitioner membership with the Pilates Association of Australia.

Some health funds may specify that only Pilates practitioners who have graduated from a Registered Training Organisation (RTO) will be to be eligible to be providers. Simmone holds a Diploma qualification in comprehensive Pilates instruction with Polestar Pilates Education an Australian Registered Training Organisation (RTO).

Other Requirements for paa members to be a provider

• Annual CPR renewal as well as Provide First Aid renewal every 3 years.

  
  

• Professional Development Points and continued education will change from accruing 20 points over a 24 month period to accruing 20 points over a 12 months period.

  
  

• Meeting any federal, state or territory legislation which may include Working with Children and Vulnerable People checks.

  
  

• Completion of specific training provided by Private Health Care Australia (PHA) and the Australian Regional Health Group (ARHG) to help providers understand health fund requirements and their audit process.

We will update clients as the information comes to hand. Thank you to the PAA for such tireless work in getting us this far.

*Information supplied by Pilates Association Australia