No, physiotherapists are first contact practitioners in Australia, which means you can book directly without a referral from your GP or specialist.

If your GP or specialist has provided you with a referral or a care plan, please bring it along to your appointment as it may assist with Medicare claiming. See our Medicare FAQ below for more details.

Initial appointments at Fitt Physiotherapy are typically 45 to 60 minutes depending on the appointment type and your individual needs. Review appointments are generally 30 to 45 minutes.

When you book online you will be able to see the duration for each appointment type. If you are unsure which appointment to book, please contact our admin team and they will help you choose the right one.

Your first appointment begins with a thorough conversation, we take the time to understand your history, your symptoms and your goals before any assessment begins.

You can expect detailed and personal questions, particularly if your appointment relates to pelvic floor health. The more openly you can share, the better we can assess and treat you. There are no silly questions. We've heard it all, and nothing is too embarrassing to bring up.

If an internal pelvic floor assessment is appropriate and indicated for your presentation, we will discuss this with you clearly before proceeding. Nothing happens without your full understanding and consent. An internal assessment is always optional, and you can stop at any time. If you are not comfortable with an internal assessment on the day, there is always plenty we can cover externally and we'll go at your pace.

• Registration and consent forms: we will send these to you by email before your appointment. Please complete them online prior to attending. If they are not completed before you arrive you may need to complete them in the clinic, which can reduce your treatment time.

• Any relevant documentation: reports, referrals, imaging results or letters from other health professionals are all helpful. If you have seen a GP, gynaecologist, obstetrician or other specialist for your condition, bringing any relevant paperwork helps us build a complete picture.

• Medicare or referral documents: if you have a GP Chronic Condition Management Plan or Mental Health Care Plan, please bring this to your appointment.

• Comfortable clothing: for pelvic floor appointments, loose comfortable clothing is ideal. You may be asked to undress to your underwear for assessment, and a towel will always be provided.

You might benefit from a pelvic floor assessment if you experience any of the following:

• Leaking with coughing, sneezing, laughing, exercise or urgency

• A sudden strong urge to go that is difficult to control

• Going to the toilet more than 6–8 times per day

• A feeling of heaviness, pressure or bulging in the vaginal area

• Pain during or after sex

• Pelvic, lower back or tailbone pain

• Difficulty fully emptying your bladder or bowel

• Postpartum recovery, whether your birth was vaginal or caesarean

• Pregnancy, for assessment, birth preparation or pelvic girdle pain

Even with no symptoms, a pelvic floor check in pregnancy or after birth is a good way to look after your long-term health. You don't need to be experiencing problems to benefit from knowing how your pelvic floor is functioning.

Yes. Your physiotherapist is experienced in working with patients at all stages of their cycle and this is completely normal.

Internal assessment or treatment is fine during your period. If you'd rather not, tell your physio and we'll work around it. There is always plenty we can cover in your session regardless.

If you would prefer to reschedule, please see our cancellation policy below.

Yes, babies and children are always welcome. Life with little ones doesn't stop for appointments, so bring them along.

We recommend booking your postpartum pelvic floor assessment from around 4-6 weeks postpartum, for both vaginal and caesarean births.

Your GP 6-week check is important, but it does not assess your pelvic floor, abdominal separation or readiness to return to exercise. That is what we do and it is a completely different evaluation.

That said, it is never too early or too late to see a pelvic floor physiotherapist. If you are experiencing symptoms before 4-6 weeks, please reach out and we can advise on the most appropriate timing for your individual situation.

That's completely normal. Many of the women who come to us have never discussed their pelvic health with anyone before, or have been carrying symptoms in silence for months or years.

We want you to know that there is nothing you can say that will surprise us, and nothing too embarrassing to bring up. Our team is kind and non-judgemental, and we'll look after you from the moment you arrive.

Absolutely, our admin team are here to help you find the right appointment. Give us a call on 0416 059 370 or email admin@fittphysiotherapy.com and we will ask a few quick questions to point you in the right direction.

You can also browse our services pages for more detail on each condition and what an appointment involves.

Fitt Physiotherapy focuses on women's health and pelvic floor physiotherapy. We occasionally see male patients for pelvic health conditions on a case-by-case basis. Please contact us to discuss whether we are the right fit for your needs.

We understand that life is unpredictable, especially with little ones at home. Due to high demand and a current waitlist to see our clinicians, we kindly ask that you provide as much notice as possible if you need to reschedule or cancel your appointment. This helps us offer that time to someone else in our community who may be waiting for care.

Our cancellation policy is as follows:

• More than 36 hours' notice: no fee

• Within 36 hours: 50% of the appointment fee applies

This policy applies to all physiotherapy and psychology appointments.

If you or an immediate family member are unwell, we can offer a telehealth appointment for physiotherapy consultations at a reduced rate of 75% of your appointment fee. We're able to cover much of your appointment via telehealth, and if we need to delay a pelvic exam, we'll still provide you with a thorough and practical treatment plan to support your care in the meantime.

Thank you for understanding. It helps us continue providing timely care to all of our patients.

Yes. Physiotherapy is usually claimable if you have extras cover, and psychology if your extras include psychology. Please check your policy for limits, waiting periods and gap amounts.

For most appointments, our admin team can process your claim in clinic with your health fund card.

If you paid a booking fee for your appointment, we can't process your claim in clinic. This includes initial appointments, psychology appointments, birth preparation assessments and pessary fittings. Instead, we'll give you a receipt so you can claim directly with your insurer, usually through their app or website.

Yes, we accept the following Medicare referral types:

• GP Chronic Condition Management Plan for physiotherapy under a chronic disease management plan

• Mental Health Care Plan (MHCP) for psychology services with Sarah Fitt

Patients under Medicare care plans are required to pay in full on the day of their appointment. Your Medicare claim is processed in clinic and your rebate is typically received within 24–48 hours to your nominated bank account.

Please note that Medicare does not cover the full fee of treatment, a gap payment will apply. Fitt Physiotherapy is not a bulk billing practice.

If you are unsure whether you are eligible for a care plan, speak with your GP before booking.

Yes, telehealth appointments are available for consultations that do not require hands-on assessment or treatment. These are ideal for follow-up appointments, exercise program reviews, education sessions and some initial consultations depending on your presentation.

If you are unsure whether telehealth is appropriate for your needs, please contact our admin team and they will advise you.

Appointment availability varies across our team. If your preferred physiotherapist has limited availability, our admin team can add you to a waitlist or suggest an alternative team member who may be able to see you sooner.

Contact us at admin@fittphysiotherapy.com or call 0416 059 370 and we will do our best to get you in as soon as possible.

We are located at 3 Essex Road, Mount Waverley VIC, approximately 20 minutes south-east of Melbourne's CBD.

Street parking is available on Essex Road and surrounding streets. If you have any difficulty finding us please call us on 0416 059 370 and we will help you find us.