What is Allied Health?

Australia has more than 200,000 allied health professionals, who work alongside doctors and nurses to provide optimum health care for all Australians.
Allied Health Professions Australia (AHPA) is the national voice of allied health in Australia. Allied health services are generally not covered by Medicare, exceptions are for patients with chronic health conditions or have complex care needs and may be eligible for Medicare rebates on some treatments within a care plan. Some centres offer low-cost services however, waiting lists are usually long for an appointment. Private Health Funds may also cover some services, there are often limits on how many visits can be claimed in a year.

Some of the most common members of AHPA include:

• audiologists
• chiropractors
• diabetes educators
• dietitians
• exercise physiologists
• genetic counsellors
• myotherapists
• music and play therapists
• orthoptists
• orthotists and prosthetists
• osteopaths
• pharmacists
• physiotherapists
• podiatrists
• psychologists
• radiographer (or medical imaging technician)
• social workers
• sonographers
• speech pathologists