Gym/swim program
What is a gym/swim program?
Your health professional may recommend a gym/swim program.
With a gym/swim program, you can do exercise-based rehabilitation on your own in a gym or pool.
The aim of a gym/swim program is to help you manage your injuries without the need for regular treatment from your provider.
If approved, we usually pay for a gym/swim program for 3 months. Your health professional will develop the program and track your progress.
After the program, if you continue with gym/swim to maintain physical fitness, you will be responsible for the cost.
How to get a gym/swim program
First 3 month gym/swim program | Subsequent program |
Your gym/swim program must be:
| You provider must complete a Gym/swim evaluation form and send it to us. Your provider can ask for another program on this form. We’ll use the information on this form to make a decision about whether we can pay for another gym/swim program. |
To start a gym/swim program, follow these steps:
- Your health professional will recommend a gym/swim program as part of your treatment plan. Your health professional will make sure the facility meets the TAC's requirements.
- If you don’t have a local gym or pool you can use, ask your health professional if they can recommend one. You can also search for a place online. It is important that the facility:
- is staffed by practitioners who hold a minimum qualification in Certificate III / IV in Fitness, or is accredited by Fitness Australia
- is staffed by practitioners who hold a current First Aid certificate
- holds current public liability insurance and has a privacy policy
- is of reasonable distance to you
- Call the gym/pool and ask if they will bill the TAC for your 3 month membership. The gym/pool may ask for something in writing from the TAC. You can call your TAC Case Manager and ask them to send an approval to you or the gym/pool
- Go to the gym/pool and give them your TAC claim number so they can invoice the TAC.
How to pay for a gym/swim program
We can pay your gym or pool facility if they invoice the TAC for your 3-month membership.
If the gym or pool facility wants confirmation that the TAC will pay, call your TAC Case Manager and ask for a gym/swim approval letter. You can also call the general TAC number on 1300 654 329.
Before you call, make sure that your gym/swim program:
- is part of your treatment plan, as recommended by your health professional
- is for rehabilitation specific to your road accident injuries
- is for no more than 3 months
- meets the minimum staffing requirements listed above, or is registered by Fitness Australia
- has set clear goals and outcome measures with your health professional.
If you have to pay:
- Ask the gym or pool facility if they can charge you per visit
- Scan or take a photo of your receipts
- Send your receipts to us with the ‘Claim reimbursement’ button on myTAC, or by email to info@tac.vic.gov.au and we will repay you.
Where you can do a gym/swim program
When looking for a local gym or pool facility to attend, make sure that it:
- is a commercial gym and/or pool facility designed for public use or a gym and/or pool within the premises of a health professionals facility
- is located in a practical location, within a reasonable distance of your home or work
- is designed and equipped for various modalities of exercise, sports and physical training
- has suitable equipment to meet your needs, as recommended by your health professional
- is staffed by:
- practitioners who hold a minimum qualification in Cert III / IV in Fitness, or
- the facility is to be accredited by Fitness Australia.
Travel
We can reimburse your travel to and from your gym/swim program. See our Travel policy for more information.
What we won’t pay for
- A gym or pool membership for longer than 3 months at a time
- A personal trainer
- Memberships for general health and fitness
- Group general health and fitness classes
- Exercise clothing, footwear or swimming equipment
- Swimming lessons
- Hire of equipment for in-house gym
Summary
You can use this form to claim general reimbursements from the TAC.
How to send documents to the TAC
myTAC
myTAC is the quickest way to:
- Submit receipts and claim reimbursements
- Send documents and forms
- Update your personal and banking details
- Find out about treatments and services the TAC may pay for
If you can't use myTAC to send your receipts or documents, please take a photo and email it to us at info@tac.vic.gov.au. Include your claim number in the subject line of your email so we can process your request.
Summary
This form is to be used when claiming reimbursement for travel (i.e. private vehicle, public transport and/or taxi) expenses to attend: medical treatment for accident injuries; medical examinations arranged by the TAC; approved rehabilitation or disability services; or work, if you are participating in a formal Return to Work program.
How to send documents to the TAC
myTAC
myTAC is the quickest way to:
- Submit receipts and claim reimbursements
- Send documents and forms
- Update your personal and banking details
- Find out about treatments and services the TAC may pay for
If you can't use myTAC to send your receipts or documents, please take a photo and email it to us at info@tac.vic.gov.au. Include your claim number in the subject line of your email so we can process your request.
Summary
For allied health professionals – use this form when requested by us to report the progress of clients participating in gym, swimming and pilates programs funded by us as part of their rehabilitation.
We’re here to help you get your life back on track after your transport accident. To help you recover from your transport accident injuries we will pay for these allied health physical therapies:
- Physiotherapy
- Osteopathy
- Chiropractic
- Acupuncture
- Podiatry
- Exercise physiology
In the first 90 days after your accident, the TAC can help pay for this treatment without the need for you to contact us for approval first.
When you need to contact us for approval
You or your provider need to contact the TAC for approval of this treatment if:
- It is approaching or more than 90 days since your accident and we have not approved further treatment or services, or
- It has been more than 6 months since you’ve had any treatment or service paid for by the TAC.
Gym/Swimming programs - If your allied health physical therapist recommends that you take part in a gym or swimming program that requires a paid membership, you will need to contact the TAC for approval before you start the program.
When we can pay for allied health and physical therapies
We will pay for this treatment when it’s recommended by your doctor or other health professional.
We may contact your physical therapist to talk about your progress or ask for an assessment, to make sure that:
- You have access to the appropriate treatment and support required for your transport accident injuries.
- You are getting proven, evidence-based treatment and aren’t receiving treatment that isn’t helping you recover.
- You are moving towards getting your life back on track and being able to live independently.
Treatments and services we can’t pay for
We can’t pay for services that:
- do not treat your transport accident injuries
- are not reasonable, necessary or appropriate
- are not clinically justified, safe and effective.
What do allied health physical therapists do?
Allied health physical therapists use their special skills and areas of expertise to diagnose and treat your transport accident injuries. They can also recommend equipment that may help you.
For more information on what each therapist does, see:
Other services you can access
Your allied health physical therapist will develop a treatment plan for you that could include:
- Diagnostic tests to determine the best treatment for your injuries
- A referral for an exercise physiologist to oversee your gym or swimming program
- Equipment you need such as braces and supports. See our Equipment Policy.
We will pay for these services when they are recommended by your physical therapist and part of your treatment plan.
When it's needed, we will also work with your treating team to help them coordinate the physical therapies you need.
How treatments and services are paid for
We pay for your treatment:
- Directly to your physiotherapist, when you have given them your TAC claim number, or
- If you have to pay, use myTAC to send a copy of your receipt to us and we will repay you.
We pay for your services in line with our responsibilities under the Transport Accident Act 1986.
How much we will pay
We will pay for your treatment and services according to our fee schedule. If your provider charges more than the TAC rate, you may need to pay the difference. For a list of TAC rates, see:
For accidents that happened before 14 February 2018, we can only pay for these services (with the exception of Exercise Physiology) once any required medical excess has been reached. Find out if the medical excess applies to you.
For providers
If you are a provider of physical therapies, please refer to our TAC Provider Guidelines.
What is a gym/swim program?
Your health professional may recommend a gym/swim program.
With a gym/swim program, you can do exercise-based rehabilitation on your own in a gym or pool.
The aim of a gym/swim program is to help you manage your injuries without the need for regular treatment from your provider.
If approved, we usually pay for a gym/swim program for 3 months. Your health professional will develop the program and track your progress.
After the program, if you continue with gym/swim to maintain physical fitness, you will be responsible for the cost.
How to get a gym/swim program
First 3 month gym/swim program | Subsequent program |
Your gym/swim program must be:
| You provider must complete a Gym/swim evaluation form and send it to us. Your provider can ask for another program on this form. We’ll use the information on this form to make a decision about whether we can pay for another gym/swim program. |
To start a gym/swim program, follow these steps:
- Your health professional will recommend a gym/swim program as part of your treatment plan. Your health professional will make sure the facility meets the TAC's requirements.
- If you don’t have a local gym or pool you can use, ask your health professional if they can recommend one. You can also search for a place online. It is important that the facility:
- is staffed by practitioners who hold a minimum qualification in Certificate III / IV in Fitness, or is accredited by Fitness Australia
- is staffed by practitioners who hold a current First Aid certificate
- holds current public liability insurance and has a privacy policy
- is of reasonable distance to you
- Call the gym/pool and ask if they will bill the TAC for your 3 month membership. The gym/pool may ask for something in writing from the TAC. You can call your TAC Case Manager and ask them to send an approval to you or the gym/pool
- Go to the gym/pool and give them your TAC claim number so they can invoice the TAC.
How to pay for a gym/swim program
We can pay your gym or pool facility if they invoice the TAC for your 3-month membership.
If the gym or pool facility wants confirmation that the TAC will pay, call your TAC Case Manager and ask for a gym/swim approval letter. You can also call the general TAC number on 1300 654 329.
Before you call, make sure that your gym/swim program:
- is part of your treatment plan, as recommended by your health professional
- is for rehabilitation specific to your road accident injuries
- is for no more than 3 months
- meets the minimum staffing requirements listed above, or is registered by Fitness Australia
- has set clear goals and outcome measures with your health professional.
If you have to pay:
- Ask the gym or pool facility if they can charge you per visit
- Scan or take a photo of your receipts
- Send your receipts to us with the ‘Claim reimbursement’ button on myTAC, or by email to info@tac.vic.gov.au and we will repay you.
Where you can do a gym/swim program
When looking for a local gym or pool facility to attend, make sure that it:
- is a commercial gym and/or pool facility designed for public use or a gym and/or pool within the premises of a health professionals facility
- is located in a practical location, within a reasonable distance of your home or work
- is designed and equipped for various modalities of exercise, sports and physical training
- has suitable equipment to meet your needs, as recommended by your health professional
- is staffed by:
- practitioners who hold a minimum qualification in Cert III / IV in Fitness, or
- the facility is to be accredited by Fitness Australia.
Travel
We can reimburse your travel to and from your gym/swim program. See our Travel policy for more information.
What we won’t pay for
- A gym or pool membership for longer than 3 months at a time
- A personal trainer
- Memberships for general health and fitness
- Group general health and fitness classes
- Exercise clothing, footwear or swimming equipment
- Swimming lessons
- Hire of equipment for in-house gym
Summary
You can use this form to claim general reimbursements from the TAC.
How to send documents to the TAC
myTAC
myTAC is the quickest way to:
- Submit receipts and claim reimbursements
- Send documents and forms
- Update your personal and banking details
- Find out about treatments and services the TAC may pay for
If you can't use myTAC to send your receipts or documents, please take a photo and email it to us at info@tac.vic.gov.au. Include your claim number in the subject line of your email so we can process your request.
Summary
This form is to be used when claiming reimbursement for travel (i.e. private vehicle, public transport and/or taxi) expenses to attend: medical treatment for accident injuries; medical examinations arranged by the TAC; approved rehabilitation or disability services; or work, if you are participating in a formal Return to Work program.
How to send documents to the TAC
myTAC
myTAC is the quickest way to:
- Submit receipts and claim reimbursements
- Send documents and forms
- Update your personal and banking details
- Find out about treatments and services the TAC may pay for
If you can't use myTAC to send your receipts or documents, please take a photo and email it to us at info@tac.vic.gov.au. Include your claim number in the subject line of your email so we can process your request.
Summary
For allied health professionals – use this form when requested by us to report the progress of clients participating in gym, swimming and pilates programs funded by us as part of their rehabilitation.
We’re here to help you get your life back on track after your transport accident. To help you recover from your transport accident injuries we will pay for these allied health physical therapies:
- Physiotherapy
- Osteopathy
- Chiropractic
- Acupuncture
- Podiatry
- Exercise physiology
In the first 90 days after your accident, the TAC can help pay for this treatment without the need for you to contact us for approval first.
When you need to contact us for approval
You or your provider need to contact the TAC for approval of this treatment if:
- It is approaching or more than 90 days since your accident and we have not approved further treatment or services, or
- It has been more than 6 months since you’ve had any treatment or service paid for by the TAC.
Gym/Swimming programs - If your allied health physical therapist recommends that you take part in a gym or swimming program that requires a paid membership, you will need to contact the TAC for approval before you start the program.
When we can pay for allied health and physical therapies
We will pay for this treatment when it’s recommended by your doctor or other health professional.
We may contact your physical therapist to talk about your progress or ask for an assessment, to make sure that:
- You have access to the appropriate treatment and support required for your transport accident injuries.
- You are getting proven, evidence-based treatment and aren’t receiving treatment that isn’t helping you recover.
- You are moving towards getting your life back on track and being able to live independently.
Treatments and services we can’t pay for
We can’t pay for services that:
- do not treat your transport accident injuries
- are not reasonable, necessary or appropriate
- are not clinically justified, safe and effective.
What do allied health physical therapists do?
Allied health physical therapists use their special skills and areas of expertise to diagnose and treat your transport accident injuries. They can also recommend equipment that may help you.
For more information on what each therapist does, see:
Other services you can access
Your allied health physical therapist will develop a treatment plan for you that could include:
- Diagnostic tests to determine the best treatment for your injuries
- A referral for an exercise physiologist to oversee your gym or swimming program
- Equipment you need such as braces and supports. See our Equipment Policy.
We will pay for these services when they are recommended by your physical therapist and part of your treatment plan.
When it's needed, we will also work with your treating team to help them coordinate the physical therapies you need.
How treatments and services are paid for
We pay for your treatment:
- Directly to your physiotherapist, when you have given them your TAC claim number, or
- If you have to pay, use myTAC to send a copy of your receipt to us and we will repay you.
We pay for your services in line with our responsibilities under the Transport Accident Act 1986.
How much we will pay
We will pay for your treatment and services according to our fee schedule. If your provider charges more than the TAC rate, you may need to pay the difference. For a list of TAC rates, see:
For accidents that happened before 14 February 2018, we can only pay for these services (with the exception of Exercise Physiology) once any required medical excess has been reached. Find out if the medical excess applies to you.
For providers
If you are a provider of physical therapies, please refer to our TAC Provider Guidelines.
