Paediatric physiotherapy, tailored to your child — wherever they feel most at home!
At First Step Therapy Services, every child is different, so every therapy plan is different too.
Our physiotherapists work with children aged 0–18 years across Melbourne's eastern, northern and south-eastern suburbs, delivering evidence-based, goal-focused care in clinic, at home, at kindergarten or school, in the community, or in the water!
Below is an overview of the services we offer. If you're not sure which one is right for your child, get in touch — we're happy to talk it through!
Paediatric Physiotherapy
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NDIS-registered
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Hydrotherapy
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Mobile
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In-Clinic
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Paediatric Physiotherapy ✳︎ NDIS-registered ✳︎ Hydrotherapy ✳︎ Mobile ✳︎ In-Clinic ✳︎
Our Services
NDIS Physiotherapy
NDIS Registered Provider | Melbourne-wide
We're a proud NDIS Registered Provider delivering paediatric physiotherapy aligned to your child's plan. Our approach is child-centred and functional, built around growing independence, confidence and participation in everyday life — whether that's gross motor development, balance and coordination, or joining in at school and in the community.
We support NDIA-managed, plan-managed and self-managed participants, provide functional capacity assessments and clear progress reporting for plan reviews, and work collaboratively with support coordinators, educators and medical teams.
Paediatric Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy
Bladder, bowel and toileting support — non-invasive, child-friendly, no internal examination
Bladder and bowel challenges in children are more common than most parents realise, and more treatable than many expect. We support children experiencing bedwetting, daytime wetting, constipation, toilet refusal or toileting anxiety, taking a calm, whole-child approach that looks at posture, movement, breathing and sensory processing.
Sessions are always external and observational, guided by what your child is comfortable with, and may be funded under an NDIS plan where linked to your child's disability.
Aquatic Physiotherapy
Purposeful, physiotherapy-led therapy in water | No referral required
Water changes things. For children with physical disabilities, complex needs or sensory sensitivities, movement in a warm therapy pool can open up possibilities that are harder to access on land. This isn't swimming lessons — it's individually designed physiotherapy, built around your child's goals for that day.
Buoyancy, resistance, warmth and gentle water pressure combine to support children with cerebral palsy, hypermobility, low muscle tone, sensory processing differences and more, across pools in Melbourne's eastern, northern and south-eastern suburbs.
Complex Equipment Prescription
Getting the fit right, from wheelchairs to standing frames
When a child needs specialised equipment to move, rest, sit, stand or participate, the right fit matters enormously. Our physiotherapists assess, trial, prescribe and report on a wide range of paediatric equipment — including power and manual wheelchairs, supportive seating, standing frames, walking frames, AFOs, sleep systems and bathing equipment — working with families, suppliers and support teams every step of the way.
We're not aligned to any single supplier, so our recommendations are always based on what's clinically right for your child.
Early Intervention (0–8 years)
Support that starts early — no diagnosis required
The early years matter. We provide early childhood physiotherapy for children aged 0–8 who are slower to reach motor milestones, showing early developmental differences, or need extra support to participate confidently in play and learning.
Our family-centred approach includes functional assessment, parent coaching, and play-based therapy delivered at home, kindergarten, early learning centres or in the community — consistent with the principles behind Foundational Supports and Thriving Kids.
Group Sessions
Movement, confidence and connection — together
Our group programs bring children of all abilities together in a fun, structured and inclusive environment, guided by a physiotherapist and allied health assistant. From sport-specific skills to strength, coordination and social confidence, each program is designed to help children move, participate and belong.
Current programs include Game On!, Ready, Set… PLAY! and Smash It! Holiday Badminton, running across our Bayswater, Heidelberg and Noble Park locations.
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What to Expect at FSTS
Your child’s journey with us begins even before the first appointment. Our process is designed to ensure we have all the information needed to provide the best possible care for your child.
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In the first phone call, our friendly and knowledgeable staff will take the time to understand your child’s needs and answer any questions you may have. We’ll discuss:
Your child’s current condition and any concerns
Your goals and what you hope to achieve through physiotherapy
How our services work and how they can benefit your child
We’ll also explain the next steps, including booking an initial assessment, and give you the chance to ask anything about our process or services.
After this call, we’ll send a detailed intake form to complete at your convenience. This helps us gather comprehensive information about your child’s medical history, development, and individual needs — so we can tailor our approach from day one.
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The intake form includes:
Personal and contact information
Medical history, including previous treatments or therapies
Details about your child’s development, behaviour, and daily activities
Specific goals or outcomes you hope to achieve
Any additional information you feel is important for us to know
Once we receive your completed form, we’re ready to begin your child’s physiotherapy journey.
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a. Home Visit
Our experienced physiotherapist can visit your home to:
Assess your child’s specific needs and abilities in their natural environment
Collaborate with you to establish clear, achievable goals
Create a structured treatment plan to ensure consistency and maximize progress
b. Clinic Visit
If preferred, your initial assessment can take place at one of our clinics. Our physiotherapist will:
Conduct a thorough evaluation
Discuss findings and recommended therapy
Develop a customized treatment plan tailored to your child’s development
For more details, please refer to our Welcome Pack.
Send your enquiries here…
Visit our Clinics!
FSTS Clayton Clinic
FSTS Heidelberg Clinic
