How Much Does a Chiropractor Cost in Perth? What to Expect and What Private Health Covers
Written by Dr Alex Freeman, Chiropractor — Freeman Chiropractic, Victoria Park
Key Takeaways
Freeman Chiropractic structures new-patient care across three appointment types — an initial appointment ($99), a report of findings ($105), and ongoing standard adjustments ($85)
Most private health extras policies that include chiropractic will provide a rebate toward the cost of each appointment — the amount depends on your fund and level of cover
At Freeman Chiropractic you pay at the time of appointment and claim your rebate directly through your fund — most funds process claims same-day via their app
Medicare does not routinely cover chiropractic in Australia, though a GP-referred Enhanced Primary Care plan may provide a partial rebate for eligible patients
If cost is a barrier, call your fund before your first appointment to understand exactly what you're covered for
One of the most common questions we get from people considering their first chiropractic appointment is straightforward: how much is it going to cost? It's a reasonable question, and the fact that most clinics don't answer it clearly online doesn't help. This post gives you an honest overview of how chiropractic pricing works in Perth, what your private health insurance may cover, and what to expect at Freeman Chiropractic specifically.
How is chiropractic care priced?
Chiropractic care at Freeman Chiropractic is structured across three appointment types — an initial appointment, a report of findings, and ongoing standard adjustments.
Initial appointment — $99 Your first appointment runs around 30 minutes. This time is used to take a detailed history and conduct a thorough physical assessment including a postural assessment, sEMG paraspinal scan, a stress assessment and if clinically indicated, we’ll organise a bulk-billed x-ray referral, so we have a clear understanding of what's going on before making any recommendations.
Report of findings — $105 At your report of findings, we walk you through what the assessment revealed, explain what's contributing to your symptoms, and talk through your options from there.
Standard adjustments — $85 Once your initial appointment and report of findings are complete, ongoing appointments are shorter and focused on your care.
Fees are reviewed periodically, so if you'd like to confirm the current figures before booking, call the clinic on 0493 290 505.
Does private health insurance cover chiropractic?
In most cases, yes — with some important qualifications.
Chiropractic is covered under the extras component of private health insurance, not hospital cover. If your policy includes extras and chiropractic is listed as a covered service, you'll receive a rebate toward each appointment. The rebate amount varies depending on your fund, your level of cover, and whether you've reached your annual limit for that category.
A few things worth knowing:
Annual limits apply Most funds set an annual cap on how much they'll pay toward chiropractic in a calendar year. If you've already used chiropractic benefits earlier in the year, your remaining entitlement may be reduced.
Waiting periods may apply If you've recently upgraded your extras cover or are new to a fund, a waiting period of two to six months may apply before chiropractic benefits become available. It's worth checking this before your first appointment.
Rebate amounts differ significantly between funds There's no industry-wide standard for chiropractic rebates. Some funds cover a higher proportion of the fee, others cover a flat amount regardless of the fee charged. Calling your fund and asking specifically what you're entitled to per chiropractic appointment — and what your remaining annual limit is — takes less than five minutes and removes the guesswork entirely.
How do I claim my private health rebate?
At Freeman Chiropractic we accept cash, EFTPOS, and credit and debit card. For private health claims, you'll need to pay for your appointment and then submit a claim directly to your fund for reimbursement. Most funds make this straightforward through their app or online portal — many process same-day. When you pay, we'll provide a receipt with the relevant item codes your fund needs to process the claim.
If you're unsure how to claim with your specific fund, a quick call to their member services line will walk you through it.
Does Medicare cover chiropractic?
Medicare does not cover standard chiropractic appointments in Australia. However, there is one pathway through which a partial Medicare rebate may be available: the Enhanced Primary Care (EPC) plan, sometimes called a Chronic Disease Management plan.
If you have a chronic condition and your GP believes allied health care is clinically appropriate, they can refer you under an EPC plan for up to five Medicare-subsidised allied health visits per calendar year. Chiropractic is an eligible profession under this scheme. The Medicare rebate under an EPC plan is a partial contribution — it does not cover the full appointment fee — but it does reduce out-of-pocket costs for eligible patients.
If you think you may be eligible, speak to your GP about whether an EPC referral is appropriate for your situation.
What about WorkCover and DVA?
Freeman Chiropractic is able to see patients with WorkCover and DVA entitlements. If you have an approved claim, please let us know when booking so we can ensure the paperwork is in order before your appointment.
Is chiropractic worth the cost?
That's ultimately a question only you can answer, and it depends on what you're dealing with and how long you've been dealing with it. What we'd say is this: an initial assessment at Freeman Chiropractic gives you a clear picture of what's contributing to your symptoms and what the options are — whether that's chiropractic care, referral elsewhere, or a combination. You're not committing to an ongoing course of treatment by coming in for a first appointment. You're getting information.
If cost is a genuine concern, call us before booking and we'll give you the current fee structure and help you understand what your private health cover looks like. We'd rather you have that conversation upfront than let cost be the reason you don't get your symptoms assessed.
Ready to book your initial assessment? Dr Alex Freeman and Dr Joel Maylor are available for new patient appointments at Freeman Chiropractic in Victoria Park. Book online or call 0493 290 505.
Ready to book your initial assessment? Dr Alex Freeman and Dr Joel Maylor are available for new patient appointments at Freeman Chiropractic in Victoria Park. Book online or call 0493 290 505.
