Exercise Physiologist
Use clinical exercise programs to help people manage health conditions, injuries, disability and physical rehabilitation.
What They Do
Exercise Physiologists use exercise as a form of healthcare to help people improve their physical function, manage medical conditions and recover from injury.
They assess movement, strength, fitness and health information before designing individual exercise programs that are safe and appropriate for each client.
Accredited Exercise Physiologists can work with people experiencing cardiovascular disease, diabetes, musculoskeletal injuries, neurological conditions, disability, cancer, chronic pain and other complex health conditions. Exercise & Sports Science Australia identifies assessment, exercise prescription and evidence-based clinical intervention as central parts of the profession.
Who This Career Suits
This career suits people who enjoy healthcare, exercise science and helping people improve their quality of life.
Exercise Physiologists need strong communication skills because motivating clients and explaining how exercise relates to their health is an important part of treatment.
It can particularly suit someone interested in anatomy, rehabilitation and physical activity who wants to work in healthcare rather than primarily in sport or personal training.
Key Skills
Exercise Prescription, Clinical Assessment, Communication, Anatomy & Physiology, Problem Solving, Patient Care, Data Interpretation, Motivation
Work Environment
Allied Health Clinic, Hospital, Rehabilitation, Community, Active
Education & Training
Becoming an Accredited Exercise Physiologist (AEP) normally requires completion of an Exercise & Sports Science Australia accredited university pathway.
One pathway is a four-year undergraduate qualification accredited in exercise physiology. Another is completing an appropriate undergraduate exercise science degree followed by an accredited postgraduate exercise physiology qualification.
Training can include:
anatomy, physiology, biomechanics, exercise prescription, chronic disease management, musculoskeletal rehabilitation, cardiovascular health, neurological conditions, behavioural change and clinical assessment.
ESSA requires Exercise Physiologists seeking AEP accreditation to meet its professional standards and complete at least 500 hours of practical experience, including exercise science and clinical exercise physiology experience.
Career Changer Pathway
Exercise physiology can suit people moving from exercise science, sport science, fitness, rehabilitation, healthcare or related scientific careers.
Because Accredited Exercise Physiologists require university-level clinical training, someone moving from personal training or another fitness career would need to complete an appropriate university pathway.
People who already hold a relevant exercise or sport science degree may be able to enter an accredited postgraduate exercise physiology program after meeting the required exercise science standards.
Early Career
Graduate Exercise Physiologists develop their clinical assessment, exercise prescription and client-management skills while working with a variety of health conditions.
They may begin in private allied health clinics, rehabilitation providers, hospitals, community health organisations or workplace rehabilitation services.
Early-career practitioners often work within multidisciplinary teams alongside Physiotherapists, Occupational Therapists, Dietitians and medical professionals.
Mid Career
Experienced Exercise Physiologists manage more complex caseloads and may develop specialist clinical interests.
They may specialise in:
musculoskeletal rehabilitation, diabetes management, cardiac rehabilitation, neurological conditions, cancer rehabilitation, disability, chronic pain or workplace rehabilitation.
Experienced practitioners may also supervise graduates, coordinate programs or manage relationships with referring doctors, insurers and other healthcare professionals.
Senior / Veteran Career
Experienced Exercise Physiologists can progress into Senior Exercise Physiologist, Clinical Lead, Rehabilitation Manager or Allied Health Manager roles.
Others establish their own private practices or multidisciplinary allied-health clinics.
Senior practitioners may also move into clinical education, university teaching, research, health program management or specialist rehabilitation consulting.
Salary Guide
Early Career
70000
Mid Career
90000
Senior / Veteran
110000
Indicative annual salary (AUD)
Indicative annual salary (AUD)
Indicative annual salary (AUD)
Salary data source:
Indeed / Jobs and Skills Australia
Salary data source URL:
Date :
9 October 2026 at 12:00:00 am
Career Outlook
Exercise Physiology is a relatively small but growing allied-health profession. Government career data referenced by Griffith University reports approximately 5,100 Exercise Physiologists employed, with future demand rated Strong.
The occupation was assessed as No Shortage nationally in the 2025 Jobs and Skills Australia Occupation Shortage List, so the Strong outlook does not mean employers currently face a nationwide shortage.
Longer-term demand is supported by Australia's ageing population, chronic disease management, disability services, rehabilitation and increasing recognition of exercise as part of clinical healthcare.
Job Outlook :
Outlook Source :
Strong
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