04/07/2025
After years of industry advocacy and gathering clinical evidence for the therapeutic benefits of Pilates, the Australian Government has confirmed that private health insurance subsidies for eligible Pilates services will be reinstated from 1 July, 2025.
Accreditation isn’t just a tick in the box, it’s your license to compete, grow, and lead. If you’re serious about a career in Pilates, or serious about staying competitive in a changing market, invest wisely in your training. Your clients, and your future self, will thank you.
We don’t yet know exactly what the minimum eligibility requirements will be for Pilates Instructors to offer rebate-eligible services — this will be confirmed by the health funds.
However, judging by Health Minister, Mark Butler’s emphasis on “credentialling” which emphasises the “qualifications and experience of a clinician to determine their ability to provide safe, high quality health care services within a specific health care setting and role” – it’s likely that a formal education standard will be required.
It is reasonable to expect that training standards will be part of the eligibility criteria used by health funds.
This welcome result is the product of sustained lobbying efforts led by key industry bodies, including representatives from the Pilates Association of Australasia (PAA) and AusActive. Their leadership and grit on this are something for which the whole industry is grateful.
While this is great news for Pilates clients, it’s a defining moment for Instructors — and those considering becoming one. For anyone researching training providers, or for Instructors who previously trained through non-accredited providers, the reintroduction of rebates will change the stakes and will raise the bar.
Now, more than ever, choosing a government accredited training provider isn’t just a smart option, it’s the essential one.
In 2019, Pilates was removed from the list of therapies eligible for private health insurance rebates. This was a decision that reshaped the market and how the public would access Pilates. It also opened the door to a wave of new, non-accredited training organisations, and new Pilates offerings.
The ripple effect saw both clients and Instructors move away from formerly rebate-eligible services, altering the professional landscape and challenging the perceived value of accredited Pilates qualifications.
Prior to this, a Diploma-level qualification or higher was the benchmark for eligibility. This history underscores that if the standard was set at this level before, we don’t expect it to be any lower this time around — though this remains to be seen.
As stated above, we anticipate that the benchmark for eligibility will again be an accredited qualification, and Diploma-level at minimum.
Simply put this means if you’ve not trained with an accredited provider, your clients will not be able to claim rebates from their health fund.
It is important to note that eligibility is tied to the individual Instructor, not the Studio or business they work for.
This should also be the same this time around. It is the Instructor’s own credentials that matter.
Pilates ITC has always championed the value of accredited qualifications for the quality control and assurance at all levels: what you learn, how you learn it, and what you can then go and do with it.
With rebates returning, it is not a stretch to say, investing in accredited training is more important than ever.
Why?
Quality Assurance
Australian government accredited courses are government regulated and are recognised against standards and assessment guidelines outlined in national training packages.
An accredited course provider goes through a comprehensive audit process that ensures that training is nationally recognised and meets strict quality assurance requirements. These courses must also meet all legislative, educational and industry ethical needs while designing training that provides outcomes and a satisfactory basis for assessment.
Attract Clients
Dollar and cents: clients are cost-conscious. If you can provide private health rebates, you will have a competitive advantage. This is a clear value proposition and an immediate incentive for clients to choose you over Instructors without accreditation.
Professional Authority
With rebates only available through accredited Instructors, this (re)introduces a layer of distinction in the market. Accreditation becomes more than a formality; it signals that you are comprehensively trained to recognised industry standards.
The flow on is enhanced client trust and solidifies your position as a legitimate health and movement professional.
Career Futureproofing
The Pilates industry is evolving. As more emphasis is placed on evidence-based practice, rehabilitation, and integration into broader Allied Health models, accredited qualifications are increasingly becoming the standard.
Carrying a non-accredited qualification limits your ability to adapt and grow with the industry.
The smart move: train or retrain with an accredited provider.
If you’re currently exploring your Pilates training options: choose a Registered Training Organisation (RTO).
Pilates ITC’s RTO number is: 52583.
Check that your provider meets the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) standards and is recognised by relevant industry associations.
Book a Chat with our Careers Team.
If you’re already teaching but trained through a non-accredited provider now is the time to upgrade.
Not only will this make your services rebate-eligible; it also opens doors to further professional development and career progression.
Pilates ITC offers Recognition of Prior Learning that can be applied to credit your existing experience against accredited Pilates ITC units to expedite your course completion; OR to honour your experience in non-accredited Pilates courses and set you up to formalise your existing qualification.
At Pilates ITC, we offer a supportive, judgement-free environment where all applicants are welcome to explore their pathway options. We understand that everyone’s journey is unique, and our Team is here to help you navigate the process.
The reintroduction of private health subsidies for Pilates isn’t just a policy update, it’s a defining moment for the Pilates industry in Australia. Instructors with accredited qualifications are now in a prime position to meet growing client demand, provide added value, and step confidently into the future of the profession.
Accreditation isn’t just a tick in the box, it’s your license to compete, grow, and lead. If you’re serious about a career in Pilates, or serious about staying competitive in a changing market, invest wisely in your training. Your clients, and your future self, will thank you.
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