Accredited exercise physiologists (AEPs) hold a four-year university degree and are allied health professionals who specialise in the delivery of exercise for the prevention and management of chronic diseases and injuries. AEPs provide support for clients with conditions such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, osteoporosis, mental health problems, cancer, arthritis, pulmonary disease and more. AEPs are eligible to register with Medicare Australia, the Department of Veterans’ Affairs and WorkCover and are recognised by most private health insurers.
Scott Williams is the principle Exercise Physiologist at Ocean Fitness and has over 15 years experience in the many focus areas of Exercise Physiology.

​

AEPs work in:

private clinics
hospitals
occupational rehabilitation companies
employment agencies
gymnasiums
GP super clinics
research institutes.

​

You might see an AEP to help you:

​

overcome persisting pain caused by injury or overuse
improve your heart health
rehabilitate following a cardiac event
control your diabetes
prevent pre-diabetes from progressing to full diabetes
improve your recovery following cancer treatment
improve your general health and wellbeing.
AEPs also provide training in safe manual handling; perform functional assessments; carry out sub-maximal and maximal fitness tests; perform body composition tests and musculoskeletal assessments; and provide lifestyle education to help people manage their health conditions.

​

In Australia, we have the unique situation where we’re working backwards. We have the existing resources and infrastructure including the specialised workforce of Exercise Physiologists and the Medicare subsidies which enable Australians to access these services, but we need to significantly increase our activity levels as 70% of Australians are not active enough.

​

Accredited Exercise Physiologists are allied health professionals, providing exercise and lifestyle therapies for the prevention and management of chronic disease, injury and disability.

​

AEP Scope of Practice_071218.pdf

 

AEP vs. PT

​

Accredited Exercise Physiologists (AEPs) are not Personal Trainers. AEPs are allied-health professionals with Medicare Provider numbers and are trained members of the health and medical sector. Fitness professionals (e.g. personal trainers) are members of the sport and recreation sector.

 

An Accredited Exercise Physiologist (AEP) is:

 

Allied Health Provider
4 Year University Degree qualified and accredited with ESSA.
Specialise in graded exercise therapy and lifestyle interventions for persons at risk of developing, or with existing chronic and complex medical conditions and injuries (i.e. ‘specific populations’)

​

​