VALUING THE CONTRIBUTION OF EXERCISE PHYSIOLOGISTS IN AUSTRALIA Report finds exercise physiology delivers $940m in health savings across six chronic health conditions every three years
With
Katie Lyndon,
Chief Executive Officer
Exercise Sports Science Australia (ESSA)
Dan Repacholi MP,
Special Envoy for Men’s Health,
Federal Member for the Hunter
Dr Andrew Leigh MP,
Assistant Minister for Productivity, Competition, Charities and Treasury
Dylan Grubb,
Accredited Exercise Physiologist (AEP) &
ACT State Chapter Chair, Exercise & Sports Science Australia (ESSA)
Consumers, Yvonne Harrington & Peter Lawson
SEGMENT
Filmed in Canberra | August 2026
Exercise physiologists are saving the Australian health system at least $940 million across six chronic health conditions every three years, a Deloitte Access Economics report has found.
Backed by three decades of rigorous peer-reviewed science, exercise physiology delivers services to 243,000 Australians per week, translating to more than 1.16 million unique patients annually, primarily through 9,800 Accredited Exercise Physiologists (AEPs) nationwide.
The report found these prescribed exercise services help avoid almost 100,000 hospitalisations and emergency department presentations every three years, as well as more than 1.3 million GP and specialist appointments.
Accredited Exercise Physiologists (AEPs) are university-qualified allied health professionals who prescribe, deliver and adapt movement, physical activity and exercise-based interventions for people living with chronic disease, illness or injury.
The total estimated savings of $940 million relate to cardiovascular, pulmonary, musculoskeletal and mental health conditions, as well as physical disability and cancer, with an average benefit-cost ratio of $2.50 for every $1 invested.
The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare estimates that physical inactivity accounts for 2.5 per cent of Australia’s total burden of disease.
Deloitte Access Economics notes that these six conditions cover approximately 46 per cent of the patient population serviced by Accredited Exercise Physiologists (AEPs), implying the total savings are even greater.
The report also revealed increased benefits when considering the impact of exercise physiology on productivity, which lifts the total net benefit to the economy to almost $1.1 billion, or more than $2,000 per patient over three years.
The report was commissioned by Exercise & Sports Science Australia (ESSA), the peak body representing exercise physiologists.
Australian Health Journal attended the launch of the report in Australian Parliament House, Canberra.
Source: Adapted from ESSA media release 20 August 2026
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