How to become an Exercise Physiologist

Assesses, plans and implements exercise-based health interventions for the prevention, treatment and management of diseases and injuries such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer, osteoporosis, arthritis, depression and autism, and assists in restoring optimal physical function, health and wellness.

Main tasks

• Assists and improves clients' musculoskeletal function through physical activity and exercise programs
• Administers a variety of tests to identify and assess physical problems and ailments of clients
• Records detailed client medical histories, exercise undertaken and clients' responses and progress under exercise programs
• Prevents, treats and manages health conditions, including complex chronic conditions
• Prescribes, implements and evaluates safe and effective movement, physical activity, and exercise-based interventions to facilitate recovery and maximise independence and participation in activities at home, school, work and in the community
• Provides education and advice on health and wellbeing, and how physical activity and exercise can improve health outcomes
• Screens and assesses for factors that may impact client needs, preferences, barriers and facilitators to inform recommendations and interventions
• Uses active therapy techniques to assess and prescribe a targeted clinical exercise and education program that builds the clients' capacity for the long term

Ways in

• University: Allied Health degrees, Offered by 38 universities in Australia
• TAFE and VET: Certificate III in Fitness (SIS30321); Certificate IV in Fitness (SIS40221); Diploma of Kinesiology (HLT52415)

Pay · Outlook · AI and this job

• Typical full-time pay: $96,096 a year
• About 14,900 people work in this job group now, and about 18,500 are projected by 2035. (+24.7%)
• AI is more likely to help with parts of this job than to do it. Jobs and Skills Australia rates its automation exposure as low.

Related jobs

• Exercise and Sports Scientist
• Chiropractor
• Occupational Therapist
• Physiotherapist
• Podiatrist
• Speech Pathologist

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Questions people ask

How do I become an Exercise Physiologist?

Ways in include: Allied Health degrees; Certificate III in Fitness; Certificate IV in Fitness.

How much does an Exercise Physiologist earn in Australia?

Median full-time pay is $96,096 a year (Jobs and Skills Australia).

Is an Exercise Physiologist a growing career in Australia?

Yes. Employment is projected to grow 25% by 2035, from about 14,900 to about 18,500 people (Jobs and Skills Australia).

Do you need a degree to become an Exercise Physiologist?

Usually. 97% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Will AI change the work of an Exercise Physiologist?

AI is more likely to help with parts of this job than to do it. Jobs and Skills Australia rates its automation exposure as low.

Sources

• Jobs and Skills Australia: Occupation data (ANZSCO), from ABS Labour Force and Census (February 2026), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
• Jobs and Skills Australia: Generative AI Capacity Study, interactive table data (September 2025), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
• Jobs and Skills Australia: Employment Projections (Victoria University) (May 2025 to May 2035), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
• Australian Taxation Office: Taxation Statistics, Individuals Table 15A (2023-24), CC BY 2.5 AU, retrieved 2026-10-04

Updated 2026-10-04