Most people have extras cover they barely use, and most people with a sore back do not realise the massage they have been paying for in full is partly claimable. The rules are not complicated, but they are specific enough that a few details decide whether you get money back.
Quick answer
Yes, remedial massage is claimable on most private health extras policies, provided your policy includes it and the therapist is recognised by your fund. It is not covered by Medicare or by hospital cover. Relaxation and beauty-spa massage is generally not claimable. At clinics with HICAPS you claim on the spot and pay only the gap.
The four conditions
A claim generally goes through when all four of these are true:
- You hold extras cover, not just hospital cover. These are separate products, and hospital-only policies pay nothing towards massage.
- Your policy tier includes remedial massage. Basic extras policies frequently exclude it. Mid and higher tiers usually include it.
- Any waiting period has passed. Extras services typically carry a waiting period from when you join or upgrade.
- The therapist is recognised by your fund, holding the relevant qualification and professional association membership your fund requires.
That last one is where claims most often fail unexpectedly. Provider recognition requirements differ between funds, so a therapist recognised by one may not be by another.
What is not covered
| Service | Typically claimable? |
|---|---|
| Remedial massage by a recognised therapist | Yes, on most extras |
| Myotherapy | Yes, on most extras (usually a separate item) |
| Relaxation or Swedish massage | Generally no |
| Spa or beauty treatments | No |
| Anything under Medicare | No — massage is not a Medicare service |
| Hospital-only cover | No |
The remedial-versus-relaxation line matters here more than anywhere else, and it is the practical reason to book the right one. The difference is covered in remedial vs relaxation massage.
How much do you get back?
This varies too widely between funds and policies to quote a figure honestly. What determines it:
- Rebate structure — some funds pay a fixed amount per session, others a percentage of the fee
- Annual limit — a cap per person per calendar year, sometimes shared across several therapy types
- Whether initial and subsequent consultations are rebated differently
- Preferred provider arrangements, which some funds use to pay a higher rebate at certain clinics
The five-minute version: log into your fund’s app, find remedial massage under your extras, and check the per-session rebate, the annual limit and how much of it you have used. Most people are surprised in one direction or the other.
How HICAPS works
HICAPS terminals process the claim at the clinic immediately after your appointment. You tap your private health card, the rebate is applied on the spot, and you pay the remaining gap. No forms, no receipts to submit, no waiting for reimbursement.
Bring your physical or digital health fund card. Without it, you pay the full fee and claim manually afterwards, which works but is slower.
Making your limit go further
- Annual limits usually reset on 1 January — unused amounts rarely carry over, so check in late in the year
- Some funds pool limits across therapy types, so massage, myotherapy and physiotherapy may draw from the same pot — worth knowing before you plan a course of treatment
- Family policies often have per-person limits, so one person’s unused allowance may not transfer
- If you are considering upgrading cover, remember the waiting period applies before you can claim
None of this is advice about which policy to hold — that depends on your circumstances and is a question for your fund or a licensed adviser.
At Complx
Remedial massage at Complx runs from 101 Moray Street, South Melbourne, with HICAPS claimed on the spot. Myotherapy and physiotherapy are also claimable on most extras, and no referral is needed for any of the three.
If your fund pools limits across those services, having them in one place makes it easier to spend the allowance where it will actually help rather than defaulting to whichever you booked first.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a doctor’s referral to claim?
No. Extras claims for remedial massage do not require a GP referral. You book directly.
Can I claim remedial massage on Medicare?
No. Massage therapy is not a Medicare-funded service. Medicare chronic condition care plans cover certain allied health services, but remedial massage is not among them.
Can I claim massage and myotherapy in the same year?
Usually yes, though many funds apply a combined annual limit across natural therapies. Check whether yours has separate or pooled limits.
What if my claim is rejected?
The usual causes are an annual limit already reached, an unserved waiting period, remedial massage not being included in your tier, or the provider not being recognised by your fund. Your fund can tell you which applies.
Is WorkCover or TAC massage claimable?
Treatment under a WorkCover or TAC claim follows that scheme’s approval process rather than private health, and generally requires authorisation before treatment. Speak to your claims contact first.
Book and claim on the spot
Bring your health fund card. Complx Health, Mezzanine Level, 101 Moray Street, South Melbourne.