Arabic version: أخصائيو العلاج الطبيعي يضغطون لإلغاء ضريبة السلع والخدمات على الخدمات

Exercise physiologists in Australia are advocating for the removal of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) on their services, claiming that the tax is discriminatory. According to ABC News, the peak body for exercise physiologists, Exercise and Sports Science Australia (ESSA), has initiated a campaign titled “axe the tax” to eliminate the 10 percent GST that applies to their services.

Currently, most health services in Australia are exempt from GST, but exercise physiology is not included in this exemption. Brisbane exercise physiologist Tim Dogue expressed concern over the tax, describing it as unfair, particularly for chronically ill Australians who rely on these services to improve their health. He noted that exercise physiologists might be the only allied health profession still subject to GST, which he deemed outrageous.

Exercise physiologists provide essential services aimed at treating various health conditions, including diabetes, arthritis, and chronic pain. Dogue’s mother, Jenny Dogue, shared her positive experience with exercise physiology, stating that it helped her regain mobility and perform daily activities that were previously difficult due to her chronic lung disease and injuries.

Katie Lyndon, chief executive of ESSA, highlighted that exercise physiology has gained recognition within the healthcare system since the GST was implemented in 2000. Despite this growth, the tax has not been revised, leading to increased costs for patients, particularly during a cost-of-living crisis. Lyndon emphasized the importance of making exercise physiology services GST-free to support vulnerable populations.

Senator David Pocock will table an “axe the tax” petition in federal parliament, aiming to address this issue. The Australian Treasury has been contacted for comment regarding the campaign and the GST on exercise physiology services.