Frequently Asked Questions
Helpful answers for people exploring care at Zebras.
We know exploring support can bring up a lot of questions. Here are some of the things people commonly ask about care at Zebras.
About Zebras
Zebras is an Australian healthcare organisation supporting people navigating chronic and complex conditions through allied healthcare, community and education.
Our interdisciplinary team includes physiotherapy, exercise physiology, occupational therapy and osteopathy, alongside virtual care, classes, events and practitioner education.
Many of the people who come to Zebras have felt overlooked, unsupported or left to navigate complexity alone.
Our approach combines deep expertise with collaborative, flexible care designed to support the whole person and adapt to changing needs and capacity.
We commonly support people navigating hypermobility (including EDS/HSD), POTS and other forms of dysautonomia, chronic pain, fibromyalgia, ME/CFS, endometriosis and other chronic and complex presentations.
You do not need a formal diagnosis to access support at Zebras.
Our approach is interdisciplinary, trauma-informed and grounded in the latest science.
We aim to support the whole person through collaborative care that considers the relationship between the body, nervous system, life experiences, environment and everyday function.
Trauma-informed care recognises that many people have experienced stress, adversity or healthcare experiences that may impact how safe or supported they feel in care settings.
At Zebras, this means prioritising collaboration, consent, flexibility, transparency and respectful relationships.
Zebras is not a mental health facility and our services may not be appropriate for people requiring crisis support or specialist treatment for severe and complex trauma presentations.
Many of the people we support are navigating overlapping diagnoses, symptoms or experiences that span multiple body systems.
Our interdisciplinary model is designed to support complexity rather than viewing presentations in isolation.
Yes. While not every person sees multiple practitioners, our team collaborates regularly to support more connected and coordinated care when appropriate.
Where appropriate and with your consent, our practitioners will endeavour to communicate with other members of your healthcare team to support more coordinated care.
Getting started
Yes. Initial consultations allow us to better understand your symptoms, experiences, goals and support needs so we can tailor care appropriately.
The initial consultation will focus on understanding your story, current concerns, health history and goals. This supports the development of a safe, individualised and effective plan for your care.
Depending on the service and your needs, this session may focus more on assessment and planning than active treatment. Your practitioner will discuss next steps and collaborate with you on an appropriate approach.
You are welcome to bring any relevant referrals, scans, reports, test results or support plans.
Comfortable clothing may also be helpful depending on the service you are accessing.
Accessibility
We are located on Wurundjeri Country and our address is 14-15 / 71 Victoria Crescent, Abbotsford.
You'll find us inside the Riverview Commercial Centre, accessible via a shared car park (behind GARY cafe).
We have dedicated, clearly signposted Zebras Australia parking bays, or there is parallel parking on Victoria Crescent.
Yes. We are an eight-minute walk from both Collingwood Station (serviced by the Mernda and Hurstbridge lines) and the Church Street/Victoria Street tram stops (serviced by the 78, 109 and 12 trams).
Yes. Zebras offers telehealth appointments Australia-wide across all services within our virtual clinic.
Virtual care can be highly effective for many people, particularly those navigating fatigue, pain, sensory sensitivities, mobility limitations or geographical barriers. Your practitioner can help determine whether virtual, in-person or blended care may be most appropriate for your needs.
Please note that Zebras currently offers video-based telehealth appointments only and does not provide telephone-based care.
We aim to create a more accessible and inclusive environment for our community. Our ground floor is wheelchair accessible. There is no lift to access the first floor.
If you have accessibility, mobility or sensory needs you would like us to be aware of, we encourage you to contact our team prior to your appointment.
Some of the ways we can support accessibility and comfort include:
- Preferred modes of contact (email, text or phone)
- Pre-session information to help you prepare
- Breaks during sessions where needed
- Sensory and environmental adjustments
- Bringing a support person
- Post-session summaries or additional resources
If there is anything that would help you feel more comfortable or supported, we encourage you to contact our team prior to your appointment.
Registered assistance and service animals are welcome at Zebras. If you are planning to bring an animal to your appointment, we encourage you to let our team know in advance where possible.
Our COVID-19 policy is informed by current advice from the Department of Health, best practice guidelines and the latest published research.
We understand the challenges faced by our community, including those living with long COVID. We offer both in-person and virtual care options across all of our offerings to reduce the risk of transmission of COVID-19.
If you are scheduled for an in-person appointment and find yourself unwell with new cold or flu-like symptoms (fever, cough, sore throat, shortness of breath, runny nose or loss of smell or taste), we ask that you refrain from attending in-person and contact us to discuss your options.
Our team will not attend your appointment when they are unwell with cold or flu-like symptoms, or if they test positive to COVID-19. Following COVID-19 infection, we follow advice given by the Department of Health.
We want to reassure everyone that we continue to take the necessary precautions to ensure a safe and hygienic environment, including:
- Optimising ventilation and airflow, including the use of air purification machines in all consulting spaces
- Routine cleaning using hospital grade disinfectant approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA)’s Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG) list
- Physical distancing except for the provision of direct care
- Appropriate management of waste and linen
- Hand washing and sanitisation
- Respiratory hygiene and coughing etiquette
Our team continues to work in a hybrid format and undergoes periodic training to stay up to date with infection prevention and control measures.
We welcome anyone who prefers to wear a face covering to their appointment for added protection. Complimentary surgical masks are available upon request.
Members of our team and community may choose not to wear a mask due to any of the following reasons:
- Having a condition or disability that precludes someone from wearing a face covering
- A face covering may cause distress or anxiety
- Communication through lip reading is required
- Sensory issues
- A reasonable need to eat, drink or take medication
We ask that you be kind and respectful of others’ decisions as we navigate this post-COVID world together.
We will continue to monitor community transmission rates throughout the year, adherence and effectiveness of these protocols and adjust our policy in a timely manner as required.
Referrals
No. Most services at Zebras do not require a referral. However, some funding pathways or rebates may require documentation from your GP.
We are currently accepting referrals for those aged 16 years and older.
For those under this age, please reach out to our team and we may be able to connect you with a suitably experienced practitioner within our network.
