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 (71 Victoria Crescent), accessible via a shared car park (behind GARY cafe).
We have dedicated, clearly signposted Zebras Australia parking bays, or there is parallel parking along 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 approach to COVID-19 and other acute respiratory illnesses is informed by current Victorian Department of Health guidance, respiratory surveillance data and infection prevention best practice.
We know that many people in our community may be more vulnerable to respiratory infections or particularly concerned about avoiding illness, including people living with complex health conditions and long COVID. We therefore use a layered, risk-based approach to reducing transmission while continuing to offer flexible and accessible care.
If you are unwell
If you are scheduled for an in-person appointment and develop new symptoms of an acute respiratory infection, such as fever, cough, sore throat, shortness of breath or a runny nose, please do not attend in person while you are acutely unwell.
Contact our team and we can discuss your options, which may include rescheduling your appointment or changing to telehealth where clinically appropriate.
If you test positive for COVID-19, we similarly ask that you remain away from the clinic while you are acutely unwell and return once your acute symptoms have resolved.
Our team members follow the same approach and do not attend work while acutely unwell.
How we reduce transmission
We continue to support a safe and hygienic environment through measures including:
- Optimising ventilation and airflow throughout our spaces, including HEPA air purification where available
- Routine cleaning and cleaning of shared clinical equipment between uses
- Readily available hand sanitiser and hand hygiene
- Respiratory hygiene and coughing etiquette
- Avoiding overcrowding where reasonably practicable
- Offering telehealth where clinically appropriate.
Masks and additional precautions
During periods of low community transmission, masks are optional for clients, visitors and team members.
Masks are available at Zebras for anyone who would prefer to wear one.
We also understand that some people may be at greater risk of severe illness or may feel safer with additional precautions in place. If you would like your practitioner to wear a mask during your appointment, please let us know. We will support reasonable requests for additional precautions wherever practicable.
Some members of our community may be unable to wear a mask or may choose not to wear one for health, disability, communication, sensory or other personal reasons. We ask everyone attending Zebras to treat each other with kindness and respect.
Responding to changing risk
We regularly review Victorian Department of Health advice and respiratory surveillance data, alongside what we are seeing within our own practice.
If community transmission or local risk increases, we may temporarily introduce additional measures.
Our approach is reviewed regularly and updated as public health advice and community conditions change.
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.
