Stronger Today.

More Independent

Tomorrow.

Summit Strong is a free 12-week health program helping older Canberrans build strength, eat well, and stay connected — all from the comfort of home.

ABOUT SUMMIT STRONG

A program built for strength and independence.

Summit Strong is delivered by Summit Health Solutions Act and designed specifically for Canberra residents aged 65 and above who may be experiencing some frailty or reduced physical capacity.

 

Over 12 weeks, participants receive personalised, evidence-based support from physiotherapists, allied health professionals, dieticians, and social workers — all coordinated and free of charge.

"Designed to help people do more of what matters to them — whether that's walking to the letterbox, playing with grandkids, or simply feeling stronger every day."

The program runs in cohorts of 20–25 participants, four times a year, with around 100 Canberrans supported annually.

PROGRAM AT A GLANCE

WHO IT'S FOR

ACT Residents aged 65+, frail or pre-fail
Title

PROGRAM LENGTH

12 weeks per cohort
Title

COHORT SIZE

20-25 participants
Title

ANNUAL PLACES

~100 participants (4 cohorts/year)
Title

COST TO PARTICIPANTS

Gov't Funded
Title

HOW TO JOIN

GP or health professional referral only
Title

SELF-ENROLMENT

Not available
Title

LOCATION

Australian Capital Territory

THE SUMMIT STRONG APPROACH

Three pillars. One journey.

Everything we do at Summit Strong is guided by three core principles — 
designed to support the whole person, not just the physical.

Build Strength

A tailored exercise program designed by physiotherapists and delivered through weekly face-to-face sessions and group telehealth classes — building fitness at your own pace, safely and confidently.

Nourish Well

Practical, accessible nutrition education from qualified dieticians. Learn what to eat, how to prepare simple nutritious meals, and how good food supports strength and energy as we age.

Stay Connected

Group sessions, peer support, and access to social work services help participants stay engaged, feel part of a community, and maintain the connections that matter most to wellbeing.

THE 12-WEEK JOURNEY

How the program works.

From first assessment to final session, every step is designed to be supportive, manageable, and genuinely effective.

Summit Strong – Program Steps
01
WEEK 1
Physiotherapist Assessment
A qualified physiotherapist visits to assess strength, balance, mobility, and frailty level. This assessment shapes each participant's individual program plan.
02
WEEKS 2–12
Weekly 1:1 Home Visits
An allied health assistant visits once per week for a personalised, guided exercise session — right in the comfort of home. Sessions are practical and encouraging.
03
3× PER WEEK
Group Telehealth Sessions
Three times a week, participants join a friendly group video session for guided movement, peer connection, and motivation — no travel required.
04
AS NEEDED
Dietician & Social Worker Support
Where additional support is helpful, participants can access a dietician for nutrition guidance and a social worker for broader wellbeing needs — all within the program.

WHO SUMMIT STRONG IS FOR

Is this program right for your patient?

Summit Strong is designed for older Canberrans who would benefit from a structured, supported health program to build strength and maintain independence. Referrals come exclusively through GPs and qualified health professionals.
Physiotherapy-led — every participant starts with a clinical assessment to ensure the program is safe and appropriate.
Allied health delivered — weekly 1:1 support from a qualified allied health assistant in the participant's home.
Fully funded — there is no cost to the participant or the referring practice. The program is government-funded.
Cohort-based — structured in groups of 20–25 to foster peer connection alongside clinical outcomes.
Additional support — dietician and social worker services are available within the program where clinically indicated.
Eligibility criteria
  • ACT resident
  • Aged 65 years or older
  • Identified as frail or pre-frail by a GP or health professional
  • Has a current GP who can provide a referral
  • Able to participate in supervised exercise (as assessed by physiotherapist)
  • Access to a device for video calls (or willing to learn)

Tap a criterion to see more detail

Quick eligibility check

Toggle each criterion your patient meets:

ACT resident
Aged 65+
Frail or pre-frail
Has a GP
Can do supervised exercise
Can access video calls
✓ Likely eligible. Your patient meets all criteria. Please submit a referral through your usual GP referral pathway.
◑ Partially meets criteria. Some criteria are not yet confirmed. Review remaining items before referring.
✗ May not be eligible. This patient does not appear to meet the required criteria at this time.
⚠ Not eligible for self-enrolment.
All referrals must come through a GP or qualified health professional. If you or a family member is interested, please speak with your GP about Summit Strong.

Not sure if Summit Strong is the right fit?

Take our short frailty check below. It takes just 2–3 minutes and is suitable for older adults, family members, carers, and GPs. It won't store your information — it's simply a helpful guide to understand whether a referral to Summit Strong may be worthwhile.

REFERRALS & ENQUIRIES

Ready to refer or learn more?

Referrals to Summit Strong are made exclusively through GPs and registered health professionals. If you're a family member or carer, the first step is a conversation with your loved one's GP.

For GPs & Health Professionals

Referring to Summit Strong is straightforward. The program is free to patients and your practice, and our team handles all coordination after referral.

Identify a patient who is aged 65+, an ACT resident, and frail or pre-frail using a recognised clinical tool (e.g. FRAIL scale, Fried criteria).

Complete the Summit Strong referral form — available for download below or by contacting our team directly.

Submit the form by email or fax. Our program coordinator will contact the patient within [X] business days to confirm enrolment.

We'll keep you informed with a brief progress update at week 1 (post-assessment) and at program completion.

For Families & Carers

If you think Summit Strong could help someone you care for, the first step is a conversation with their GP. Your GP can assess suitability and submit a referral on their behalf. The program is completely free — there is no cost to the participant, and no cost to join.

Talk to your loved one's GP about Summit Strong and ask whether they may be suitable.

If eligible, the GP will complete and submit a referral form directly to our program team.

Our coordinator will reach out to confirm a place and explain what to expect in week one.

The program begins with a home visit from a physiotherapist — no travel needed.

Have questions? You're welcome to contact our team directly to learn more about the program before speaking with a GP.
📞 1300 315 315  ·  ✉️ admin@summithealthsolutions.com.au

SUPPORTING YOUR LOVED ONE

What families can expect.

Watching someone you care about lose their strength or confidence is hard. Summit Strong is designed to turn that around — with professional support, human connection, and a program that comes to them.

 

Your role as a family member or carer is always welcome. We encourage connection and will keep communication open throughout the program.

Tap a card to learn more

Home-based
Care comes to them
3× per week
Group sessions via video call
Included
A booklet to guide the journey
Full team
Professional team on hand
No cost
Completely free

COMMON QUESTIONS

Frequently Asked Questions

If you can't find what you're looking for, please reach out to our team directly.

Who can refer a patient to Summit Strong?

Referrals can only be made by a GP or qualified health professional. The program is not open for self-enrolment. If a patient or their family is interested, they should speak with their GP who can assess eligibility and submit a referral.

Is there a cost to the patient or the referring practice?

No. Summit Strong is fully government-funded. There is no cost to participants, their families, or the referring practice. All program activities — including home visits, telehealth sessions, and allied health support — are provided free of charge.

What does "frail or pre-frail" mean for referral purposes?

Frailty refers to reduced physical reserve and resilience commonly associated with ageing. For referral purposes, GPs can use recognised clinical tools such as the FRAIL scale or the Fried Frailty Criteria. If you're unsure, contact our team — we're happy to discuss suitability before a formal referral is submitted.

How long does the program run and when do new cohorts start?

Summit Strong runs in 12-week cohorts, four times per year, with 20–25 participants per cohort. Contact our team to find out when the next cohort intake opens and whether places are currently available.

Does the patient need their own device for video sessions?

Participants will need access to a device capable of video calls (smartphone, tablet, or computer) for the group telehealth sessions. Our team can provide basic support to help participants get comfortable with the technology before sessions begin.

What happens after the 12 weeks?

At the end of the program, participants will have a clear exercise plan and healthier habits to continue independently. Our team will provide a summary to the referring GP. If ongoing support is needed, we can discuss appropriate referral pathways at that time.

Get in touch with our team

Whether you're a GP ready to refer a patient, a family member with questions, or a health professional wanting to learn more — we'd love to hear from you.

CALL US

1300 315 315

Mon–Fri, 9am–5pm AEST

EMAIL US

admin@summithealthsolutions.com.au

We aim to respond within 2 business days

REFERRAL FORMS

Download or request by email

GPs can also fax referrals
SUMMIT STRONG
Building Strength. Sustaining Independence.
A 12-week health program delivered by Summit Health Solutions ACT for Canberra residents aged 65 and above.
For GPs & Referrers
Referrals through GP or qualified
health professional only.

info@summithealthsolutions.com.au
Funding acknowledgement This service is supported by funding from the ACT PHN through the Australian Government's PHN Program.
Funded by ACT PHN — An Australian Government Initiative and Capital Health Network — Partnering for better health

© 2025 Summit Health Solutions ACT. All rights reserved.

Summit Strong is a funded program of Summit Health Solutions ACT.