In Part Two of this issue’s two-part update, the advocacy team at the Australian Podiatry Association share where developments are up to across a range of areas. In this update the NDIS, Medicare, aged care, DVA, regulation and workforce are all covered – along with a recap on the four core pillars shaping all of this.
The Australian Podiatry Association’s (APodA) advocacy work is built on four core pillars:
Across this work, there is a consistent set of priorities. At its core is the push for equitable access to care, including parity with other health professions, alongside fair and sustainable funding models that properly reflect the true cost of podiatry services. There is also a continued focus on recognising podiatry’s full clinical scope, particularly within multidisciplinary and community settings, while supporting inclusive policy design and reducing administrative burden through proportionate, streamlined regulation.
These priorities ultimately sit under one broader aim: to ensure podiatrists can deliver high-quality care without facing unnecessary barriers.
A defining strength of the APodA’s advocacy is its member-driven approach. Across all portfolios, members contribute through:
Member advocacy has already influenced outcomes, for example, contributing submissions to Senate inquiries and engaging directly with policymakers to support reforms such as PBS parity and funding changes.
The NDIS continues to be a major focus, particularly as reform discussions intensify. The APodA has been actively contributing across multiple consultations, including pricing, planning frameworks and legislative change. We have consistently highlighted the essential role of podiatry in maintaining mobility, independence and foot health for people with disability, warning that reduced access risks preventable complications and increased long-term system costs. A consistent message has been the central role podiatry plays in supporting mobility, independence and long-term health outcomes for people with disability, with reduced access creating the risk of more complex presentations and higher system costs over time.
In response to the NDIS Annual Pricing Review and broader reforms, the APodA has advocated for:
The APodA has also pushed strongly for co-design of reforms, including involvement in developing podiatry-specific modules and ensuring allied health input is central to implementation.
Important takeaway for podiatrists:
The NDIS promised months ago that it would release the Annual Pricing Review and pricing arrangements for 2026-27. At the time of writing this article, no announcement has been made, leaving providers with little time to adjust for a 1 July 2026 implementation. Differentiated pricing will consider the type, size and registration of a business. This will be the subject of a public consultation over July and August 2026.
Aged care reform, particularly the transition to the Support at Home program, presents both risks and opportunities for podiatry.
Key advocacy priorities include:
The APodA is also closely monitoring implementation of the new Aged Care Act and associated provider arrangements, ensuring podiatrists are appropriately recognised within the system. These impacts are central to our submission to the Senate Community Affairs Reference Committee Inquiry into the Support at Home Program.
Important takeaway for podiatrists:
The good news is that price caps have been deferred indefinitely and will not be coming in from 1 July 2026.
Within Medicare, the APodA is focused on ensuring that podiatry remains a recognised and valued contributor to chronic disease management and primary care. We are actively participating in the Review of MBS Referred Chronic Condition Management Services, advocating to maintain and strengthen podiatry’s role in multidisciplinary care.
At the same time, the APodA has contributed to Senate inquiries into rural, regional and remote Medicare access, highlighting the unique challenges faced by podiatrists delivering care in dispersed and underserved communities.
Advocacy in this space is focused on:
Important takeaway for podiatrists:
Towards the end of the year, consultations will be underway to explore direct referral pathways to medical specialists, so look out for how you can get involved.
Work within the Department of Veterans’ Affairs space has already delivered tangible outcomes, while also identifying areas requiring further reform.
The introduction of a new neurological diabetes foot assessment item in the DVA Podiatry Fee Schedule is a clear example, expanding services available to veterans. At the same time, the APodA has continued to respond quickly to implementation issues where they arise, raising concerns around item duplication, billing system confusion, clinical constraints that do not reflect standard practice, and funding and administrative settings to support appropriate care delivery.
More broadly, recent Federal Budget measures have recognised the role of podiatry in veteran care, including increased allied health funding and higher consultation fees, reinforcing podiatry’s importance in managing complex veteran health needs.
Important takeaway for podiatrists:
A $5,000 cap on allied health services for veterans has been proposed by the Government with a consultation on how this will work anticipated for August 2026.
Regulatory reform remains another important area of focus, with the APodA engaging with Ahpra, the Podiatry Board of Australia and national workplace frameworks.
This includes responses to:
Across all of this work, there is a consistent emphasis on ensuring regulation is proportionate to risk, aligned with existing professional standards and supportive of workforce participation. At the same time, the APodA is working to ensure podiatry is included in emerging frameworks, such as digital health initiatives and national data collections, to ensure the profession is visible in system-level decision-making.
Important takeaway for podiatrists:
The next consultation anticipated is on the Endorsed Schedule of Medicines (ESM) for podiatry.
Health reform in Australia is evolving rapidly, particularly across disability, aged care and primary care. The APodA’s role is to ensure that podiatry is embedded in these reforms, not as an afterthought, but as an essential part of the health system.
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