National Disability Insurance Scheme

National Disability Insurance Scheme

What is the policy issue?

In 2025 and into 2026, the NDIS has undergone significant changes.

Pricing

The NDIS has launched its Annual Price Review for 2025–2026, which includes therapy supports such as podiatry. 

Last year’s review (2024–2025) resulted in significant pricing changes that impacted podiatry and caused concern within the podiatry community.

A survey of podiatrists providing therapy supports in the NDIS showed that:

  • 62% would start declining referrals for people with complex disabilities
  • 57% would cease travelling to visit participants in their homes.
  • 47% were considering leaving the scheme.

These figures suggest that 2,800 podiatry NDIS providers will potentially be reduced to 1,500, with around 1,300 leaving the scheme.

Podiatry and foot care supports guideline

The podiatry and foot care supports guideline is being used by planners to cut podiatry supports from NDIS participant plans. In the guideline, the rationale for these cuts is that participants should access podiatry services through the Medical Benefits Scheme (MBS) Chronic Disease management Plans. The MBS is for a 20-minute visit, and there are 5 visits per year to spread across all allied health. NDIS participant plans include hourly podiatry supports on a regular basis, 8 to 12 times a year, depending on need.

Complications from disabilities are likely to increase, leading to reduced mobility, higher risk of falls, infections from untreated wounds, potential hospitalisations and amputations. Overall, the short-term savings will result in longer term costs to pay for expensive interventions and increased care needs for more complex disabilities.

Service delivery

The NDIS is updating how it assesses, plans, and delivers services to people with disabilities. Key changes include:

  • New Assessment Framework: Introduction of the I-CAN assessment tool in July 2026 for new assessments and plan reviews
  • Thriving Kids Initiative: A program aimed at enhancing mainstream and community services for children aged 8 and under with mild to moderate developmental delay and/or autism.
  • Provider Registration and Compliance: Upcoming changes aligned with the National Practice Standards.

What is the APodA advocating for?

APodA is actively advocating for:

Pricing

  • Fair, evidence-based pricing that accounts for participant and system complexity, as well as increased administrative requirements.
  • Cease substitution with the MBS Chronic Disease Management items to deliver podiatric therapy supports, as they are inadequate to meet the complex needs of people with disabilities.

Service delivery

  • Greater recognition of podiatry within the NDIS
  • Inclusion of podiatrists as an eligible assessor with the I-CAN assessment tool
  • Consultation in the development of the Thriving Kids Initiative to ensure podiatry is included as an integral allied health profession in its implementation.
  • Streamlined administrative processes and reduction of regulatory burden
  • Improved access to podiatry services for people with disabilities, ensuring they can remain mobile and independent.

What had the APodA been doing?

To represent our members and influence positive policy change, the APodA has:

How can you get involved?

As the peak professional body, the APodA is uniquely positioned to influence policy. To ensure our advocacy reflects the profession, we actively engage members through surveys, special interest groups, and key opinion leaders. You can act by:

  1. Sharing APodA's social media posts and commenting to raise awareness
  2. Providing a real-world story of a participant impacted by the changes
  3. Write directly to your Local Member of Parliament. APodA members can use this letter template and policy brief to assist in their engagement. The APodA team can provide a briefing if you secure a meeting.
  4. Emailing advocacy@podiatry.org.au to get involved.

Additional resources: