National Disability Insurance Scheme

National Disability Insurance Scheme

What is the policy issue?

Significant reforms are underway in the NDIS.

Podiatrists have been involved since the inception of the NDIS in 2013. In 2026, the NDIS reported that out of the over 6,000 podiatrists in Australia, 2671 podiatrists, approximately 42%, deliver therapy supports in the NDIS.

Podiatry therapy supports ensure participants maintain mobility, independence, and community participation that significantly impact daily living. By enabling participants to move safely and confidently, podiatry aligns closely with the NDIS focus on capacity building and supporting people to live active, connected lives.

NDIS 2026-2027 Annual Pricing Review

The NDIA has released the Annual Pricing Review (APR) Report providing guidance on what the Agency considers appropriate NDIS prices for 2026-2027. There is no change to the podiatry hourly rate; it is to remain at $188.99.

In the context of rising operating costs, in real terms, a pricing freeze is not a neutral outcome and can be viewed as a cut. For podiatrists working within the NDIS, this will result in further pressure on the viability of the services participants depend on. Read the full details >>

Share your feedback to strengthen our advocacy with the government.
We will be advocating for positive policy change to:

  • Reverse the reduction on the hourly rate from 2025.
  • Reinstate the previous travel pricing arrangements.
  • Add a CPI increase to the hourly rate.

Share the survey with your podiatry peers and share your feedback here >>

Find out how you can strengthen our advocacy work to better reflect the profession through surveys, ways to spread the word and engaging with local Members of Parliament here >>

Anticipated changes to the NDIS

On the 22nd of April, 2026, Minister Mark Butler announced that the NDIS is being fundamentally “reset” and these changes aim to return the NDIS to its original intent of establishing support for people with permanent and significant disability.

Further information on the future direction of the NDIS can be found here >>

What this means for podiatry 

The NDIS changes announced may result in changes to demand, pricing and regulations , such as:

  • Eligibility criteria for new participants accessing NDIS podiatry supports may be tightened.
  • Changes may occur in how current participants access podiatry therapy supports in future NDIS plans.
  • Mandatory registration will be expanded, particularly for higher‑risk supports, commencing in July 2027, with full implementation by the end of 2030. Clarification is being sought on how podiatry will be classified under these arrangements.
  • More participants being diverted away from the NDIS and will access podiatry supports through other means, such as Medicare-funded pathways or self‑funded (private) arrangements.

We will provide more updates as more details on changes to the NDIS are released.

Thriving Kids

Thriving Kids is an early intervention program designed to strengthen mainstream and community‑based services for children aged 8 and under with mild to moderate developmental delay and/or autism. Further information on Thriving Kids can be found here >>

The NDIA has published the 2024-2025 Annual Pricing Review. This review has resulted in lowering the price limit for supports delivered by a Podiatrist by $5 to a new national price limit of $188.99 per hour from 1 July 2025.

Podiatry and foot care support guidelines

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.

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.

Service delivery

  • Greater recognition of podiatry within the NDIS
  • 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 (Moved)
  • 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 has 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:

  • Sharing APodA's social media posts and commenting to raise awareness
  • Providing a case study of a participant impacted by the changes
  • Write directly to your Local Member of Parliament. APodA members can use this letter template and policy brief to assist in their engagement (you must be logged in to download the letter template and policy brief. Also note, the word doc letter template will automatically download to your device upon clicking). The APodA team can provide a briefing if you secure a meeting.
  • Emailing advocacy@podiatry.org.au to get involved.
  • Share the survey with your podiatry peers and share your feedback here >>

Additional resources: