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 2024, the NDIS reported that out of the over 6,000 podiatrists in Australia, 2833 podiatrists, approximately 46%, 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.

Anticipated changes to the NDIS

On the 22nd of April, 2026, Minister Mark Butler released his plan for changes to the NDIS.

The Minister 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 >>

Pricing

NDIS 2024-2025 Annual Pricing Review

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.

This review 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.

NDIS 2025-2026 Annual Pricing Review

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

Podiatry provides a critical role in supporting NDIS participants to maintain functional mobility, independence, and lower limb, ankle and foot health.  We have been actively advocating for improved access to podiatry therapy supports for people with disabilities. Our submission can be found here >>

 We will provide more updates when the NDIS 2025-2026 Annual Price Review has been released. 

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.

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 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:

  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 (you must be logged in to download the letter template and policy brief). The APodA team can provide a briefing if you secure a meeting.
  4. Emailing advocacy@podiatry.org.au to get involved.

Additional resources: