Advocacy Update: The Impact of Reform on Podiatry Practice
Join us for this 40-minute presentation and 10-minute Q&A session on the topic of The Impact of Reform on Podiatry Practice.
As cost‑of‑living pressures rise and healthcare funding undergoes major reform, podiatry is increasingly shaped by government policy and funding decisions. Join the APodA Advocacy team for a focused webinar exploring the real‑world impacts of government programs, policy reform, and funding changes on podiatry practice.
With most podiatrists working in the private sector, decisions made by governments directly affect service viability and patient access. This session will examine current challenges across key programs including Thriving Kids, the NDIS, and Support at Home, and provide an update on APodA’s advocacy and government relations work on the PBS. We aim to support members to better understand the system forces influencing their practice today and into the future.
What we will cover:
1. Outline how policy and funding reforms are impacting podiatry practice.
2. Highlight current challenges across key government programs.
The Presenters:
Judy Powell
Australian Podiatry Association - Advocacy, Policy and Research Manager
Judy Powell is an experienced policy and advocacy leader with more than 30 years of work across government and the not-for-profit sector. With a Master of Public Health and qualifications from Curtin University of Technology and the University of Western Australia, she brings strong expertise in strategic planning, policy development, stakeholder engagement and project management. Judy is a committed advocate for improving health and wellbeing outcomes, particularly for people living with injuries, chronic and mental health conditions, and disability. She is skilled in shaping advocacy strategies, preparing submissions, influencing decision-makers and building partnerships that drive change.
In her recent roles leading policy and advocacy teams, Judy has focused on translating frontline issues into clear policy priorities and empowering organisations and members to engage effectively in advocacy.
Steven Brown
Australian Podiatry Assocoation - Advocacy and Policy Officer
Steven Brown is a Policy, Advocacy and Research Officer at the APodA, with a background across member services and policy and advocacy. He holds a Master of Public Health from the University of Newcastle.
Steven has a strong interest in how health systems are designed and how policy translates into real-world care. His work spans aged care, digital health, primary health care and regulatory environments, including engagement with the Therapeutic Goods Administration, as well as government-funded schemes such as Department of Veterans' Affairs and Medicare.
He enjoys working closely with members to understand the practical challenges they face and using those insights to inform clear, practical advocacy. Steven is particularly interested in improving access to care, reducing unnecessary system complexity, and ensuring allied health is well represented in policy and funding discussions.
Daniella Florio
Australian Podiatry Association - Policy, Advocacy and Research Officer
Daniella Florio is a registered podiatrist with additional qualifications in working with people with a disability. Prior to her podiatry career, she worked in the intellectual disability field with a particular focus on creating positive interventions for people with behavioural issues. Since registering as a podiatrist in 2009, she has combined both areas of expertise to support participants to access podiatry services. Daniella works privately in her own business AFA (Access For All) Podiatry and at Bellvue Podiatry. Up until 2024 she also worked in public sector in community health for nearly 15 years. AFA Podiatry is a registered NDIS provider and has a number of NDIS participants.
More recently Daniella commenced working part time with the APodA as a Policy, Advocacy and Research Officer.
Outside of work Daniella loves travelling and all things trivia – pub trivia, daily quizzes and tv shows.
Angela Harper
Australian Podiatry Association - Advocacy, Policy and Research Adviser
Angela Harper is a Brisbane-based public affairs and government relations professional, and a former aviation paramedic with more than a decade of service in the Australian Army. Her frontline clinical and operational experience continues to inform her approach to health policy, advocacy and stakeholder engagement.
She currently works as a journalist and small business owner, alongside her part-time role in policy and advocacy with the APodA policy team. Following her military career, Angela worked as a Canberra Press Gallery journalist with the Australian Associated Press, before moving into public affairs and strategic communications roles across government, industry and the not-for-profit sector.
Angela was a candidate for the Senate in Queensland at the 2025 federal election for the Jacqui Lambie Network, strengthening her experience in national policy and public advocacy.
She is also the founder of a medical technology start-up, which has secured early-stage investor backing. She also serves on a board supporting veteran entrepreneurs and works pro-bono for veterans organisations in her finite spare time.
Angela is recognised for her clarity, credibility and strategic insight in navigating complex media, policy and government relations environments, and for translating policy into practical advocacy outcomes.a
Event Details
When: |
Wednesday 27 May 2026 |
Where: |
Webinar (online) |
Time: |
This webinar will start at: |
Cost: |
APodA Member: Free |
CPD Hours: |
1 hour Category 1 Professional Development |
|
|
Contact: |
Australian Podiatry Association |
Important Information:
- APodA webinars are recorded and are available for members only to view at any time and at no cost in the Member Resource section on the website located in the webinar library.
- Members can log this activity in the CPD portal to track their CPD activity for the year. To access the CPD portal click on Member Centre and using the menu on the left, click on
My CPD - Only participants who attend the webinar by logging in to the Zoom link provided and are actively online are issued a certificate of attendance. Certificates will be issued within 3 - 5 business days after the event
- CPD Terms and Conditions