Workforce: Building a sustainable future
Strengthening the podiatry profession to meet Australia's growing healthcare needs
| Overview | Updates | FAQs | Resources | Professional support |
|
Workforce sustainability at critical juncture Australia's podiatry profession faces significant workforce challenges. Declining university enrolments, an ageing practitioner base, and increasing demand for complex care services are creating pressure points across the sector. Key indicators:
|
The workforce sustainability challenge
The podiatry profession is at a critical juncture. While demand for podiatry services is growing due to an ageing population, rising chronic disease burden, and greater recognition of podiatry's role in preventative healthcare, the supply of qualified podiatrists is facing significant constraints.
The Stepping Up – Podiatry 2030 report identified workforce as one of the most pressing challenges facing the profession. Without strategic intervention, the gap between demand and supply will continue to widen, impacting service delivery across all settings, particularly in regional and rural Australia.
1. Supply issues
The podiatry profession faces a multifaceted workforce supply crisis
Declining student enrolments
|
University sector pressures
|
Workforce retention challenges
|
2. Distribution issues
Geographic and sector maldistribution creating access barriers
Only 23% of podiatrists work outside major cities, yet 29% of Australians live in these areas. Rural and remote areas face critical shortages while metropolitan areas have workforce concentrations.
3. Scope of practice evolution
The podiatry scope of practice is simultaneously expanding and contracting
↑ Expanding scope:
|
↓ Contracting scope:
|
4. Workforce demographics
Age profile and generational expectations creating transition challenges
Age profile concerns:
|
Generational expectations:
|
2024 Workforce snapshot
Based on the most recent data available from the Podiatry Board of Australia and APodA workforce surveys:
|
~6,000 Registered podiatrists Across all states and territories |
72% Private practice Primary care settings remain dominant |
65% Female practitioners Workforce increasingly female-dominated |
40% Enrolment decline Since 2015 |
Geographic distribution
Significant workforce maldistribution evident |
Practice settings
|
What APodA is advocating for
|
Education support Increased investment in podiatry education and clinical placement capacity |
Career promotion Raising awareness of podiatry as an attractive and diverse career option |
|
Rural incentives Financial and professional support for practitioners in regional and rural areas |
Scope expansion Supporting prescribing rights and expanded roles in multidisciplinary teams |
|
Workforce flexibility Supporting allied health assistants and tiered care models |
Sustainable funding Ensuring funding models support viable practice and workforce retention |
Building workforce sustainability
|
Recent workforce updates and initiatives
APodA is taking strategic action to address workforce challenges through initiatives aligned with the Australian Government's National Allied Health Workforce Strategy.
National Allied Health Workforce Strategy alignment
The National Strategy identifies seven priority areas for allied health workforce development:
|
APodA's workforce initiatives
Attract, train and retain — Careers Toolkit |
2024 |
|
APodA has developed comprehensive resources to promote podiatry as a career of choice, including the Careers Toolkit, Study Podiatry hub, Back to School campaign, and Podiatry Week awareness initiatives. Evidence-based research published in JFAR identifies specific barriers and motivators for career choice. |
|
2024 Podiatry Workforce Snapshot released |
2024 |
|
Comprehensive data analysis providing current insights into podiatry workforce demographics, distribution, practice settings, and employment patterns across Australia. Essential reading for understanding current workforce challenges and opportunities. |
|
Career Pathway Framework launched |
2023 |
|
APodA introduced structured credentialling framework with three levels (Foundation, Proficient, Advanced) enabling podiatrists to gain formal recognition for expertise in specialty areas including aged care, diabetes, paediatrics, sports, biomechanics, and dermatology. |
|
Stepping Up – Podiatry 2030 report |
2023 |
|
Major strategic report identifying seven key trends shaping podiatry's future, including workforce stratification, technology integration, changing business models, and evolving education pathways. The workforce section (pages 18-19) provides detailed analysis of demographic changes, required skillsets for 2030, job role stratification, AHA impact, rural workforce sustainability, and career mobility expectations. |
|
Allied Health Assistant Framework released |
2024 |
|
Comprehensive guidance for practices implementing allied health assistant roles, including scope definitions, training requirements, supervision models, and business case development. APodA established a member reference group to guide AHA workforce strategy development. Access AHA Resources Hub → Members only |
|
Scope of Practice Review engagement |
Ongoing |
|
APodA made submissions to the "Unleashing the Potential of our Health Workforce" Scope of Practice Review advocating for recognition of expanded podiatry scope including scheduled medicines endorsement, support for podiatric surgery recognition, and removal of regulatory barriers to full scope practice. |
|
Want to receive workforce updates directly? Subscribe to alerts |
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about workforce challenges, career pathways, and practice support
Q: Why is the podiatry workforce experiencing shortages when demand is increasing? |
|
A: The workforce shortage results from multiple converging factors: Supply-side factors:
Demand-side factors:
|
Q: What is APodA doing to attract more students to podiatry? |
|
A: APodA has a multi-pronged approach including:
|
Q: How does the APodA Career Pathway and credentialling work? |
Q: How will Allied Health Assistants affect podiatrist employment? |
Q: What support is available for rural and regional podiatrists? |
Q: What support is available for practice owners struggling with recruitment? |
Q: How is the podiatry scope of practice changing? |
Q: Will there be enough jobs for podiatry graduates in 2030? |
Q: How can I contribute to workforce solutions as a member? |
Career and workforce resources
Tools, guidance, and programs to support podiatrists at every career stage
|
Member-exclusive resources Some resources on this page require APodA membership to access. If you're not currently logged in, you'll be prompted to sign in. |
Career information
Essential workforce resources
Career Pathway & Credentialling Member benefitStructured professional development through Foundation, Proficient, and Advanced credential levels in specialty areas including aged care, diabetes, paediatrics, sports, biomechanics, and dermatology. |
2024 Podiatry Workforce Snapshot Members onlyComprehensive overview of current workforce size, distribution, demographics, and projections across Australia. View snapshot → (Members only) |
Stepping Up – Podiatry 2030 Members onlyComprehensive foresight report examining trends shaping the profession. Workforce section covers demographic changes, required skillsets, job role stratification, and rural sustainability. |
Workforce Summit Report 2022 Members onlyFull report from National Podiatry Workforce Summit including stakeholder perspectives and recommendations from industry leaders. Download report → (Members only) |
Practice support resources
Allied Health Assistant Resources Hub Members onlyComprehensive guidance on implementing AHA roles including supervision models, third-party funding guidelines, duties and responsibilities, remuneration, tertiary education providers, and professional indemnity requirements. Access Hub → (Members only) |
AHA Reference Group Members onlyInformation about joining the AHA Reference Group to contribute to workforce strategy development, best practice guidance, and education pathway support. Join the group → (Members only) |
Graduate Support Program Members onlyResources specifically designed for new graduates transitioning to practice including mentoring, CPD pathways, and peer support. Access resources → (Members only) |
Workforce Webinar Series Members onlyOngoing webinar series addressing workforce issues, practice sustainability, and future trends including motivators and barriers research. Browse webinars → (Members only) |
Research and publications
- JFAR: Barriers and Motivators Research – Published research investigating factors influencing career choice in podiatry
- Unleashing Potential: Health Workforce Review – National scope of practice review and APodA's engagement
- Pre-Budget Submission 2025-2026 – APodA's submission to government including workforce recommendations
Government and external resources
- National Allied Health Workforce Strategy – Australian Government's strategy for allied health workforce development
- Health Workforce Data – National health workforce datasets and reports
- AHPRA Workforce Data – Podiatry registration and workforce statistics
Professional support and advocacy
How APodA supports members and how you can contribute to workforce solutions
APodA's workforce advocacyAs the national peak professional body, APodA is uniquely positioned to influence workforce policy. We actively represent podiatry interests through direct engagement with government, stakeholder collaboration, formal submissions, and member consultation.
APodA's advocacy is strengthened by member input and real-world evidence. Your experiences and insights directly inform our policy positions and submissions. |
How you can contribute
Your expertise and perspective are valuable in addressing workforce challenges. Here are practical ways you can contribute:
|
1. Share your workforce story Help APodA understand real-world workforce impacts including shortages, recruitment challenges, rural service delivery issues, and early career experiences. |
2. Participate in workforce surveys Your responses provide crucial data for evidence-based advocacy, workforce strategy development, government submissions, and practice resource development. |
|
3. Join the AHA Reference Group If you have AHA experience, contribute to best practice guidance development, resource and template creation, advocacy strategy, and education sector engagement. Express interest → Members only |
4. Become a career ambassador Help promote podiatry careers by speaking at schools and career expos, participating in university recruitment, sharing career stories on social media, and mentoring students. |
|
5. Support graduates and students Help build the future workforce by offering clinical placements, providing mentoring and supervision, sharing practice opportunities, and supporting graduate transitions. |
6. Engage in policy advocacy Strengthen APodA's workforce advocacy by writing to MPs about workforce issues, responding to government consultations, and supporting APodA's policy positions. |
Get in touch with APodA
The team is here to support you and hear about your workforce experiences.
Note: APodA is committed to keeping members informed about workforce developments and using your feedback to strengthen advocacy. Your experiences help us represent the profession effectively.
