APodA advocacy update: February 2026
10 Feb 2026
Members step up on PBS parity - Thank you
A big thank you to our members who took the time to lodge submissions supporting PBS parity for podiatrists. The Senate Community Affairs Legislation Committee has now closed submissions and is due to report on 26 February 2026.
The APodA has also requested a special committee hearing to put the patient impact and safety case on the record. While hearings aren’t usually held for Bill inquiries, we believe appearing in person would be valuable. It would allow us to clearly explain the delays this Bill is causing, how it affects patient care, and the extra GP visits and out-of-pocket costs podiatry patients are facing.
Stay up to date with the APodA’s PBS advocacy work here and don’t forget to keep an eye out for the APodA monthly newsletters.
Do you have an interest in medicines and prescribing?
Join the APodA Medicines in Podiatry (MIP) Special Interest Group, a community of member podiatrists with an interest in medicines. This includes podiatrists with an endorsement to prescribe medicines and those undertaking the endorsement pathway. Learn more here>>
The APodA has lodged the annual submission in January asking for:
- Podiatrists with an endorsement to prescribe medicines to be provided with PBS prescribing parity.
- Expansion of the Commonwealth Practical Placements Program to podiatry students.
Read the pre-budget 2026-2027 submission here>>
Primary care - Senate inquiry and submission opportunity: Rural, regional and remote Medicare access and funding
Thank you to the podiatrists based in regional, rural and remote areas that contributed to the APodA’s survey. We are well on the way to preparing our response based on your feedback.
You can also put in a submission and it can be as simple as writing a letter. Check out the Terms of Reference to help you prepare and upload your submission here>>
Submissions close on 27 March 2026
APodA members can reach out to advocacy@podiatry.org.au for support and advice.
NDIS
NDIS reform is underway and consultations are coming thick and fast from the NDIS.
Here are the current submission opportunities available for you to consider contributing to:
1. NDIS Provider Service Agreements
Share your insights on tools and guidance that could make service agreements simple, fair, and helpful for everyone.
This is your chance to explain what makes service agreements easy or hard to use, how they affect your business, and how NDIS can improve the guidance and resources available.
Consultations close on 27 February 2026.
2. A new definition for NDIS providers
The focus is on the redesign of the legislative definition of a NDIS provider and registration of providers based on the risk of the supports they provide.
This consultation paper seeks feedback:
- Definition of a NDIS provider
- Impacts of a new provider definition on a new registration model
- Proposed obligations for registered NDIS providers
The consultation closes on 28 February 2026.
3. NDIS rules: New planning framework
The NDIS is developing a new framework to make NDIS planning clearer and more transparent. This framework will incorporate the I-CAN Assessment tool. NDIS is still developing the rules explaining how this will work in practice.
The consultation closes on 6 March 2026.
NDIS Annual Pricing Review 2025-26
Thank you to our members who contributed to development of the APodA’s NDIS Annual Pricing submission.
In response, the APodA has asked the NDIA to:
- Introduce specific safeguards to support practice sustainability and prevent provider withdrawal in thin markets.
- Examine “Stewardship in Thin Markets” in metropolitan areas, not just rural and regional Australia, for professions such as podiatry, who are experiencing workforce shortages.
- Cease benchmarking against Medicare and private health insurance and sets fair, evidence-based pricing that reflects the true cost of delivering podiatry therapy supports in the NDIS.
- Review regulatory requirements to ensure they are proportionate and reduce the administrative burden placed on podiatrists.
- Introduce grants for providers to cover the cost of registration with the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission.
- Commence a dedicated therapy support pricing pilot for small providers.
- Conduct a podiatry specific costing study to ensure pricing accurately reflects the high operational costs of delivering podiatry supports.
Stay up to date with the APodA’s NDIS advocacy work here>>
Aged care
1. Be aware of your rights: Unfair contract terms in service agreements
The APodA and Maurice Blackburn have developed a practical guide to help APodA members navigate service agreements under the Support at Home program.
Many podiatrists are being offered “take it or leave it” contracts where some terms may raise concerns under Unfair Contract Terms laws
We’ve highlighted common red flags seen in aged care contracts, including financial penalties, restraints, and one-sided variations.
Thank you to our members for sharing their experiences from working in aged care.
APodA members can read the full resource and access discounted legal advice from Maurice Blackburn here>>
2. New resource: Understanding the new Aged Care Act
A new Government guidance booklet is now available to help allied health professionals understand the regulatory changes introduced under the new Aged Care Act.
The guide explains how allied health services can be delivered within the aged care system, including pathways for providing services as an aged care provider, associated provider, or aged care worker.
View the guidance here>>
APodA APP SIG members can access our exclusive aged care podiatry resources and CPD here>>
3. Lodged submission - Aged care reform: Senate inquiries and APodA member surveys
The survey supporting the APodA’s submission to the Senate inquiry into the transition from the Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) to Support at Home has now closed.
Thank you to our members for taking the time to respond and for empowering the APodA to put its best foot forward in advocating on your behalf. APodA members can read our submission here>>
Your insights are critical to strengthening the APodA’s advocacy and ensuring the experiences of podiatrists working in aged care are clearly represented.
The APodA will soon be publishing a further survey to support the second Senate inquiry examining the Support at Home program.
To capture the real-world impacts of their reform, the APodA plans to release a survey to gauge how the Support at Home program is affecting podiatrists and podiatry services as it rolls out. APodA members will be notified in advance of survey release date.
Stay up to date with the APodA’s Aged Care Reform advocacy work here>>
Digital health
The APodA will be participating in a national digital health uplift project led by Allied Health Professions Australia (AHPA) in partnership with the Australian Digital Health Agency (ADHA).
This project aims to support allied health professions to better understand, connect with and use national digital health tools, with profession specific considerations to inform education and resources.
If you’re interested in digital health and the national digital health uplift project, please email advocacy@podiatry.org.au to be notified when there are opportunities to contribute.
Research
1. New graduates – Have your say
The APodA is sharing a Charles Sturt University research project exploring how prepared new graduate allied health professionals feel for collaborative practice in healthcare settings.
Your insights will help assess whether current allied health education is effectively preparing graduates for real-world, team-based care.
What’s involved?:
- A short online survey (15–20 minutes)
- Optional semi-structured interview (40–45 minutes)
Take part here>>
If you have any questions please contact Dr Isabel Paton, Charles Sturt University – ipaton@csu.edu.au.
2. Help shape the future of podiatry technology
The APodA is sharing a QUT research project inviting practising podiatrists to complete a ten-minute survey exploring how podiatrists currently use 3D scanning and gait analysis technologies and what improvements could enhance clinical practice.
To find out more and share your experience and perspectives, access the participant information and complete the survey here>>
3. Growing pains in children
The APodA is sharing this research opportunity from Monash University to support improved understanding of growing pains in children.
Researchers are seeking:
- Children aged The diagnosed with growing pains
- One parent or caregiver to participate alongside their child
Participation involves a 30–60 minute interview (in person or via Zoom) exploring the child’s experience, family impacts, and what matters most in care.
Participants will receive a $50 honorarium. To learn more or register interest, contact Mitchell Smith (Principal Investigator) here>>
This study has been approved by the Monash Health Human Research Ethics Committee (Project ID: 118579).
4. Invitation to participate in a Delphi study: Podiatry-led vasclar assessment
You’re invited to take part in a Delphi study helping shape national, consensus-based recommendations for podiatry-led vascular assessment in Australia. Your input will directly influence future guidance and support best practice across the profession.
Participation involves up to four short online surveys (15–20 minutes each), exploring:
- Which patient groups should receive vascular assessment
- What tests to use and how to perform them
- Appropriate triage and referral pathways
Who can participate?:
- Registered health professionals in Australia
- Minimum 5 years’ clinical experience
- Experience in vascular assessment (e.g. diabetes, peripheral vascular disease, high-risk foot)
- Current clinical practice involving vascular assessment
Learn more and have your say here>>
MUHREC approval: 48870