APodA advocacy update: July 2026
6 Jul 2026
The Senate said YES! But the Federal Government said NO!
The amendment allowing prescribing podiatrists to be included on the PBS was passed in the Senate with the support of independent Senators, the Coalition, the Greens and One Nation. A huge thank you to Senator Jacqui Lambie for sponsoring the amendment and to all senators who supported this important reform.
The legislation was then rushed to the House of Representatives where the Opposition and independents provided support, but Labor disagreed. Since Labor have the majority, it was unsuccessful.
Over 30 June and 1 July, there were many speeches acknowledging podiatry from Senators including Anne Ruston, Jordon Steele-John, David Pocock, Wendy Askew and Malcolm Roberts. Member of Parliament, Dr. Monique Ryan also spoke in support of podiatry in the House of Representatives.
The Government want more consultation on the legislation to include podiatrists and we will continue to work with them to progress access to affordable medicines for podiatry patients.
Check out our social media to see some of the support that podiatry received in parliament:
The APodA represents podiatry at the Victorian Parliament TAC Claims hearing
This month, the APodA appeared at the Victorian Parliament's inquiry into claims made through the Transport Accident Commission (TAC).
This marked an important milestone for the profession, with the APodA being called to parliament to speak on behalf of the podiatry profession for the first time.
Representing the APodA were CEO Hilary Shelton, Advocacy, Policy and Research Officer Daniella Florio, and APodA member and Director of Footlab+, Tony Massarotti. Together, they highlighted the real-world complexities of working within funding schemes and the dedication of podiatrists to deliver high-quality, compassionate care to their patients every day.
This is what collective advocacy looks like. When we stand together, we elevate the profession and ensure the voice of podiatry is heard by decision-makers.
Thank you to all our members who continue to support and contribute to the APodA's advocacy work.
You can read our submission to the Victorian Parliament's Inquiry into claims made through the Transport Accident Commission here >>
Aged care
1. Senate report on CHSP transition released
The Senate Standing Committee on Community Affairs has released its report on the transition of the Commonwealth Home Support Programme to the Support at Home Program.
The report reflects many of the concerns we have consistently raised regarding transition readiness, access pressures and the challenges of delivering services in thin markets.
Two of our recommendations were fully supported by the Committee:
Introduction of direct subsidy payments in thin markets to support provider sustainability and prevent service withdrawal.
Consultation and co-design with service providers and peak bodies regarding the future of CHSP.
We welcome these recommendations and urge the Australian Government to adopt them. We remain committed to working with government and contributing to the co-design of future aged care reforms to help ensure older Australians continue to have timely access to essential lower limb and foot care services.
Read our submission to the inquiry here >>
Thank you to our members who contributed to our submission through the Support at Home survey and the Podiatrists in Aged Care Special Interest Group for their ongoing guidance and support. Your contributions continue to strengthen our advocacy on behalf of the profession.
2. APodA seeks meeting with Aged Care Minister
We have written to the Hon. Sam Rae MP, Minister for Aged Care and Seniors, for the purpose of setting a meeting to discuss the experiences of podiatrists delivering services under the Support at Home Program.
We have raised our members’ concerns regarding:
- Administrative burden and repeated onboarding requirements
- Pricing pressures and the sustainability of service delivery
- Contracting arrangements that may limit consumer choice and continuity of care
- Workforce challenges affecting access to podiatry services
We have also sought greater clarity on the recently released National Summary of Support at Home Prices and whether the published figures accurately reflect the costs of delivering podiatry services in aged care settings.
Our aim is to ensure the experiences of podiatrists and the needs of older Australians are considered as the Program continues to evolve. We will keep the podiatry community updated as this advocacy progresses.
Medicare update for podiatrists - effective 1 July 2026
The Medicare rebate for MBS Item 10962 (podiatry services provided to eligible patients with chronic conditions and complex care needs) will increase from $61.80 to $63.40 from 1 July 2026.
- Current benefit (85%): $61.80
- New benefit (85%): $63.40 - This is an increase of approximately 2.6%
An additional reminder, the Medicare Assignment of Benefits changes have been adjusted to allow for a flexible transition period over the next 12 months.
For more information:
- Read the July MBS news update here >>
- Read the APodA’s update on the Assignment of Benefits changes here >>
1. 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 and inflation, 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.
Further information can be found here >>
We have created a survey to capture your feedback to fuel our advocacy with the government. Take the survey and share it with your podiatry peers .
2. Securing the NDIS for Future Generations Bill
The Federal Government has introduced the Securing the NDIS for Future Generations Bill to improve the long-term sustainability of the NDIS. The Bill proposes significant changes to how the Scheme will operate.
Through a Senate Inquiry into the Bill, the Greens have successfully attained a two month inquiry extension.
We will be working with Allied Health Professions Australia (AHPA) to advocate strongly for podiatry and the broader Allied Health Sector.
Read our submission to the inquiry here >>
Department of Veteran Affairs
1. DVA and Medicare increases integrity focus
Integrity and compliance activities are increasing across government-funded health programs. Both the Department of Veterans' Affairs (DVA) and the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing are having a stronger focus on protecting the integrity of public funding and ensuring all providers understand their obligations.
The APodA recently met with senior representatives from DVA to discuss provider integrity activities and issues concerning podiatrists (and other allied health practitioners) raised during recent Senate Estimates hearings. DVA advised that its compliance activities form part of a broader, system-wide approach across health professions and advocates and are focused on protecting veterans, maintaining confidence in the system and addressing inappropriate conduct.
The Department of Health has also advised that it will undertake Medicare compliance activities relating to claims that may have been submitted while providers were overseas. The department has indicated that many cases may involve misunderstandings of Medicare requirements, administrative errors or provider number issues, and that an education approach will be adopted in most instances.
The vast majority of podiatrists provide high-quality, ethical care and claim appropriately. However, these developments highlight the importance of understanding billing requirements, maintaining accurate records and ensuring compliance with program rules.
We are engaging directly with both departments to ensure the profession's voice is heard and that compliance activities are proportionate, evidence-based and supported by clear communication to providers. We will continue to keep the podiatry community informed and share relevant guidance as further information becomes available.
2. The APodA prepares a submission on the DVA $5K allied health cap
We continue to advocate for veterans and podiatrists following last week's DVA Health Professional Provider Forum (HPPF), where the proposed $5,000 annual allied health cap was a key topic of discussion.
The $5,000 annual allied health cap, announced in the May Federal Budget, has attracted widespread concern from both the veteran community and allied health sector, with fears that those requiring the greatest levels of care could be disproportionately affected.
During the forum, allied health sector representatives raised concerns about the potential impacts of the cap on veterans with complex and ongoing care needs, particularly where continuity of care with trusted providers is critical. Psychology representatives highlighted concerns that funding limits can disrupt treatment for patients with high clinical needs, reinforcing broader concerns shared across the sector.
DVA confirmed a formal consultation process will commence in August, which will invite submissions from allied health, ex-service organisations, veterans and their families. We are planning to prepare a submission focused on practical mechanisms that would allow veterans who reach the annual cap to continue accessing clinically necessary care, while maintaining appropriate safeguards and support continuity of treatment.
Our submission will be informed by our member feedback and will continue to advocate for a model that protects veterans with higher-care needs, while preserving the integrity and sustainability of the system.
We encourage you all to continue sharing case studies, real patient stories and examples that demonstrate the importance of ongoing access to podiatry services for veterans. If you have any questions please email advocacy@podiatry.org.au.
Ahpra updates
1. Ahpra strengthens focus on family, domestic and sexual violence
Ahpra, the National Boards and Accreditation Authorities have released a joint statement committing to strengthen the health workforce’s capability to recognise and respond to family, domestic and sexual violence.
The initiative recognises the important role health practitioners can play in supporting victim-survivors and will inform future updates to professional capabilities, codes of conduct and CPD requirements across the regulated health professions.
Read the joint statement and consider how this work may relate to their professional practice here >>
2. Ahpra and Australia’s Special Envoy’s joint statement
The Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (Ahpra) and Australia's Special Envoy to Combat Antisemitism have released a joint statement reaffirming their commitment to eliminating antisemitism, together with all forms of racism and discrimination, in healthcare.
Read the joint statement here >>
3. Update from the Podiatry Board of Australia - Specialist Registration Standard for Podiatric Surgery
Due to an administrative delay, the revised Registration standard for podiatric surgery will not take effect from 1 July 2026 as previously indicated.
The current registration standard remains in place, and all practitioners should continue to comply with it until further notice.
The Board has apologised for any inconvenience or confusion this may cause and anticipates providing further advice shortly.
For information about the approved changes announced earlier this year, please refer to the Podiatry Board of Australia's April 2026 newsletter here >>
Submission: The APodA responds to the Pharmacy Board consultation on pharmacist prescribing
We have provided a submission to the public consultation on the proposed Endorsement for scheduled medicines for pharmacists.
The submission was developed with the support of the APodA's Medicines in Podiatry Committee and focuses on ensuring that any future prescribing models continue to support safe, high-quality, patient-centred care while recognising the important role of all health professions within Australia's healthcare system.
Thank you to the members of the APodA's Medicines in Podiatry Special Interest Group Committee for their guidance and contribution in developing the submission.
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