APodA advocacy update: June 2026

9 Jun 2026

Member voice in the media: Robert Mullins featured in ABC news story on pedicure safety

APodA member and PAC committee chair, Robert Mullins recently joined ABC Perth radio to provide podiatry commentary following a widely reported case involving a Perth woman who was hospitalised with sepsis after a nail salon pedicure.

Speaking as a podiatrist and infection control educator, Robert highlighted the rigorous infection prevention and sterilisation standards followed within regulated podiatry practice, while also providing important public health advice about seeking appropriate foot care.

Media opportunities like this help raise awareness of the vital role podiatrists play in protecting foot health, preventing complications and delivering evidence-based care. They also reinforce the professionalism, expertise and high clinical standards that underpin podiatry practice across Australia.

We thank Robert for representing the profession so effectively and helping educate the community on the importance of safe, regulated foot care. Read the full ABC story here >>

Advocacy webinar draws exceptional interest

More than 160 APodA members registered for the recent Advocacy Update webinar with 97% of registrants being APodA members. These attendees took the opportunity to gain valuable CPD and hear the latest advocacy developments.

Presented by the APodA's Advocacy, Policy and Research team, the webinar provided attendees with a valuable CPD opportunity and a comprehensive update on the issues currently impacting podiatrists across Australia. Topics included:

Aged care reform
Medicare and DVA changes
NDIS updates including the Thriving Kids initiative
Our ongoing advocacy for Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) access for podiatry patients

Attendees also heard about the extensive advocacy work being undertaken behind the scenes, including government engagement, submissions, stakeholder collaboration and evidence-based advocacy to ensure podiatry's voice is heard in key policy discussions. The strong attendance and engagement throughout the session reinforced the profession's commitment to staying informed and involved in shaping the future of podiatry.

APodA members who missed the live webinar can watch the recording through our Webinar Library here >>

Aged care: Assistive Technology and Home Modifications

The APodA has received updated information from the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing regarding Assistive Technology and Home Modifications (AT-HM) funding arrangements under Support at Home.

The Department has clarified that Support at Home quarterly budgets cannot be used for AT-HM items or associated ongoing costs, including subscription fees and monitoring arrangements.

Instead, AT-HM items and related ongoing costs must be funded through:

AT-HM scheme funding; and/or
unspent Home Care Package Commonwealth funds for transitioned participants.

The Department also noted that if ongoing AT-HM costs continue beyond the usual 12 month funding period, reassessment and a new AT-HM funding tier may be required.

Further guidance is expected in a future update to the AT-HM scheme guidelines.

NDIS

1. Thriving Kids initiative commencing this October

Children aged 0-8 years old with mild to moderate developmental delay and/or autism are being transitioned away from the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). They will instead be supported through a new program called Thriving Kids (TK), delivered by state and territory governments.

TK is developing rapidly and will commence on 1 October 2026.

State consultations are now underway. Further details can be found here >>

Children with permanent and significant disabilities will continue to receive support through the NDIS.

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.

We have made a submission with the following recommendations:

Align the Bill with the WHO ICF framework to support a holistic view of functional capacity
Ensure allied health representation (AHPA) in decision-making (TAG)
Maintain flexibility to fund supports, including for secondary conditions
Protect access to therapy supports by avoiding reliance on less suitable mainstream services e.g. Medicare
Keep “reasonable and necessary” criteria focused on participant needs, not cost-cutting
Reduce duplication through a risk-based registration model aligned with Ahpra
Align record-keeping with existing Ahpra clinical standards
Ensure transparent pricing that reflects the true cost of care and supports provider viability
Limit automation to non-clinical decisions

3. Securing the NDIS for Future Generations Bill

The I-CAN tool will be introduced to determine the level of NDIS support for a participant.

Through the APodA’s advocacy podiatrists will be considered as one of the eligible Allied Health professionals to administer the tool.

More information on the I-CAN tool can be found here >>

DVA Podiatry Fee Schedule update: New item number

Back in 2022 we advocated for the inclusion of a neurological diabetes foot assessment to be added to the DVA Podiatry Fee Schedule. The new item number was added to the schedule this year and is a win, providing expanded podiatry services for veterans.

Since implementation, APodA members have reported several issues

Key issues:

Item duplication: F118 is already used for biomechanical assessments in private billing schedules, creating confusion - particularly within practice software
Clinical constraints: The requirement to perform F118 on a separate day to F104 (doppler) does not reflect standard practice, where these assessments are typically completed in the same consultation

We have contacted DVA to ask for a meeting to find solutions to the issues identified.

If you’re experiencing issues or have feedback, please email advocacy@podiatry.org.au.

Review of the recency of practice and continuing professional development registration standards

Ahpra and the Podiatry Board of Australia are currently consulting on proposed revisions to the Recency of Practice and Continuing Professional Development registration standards.

This consultation will be relevant for podiatrists, as these standards set out the requirements practitioners must meet to maintain registration and demonstrate ongoing professional competence.

Consultation closes: 17 July 2026

We encourage podiatrists to review the consultation materials and provide feedback where relevant.

To view the consultation and have your say, please visit the Podiatry Board of Australia’s current consultations page here >>

If you would like to share your thoughts on this consultation, please email advocacy@podiatry.org.au.

APodA completes participation in Digital Health Change Leads Project

The APodA is pleased to announce the completion of our participation in the Allied Health Professions Australia (AHPA) and Australian Digital Health Agency (ADHA) Digital Health Change Leads Project, delivered as part of the broader allied health digital health uplift initiative.

Throughout the project, APodA worked collaboratively with AHPA and the ADHA to support greater awareness, capability and engagement with key digital health initiatives relevant to podiatry, including My Health Record, ePrescribing, Provider Connect Australia, cyber security and broader digital health readiness.

We would also like to thank APodA members who contributed to digital health surveys, member polls and case study collection activities. Your insights, experiences and engagement have been invaluable in helping drive the profession forward within the evolving digital health landscape.

Members can access APodA’s Digital Health resources here >>

Update: Criminal History Registration Standard (from 15 July 2026)

The Podiatry Board of Australia has released an advance copy of the revised Criminal history registration standard, effective 15 July 2026.

Key updates include:

Clear requirement that criminal history must not be incompatible with registration
Consideration of racism and systemic inequity for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples
Greater clarity on meeting the standard
Separate assessment of the nature and seriousness of offences
A new supporting guide and clarified scope