APodA advocacy update: October 2025
16 Oct 2025
Media Coverage
1. WIN TV coverage and link
Podiatry students across the state can now complete their studies in the regions, instead of having to move to the larger cities. A new program by Queensland Health is aiming to address the worrying number of vacancies in the industry.
WIN TV contacted APodA for an interview as a result of our media release supporting the Queensland Government’s new podiatrist trainee program in September. CEO Hilary Shelton worked with the team to script and film the answers to the journalist’s questions on workforce shortages in podiatry as well as our support of the Queensland Government's podiatrist program.
Please click here to view the TV segment on Facebook.
2. ABC Radio Interview
As another direct result of our media release supporting the Queensland Health trainee podiatry initiative and APodA’s increasing profile in the media, ABC Radio featured a podiatrist in Townsville in the lead-up for Podiatry Week. We are thankful to Trent Johnstone for his availability to do the interview.
Tune in from the 1 hour 32 minutes mark onwards to hear Trent discuss clinical insights, everyday challenges, and the ways podiatrists help people move confidently and live well.
Listen to the segment here>>
Advocating for Podiatry on the PBS
The APodA warmly congratulates Registered Nurses on the federal government’s landmark decision to expand their scope of practice, enabling them to prescribe medicines and further improving access to care for Australians, especially in rural and remote communities.
But what about podiatry?
Podiatrists have been endorsed prescribers of scheduled medicines for nearly two decades, with rigorous training and oversight by the Podiatry Board of Australia. Yet, despite this long-standing capability, podiatrists and podiatric surgeons remain the only group of prescribers whose patients cannot access subsidised medicines under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS).
Why does this matter?
For too long, podiatry has not received the recognition it deserves, despite being vital for keeping Australians healthy, moving, and thriving. All allied health practitioners should be supported to practise at the top of their scope, and all Australians should have equitable access to the medicines they need.
How can you help?
The APodA have been advocating with policy and decision makers to include podiatrists on the PBS.
You can help raise the voice of the profession on this issue by simply sharing the LinkedIn post with a policy brief amongst your networks.
NDIS
1. Thriving Kids
The Thriving Kids initiative seeks to enhance mainstream and community services for children aged 8 and under who experience mild to moderate developmental delay and/or autism. Children with permanent and significant disabilities will continue to be supported through the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).
The APodA has completed a submission highlighting the role podiatry play with this client group and advocating for our involvement in the development and implementation of the Thriving Kids Initiative.
2. I-CAN Needs Assessment Tool
In mid 2026, the NDIS will introduce a Needs Assessment Tool: The Instrument for Classification and Assessment of Support Needs (I-CAN) version 6.
New applicants and existing participants being reassessed will have an interview with a National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) assessor who will use the I-CAN to determine the level of support a participant requires. This will replace medical and therapeutic reports.
The tool has been developed with the University of Melbourne and Centre of Disability Studies. I-CAN measures support needs across 12 areas of daily life, including mobility, self-care, communication, relationships, and physical and mental health
More information on the I-CAN tool can be found here>>
3. NDIS Practice Standards
In case you missed it, the NDIS Commission would like to hear your views on the NDIS Practice Standards and has engaged KPMG to undertake sector-wide consultation.
If you would like to be involved, click here>>
Aged Care
1. Key update for podiatrists - Finalisation of the Aged Care Rules
On 26 September 2025, the Government announced that the Aged Care Rules are now finalised, providing the operational detail for the new Aged Care Act 2024, which comes into effect on 1 November 2025.
What matters for podiatrists:
- The Rules give clarity on how the new Act will operate, which is critical for allied health professionals delivering services in residential aged care and home care.
- They embed the rights-based approach that underpins the new Act, meaning podiatry services will need to demonstrate a strong focus on quality, safety, and supporting older Australians to maintain independence and mobility.
- Final changes from the July 2025 draft to the published Rules are minor and technical, so no major new requirements have been introduced at this stage.
2. Support at Home - Pricing caps
Despite some recent confusion on social media and in communications from care coordinators, it is important to clarify that there is no Department-mandated price cap until 1 July 2026.
Until then, individual providers may choose to set their own internal pricing caps. This does not mean podiatrists or businesses are required to accept work under those arrangements. What matters most at this stage is maintaining sustainable pricing that reflects the true cost of providing quality care. This is the period when the government will be monitoring pricing closely.
Earlier this year, the Department released a set of indicative Support at Home prices. These remain indicative only. Podiatrists and business owners should continue to assess their overall service delivery costs, covering consultation time, travel, report writing, and other business expenses, when setting their fees.
Support for APodA Members
To help you prepare for these changes, the APodA has developed practical resources and forums:
- Support at Home Pricing Calculator – ensure your service pricing accurately reflects the true cost of care under the Support at Home reforms.
- Podiatry Aged Care Special Interest Group – connect with peers, share insights, and stay across how reforms impact podiatry practice in aged care.
Digital Health
Upcoming changes to My Health Record – Better and faster access
Even though podiatrists and podiatry businesses will see little immediate change, these reforms signal an important shift that is expected to deliver improved access to diagnostic reports in the future.
Key changes
- From October 2025: Most pathology results will be available to patients as soon as they are uploaded, with a five-day delay remaining for some specialised tests (e.g. anatomical pathology, cytopathology, genetics).
- From February 2026: X-ray reports of the extremities (limbs) will be immediately available, while other imaging (CT, MRI, PET, ultrasound, head/chest/abdomen x-rays) will move to a five-day delay.
- No system changes required: these updates are managed directly within My Health Record.
Why it matters
- Patients will have faster access to results, supporting engagement in their care.
- Providers will benefit from better continuity of care, reduced duplication of tests, and improved decision-making with visibility of results performed outside their systems.
- The broader health system will gain from stronger public health data to support planning and surveillance.
Legislative framework
These changes are part of the Modernising My Health Record (Sharing by Default) Act 2025, requiring healthcare organisations to upload key health information by default. Full implementation will roll out through 2026.
To learn more about Better and Faster Access to health information, click here>>
Have you used the Free Interpreting Service (FIS)?
Australian Healthcare Associates (AHA), on behalf of the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing, is evaluating how the Free Interpreting Service for allied health professionals is working in practice.
Allied health professionals, whether you’ve used the service or not, are encouraged to share your experiences by completing a short survey open throughout October.
If you’ve supported clients through the FIS, please also invite them to complete the client survey, available online in English and 10 other languages, or by phone with interpreter support: 03 8632 9506 or email FIS.evaluation@ahconsulting.com.au.
More information and translated client resources: AHA FIS evaluation resources.
Ahpra Updates
1. Working with assistants in podiatry practice
The Podiatry Board of Australia has released new guidance for working with assistants in podiatry practice, along with supporting case studies.
The guidance aims to:
- Support safe, effective, person-centred care
- Provide clarity on podiatrists’ responsibilities when working with assistants
- Reduce barriers and increase flexibility for podiatrists and assistants to work to full scope
To read the new guidance and case studies, click here>>
2. Updated telehealth guidance – Patient safety is the priority
Ahpra and the National Boards have released updated Telehealth and Virtual Care Guidance to ensure patients continue to receive safe, high-quality care, whether in person, online, or by phone.
The update reinforces that practitioners remain personally responsible for the care they provide via telehealth, not their employer. It also addresses emerging business models that prioritise profit over patient safety, particularly around prescribing based only on text, email, or online questionnaires.
New case studies have been added to help practitioners recognise and avoid common pitfalls.
The guidance also reminds practitioners to:
- Share information in ways patients can understand and access
- Obtain adequate history to inform diagnosis
- Ensure informed consent, especially when using technologies such as AI scribes
Read the full update on Ahpra’s website here>>
3. Change of title for Podiatric Surgeons
You will have recently been informed by The Podiatry Board of Australia about the change of title for Podiatric Surgeons which will take effect in 12 months. The APodA recently sent an email about this too.
If you have any questions or would like further information, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
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