APodA advocacy update: September 2026

APodA advocacy update: September 2026

3 Sep 2026

APodA advocacy update: September 2026
 
APodA invited to NDIS Roundtables with the NDIA and Minister McAllister

In August, we participated in a roundtable with the CEO of the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA), Graeme Head. In September, we also attended an NDIS roundtable with the Minister for the NDIS, Senator the Hon. Jenny McAllister.

The roundtables were hosted by Allied Health Professions Australia (AHPA), with the APodA represented by CEO, Hilary Shelton. These meetings provided a valuable opportunity to engage directly with both the Minister and the CEO of the NDIA on issues affecting podiatrists and NDIS participants.

Discussions focused on a range of priorities for allied health professionals within the NDIS, including:

  • sustainable pricing
  • workforce stability
  • market stewardship
  • new framework planning
  • and access to evidence-based supports.

Hilary highlighted the challenges affecting the podiatry profession and advocated for fair, sustainable policy settings that support participant access to quality podiatry services. She reinforced the need for future pricing approaches to recognise that the podiatry workforce is predominantly comprised of sole practitioners and small businesses, each facing distinct operating costs and service delivery challenges.

We look forward to continuing the conversation with the Minister's office, the NDIA and the broader allied health community to ensure the needs of podiatrists and NDIS participants are recognised.

Keep an eye out for further NDIS updates here >>

The APodA takes key priorities to Canberra

The APodA advocacy team also met with MPs and Senators this month to progress key advocacy priorities for podiatry. Discussions were focused on the next steps for PBS access for endorsed podiatrists, the $5,000 DVA allied health threshold, and ongoing Support at Home issues affecting podiatrists and their patients.

TAC Inquiry report recognises your contributions

The Victorian Parliament’s Legal and Social Issues Committee has released its final report from the Inquiry into Claims made through the Transport Accident Commission (TAC).

Thank you to our Victorian members who shared their real-life experiences and stories to help strengthen our submission and statements at the hearing.

We are pleased to see several of the Committee’s recommendations align with issues raised in our submission and presented at the public hearing, including:

  • greater representation of health profession peak bodies within the TAC Clinical Panel
  • reducing administrative burden for medical and allied health providers
  • clearer communication around evidence requirements, approval pathways and decision-making
  • improved coordination between the TAC, NDIS and other schemes
  • reducing administrative workload and gaps in service provision for long-term clients.

The Committee also recognised the difficulties TAC clients in regional areas can experience accessing appropriate service providers.

We will continue to engage with the TAC as these recommendations are considered and through the current review of the TAC Podiatry Fee Schedule.

Read the Committee’s report here >>

Read the APodA submission here >>

Advocacy webinar: Members learn how to turn advocacy into action

Around 70 APodA members joined our latest advocacy webinar in August, focused on how members can play a direct role in advocating for the profession.

Presented by Judy Powell, Angela Harper and APodA member Dr Omar Baarini, Advocacy Starts with Engagement: How to Engage for Change provided practical advice on engaging with MPs and other decision-makers. Attendees also learnt how to identify and approach their local MP, prepare for a meeting, tell their story, communicate the impact on patients and practices, and most importantly, make a clear ask.

The session also shared the support the APodA can provide for members, including policy briefs, letter templates and pre-meeting briefings, and other opportunities for members to contribute to campaigns and consultations.

Aged care
Support at Home: Findings from the APodA Survey

Thank you to everyone who participated in our survey to help us better understand your experiences and helped shape our response to the Senate Committee Inquiry into the Support at Home Program.

We’ve now brought the findings together into a short snapshot report, highlighting what you told us about the impacts, challenges and emerging issues you’re experiencing under Support at Home.

Members can read the Support at Home Survey Snapshot Report here >>

CHSP extended to 2029 

The Australian Government has announced that the Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP) will be extended to 30 June 2029, providing greater certainty for older Australians and the providers delivering CHSP services.

CHSP will remain a standalone program until 30 June 2029, with further consultation on its longer-term future.

The APodA supports the additional transition period and continued work to strengthen CHSP and will continue to advocate for sustainable podiatry services and access to care for older Australians.

Read the Government announcement here >>

Consultation and submission opportunities
NDIS consultations

NDIS Access Changes Consultation

Following the passing of the NDIS legislation in August the first consultation has already opened. It focuses on how people are assessed to see if they can access the NDIS. The proposed changes aim to make access decisions clearer, fairer and more consistent. This includes how a person’s disability affects their everyday life, rather than only on their diagnosis.

Podiatrists have consistently raised concerns about the use of the Podiatry in Footcare Policy to shift people with disabilities off the NDIS and onto Medicare. This is an opportunity to share participant stories and highlight the impact of the policy, reducing access to functional supports, thus affecting the everyday life of a person’s disability.

If you would like to contribute to our submission, please email advocacy@podiatry.org.au

Submissions are due 2 October 2026.

Information on the consultation can be found here >>

New Framework Planning and NDIS Supports Consultation

The Department of Health, Disability and Ageing wants your feedback on new framework planning and NDIS supports. The consultation focuses on four new NDIS rules for new framework planning:

  • how a participant’s disability support needs will be assessed
  • how reasonable and necessary budgets will be developed
  • how a participant can use their plan
  • how a new framework plan can be changed

Information on the consultation can be found here >>

The consultation closes on 14 October 2026.

If you would like to contribute to any of the above submissions, please email advocacy@podiatry.org.au.

TGA consultation: Sharing information about medical devices

The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) is seeking feedback on proposed changes to allow it to share more information publicly about the outcomes of medical device post-market reviews and investigations.

This may be particularly relevant to podiatrists who manufacture or sponsor personalised medical devices (PMMDs), including Class I non-sterile devices.

The proposed changes would allow the TGA to publish more information about why a device was reviewed, the findings of the review and its outcome – including where a device was found to be compliant and no regulatory action was required.

If you have any concerns about the proposed changes or would like to discuss how they may affect your practice, please email advocacy@podiatry.org.au

Consultation closes 2 October 2026.

Visit the TGA Consultation Hub and complete the online consultation here >>

Consultation open on the third edition of Australian Guidelines for the Prevention and Control of Infection in Healthcare

The Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care is inviting feedback on the new and revised clinical practice recommendations and good practice statements to inform the development of the third edition of the Guidelines.

Consultation closes 29 September 2026.

Information on the consultation and the online survey here >>

If you would like to be contribute to our submission, please email advocacy@podiatry.org.au.

Have your say on the draft NSQHS Standards (third edition)

The Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care is seeking feedback on the initial draft of the National Safety and Quality Health Service (NSQHS) Standards (third edition).

The consultation is seeking feedback on whether the proposed Standards:

  • reflect key safety and quality priorities
  • clearly describe expectations for health service organisations
  • support the delivery of high-quality care
  • reduce compliance burden while maintaining safety and quality
  • are clear, easy to understand and avoid unnecessary duplication.

Members interested in contributing are encouraged to review the initial draft Standards and the accompanying Rationale for Change, which provides further information on the proposed changes to the structure and emphasis of the Standards.

Consultation closes 25 September 2026.

Learn more and take part here >>

Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA)

The Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) has opened consultation on proposed changes to allied health arrangements for Veteran Card holders, due to commence from 1 July 2027.

The proposed arrangements include an annual $5,000 threshold for allied health services, after which the clinical effectiveness of further treatment would be reviewed.

DVA is seeking feedback from podiatrists to help inform how the new arrangements will work in practice.

The consultation is particularly seeking feedback on:

  • how Veteran Card holders can access clinically appropriate services above the $5,000 threshold
  • how requests for additional services should be made and assessed
  • how the arrangements can support veterans with complex health needs
  • how the new arrangements can be implemented effectively for veterans and allied health providers.

Have your say

Podiatrists providing services to Veteran Card holders are encouraged to review the discussion paper and provide feedback directly to DVA.

Feedback is open until 30 October 2026.

Disability
NDIS Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026 passes

On 19 August 2026, the National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026 was passed by the Parliament. Information regarding the changes can be found here.

The reforms will result in significant changes to NDIS eligibility, assessment and planning processes for both current and future participants, with potential implications for how participants access supports and navigate the Scheme.

National Centre of Excellence in Intellectual Disability Health

The Centre provides plays an important role in improving health care for people with intellectual disability.For those interested in learning more, the Centre offers research opportunities and a National Clinical Network that convenes regular meetings and webinars focused on health issues for people with intellectual disability. More information about the Centre can be found here.

Digital health
My Health Record: Security and Access Policy requirements

This update only applies to podiatry businesses that currently use, or intend to register to use, My Health Record.

Healthcare organisations participating in My Health Record are required to maintain a written Security and Access Policy outlining how they manage access, staff training, privacy, security and My Health Record information.

Under the My Health Records Rules 2026:

  • Already registered? Review your Security and Access Policy to ensure it meets the current requirements. Policies must be reviewed at least annually and kept up to date.
  • Planning to register? A compliant Security and Access Policy must be in place before your organisation registers for My Health Record.

Participating organisations must also nominate a Responsible Officer (RO) and one or more Organisation Maintenance Officers (OMOs).

For further information and guidance, visit the Australian Digital Health Agency – My Health Record participation obligations.

Interested in learning more about connecting, adopting and using digital health tools?

Members can access Allied Health Professions Australia's Allied Health Digital Health Hub here >>

 

 

Update: Pathway B for Endorsement for Scheduled Medicines

The Podiatry Board of Australia has extended the timeframe for practitioners to enter Pathway B for Endorsement for Scheduled Medicines (ESM).

Following stakeholder feedback, the Board has moved the final entry date from 30 June 2027 to 31 December 2027, providing prospective applicants with an additional six months to enter the pathway.

Pathway B will close to new applicants after this date, with the profession transitioning to the approved qualification-based pathways available under Pathway A.

Members considering Pathway B are encouraged to review the requirements and revised timeframe here >>

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