Podiatrists

Yes. Podiatrists must be registered with the Podiatry Board of Australia through AHPRA to practise, which requires an accredited degree, ongoing professional development and indemnity insurance. Before booking, you can look up any podiatrist on the free AHPRA public register to confirm their registration is current.

No. You can book a private appointment directly with any podiatry clinic. Referrals are only required when you want subsidised care, such as a Medicare rebate under a GP-prepared Chronic Disease Management plan, DVA-funded treatment or services billed to the NDIS under a participant's plan.

Not for routine private visits. Medicare rebates apply only when your GP refers you under a Chronic Disease Management plan, which allows a set number of allied health visits each calendar year, shared across all allied health services. Many patients instead claim through private health extras, which commonly cover podiatry consultations and orthotics.

Australian guidelines recommend people with diabetes have a professional foot assessment at least once a year, and more frequently if they have reduced circulation, nerve changes or a history of ulcers. A podiatrist will grade your risk and set a review schedule, since early detection of foot complications prevents serious problems.

It depends on the problem. Custom orthotics can help conditions such as plantar heel pain, flat feet and some sports injuries, but prefabricated devices are cheaper and work well for many people. A good podiatrist will explain both options, justify their recommendation and include follow-up adjustments rather than defaulting to the most expensive choice.