Your Advocacy

How we support our members and the profession

The Australian Podiatry Association (APodA) is the only organisation in Australia that advocates exclusively for the interests of podiatrists and podiatry patients. Lobbying activities, education forums, and media activities are all critical components of the Association’s advocacy agenda.

The APodA draws on the expertise of its members working across many fields to ensure our advocacy is based on the best available evidence and is grounded in the experiences of contemporary Australian podiatry practice. Members play a central role in the APodA's advocacy activities, and we could not achieve the influence and recognition we have without their expertise, skills, and dedication.

APodA Advocacy Strategy & Direction

Protect and Advance the Podiatry Profession

Reinforce member voice in key domains, including aged care, disability and preventive health, to build the value of podiatry.
Strengthen jurisdictional, federal and key stakeholder relationships to position the APodA as the 'go to' organisation for lower limb health policy advice.
Build member capacity at the 'grass roots' level to advocate for key policy issues.

Strengthen the Professional & Economic Independence of Podiatrists

Campaign for increases in fee schedules across compensable schemes, including DVA, MBS, Worker's compensation schemes
Implementation of new Private Health Insurance Billing Guide (2022)
Advocate for the value, role and funding to support podiatry services within the NDIS
Advocate for the sustainability of private podiatry practices especially in regional and rural locations

Support Workforce Sustainability and Drive Innovation

Advance integration of digital technologies into private practice including secure messaging, software infrastructure, integration of My Health Record
Partner with research stakeholders to strengthen the economic argument for podiatric care
Support and prepare the podiatry workforce for COVID-normal

Promote and Improve Access to Podiatry Services

Achieve PBS access for podiatry patients
Support access to culturally safe podiatry services by educating and supporting a culturally aware podiatry workforce
Advocate for improved access to high quality, timely podiatric care for residents of aged care facilities

APodA Advocacy Strategy

To lead and strengthen the podiatry profession

High quality, accessible, timely podiatric care for all Australians

Collaboration, leadership and integrity through connection

APodA Advocacy Objectives

Sustainable profession

High-value, evidence-based podiatric care and services

Research, evidenced-based, standards and guidelines

Areas of Focus

Workforce

Value-based healthcare

Digital health

Sustainable business practices

Improving access and equity

Research - Translating evidence