Study Podiatry

A podiatrist is a university-trained, registered healthcare professional, and a key member of the allied health workforce.
Podiatrists are responsible for the diagnosis and management of disorders, injuries and pain affecting the foot, ankle, and lower limbs.
Podiatrists are one of the few allied health professionals who can work with an advanced scope of practice, such as prescribing medicines as an endorsed prescriber and performing advanced surgical procedures as a podiatric surgeon.

Podiatrists assess, diagnose and manage a vast range of foot pathology which is often related to diseases affecting the whole body, such as diabetes. Many health problems can affect the feet, so podiatrists are often the first healthcare practitioner to identify a problem.
Conditions managed by podiatrists include sports and musculoskeletal disorders, injuries, growth and development conditions, chronic diseases such as arthritis, dermatological pathologies, and neurological disease.
Podiatrists use a combination of medical, surgical and rehabilitation techniques to provide personalised care to alleviate pain, restore mobility and improve a person’s quality of life.
Podiatrists have a hands-on approach and a broad range of skills to use equipment and technology for gait analysis, diagnosis, therapy, injection techniques and surgery.
Podiatrists prescribe and make orthotic devices using digital technology and traditional manufacturing techniques.
Podiatrists can independently request radiological imaging, administer local anaesthetic drugs and perform minor surgical procedures.

Podiatrists help people at all stages of life from birth to old age.
A podiatrist working within a paediatric scope will work with babies, children and adolescents through their developmental years. Commonly, a podiatrist working within paediatrics will manage diverse conditions such as flat feet, ankle sprains, toe walking and skin problems, developmental conditions and foot problems associated with cerebral palsy.
Some podiatrists develop specific skills that focus on exercise and sports-related injuries. They manage a wide range of musculoskeletal conditions such as stress fractures, muscle sprains and strains, ingrown toenails, arthritis and joint conditions.
Podiatrists are essential members of the healthcare team, caring for people with chronic diseases. This includes people living with diabetes, cardiovascular disease, arthritis and degenerative neurological conditions. This work involves advanced wound care, referral for advanced assessments, exercise prescription, manufacture of orthoses and sourcing specialised footwear.

Podiatrists work across all areas of the health sector; in private practice, community health services, hospitals, rural and remote outreach clinics, rehabilitation, residential aged care, disability sector and in people’s own homes.
Podiatrists who are qualified to practise in Australia can also work overseas.
Many podiatrists work in universities and research facilities, actively contributing to improving human health and well-being. A podiatrist may also be part of an interdisciplinary project team that leads to population-level changes in healthcare.
Podiatrists can work as sole practitioners or as part of a multidisciplinary team with allied health and medical professionals. They are often entrepreneurial and manage their own podiatry clinics as a successful business.
Podiatrists work in sporting clubs and gyms, in management and leadership roles, as university educators and in research roles, and also in the corporate sector such as footwear companies.

Please see below for the list of universities that provide podiatry courses across Australia and New Zealand:

NSW
	Charles Sturt University Bachelor of Podiatric Medicine
	University of Newcastle Bachelor of Podiatry
	University of Western Sydney Bachelor of Podiatric Medicine
QLD
	Central Queensland University Bachelor of Podiatry Practice (Honours)
	Queensland University of Technology Bachelor of Podiatry
SA
	University of South Australia Bachelor of Podiatry
VIC
	La Trobe University Bachelor of Podiatry (Honours)
	Monash University Doctor of Podiatric Medicine
WA
	University of Western Australia Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (Podiatry)

New Zealand
	Auckland University of Technology Bachelor of Health Science (Podiatry)