What NDIS podiatry and foot care covers
The NDIS describes podiatry and foot care supports as supports that help you treat and manage conditions affecting your feet, ankles and legs. They sit within disability related health supports, so they must be connected to the things you can and cannot do because of your disability.
Foot care matters most when your disability affects sensation in your feet, your balance or the way you walk, or when it means you cannot reach, see or safely care for your own feet. Typical NDIS funded podiatry includes:
- An assessment and a podiatry care plan that sets out how your feet should be cared for day to day
- Regular foot care, including toenail cutting, when your disability means you cannot do it yourself
- Assessment for foot orthotics, the custom shoe inserts that support your feet and posture, and for custom footwear
- Training for your family or support workers so they can follow your foot care plan safely
NDIS or the health system?
The NDIS funds podiatry only when it is related to your disability. Treating an infection, an ingrown toenail that needs surgery or a foot problem that is part of a separate health condition is usually the health system's responsibility, even if you are a participant.
Medicare can also help. A GP chronic condition management plan gives eligible people up to 5 Medicare subsidised allied health services each calendar year, shared across all allied health types, and podiatry is one of them. Community health services and some hospitals run podiatry clinics too. The NDIS cannot fund a support that is more appropriately funded by another service, so expect your planner to ask about these first.
How much NDIS podiatry costs
The 2026/27 NDIS price limit for podiatry is $188.99 an hour in most of Australia, $264.59 in remote areas and $283.49 in very remote areas. Podiatrists can charge less, but cannot charge agency managed or plan managed participants more than the limit. Self managed participants are not bound by price limits, though they are a useful guide.
A podiatrist may also claim travel to your home at up to $94.50 an hour, short notice cancellations, telehealth and some non face to face time, but only where you have agreed in your service agreement. Orthotics and custom footwear are usually priced separately as assistive technology, so ask for a written quote.
Which part of your plan pays
The 2026/27 pricing schedule lists podiatry under two support categories: assistance with daily life in Core, and improved daily living skills in Capacity Building. Which one you use depends on how the NDIA has funded foot care in your plan, so check your plan or ask your plan manager.
Disability related health supports are one of the groups protected from the October 2026 funding reset. Orthotics and custom footwear are paid from Core for low cost items, or Capital for higher cost items.
Getting podiatry into your plan
Bring evidence to your planning meeting or reassessment. A letter or report from a podiatrist, GP or other treating professional should explain how your disability affects your foot care, what could go wrong without support, and how often you need a podiatrist.
- Say clearly why you cannot manage nail and foot care yourself, for example reduced sensation, limited reach or vision, or tremor
- Mention any history of foot wounds, falls or pain linked to your feet
- Include the cost of orthotics or custom footwear if a podiatrist has recommended them
Finding the right podiatrist
NDIS podiatry must be delivered by a podiatrist with current registration through the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA). Many offer home visits, which helps if getting to a clinic is hard, and many work with people in supported accommodation.
If you are agency managed you need a registered provider. Plan managed and self managed participants can also use unregistered podiatrists. Ask about experience with your type of disability, how often they recommend visits and what travel they charge.