Podiatry Private Practice
Starting your podiatry practice?
You spent 4 years learning to treat patients. Nobody taught you how to run a business.
You spent 4 years learning to treat patients. Nobody taught you how to run a business.
Podiatrists deal with Medicare CDM billing more than any other allied health profession. Diabetic foot care under chronic disease management plans is a huge part of the caseload, which means you'll be navigating the billing system from day one. There's no easing into it.
With roughly 5,800 registered podiatrists in Australia and about half working in private practice, it's a smaller market than physio but a deeply underserved one when it comes to business guidance. The APodA provides clinical and professional resources, but the practical how-to of actually setting up and running a practice? That's largely left to you to figure out.
And the setup costs are real. Podiatry requires specialist equipment that most other allied health professions don't need. Treatment chairs, autoclaves, surgical instruments. Your startup budget looks very different from a dietitian or exercise physiologist working out of a shared room with a laptop.
What catches new podiatry practice owners off guard
Managing the highest CDM billing volume of any allied health profession, with diabetic foot care plans making up a huge portion of your caseload
Understanding Medicare item numbers and billing correctly when you have both CDM patients and private-fee patients in the same clinic day
Budgeting for podiatry-specific equipment costs (treatment chairs, autoclaves, instruments) that are higher than most other allied health startups
Setting up efficient clinical workflows when you are the business owner, the clinician, the receptionist, and the cleaner
What you need to know before you start
These guides cover the shared foundations every allied health practitioner needs. Written for the CDM pathway and updated for the 2025 GPCCMP changes.
Medicare CDM Billing
The new GPCCMP system explained in plain English. How referrals work, the 5-session shared cap, item numbers by profession, and common billing mistakes.
12 min read
Practice Costs
Real numbers for insurance, software, room rental, registration, and the hidden costs nobody warns you about. Broken down by profession.
10 min read
Provider Number
The PRODA account, the HW093 form, common rejection reasons, and the location-specific trap. A plain-English walkthrough.
8 min read
Business Structure
Honest comparison with allied-health-specific considerations. GST, ABN registration, and when to get an accountant.
9 min read
Podiatry quick reference
Registration & Association
- Registration body
- Podiatry Board of Australia (AHPRA)
- Professional association
- Australasian Podiatry Association
- AHPRA regulated
- Yes
Medicare & Fees
- Key CDM item numbers
- 10962, 10968, 81115
- Medicare rebate (individual)
- $56.70
- Typical session fee
- $85-$130
- Typical patient gap
- $28-$73
Medicare Item Numbers
| Item | Description | Rebate |
|---|---|---|
| 10962 | Individual allied health service (20+ min) | $56.70 |
| 10968 | Individual allied health service via telehealth (20+ min) | $56.70 |
| 81115 | Group allied health service (60+ min) | $18.90 |
Get the free practice setup checklist
Updated for the 2025 GPCCMP changes. Covers business setup, Medicare, and your first 90 days.
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