Podiatry

  • ​​Podiatrists assess, treat and provide advice for conditions of the foot and lower limb, including skin/nail conditions, arthritic and musculoskeletal problems and foot ulcers associated with chronic disease such as diabetes and peripheral arterial disease. Scope of practice includes soft tissue interventions, advice on biomechanics, gait analysis, foot orthoses and footwear prescriptions and toenail surgery. Podiatrists consult within the inpatient and non-admitted settings, in the community, primary care, aged care and disability sectors. Podiatrists often lead High Risk Foot Services (HRFS), working closely with other health professionals to improve patient outcomes.

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    Workforce characteristics for NSW Health podiatry workforce in 2040

    219
    Headcount

    73%
    Female

    25.2
    Work hours per week

    42.3
    Years average age

    13.7%
    Future 60+

    3.4%
    Aboriginal workforce target

    ​​Demand is expected to grow 2.3% (low demand scenario) to 2.5% (high demand scenario).


    Significant career opportunities

    ​​Workforce modelling indicates the need to grow the NSW podiatry workforce by around 6 to 7 new professionals per annum to meet community need in 2040 across both demand scenarios.


    Projected FTE growth for NSW Health podiatry workforce to 2040

    20212022202320242025202620272028202920302031203220332034203520362037203820392040
    High Demand919294100105110
    		115119122126128131133135137139141143144145
    Status Quo919294959798100100101102102103103104104104105106106106
    Low Demand91929499104108113116119123125127129131133134137138139140

    Workforce characteristics for NSW Health podiatry workforce in 2021

    134
    Headcount

    24.9
    Work hours per week

    41.7
    Years average age

    70.9%
    Female

    3.7%
    Aged 60+

    0.7%
    Aboriginal

    Metropolitan Sydney

    85
    Headcount

    24.9
    Work hours per week

    40.4
    Years average age

    2.2%
    Aged 60+

    Non-Metropolitan Sydney

    51
    Headcount

    24.9
    Work hours per week

    44
    Years average age

    1.5%
    Aged 60+

    Podiatry junior entrant positions into NSW Health

    Year20172018201920202021
    Graduates1294124

    Workforce distribution for NSW Health podiatry workforce in 2021

    The geographic distribution of the public workforce by local health district/network, by facility and per 100,000 population.

Legends

Per local health district

0 1-25 26-50 51-75 76-100 100+

Per 100,000 population

0 1-5 6-10 11-15 16-20 20+

Per facility

0 1-25 26-50 51-75 76-100 100+

Other networks

  • Sydney Children's Hospitals: 0 | 0 per 100,000
  • Enable NSW: 0 | 0 per 100,000
  • Justice Health and Forensic Mental Health: 0 | 0 per 100,000

  • Workforce considerations

    • The scope of practice and skills of podiatrists working in NSW Health differ to those working in primary care.  This influences recruitment capability of senior podiatry staff leading clinics for people with serious foot complications.
    • Cross border arrangements may not truly reflect supply or demand for podiatry workforce in some rural and remote settings.
    • LHD/SHN sessional arrangements exists in the podiatry workforce and data relating to these arrangements are not factored into the workforce model and does not capture all demand (met and unmet).
    • Ensuring sustainable training pipelines, graduates, student educators and workforce reflect the future workforce requirements of the community, by both location, speciality and skills.
    • Collaborative commissioning and inter-district partnerships may reduce fractionalisation of roles and is an enabler to workforce availability.

    Notes

    • Data source: NSW Health. Vacancy data is excluded from the workforce model. Excludes affiliated health organisations.
    • Note: 2040 workforce characteristics reflect the high demand scenario.
    • Data included is limited to the workforce employed under the relevant health professional award.
    • Specialty health networks are not displayed geographically in the workforce distribution maps.
    • LHD/SHN may engage in sessional arrangements in selected circumstances.
    • Workforce that cannot be aligned to a physical location have been attributed to a pre-determined facility within each LHD/N. This may impact on Headcount shown at these facilities within the distribution map.
    • NSW Health does not make any representations or warranties whether expressed or implied with respect to the accuracy and completeness of the information contained in the fact sheet.

Current as at: Monday 29 May 2023
Contact page owner: Workforce Planning and Talent Development