The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS)
Brunswick & Sandringham

The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) was launched in July 2013. It was designed to give Australians with disability greater choice and control over the services and supports they receive.

It is also a major shift in the way services and supports are funded and delivered, and Podiatry is one of the services covered. Through the NDIS, people with disability can more readily access podiatry services to help them manage their condition and maintain their independence.

Podiatry services available through the NDIS may include assessment, diagnosis and treatment of foot and lower limb problems, prescription of orthotics and footwear, wound management, and exercise therapy to improve foot and lower limb function. Podiatrists are able to provide advice on how to best manage a disability or injury, and are also able to refer to other health professionals if necessary.

The NDIS also covers the cost of any specialist equipment needed to help manage a disability, such as orthotics, customised footwear and prosthetics. The NDIS makes it easier for people with disability to access the services they need to live a life of independence. Through self-management, people with disability can make their own decisions about the services and supports they need and how they want to receive them. This gives people with disability greater control and choice over the care they receive and how they lead their lives.