Study Bachelor of Podiatry at the University of South Australia (UniSA). Information for Australian students.

Entry Scores
2025 Guaranteed Entry
Year 12 (ATAR-based): 87.00
Year 12 (Grades-based): A,A,A
TAFE/RTO: AdvDIP
TAFE/RTO Note: Cert IV in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Primary Health Care (Aborginal applicants only)
View Guaranteed Entry Info
2024 Cut-Offs
Year 12 (ATAR-based):
- Internal: 80.00
TAFE/RTO: Adv Dip
View full entry requirements

Entry requirements

Admission criteria

The admission criteria have been grouped to assist you to easily find the information most relevant to your circumstances. However, you may fit into more than one and the university will consider applicants against each of the relevant criteria.

Certain conditions apply. For more information refer to Appendix 4 of the University's Selection and Entry policy.

Applicants are required to meet one of the following criteria with a competitive result, and demonstrate that they fulfil any prerequisite requirements and essential requirements for admission:

Recent secondary education
Meet any prerequisite requirements with a minimum grade of C- or equivalent
AND
- Qualify for the South Australian Certificate of Education (SACE), and achieved a competitive Selection Rank (ATAR), or
- Complete secondary qualifications equivalent to SACE, or
- Complete the International Baccalaureate Diploma with a minimum score of 24 points
Applicants who have not achieved the Selection Rank required for automatic selection may be selected for any remaining places based on the grades of their year 12 subjects.

Recent secondary education ATAR profile

OR
Higher education study
- Complete or partly complete a recognised higher education program at a recognised higher education institution, or
- Complete at least four Open Universities Australia (OUA) courses at undergraduate level or above
OR
Vocational Education and Training (VET)
- Complete an award from a registered training organisation at Diploma level or above
- For Aboriginal applicants only, complete a Certificate IV in Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Primary Health Care Practice from a registered training organisation
OR
Work and life experience
- Qualify for Special Entry, or
- Complete a 12-month UniSA Foundation Studies program or equivalent, or
- Hold completed secondary qualifications equivalent to SACE obtained more than 2 years in the past
Essential requirements for admission
Prerequisites
None

Assumed Knowledge

SACE Stage 2 Biology
SACE Stage 2 Chemistry
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Degree overview

Graduate ready to work as a registered allied health professional in industry environments including hospitals, paediatric services, sports facilities and aged care clinics.
Become an expert in the diagnosis, management, and treatment of disorders affecting the foot, ankle and lower limb.
Gain real-world experience through clinical placements in metropolitan, rural and regional settings, and practise your skills in our on-campus podiatry clinic.
Join an in-demand and growing workforce and benefit from strong employment outcomes and working conditions.
Build your expertise in providing end-to-end healthcare studying subjects such as human anatomy, biomechanics, pharmacology, medical conditions, pain management, patient wellbeing and clinical practice management.
Learn the skills within a podiatrist’s unique scope of practise, including prescribing anaesthesia and medicines, surgical skills, creating and using orthotic equipment, and managing complex conditions like diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis.
Benefit from UniSA’s more than 50 years’ experience in health education and research, and strong links to South Australia's podiatry and broader allied health networks.

Snapshot

Step into a rewarding career in health by studying the Bachelor of Podiatry. In this four-year degree, you’ll develop the expertise to diagnose, manage and treat any disorders affecting the foot, ankle and lower limb, using multiple branches of healthcare.

Feet are complex and sensitive pieces of machinery that play a key role in the body’s overall health. Podiatrists provide end-to-end care for any afflictions impacting the lower half of your body, ranging from managing bone and joint disorders to neurological and circulatory diseases.

You’ll graduate ready to be registered with the Podiatry Board of Australia, and can begin practising as an allied health professional. Pursue careers in a wide range of environments, such as working with children, sports and biomechanics, disability, rehabilitation, aged care, chronic illness and high-risk settings, and more.

High achieving students may be considered for the Bachelor of Podiatry (Honours) during their third year of study. This is your opportunity to advance your research capacity by completing a research project under the supervision of an experienced researcher.

What you'll need

Students who undertake activities where interaction with patients/the public is required for their degree, such as field or clinical placements/visits and in University clinics and gyms, must demonstrate they meet mandatory pre-placement conditional requirements. These include criminal history clearance, child related employment clearance and immunisation requirements.

Please visit the Clinical Placement Unit for information on key requirements, and to access the full student checklists.

All students enrolled in a program leading to professional registration must be registered with the relevant national board. The registration process is undertaken by the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) with the University providing notification to AHPRA following enrolment in the program.

What you'll learn

The Bachelor of Podiatry will teach you the skills to diagnose, manage and treat any disorders affecting the foot, ankle and lower limb. You’ll learn advanced skills in the theoretical and practical aspects of podiatry, as well as the physical, biological and social sciences relevant to allied health to provide patient-centred, end-to-end care.

UniSA's curriculum prepares you to meet the full scope of a podiatrist’s practice. You’ll begin studying foundational medical sciences in areas including anatomy, physiology, biomechanics, disease groups and conditions. You’ll also learn determinants of health and advanced communication skills, with opportunities to collaborate with other allied health students studying physiotherapy, occupational therapy, and exercise physiology.

You’ll expand your knowledge to deliver comprehensive and holistic assessment and management of patient conditions, as well as learn clinical practice skills including surgery, pharmacology and medicine use, orthopaedic management, wound management, high risk care, chronic condition management, sporting injuries, musculoskeletal problems, practice management, and more.

Benefit from experiential learning through clinical placements, and learn how to provide services to the community in our on-campus podiatry clinics. You’ll also have opportunity to practise your skills and build your confidence in safe environments, using innovative teaching technologies such as 3D printed feet to practise your scalpel skills.

You’ll graduate with qualifications to work as both an autonomous practitioner, and as a key member of a multidisciplinary healthcare team. You will be able to deliver holistic, end-to-end care for afflictions impacting the lower half of the body.

You can gain an extra qualification and broaden your career prospects by completing a Diploma in Languages.

Degree structure

Course name	Area and cat no.	Units	Reference
FIRST YEAR
First Semester (Study Period 1, 2 or 3)
Human Anatomy 100	HLTH 1020	4.5
Human Physiology 100	BIOL 1049	4.5
Aboriginal Health: Culture, Community and Country	HLTH 1063	4.5
Podiatry Studies 100	REHB 1028	4.5
Second Semester (Study Period 4, 5 or 6)
Lower Limb Anatomy and Biomechanics 101	HLTH 1031	4.5
Human Physiology 101	BIOL 1050	4.5
Podiatry Studies 101	REHB 1029	4.5
Introduction to Evidence Based Practice and Research in Health Sciences	HLTH 1049	4.5
SECOND YEAR
First Semester (Study Period 1, 2 or 3)
Clinical Podiatry Practice 200	REHB 2034	4.5
Pharmacology A	PHAR 2023	9
Podiatry Professional Studies 200	WELF 3019	4.5
Second Semester (Study Period 4, 5 or 6)
Pharmacology B	PHAR 2021	4.5
Pharmacology C	PHAR 2022	4.5
Podiatry Studies 201	REHB 2036	4.5
Clinical Podiatry Practice 201	REHB 2037	4.5
THIRD YEAR
First Semester (Study Period 1, 2 or 3)
Pain Mechanisms and Management	REHB 3066	4.5
Applied Podiatry Studies 300	REHB 3067	4.5
Podiatry Studies 300	REHB 3046	4.5
Clinical Podiatry Practice 300	REHB 3069	4.5
Second Semester (Study Period 4, 5 or 6)
Advanced Evidence Based Practice	HLTH 3057	4.5
Podiatry Studies 301	REHB 3048	4.5
Applied Podiatry Studies 301	REHB 3068	4.5
Clinical Podiatry Practice 301	REHB 3070	4.5
FOURTH YEAR
First Semester (Study Period 1, 2 or 3)
Clinical Podiatry Practice 400B	REHB 4036	4.5
Applied Podiatry Studies 400	REHB 4037	4.5
Clinical Podiatry Practice 400A	REHB 4038	9		Rule(s): 6
Second Semester (Study Period 4, 5 or 6)
Clinical Podiatry Practice 401B	REHB 4039	4.5
Clinical Podiatry Practice 401A	REHB 4040	9		Rule(s): 6
Elective		4.5	Note(s): 1

Rules & notes

Rules

1. To undertake field/clinical placements students are required to have current criminal history and screening checks as published by the Clinical Placement Unit (unisa.edu.au/CPU). These checks will list disclosable court outcomes that may prevent field / clinical placement involvement and subsequently may prevent completion of the program.

2. Student registration with the relevant board of the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) is required in order to study this program. Students who do not meet registration criteria and are refused registration by AHPRA, or who have their registration rescinded during the program, will be unable to continue in the program. Further information will be provided by the University with offer letters.

3. Students are required to satisfy the standard of dress and behaviour as prescribed by institutions in which clinical placements are undertaken. Failure to do so may prevent them satisfying the requirements for completion of the program.

4. Students will be required to spend at least one clinical placement in a country or interstate location.

5. Students must hold a current Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation certificate at the commencement of Year 2 of the program and maintain its currency for the remainder of the program.

6. Students will be required to undertake a Certificate of Mandatory Notification Training before commencing their paediatric clinical practice in REHB 4038 and REHB 4040 Podiatry Practice 400 and 401.

7. The program requires participation in practical classes where manual skills are practiced. Essential learning activities in some classes may require that students partially remove their clothing to a level that is appropriate to the learning activity. Students may also be asked to act as subjects for their peer group members. If a student is unable to meet these requirements they may be at risk of being unable to successfully complete course objectives and assessments and progress through the program.

8. Participation is required in practical classes and clinical placements where students are required to physically handle people including lifting and supporting people with disabilities.

9. Students who do not maintain continuous enrolment in this program after commencing work integrated learning placements, or are returning from a period of absence of more than 12 months will be required to undertake a competency assessment and/or recency training at an upfront cost, in addition to the program tuition fees. This is to ensure students have maintained competency in the required skills to protect the safety of the public during work integrated learning arrangements.

Notes

1. The Elective is a free elective to be selected by the student.

2. Students may be required to undertake clinical practice sessions outside of teaching weeks.

3. Students are strongly encouraged to study full-time. Students seeking part-time study must discuss this with the Program Director prior to enrolment. Part-time students are normally expected to complete the program in eight years.

Study hours

For each course you study, you will need to allocate time for various classes such as lectures, tutorials, workshops, seminars and practicals. Plus you will need additional hours to study in your own time to complete assignments, readings and projects, as well as to contribute to online discussion forums (independent study). So as a general rule, if you are studying full-time you would need to allocate 12–26 hours of study when at university and 14–28 hours of independent study per week.

Assessment

Your studies will incorporate practical, professionally focused and research-based learning, so assessment types will vary. You can expect them to include:

quizzes
continuous clinical assessments
clinical case studies
written assignments
assignments
examinations.

Global opportunities

Enrich your studies and your life – make overseas study part of your qualification. You may have the option to undertake an exchange, short-term program or study tour overseas while you study. We have links with universities worldwide, as well as a range of travel grants available to make going overseas much more accessible.

You can choose short-term or semester-long study from a range of universities and countries depending on your area of study and cultural interests.

Take a look at the global opportunities available.

Why Bachelor of Podiatry

In this degree, you’ll gain the in-depth theoretical knowledge and practical skills to prepare you for a rewarding health career as a podiatrist. With patient-centred care at the heart of your practise, you’ll graduate prepared to meet the full breadth of the podiatry profession including surgery, sports injuries and related biomechanics, paediatrics and high-risk foot conditions.

You’ll learn in dedicated facilities, including our on-campus manufacturing laboratory which has a plaster room and grinder room. This is where you’ll learn how to create orthotics, casts and insoles, as well as how to modify shoes. You’ll also get to use the latest technologies, like digital scanners to capture foot characteristics, and practise your scalpel skills on 3D printed feet.

You will graduate ready to be registered and begin practising as a podiatrist by the Podiatry Board of Australia. Your job prospects are vast and can be applied to both private and public sectors – ranging from working in a public health hospital, to working with children and with the NDIS, to setting up your own private practice.

Real-world connections

Throughout your studies, you’ll be taught by registered practising podiatrists and award-winning academics who regularly engage with industry.

You’ll gain valuable real-world experience with hands-on placements starting from your second year. Build important industry networks by completing clinical placement hours across a variety of metropolitan, regional and rural industry settings. You’ll get involved with screening, education and treatment services in workplaces including major hospitals, private practice or other workplace environments.

As podiatrists often work within multidisciplinary healthcare teams, you’ll also be exposed to research and learning opportunities in collaboration with other allied health students, such as in our on-campus podiatry clinics.

We also host regular University-wide alumni events, employee master classes and employment expos in Australia and overseas.

Podiatry careers snapshot

Gain insight into the fulfilling career of UniSA Podiatry graduate, Ereena Torpey, who works as a Senior Podiatrist in Adelaide, South Australia.

Career outcomes

Your career

Registered podiatrists are a growing part of Australia’s allied health workforce, who are the leading providers of primary health care.¹ Podiatrists have strong employment outcomes and future demand, having provided 3.6 million services of 27 million Medicare-subsidised allied health services provided in 2022-23.²

Podiatrists can work autonomously as individual care providers, or as part of an interdisciplinary healthcare team managing and treating chronic conditions and disorders that affect the entire body.

Registered podiatrists are employed in a vast range of settings, including:

hospitals
private practice
sole practitioners/owners of own clinic
multi-disciplinary healthcare settings
community health centres
rural and remote outreach clinics
children’s health
sports clinics and sporting teams
chronic disease and high-risk settings
Aboriginal healthcare
residential care
disability sector
in-person care
occupational health
rehabilitation
government agencies
academia and research
healthcare management
retail and corporate in footwear companies.

Podiatrists qualified to practice in Australia can also work overseas.

¹Future focused primary health care: Australia’s Primary Health Care 10 Year Plan 2022–2032. ²Australia’s health 2024: topic summaries: Health status. Australian Institute of Health and Welfare.

Professional accreditation and recognition

The program is recognised for registration as a Podiatrist by the Podiatry Board of Australia.

Industry facts

Employment for podiatrists in Australia is projected to increase by 31.8% by November 2026.

Australian Government National Skills Commission Employment Projections 2021

Podiatrists provided 3.6 million services out of the 27 million Medicare-subsidised allied health services provided across Australia in 2022-23.

Australia's health 2024: topic summaries, Australian Institute of Health and Welfare

To November 2026, healthcare and social assistance is projected to make the largest contribution to employment growth in Australia – an increase of 301,000 jobs.

Australian Government National Skills Commission Employment Projections 2021

UniStart - your 100% online pathway to a degree

Just starting out on your university journey, don’t meet the entry requirements for your chosen degree, or want to refresh your study skills? Set yourself up for success and pave the way to a degree with UniStart, UniSA Online’s six-month pathway program launching in 2025.

Apply now

How to apply

Applying to study with us:

Go to the top of this page and make note of the SATAC code, then click Apply
You will be redirected through to the SATAC website to continue your application

Preferred Pathways

Option 1:
Direct Entry

Option 2:
Undergraduate Pathway

Apply for your preferred degree directly via SATAC

Choose one of the following degrees and complete at least 18 units of study (four courses) and then apply for your preferred degree via SATAC at the next available intake using your competitive Grade Point Average (GPA).

Bachelor of Podiatry

Bachelor of Human Movement OR
Bachelor of Health Science (Public Health) OR
Bachelor of Exercise and Sport Science

Please note that all pathways are competitive and no guaranteed due to limited places. A competitive Grade Point Average (GPA) and other entry criteria (including prerequisites) apply. For more information, visit unisa.edu.au/study or contact our Future Student Enquiries Team at unisa.edu.au/enquire or on (08) 8302 2376.

Alternative Pathways

Australian

There are other pathways you can follow to study this degree, including:

UniSA College Diploma in Health (Allied Health and Human Performance)
SAIBT Diploma of Health Science

International

There are other pathways you can follow to study this degree, including:

SAIBT Diploma of Health Science

Deferment

This degree is available for deferment. This option is made available by responding to your offer during the application process via the SATAC website. Applicants who receive an offer into a midyear degree are eligible to defer for six months.

Credit Transfer

Get a head start on your degree. Find out if you're eligible for credit from previous studies.

Go to credit assessor

Entry pathway

We believe in equal access to further education, so we offer a range of pathways to university.

Find a Pathway

Scholarships

Every year, over 2,500 UniSA students are supported in their studies through scholarships and grants worth millions of dollars. Check out the scholarships below. One of them may be perfect for you. Visit our scholarships page for more.

More scholarships

UniSA Excellence Scholarships

$5,000 scholarship for South Australian students with an ATAR of 99 who enrol to study a UniSA undergraduate degree.

Learn more

UniSA Outstanding Achievement Scholarship

Up to $10,000 per annum (full time) for South Australian students who obtain an ATAR of 99.95 or IB equivalent and enrol to study at UniSA.

Learn more

Your study experience and support

Our campuses are home to fantastic facilities including modern lecture theatres, libraries, workshops and laboratories, as well as spaces that simulate real work environments. But you’ll also discover that your journey at UniSA is about social experiences, healthy living and getting involved. You’ll find student sports and fitness facilities, community clinics, tech zones and chill-out spaces. There are campus sport activities to keep you active, and if you are keen to explore the social side of university life, there are movies, cooking demonstrations, parties and loads more.

Adelaide also has a variety of accommodation options to suit different requirements and budgets. Options include dedicated student accommodation and private rentals. See our long-term accommodation pages, or explore our student accommodation by Scape on Bank Street in Adelaide’s lively cultural precinct, an ideal location for students. It is within easy reach of UniSA’s city and metropolitan campuses, Rundle Mall shopping, the Central Market, Chinatown, and the West End’s vibrant nightlife. It is also across the road from the Adelaide train station, and on bus and tram routes.

Student services

Our student services provide you with all the support you need at university. We want you to succeed, and if you need help, we're here to assist. You can access a full range of support services, including:

academic counselling
personal counselling
social support services, including family support and nearby childcare
common rooms
prayer rooms
security officers
career services and mentoring
Wirringka Student Services, offering Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students a supportive place to study
as well as services offered through our student association, USASA.

When you become a UniSA student, you can also contact Campus Central for help with anything related to your degree. They will help you with your enrolment, ID cards, fees, timetables and more.

24/7 digital environment

Our learnonline facilities include a personal learning environment with virtual classrooms, lecture recordings, emails, learning support, administration, library access and results. The environment is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, so you can tailor your learning to your life. We are continually investing in innovative digital technologies for a high-quality student learning experience.

Your campus

We have six campuses in metropolitan and regional areas, each with modern facilities including lecture theatres, libraries and laboratories, as well as spaces that simulate real work environments.

Your study spaces

As a podiatry student you’ll have access to:

fully-functioning on-campus podiatry clinics
orthotic manufacturing laboratory including a plaster room and grinder room
anatomy laboratories

You’ll also have access to a range of interesting on-campus spaces including modern lecture theatres, collaborative teaching rooms and relaxed student lounges.

Your program director

With over two decades of experience podiatry education, research and clinical practice, I am dedicated to supporting the next generation of podiatrists and promoting advanced learning in the field. I am a registered clinician actively involved with industry, and this engagement is reflected in my teaching. I aim to have our students graduate confident to work across the full scope of practice that podiatry offers, which can range from children’s health, gait and foot function issues, surgical practice, foot lesions and prescribing of appropriate medications, footwear design and disability.

Dr Helen Banwell

Program Director

Enquire

Dr Helen Banwell

Program Director

Enquire

Ask UniSA

How do I apply?

The way you apply for UniSA will depend on the undergraduate or postgraduate coursework degree you're interested in studying.

The majority of applications are made via the South Australian Tertiary Admissions Centre (SATAC). Check out more information on the SATAC website and follow the appropriate process for your degree of interest.

There are a small number of degrees that you need to apply for through direct application processes. The process you need to follow will be listed on the 'How to Apply' section of the degree homepage, but you'll also be taken to where you need to go if you hit the 'apply' button.

If you are interested in studying one of our 100% online degrees you'll need to apply directly to UniSA Online.

You can find more information about the application processes for UniSA on our How to Apply webpage.

If you're more interested in applying for a postgraduate degree by research, check out and follow the information in our step by step guide to applying.
Is there a closing date for applications?

Applications for all degrees will close ahead of study commencing, but the timelines may vary for undergraduate and postgraduate degrees.

Undergraduate

The deadline to apply to study a degree at UniSA for semester one (commencing late February) and be guaranteed equal consideration is generally in very late November or early December. While you may be able to apply after this date, you are not guaranteed to be considered equally with other applicants and your application may not be assessed in time for the main round of offers. More competitive degrees may not make any offers after the main offer round. Find more information on the Key Dates section of the SATAC website, but you can also call the Future Student Enquiries team for more information on 08 8302 376.

Postgraduate

Many postgraduate by coursework degrees do not have set closing dates. The exceptions are highly competitive degrees, so it is best to check – either on the degree homepage on the SATAC website or by checking with our Future Student Enquiries team.

As most postgraduate applications are assessed as they are submitted and offers are continuous, there are no set closing dates for applications. Degrees can be filled and closed with little notice so it is best to apply as soon as possible to avoid missing out on a place. For more information, please contact our Future Student Enquires team on (08) 8302 2376 or submit an enquiry.
What credit can I receive for previous studies?

You may be eligible for credit or advanced standing for your chosen UniSA degree based on your previous studies, if they are in a related area and completed within a certain timeframe. Receiving credit or RPL will reduce the number of courses you undertake within the degree, and may also reduce the overall duration of your degree. You can read more about our pre-existing credit agreements through our online Credit Assessor. If you have related industry experience, you may also be eligible to receive recognised prior learning (RPL) for this experience. Credit and RPL is assessed by the Program Director once you've received an offer, and you apply through UniSA's current student experts, Campus Central.
Can I speak to someone regarding my study options?

Future Student Enquiries welcomes the opportunity to meet with you to discuss your study options at UniSA. We can discuss degree information, entry requirements and pathways, applications, general career outcomes and student life, so you have the information to make the best study decision for your future. Head to our Book an Appointment webpage to find a date and time to speak with us, and take your next steps on journey to university study.

More FAQs

What others are saying

Since graduating from the Bachelor of Podiatry and buying my own practice, I’ve continued to benefit from the close relationships I built with my peers and teachers – including hiring students I’ve studied alongside to work in my practice.

Podiatry is a rewarding and broad career path with the ability to really give back to the community. I’ve been able to explore my own interest in nail surgery, and the other podiatrists in the clinic are also able to practice their skills in their preferred areas like paediatrics, sports injury management, dermatology, and diabetic foot care. Seeing the look on patients’ faces because their pain has been alleviated from the treatment you provide is incredible.

Samuel Dale

Bachelor of Podiatry
Director/Principal Podiatrist | The Podiatry Place @ Henley

Samuel Dale

Bachelor of Podiatry
Director/Principal Podiatrist | The Podiatry Place @ Henley

The podiatry profession is very fulfilling, with varied career opportunities and no two days on the job being the same. I always wanted to work in high risk podiatry, with patients at risk of limb loss due to wounds from conditions like Diabetes or circulation issues. Together with a multidisciplinary team, I can help delay or prevent the amputation of patient’s toes or feet, resulting in an improved quality of life – which is really rewarding.

Ereena Torpey

UniSA Podiatry Graduate
Senior Podiatrist | Flinders Medical Centre

Ereena Torpey

UniSA Podiatry Graduate
Senior Podiatrist | Flinders Medical Centre

During my studies, I have completed various clinical placements across different fields of podiatry. In the on-campus community clinic, I have been immersed in a hands-on environment, providing supervised care to real patients. I also enjoy using new 3D scanning technology to capture accurate models of the lower limb, which can be used to create custom orthotics and to look at the science behind human movement.

Angus Burns

Bachelor of Podiatry

Angus Burns

Bachelor of Podiatry

I did placements in the University of South Australia Podiatry Clinic and in external organisations in both metropolitan and rural settings. These placements, along with the weekly clinic sessions, equipped me with the confidence and experience needed when entering the workforce.

Arnold Hu

Bachelor of Podiatry

Arnold Hu

Bachelor of Podiatry

I was interested in the sports and anatomy areas of health, but also skins and diseases. I have done placements in Broken Hill, and Whyalla, the rural placements were really enjoyable as they allowed me to see a different range of clinical cases that I may not get to see in metropolitan areas.

Jane Bowden

Bachelor of Podiatry