Interested in Podiatry?

Take your first step into the dynamic and versatile career of podiatry by studying with South Australia’s No.1 university for graduate careers.1

Healthy feet are an important part of the body’s holistic health. With the ability to diagnose, treat and manage any disorders affecting the foot, ankle and lower limb, podiatrists can work across an enormous variety of healthcare settings ranging from paediatrics through to sports and biomechanics and aged care facilities.

UniSA’s Bachelor of Podiatry will have you graduate ready to be registered with the Podiatry Board of Australia. You will learn the theory and practical skills to develop an understanding of the full scope of a podiatrist’s role under the guidance of expert registered practitioners. You’ll also get the opportunity to put these skills into practice within a vast range of industry organisations across metropolitan and regional placements.

Get the additional leg-up on your unstoppable career in podiatry with an Bachelor of Podiatry (Honours) degree, available for high-achieving students in their third year of study.

You can also take your unstoppable career further with postgraduate studies in Master of Health Services Management to step up into leadership and management positions across the diverse health and ageing sectors, or doctoral studies to pursue your own project.

1ComparED (QILT) Graduate Outcomes Survey 2021-23– Full-time Employment Indicator (Domestic Undergraduate). SA public universities.

Key features

  • Become an expert in the diagnosis, management, and treatment of disorders affecting the foot, ankle and lower limb.
  • Graduate ready to work as a registered allied health professional in industry environments including hospitals, paediatric services, sports facilities and aged care clinics.
  • 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.
  • Gain real-world experience through clinical placements in metropolitan, rural and regional settings, and practise your skills in our on-campus podiatry clinic.
  • 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.

Why UniSA?

UniSA is an unstoppable university for unstoppable people. As one of the World’s Top Young Universities,1 we’ll ensure you get the experience your future profession demands so it’ll feel like you’re studying one minute and in a career the next.

UniSA’s enterprising approach to teaching will prepare you with diverse and extensive experience in all areas of podiatry including surgery, sports injuries and related biomechanics, paediatrics and high-risk foot conditions. You'll graduate with eligibility to become a registered podiatrist.

We’ve invested millions of dollars in new buildings and facilities, so you’ll use the latest technologies and learn in ultra-modern teaching spaces, such as our podiatry clinics, anatomy and manufacturing laboratories.  

UniSA is Australia’s youngest university to receive five stars in research,2 and this excellence shines through in our teaching. You’ll be taught by industry professionals and experienced clinicians in the field of podiatry. We're inspired by challenges and opportunities, and we partner with local icons and international organisations to deliver impact and change.

1Ranked #43, 2024 THE Young University Rankings. 22023 QS Stars Ratings.

UniSA offers the following Podiatry degrees

Choose your level of study

Short programs

Are you after a career change or looking to upgrade your existing skills? Or perhaps you just have an interest in a particular subject area and want to further your experience, skills and knowledge. We offer a suite of short programs that will allow you to build your knowledge and skill set.

Designed in collaboration with expert academics, program content is industry-relevant and up-to-date. Short programs for podiatry include the Professional Certificate in Clinical Education.

World-class partners for a world-class university

We are a globally connected university with over 2,500 industry and professional relationships that support student internships, research and community engagement.

SA Health logo

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 growing future demand and strong employment outcomes, having provided 3.6 million services out of the 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.

Podiatrists are employed in a vast range of settings, including:

  • hospitals
  • private practice
  • sole practitioners/owners of your 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.

Your Career

Global networks

We are a globally connected university, our staff and students come from over 90 countries. We have more than 2,500 industry and professional relationships that support student internships, research and community engagement. Our students have completed placements and internships with organisations like:

  • Flinders Medical Centre
  • Footmed Food & Ankle Clinics
  • GP Plus Health Care Centre
  • Posture Podiatry
  • Royal Adelaide Hospital
  • Sportsmed SA

Industry facts

job-listings

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

Australian Government National Skills Commission Employment Projections 2021

column-chart-growth

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

data-presentation

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

Ask UniSA

anchor-arrow
More FAQs

Study at UniSA

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

UniSA Video

What others are saying

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

Jane Bowden

Jane Bowden

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

Arnold Hu

Bachelor of Podiatry

Completing Honours opened up opportunities for me. I was able to explore a topic in detail and was fortunate enough to be introduced to established and enthusiastic researchers within the University.

John Arnold

Bachelor of Podiatry (Honours)

John Arnold

John Arnold

Bachelor of Podiatry (Honours)

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

P7060320.jpg

Ereena Torpey

UniSA Podiatry Graduate
Senior Podiatrist | Flinders Medical Centre

Why study at UniSA?

As one of the most innovative universities in Australia and Asia, there are many reasons to study with us. Here are just three:

ipad-tablet-ebook-reading-studying-learning-ebook

Accessible, helpful and flexible

We have six campuses, a 24/7 online learning environment, and we offer flexible study options like online and evening courses.

graduate-cap

Graduate success

UniSA is South Australia's number one university for graduate careers.*
*ComparED (QILT) Graduate Outcomes Survey 2019-21 – Full-time Employment Indicator (Undergraduate). SA public universities.

ribbon-blue-commerce

A five star university

Five stars for research, employability, teaching, facilities, internationalisation, inclusiveness and innovation*
*2023 QS Stars Ratings