NDIS Podiatry Client Acquisition: 2026 Guide

NDIS podiatry was added to funded supports in October 2019, yet many podiatrists still struggle to build consistent NDIS referrals. This guide covers how podiatrists can find NDIS clients through provider discoverability, support coordinator relationships, and diabetic foot care specialisation, instead of relying only on expensive ads and cold outreach.

Why NDIS Podiatry is an Opportunity

Market Reality:

• A large and growing population of NDIS participants needs podiatry care
• Podiatrists are under-represented in NDIS allied health compared with physiotherapists and occupational therapists
• Diabetes is common among NDIS participants, which drives ongoing foot care need
• Competition for participants is generally lower than in other allied health professions

The Problem: Many podiatrists do not have a systematic way to reach NDIS participants. They rely on the NDIS Provider Finder or general Google ads, which can produce sporadic, low-quality inquiries.

The Approach: Make yourself easy to find for participants who are actively searching for podiatry, and build referral relationships with the people who help participants choose providers.

4 NDIS Podiatry Client Acquisition Strategies

1. Be Discoverable on a Connection Platform (Carevo)

How Carevo works for podiatrists:

Carevo is a two-sided connection platform. NDIS participants and families search for and get matched with third-party providers. When you join, you create a profile and become discoverable to participants who are searching for podiatry in your area. Carevo does not employ clinicians, run care services, or hold a captive base of its own participants. It connects independent providers like you with people looking for your service.

What you get:

• Discoverability: Participants searching for podiatry in your service area can find and contact you
• Active demand: People reaching out are looking for podiatry now, not browsing
• Recurring potential: Podiatry is often an ongoing service, so a single connection can become a long-term client relationship

What to expect:

• Carevo does not guarantee referral volumes, client numbers, or revenue
• Demand varies by region, specialisation, and your availability
• Connecting gives you the opportunity to be matched; the rest is up to your service, responsiveness, and fit

Requirements:

• NDIS registration as a podiatrist, or the ability to work with plan-managed and self-managed participants
• Professional indemnity and public liability insurance
• Mobile service capability (home visits matter for mobility-impaired participants)
• Service coverage in Sydney or Melbourne

Apply to Carevo Podiatry Network →

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2. Specialize in Diabetic Foot Care - Target High-Need Participants

Why diabetic foot care specialisation helps you win NDIS work:

The Demand:

• Diabetes is common among NDIS participants
• High-risk groups include Indigenous Australians, Pacific Islander communities, and older participants
• NDIS funding category: Improved Daily Living covers preventative diabetic foot care
• Recurring need: diabetic participants often need monthly or quarterly podiatry, creating ongoing relationships

Diabetic Foot Care NDIS Services:

1. Diabetic Foot Risk Assessment

• Initial comprehensive assessment: vascular, neurological, dermatological examination
• Billing: 1.5 to 2 hours ($283 to $378 per assessment)
• Frequency: annually or when risk factors change

2. Preventative Diabetic Foot Care

• Nail care, callus reduction, pressure area management
• Billing: $188.99/hour (30 to 45 min sessions typical = $94 to $142 per visit)
• Frequency: monthly for high-risk, quarterly for moderate-risk

3. Diabetic Footwear Assessment & Prescription

• Assess footwear needs, prescribe appropriate footwear
• Billing: 1 to 2 hours assessment + footwear cost (NDIS AT funding)
• Frequency: annually or as needed

4. Education & Self-Management

• Teach participants daily foot inspection and when to seek help
• Billing: $188.99/hour (30 to 60 min education sessions)
• Frequency: initial education plus annual refreshers

Marketing Positioning:

NDIS Provider Finder:

• Service description: “Specialist NDIS Podiatrist - Diabetic Foot Care & Prevention”
• Keywords: diabetic podiatry, high-risk foot care, Indigenous foot health

Support Coordinator Outreach:

• Tagline: “I specialise in preventative diabetic foot care for NDIS participants with diabetes”
• Value prop: “Reduce hospitalisation risk and help prevent amputations through proactive foot care”

Cultural Competency:

• If you speak community languages (Greek, Italian, Mandarin, Arabic), highlight this
• Indigenous health experience is valuable for diabetic foot care in Aboriginal communities
• Participants searching for podiatry come from diverse communities, so cultural competency helps you connect with more of them

Why it works: diabetic foot care is recurring and in steady demand, which tends to mean longer client relationships and more predictable bookings than one-off general podiatry.

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3. Build Support Coordinator Relationships - Consistent Referrals

Why SCs are useful for podiatry referrals:

Support coordinators help participants manage budgets and choose allied health providers. Unlike OT or physio (often participant-initiated), podiatry is often SC-identified during plan development.

Target Support Coordinators:

1. SCs specialising in aged NDIS participants (65+):

• Older participants have higher foot care needs
• Diabetes, circulation issues, mobility limitations
• Podiatry is often overlooked in initial plans, so the SC recommends it

2. SCs working with Indigenous participants:

• Higher diabetes rates in many Indigenous communities
• Cultural safety matters, so highlight Indigenous health experience if you have it
• Preventative foot care is critical for this demographic

3. SCs managing complex care participants:

• Participants in SIL or high-support arrangements
• Foot care is often neglected, and SCs appreciate proactive podiatrists
• Regular podiatry can reduce hospitalisation risk (an SC success metric)

Support Coordinator Partnership Strategy:

Step 1: Create an SC Referral Packet

Include:

• Diabetic foot care specialisation (if applicable)
• Mobile service capability (important for mobility-impaired participants)
• Pricing transparency: $188.99/hr standard rate
• Turnaround: initial appointment within 7 days of referral
• Communication: update the SC after the initial assessment and quarterly

Step 2: Outreach Email

Subject: NDIS Podiatry Partner for Diabetic Foot Care

Hi [SC Name],

I'm [Your Name], a registered NDIS podiatrist specialising in diabetic foot care for participants with diabetes and circulation issues.

Many participants have podiatry funding in their plans but struggle to find podiatrists who offer mobile service and understand NDIS. I provide:
- Home visit podiatry (participants don't need transport)
- Diabetic foot risk assessments and preventative care
- Fast booking (within 7 days of referral)
- Clear communication (SC updates after each assessment)

Would you be open to a brief coffee chat to discuss how I can support your participants?

Best regards,
[Your Name] | NDIS Registered Podiatrist
[Phone] | [Email]

Step 3: Stay Top-of-Mind

Monthly:

• Email with NDIS podiatry updates or diabetic foot care tips
• Share anonymised case examples (for example, early intervention on a diabetic foot concern)

Quarterly:

• In-person coffee catch-up
• Offer a free foot health screening for the SC’s participants

What to expect: SC relationships take months to build and tend to compound over time, as the same coordinators send repeat participants once they trust your service. Treat this as a long-term channel, not a quick win.

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4. Partner with Disability Service Organizations - Embedded Podiatry

How organisational partnerships work:

Disability service providers support many NDIS participants. Many of those participants need podiatry but do not know how to access it. The provider can recommend trusted podiatrists they have partnered with directly.

Target Organizations:

1. SIL Providers (Supported Independent Living):

• Participants living in group homes, often with diabetes and mobility limitations
• Partnership model: quarterly foot health checks for residents
• Approach SIL providers directly to offer regular on-site reviews

2. Aged Care + NDIS Dual Providers:

• Participants 65+ transitioning from aged care to NDIS (or using both systems)
• Higher diabetes rates and critical foot care needs
• Partnership model: shared care between aged care and NDIS podiatry

3. Community Access Providers:

• Participants accessing community activities and social programs
• Podiatry needed for mobility optimisation and footwear assessment
• Partnership model: pre-activity foot health clearance

Partnership Benefits:

Repeat work:

• Ongoing podiatry needs across an organisation’s participant base
• More predictable bookings (for example, quarterly SIL resident checks)

Reduced marketing cost:

• The organisation handles participant engagement, you provide the service
• Less reliance on Google Ads or NDIS Finder competition

Long-term relationships:

• Participants stay with providers for years
• Ongoing podiatry relationships with monthly or quarterly visits

How to Approach Organizations:

Subject: Podiatry Partnership for Your NDIS Participants

Hi [Organization],

I'm [Your Name], NDIS registered podiatrist specialising in [diabetic foot care/mobility-related foot care].

I noticed [Organization] supports NDIS participants, many of whom likely need podiatry services. I'd like to explore a partnership where I provide:

- Quarterly foot health checks for your participants
- Mobile podiatry (home visits to participant residences or SIL properties)
- Diabetic foot care and prevention
- Footwear assessments and prescriptions

Would you be open to discussing how podiatry can enhance the care you provide?

Best regards,
[Your Name]

A faster start: Building your own organisational partnerships can take many months. Joining Carevo lets participants who are already searching for podiatry find you in the meantime, so you are not relying on cold outreach alone. Carevo does not guarantee how many participants will reach out.

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NDIS Podiatry Funding & Pricing (2026-27)

NDIS Podiatry Rates:

Standard Podiatry Services:

• Weekday standard hours: $188.99/hour
• Short notice (48hrs): $236.24/hour (+25%)
• Evenings (6pm-8am): $283.49/hour (+50%)
• Weekends: $236.24/hour (+25%)
• Public holidays: $377.98/hour (+100%)

Travel Allowance:

• Rate: $94.50/hour
• When billable: Participant is 30km+ from registered business address
• Maximum: 1 hour each way

Typical Session Structure:

• General foot care: 30-45 minutes ($94-$142)
• Diabetic foot assessment: 60-90 minutes ($189-$283)
• Complex care (wound management): 60-90 minutes ($189-$283)

Funding Source: Improved Daily Living (Capacity Building)

Participant Allocation: $500-$2,000/year for podiatry (varies by need)

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How to Join Carevo Podiatry Network

What We’re Looking For:

Podiatrists with:

• NDIS registration (or ability to work with plan-managed and self-managed participants)
• Mobile service capability (home visits)
• Professional indemnity and public liability insurance
• Service coverage in Sydney or Melbourne

Specializations Particularly Needed:

• Diabetic foot care
• Wound care and complex foot conditions
• Geriatric podiatry
• Indigenous foot health experience

What Carevo Offers:

• A provider profile that makes you discoverable to participants searching for podiatry in your area
• Connection with participants who are actively looking for your service
• The opportunity to build ongoing, recurring client relationships

Carevo is a connection platform. It does not coordinate care, manage plans, or guarantee referral volumes. You run your own clinical service and client relationships.

Application Process:

1. Email: [email protected]
2. Subject: “Podiatry Network Application”
3. Include: CV, NDIS registration, specialisations, service areas

Apply to Carevo Podiatry Network →

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Action Plan: First 90 Days

Month 1:

• Apply to Carevo network
• Optimise NDIS Finder (diabetic foot care specialisation)
• Create SC referral packet
• Identify 10 target support coordinators

Month 2:

• Reach out to 10 SCs with referral packet
• Attend 1 NDIS networking event
• Complete Carevo onboarding (if accepted)
• Set up mobile service (equipment, vehicle setup)

Month 3:

• Follow up with SCs (monthly touchpoints)
• Respond to inquiries within 24 hours
• Track where your clients come from
• Scale what’s working

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Frequently Asked Questions

How long to get my first NDIS podiatry client?

There is no guaranteed timeline. It depends on demand in your area, your specialisation, and your availability. Support coordinator partnerships and organisational relationships usually take months to build. Joining a connection platform like Carevo makes you discoverable to participants searching for podiatry, but timing and referral volume are not guaranteed.

Do I need to offer mobile podiatry for NDIS?

Mobile service is a strong advantage. Many NDIS participants cannot easily access clinic-based podiatry due to mobility limitations, wheelchair access, or transport challenges. Offering home visits widens the pool of participants you can serve.

Can I join without NDIS registration?

Yes. You can work with plan-managed and self-managed participants without NDIS registration. Many providers start registration (a 3 to 6 month process) while working with plan-managed and self-managed participants in the meantime.

Does Carevo guarantee referrals?

No. Carevo does not guarantee referral volumes, client numbers, or revenue. Joining gives you the opportunity to be matched with NDIS participants who are searching for podiatry in your area. Demand varies by region, specialisation, and your availability. Diabetic foot care specialists are often in higher demand than general podiatry.

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Start Building Your NDIS Podiatry Practice Today

A practical path:

1. Make yourself discoverable to participants searching for podiatry
2. Specialise in diabetic foot care, which is recurring and in steady demand
3. Build SC relationships for long-term sustainability

Apply to Carevo Podiatry Network →

Email: [email protected]

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Guide updated January 31, 2026 with current NDIS podiatry rates and connection opportunities.