The Australian Podiatry Association is the only professional representative organisation and more than 80% of practising podiatrists are members. The national professional body is the Australasian Podiatry Council, with which the State Associations and Podiatry New Zealand are affiliated. Role of the Australasian Podiatry Council Preparation of national policies and clinical practice guidelines for the profession Publishing and distribution of bi-monthly Podiatry Update Bulletins Production of other specialist publications, eg. Australian Podiatric Guidelines for Diabetes Assessment, Australian Podiatry Manual (A copy of this can be obtained online by members logging in at: www.findapodiatrist.org.) Public relations programs, including PR resources and media releases Liaising with federal government departments and lobbying as required on issues of concern to the profession Representation on industry bodies, eg. Allied Health Professions Australia (AHPA), National Allied Health Classification Committee, Standards Association of Australia. Assessment of qualifications of overseas podiatrists wishing to practise in Australia and liaising with Immigration Department and National Office for Overseas Skills Recognition Organisation of national scientific conference every two years and other specialist national seminars on topics such as practice management Setting competency standards for the profession and liaising with Schools of Podiatry regarding undergraduate and postgraduate courses Assisting Member Associations with particular programs as required Research: providing secretariat and fundraising support for Australian Podiatry Education and Research Foundation. Organising a regular labour force survey on a national basis, in conjunction with the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. Conducting practice fee and costs surveys International relations, including trans-Tasman projects and mutual recognition with New Zealand and other projects with the United Kingdom and United States of America. Return to the top Policies The Australasian Podiatry Council maintains policies in a number of areas, to which both Member Associations and their members are expected to abide. Click on the links below to view a pdf of each policy. Affiliated Bodies Accredited Podiatrist Program (APP) LogoV APERF Association Invitation/Process for Invitations Conflict of Interest Corporate Partnership and Endorsement Corporate Partnership Process Fees Insurance: Professional Indemnity Independent Research International Journal Membership Categories and Levies Minimum Requirements for Proposed or Existing Tertiary Podiatry Courses Podiatry Assistants Podiatric Biomechanics Podiatry Specialties Podiatric Surgery Qualifications Project Template Radiology Trade Mark and Logo Authorised Use Clinical guidelines The Australasian Podiatry Council holds clinical practice guidelines relating to clinical facilities and equipment, infection control, clinical records, occupational health and safety, clinical coding and quality improvement. "Australian Podiatric Guidelines for Diabetes (internal pages and cover) have been endorsed by the Australasian Podiatry Council and Diabetes Australia (1997). The Australasian Podiatry Council in conjunction with State Registration Boards has developed National Infection Control Guidelines for Podiatrists, offering a discipline-specific guide to infection control protocols. Click here to order a hardcopy of this document. "Clinical Guidelines for Orthotic Therapy provided by Podiatrists" (May 1998) are also now available. The Australasian Podiatry Council also maintains competency standards for the profession in Australia, liaising with Schools of Podiatry regarding undergraduate and postgraduate courses. The Australasian Podiatry Council, in conjunction with the National Association of Diabetes Centres, have developed a Basic Foot Screening Tool checklist to enable health professionals to identify those people with diabetes who are at riskof serious foot problems and require referral to a podiatrist. Return to the top