The Podiatry Board of Australia (the Board) is seeking feedback on a proposal to change the protected title for the specialty of podiatric surgery.
Why the proposed change to the protected title?
The proposed change to the protected title was one of the 14 recommendations made to the Board and Ahpra in the final report of the independent review of the regulation of podiatric surgeons in Australia (the independent review).
The independent review found that many consumers did not understand the term ‘podiatric’, and they thought the use of the title ‘surgeon’ indicated that the practitioner was a medical practitioner and had completed their qualifications and training in medicine.
The independent review concluded that continued use of the title ‘podiatric surgeon’ is confusing and problematic and recommended that the title be changed to an alternative such as ‘surgical podiatrist’ to make it clear that the practitioner is a specialist podiatrist who performs surgery.
The Board accepted the review’s findings and the recommendation to consult on a proposed change to the protected title. The Board accepted this recommendation in principle, noting that the decision regarding any change to the protected title will be made by Health Ministers. The Board does not have the power to change a protected title, it can only make recommendations to Health Ministers.
How to provide feedback
To submit a response, please provide your feedback in the response template and email to podiatryconsultation@ahpra.gov.au, including your responses to the questions in the text boxes. You do not need to respond to a question if you have no comment.
Further information on the consultation can be found in the consultation paper on the Board’s consultations webpage. If you have any questions, please email podiatryconsultation@ahpra.gov.au.
Be sure to provide your feedback before consultation closes on 8 November 2024.

Making a submission

Please provide any feedback in the following response template, including your responses to the questions in the text boxes. You do not need to respond to a question if you have no comment.

• Response template (201 KB, PDF), Word version (101 KB, DOCX)

Please complete this response template and email to podiatryconsultation@ahpra.gov.au.