Podiatrist Salaries in Australia 2026
Pay Data From a Role in Shortage Everywhere
Podiatry is officially one of the hardest allied health roles to recruit for in Australia right now. Healthcare Australia’s (HCA) 2026 Salary Guide lists podiatrists as one of only four allied health professions facing skills shortages in every state and territory, a distinction that is directly reflected in podiatrists’ pay.
Below, we break down podiatrist salaries across Australia in 2026 by state and practice setting, using benchmark data from HCA’s 2026 Salary Guide, and look at what’s driving the sustained demand for podiatry talent.
How much does a podiatrist earn in Australia in 2026?
Unlike many allied health roles, HCA’s data shows podiatrist pay is relatively consistent across acute, community, residential aged care and private practice settings, though private practice and community roles tend to edge ahead in most states. All figures below are annual base salaries, excluding the 12% superannuation rate that took effect on 1 July 2025.
| State | Acute | Community | Residential Aged Care | Private Practice |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ACT | $110,000 | $105,000 | $105,000 | $110,000 |
| NSW | $105,000 | $110,000 | $110,000 | $110,000 |
| NT | $100,000 | $101,000 | $101,000 | $100,000 |
| QLD | $103,000 | $108,000 | $108,000 | $105,000 |
| SA | $95,000 | $99,000 | $99,000 | $105,000 |
| TAS | $95,000 | $95,000 | $95,000 | $95,000 |
| VIC | $104,000 | $115,000 | $115,000 | $110,000 |
| WA | $105,000 | $110,000 | $110,000 | $115,000 |
Source: Healthcare Australia 2026 Salary Guide (HCA market research and workforce surveys).
Salaries shown are annual base rates, exclusive of superannuation. Superannuation increased to 12% from 1 July 2025. Figures are a mid-financial-year benchmark; an increase of roughly 3–3.5% can reasonably be expected from July 2026. Regional variances, Enterprise Bargaining Agreements and awards may affect actual pay.
To view salary bandings in detail, please download our salary guide.
Podiatry: a shortage in every state and territory
HCA’s workforce research identifies podiatry as one of only four allied health professions, alongside optometry, occupational therapy and speech pathology, currently in shortage across every state and territory in Australia. Nationally, 15% of healthcare occupations are in shortage everywhere, and podiatry sits firmly in that group. HCA’s reflections on 2025 note that “skills shortages persist, and in some cases, they are severe. These shortages mean candidates in Podiatry, Allied Health, and Doctors markets remain firmly in control of their options.” This means podiatrists currently have real leverage over where, and on what terms, they choose to work.
What drives podiatrist pay in Australia
Practice setting has less effect on podiatrist pay than in some allied health professions, but a few factors consistently move the needle: private practice frequently pays a premium in WA, VIC and SA; rural and regional roles attract loadings and incentives given more acute shortages outside metro areas; and scope of practice matters, with high-risk foot and diabetes-related care, wound care and biomechanics/orthotics work commanding stronger rates. Telehealth is also reshaping the sector. HCA’s Allied Health team specifically flags podiatry as one of the areas where hybrid, virtual-consult service models are being adopted to stretch a limited workforce further and improve access in underserved areas.
How to increase your earnings as a podiatrist
- Expand your scope of practice into high-risk foot care, diabetes-related care, or biomechanics/orthotics, which attract higher demand and rates.
- Work across multiple settings by combining private practice, community care and residential aged care work for income diversity.
- Consider rural and regional placements, where podiatrists are in high demand and often receive higher salaries and relocation support.
- Offer specialised or niche services, such as paediatric podiatry or advanced wound care, to attract clients and secure premium rates.
- Engage with locum and agency work for flexibility, competitive pay and exposure to different workplaces and settings.
How HCA’s benchmark compares to other sources
Other industry salary guides for podiatry tend to quote a single blended national average without breaking down figures by practice setting or state. HCA’s benchmark instead separates acute, community, residential aged care and private practice pay by state, which matters given the meaningful gap between, for example, Tasmania and Victoria private practice rates in HCA’s data, a difference of around $15,000 at the top of the range.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the average podiatrist salary in Australia?
HCA’s 2026 data shows podiatrist salaries ranging from roughly $95,000 in South Australia and Tasmania up to $115,000 in Western Australia private practice, with most states sitting in the $100,000–$115,000 band across settings. - Is podiatry an in-demand career in Australia?
Yes. Podiatry is one of only four allied health professions identified by HCA as being in shortage across every state and territory, alongside optometry, occupational therapy and speech pathology. - Does practice setting affect podiatrist pay?
Less than in some allied health roles. HCA’s data shows relatively consistent pay across acute, community, aged care and private practice, though private practice often pays a premium in WA, VIC and SA.
Download our Salary Guide (Salary Guide CTA)
Talk to a healthcare recruitment specialist.
Healthcare Australia has specialist Allied Health recruiters placing podiatrists into permanent, temporary and locum roles nationwide. Given podiatry’s status as a shortage occupation in every state and territory, candidates are in a strong position to negotiate on pay, setting and flexibility. Talk to us today to see what roles we have available in podiatry.
