Next steps after qualification assessment

We aim to inform you of the outcome of your qualification portfolio assessment once it is complete. This process can take longer if we need to request more information from you, your education provider, or the relevant international regulator. If the assessment is expected to take more than 28 days, or if we require further details from you, we will contact you directly.

We have explained the three possible outcomes below:

Outcome 1: Substantially equivalent, or based on similar competencies, to an approved qualification

If we assess your qualification as substantially equivalent, or based on similar competencies, to an approved qualification, you are qualified for specialist registration as a podiatric surgeon. We will give you instructions on how to apply for specialist registration.

Outcome 2: Relevant to the podiatry profession for specialisation in podiatric surgery

If we assess your qualification as relevant to the podiatry profession for specialisation as a podiatric surgeon, you are not yet qualified for specialist registration. To be qualified, you must complete an examination or other assessment required by the Board. No pathway currently exists for practitioners to apply for specialist registration if they hold a qualification that is relevant to the profession.

Outcome 3: Not qualified for specialist registration as a podiatric surgeon

If we assess your qualification as neither substantially equivalent or based on similar competencies to an approved qualification, nor relevant to the podiatry profession for specialisation as a podiatric surgeon, you do not meet the qualification requirements for specialist registration as a podiatric surgeon. You may consider completing an approved qualification from an Australian education provider, or other career options.

Applying for specialist registration as a podiatric surgeon

If you are qualified for specialist registration we will give you instructions on how to apply for specialist registration when you complete the qualification assessment process.

When you apply for specialist registration, we review your application to ensure you meet the Registration Standards that apply to podiatric surgeons. These include:

• criminal history
• English language skills
• recency of practice.

To learn more about applying for specialist registration please read the Registration page for international health practitioners which provides:

• information about the registration application process
• a checklist for preparing applications and requirements for certifying and providing documents
• information about applying for specialist registration using the Ahpra portal
• answers to frequently asked questions.

Before starting an application for registration, check that you can meet every registration standard. You must also have copies of the documents needed to prove that you meet each standard.

For information on how to apply, go to the Applying for Registration page.

Requesting re-assessment of your qualification portfolio

We thoroughly assess international qualifications using assessment criteria approved by the Podiatry Board of Australia. We will give you a summary of the reasons for our advice if we assess your qualification(s) as:

• relevant to the profession, or
• neither substantially equivalent, or based on similar competencies, to an approved qualification.

If you think we did not consider important information when we assessed your qualification portfolio, you may ask for a re-assessment. To support your request for reassessment, you will need to give us any extra information and clear colour scans of certified copies of documents.

You need to send your request for re-assessment to the email address written in your notice of assessment within 28 days after we give you an outcome.

If we consider that there are grounds for a re-assessment, an experienced qualification assessor will complete a re-assessment of your qualification portfolio. We will inform you of the outcome within two months of receiving your request.