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 explain 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 general registration as a podiatrist. We will give you instructions on how to apply for general registration.

Outcome 2: Relevant to the podiatry profession

If we assess your qualification as relevant to the podiatry profession, you are not yet qualified for general registration. To become qualified, you must complete an examination or other assessment. The Podiatry Board will assess your competence to practise as a podiatrist through the National Podiatry Examination. You can find more information under National Podiatry Examination below.

Outcome 3: Not qualified for general registration as a podiatrist

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

National Podiatry Examination

If we assess your qualification as relevant to the podiatry profession, you must complete the National Podiatry Examination. After you pass the National Podiatry Examination, you may apply for general registration.

The examination is not yet available. If we advise you that you need to complete the exam, we will advise you when it is open for applicants.

Applying for general registration as a podiatrist

If you are qualified for general registration through one of the pathways described above, you may apply for general registration. We will give you instructions on how to apply for general registration when you complete the qualification assessment process.

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

• criminal history
• English language skills
• professional indemnity insurance arrangements
• recency of practice.

To learn more about applying for general 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 general 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.