There are almost 5,000 podiatrists registered in Australia, with many being aged between 25-29 years, according to the data in the Podiatry Board of Australia’s 1 October 2016 – 31 December 2016 registrant report.

Of the 4,805 podiatrists in Australia, 4,666 are in general practice, 31 general and specialists, and 108 non-practising podiatrists. Age group 25 – 29 has the largest number of podiatrists, with 1,031 registrants, and the fewest is group age 80+, with 3 podiatrists in general practice. 60% of Australian podiatrists are female, with 2,914 in total.

Following are the breakdowns of registrant data:

1.   Principal place of practice:

• 66 general podiatrists practice in ACT, 1,272 in NSW, 21 in NT, 802 in QLD, 413 in SA, 106 in Tasmania, 1,502 in Victoria, 432 in WA, and 52 have no principal practice.
• 60 general and specialist practice in ACT, 5 in NSW, 1 in QLD, 3 in SA, 3 in VIC, 17 in WA, and 1 No PPP.
• Non-practising podiatrists: 1 in ACT, 11 in NSW, 19 in QLD, 15 in SA, 1 in TAS, 40 in VIC, 6 in WA, and 15 No PPP.
• 77 podiatrists receive schedules medicines; 1 in ACT, 5 in NSW, 11 in QLD, 8 in SA, and 25 in VIC.
• There are a total of 31 podiatric surgeons; 1 in ACT, 5 in NSW, 1 in QLD, 3 in SA, 3 in VIC, 17 in WA, and 1 No PPP.

2.   Age Group

• U – 25: 387 general and 3 non-practising
• 25 – 29: 1,013 general, 1 general and specialist, and 17 non-practising
• 30 – 34: 808 general, 2 general and specialist, and 20 non-practising
• 35 – 39: 609 general, 1 general and specialist, and 17 non-practising
• 40 – 44: 566 general, 8 general and specialist, and 12 non-practising
• 45 – 49: 465 general, 7 general and specialist, and 15 non-practising
• 50 – 54: 352 general, 4 general and specialist, and 12 non-practising
• 55 – 59: 268 general, 6 general and specialist, and 6 non-practising
• 60 – 64: 116 general, 2 general and specialist, and 3 non-practising
• 65 – 69: 51 general and 2 non-practising
• 70 – 74: 18 general and 1 non-practising
• 75 – 79: 10 general
• 80+: 3 general

3. Gender

• Total female podiatrists is 2,914.
  –  General: 38 in ACT, 737 in NSW, 9 in NT, 479 in QLD, 250 in SA, 67 in TAS, 945 in VIC, 272 in WA, and 33 No PPP.
  –  General and Specialist: 1 in NSW and 6 in WA.
  –  Non-practising: 1 in ACT, 5 in NSW, 16 in QLD, 11 in SA, 1 in TAS, 29 in VIC, 4 in WA, and 10 No PPP.
• Total male podiatrists is 1,891.
  –  General: 28 in ACT, 535 in NSW, 12 in NT, 323 in QLD, 163 in SA, 39 in TAS, 557 in VIC, 160 in WA, and 19 No PPP.
  –  General and Specialist: 1 in ACT, 4 in NSW, 1 in QLD, 3 in SA, 3 in VIC, 11 in WA, and 1 in No PPP.
  –  Non-practising: 6 in NSW, 3 in QLD, 4 in SA, 11 in VIC, 2 in WA, and 5 No PPP.

Since 2012, the Podiatry Board has analysed its registration data and publish it quarterly in a number of statistical breakdowns about registrants. The Board shares these information with the profession and community.

More articles on My Health Career:

• Podiatry Board consultation on therapeutic endorsement guidelines for podiatrists
• Identifying and eliminating biofilm in chronic wounds
• Revised infection prevention and control guidelines for podiatrists
• Skilled Occupations List submissions put workforce shortages and excesses in the spotlight

Image: pramit_marattha – pixabay