(Until 1977, Australian podiatrists were known as chiropodists. The official name change to podiatry reflected the upgrading of education levels and an expansion in the scope of practice by the profession.)

To become a podiatrist, a practitioner must complete a Bachelor of Podiatry and be registered to practise in the appropriate State. Post-graduate education, including Graduate Diploma, Masters and PhD level, is available to podiatrists and qualifications may result in developed expertise in diabetes care, podiatric surgery or sports medicine, for example. In some States, additional qualifications are legislatively recognised, allowing prescription and supply of a range of S4 medications.