Registration with the appropriate Podiatrists Registration Board is a mandatory requirement before a person can practise in the profession in Australia or New Zealand. In order for overseas-qualified podiatrists to be registered they are required to undergo examination procedures established by the office of the Australasian Podiatry Council. These procedures include a written examination in the multiple-choice-question format of about two hours duration in total (Stage One), and a practical and oral examination (Stage Two) which will require a full day to complete. 

Further information can be found in the Australasian Podiatry Council's, Recognition of Podiatry Qualifications in Australia and New Zealand (* in portable document format - pdf) or at the web site of the National Office of Overseas Skills Recognition.

The Stage One examination can be attempted in all Australian capital cities and wherever Australia has consular representation overseas; whereas the Stage Two examination must be undertaken in one of the Schools of Podiatry in Australia. In addition to completing the Stage II examination, candidates must produce evidence of a current Australian First-Aid/CPR certificate. An English test is also required for applicants whose first language is not English. Candidates passing these examinations and requirements will be issued with a certificate which is recognised by all Registration Boards in Australia.

To be eligible to undertake these procedures a candidate must have completed a three-year full-time tertiary course or its part-time equivalent. Applicants who have successfully completed one of the approved courses listed at that site are exempted from the Stage One examination. The Australasian Podiatry Council will consider other qualifications and experience on an individual basis. Candidates must also have current registration, or be eligible for registration, in the country where the qualification was granted. Some UK-registered applicants may be exempt from the examination process. In addition, applicants must also be eligible to migrate to Australia or New Zealand, or have permanent residence status, or be eligible to seek employment in Australia.

Potential applicants who meet these eligibility criteria should download a copy of the application form by clicking here (pdf). You should also view the Guidelines for certification of documents (pdf) or contact the Australasian Podiatry Council for an application form.

(* In order to follow this link you must have the Adobe Acrobat reader available on your computer. If you do not have this program please follow this Adobe Acrobat Reader link to obtain a free copy.)