Podiatry

School of Clinical Sciences

Leading excellence and innovation in clinical sciences research and education, to develop future health professionals and contribute to better health outcomes.

Podiatry

Podiatrists diagnose and treat a wide range of foot and related lower limb conditions, including those that can cause pain elsewhere in the body, such as knees, and analyse the way people walk or run. Integral to the practice of podiatry is an understanding of human anatomy, biomolecular science, pharmacology, dermatology, and clinical medicine and surgery. They may use orthotic devices to correct alignment and assist with walking difficulties, provide physical therapy for rehabilitation of sports injuries, or correct some foot problems using minor surgical techniques. They also care for patients with chronic diseases such as diabetes or rheumatoid arthritis.

Podiatrists often work with other health professionals in hospitals, establish a private practice or train as a podiatric surgeon. Other careers include paediatric podiatry, sports podiatry, high-risk podiatry, community health or research.

Our teaching and clinical staff are practising podiatrists who maintain links with the profession, ensuring our courses are up-to-date and relevant. During the course you will complete more than 1000 hours of clinical placement at our on-campus podiatry clinic and at external facilities where you can participate in biomechanics/musculoskeletal clinics, sports clinics, diabetes foot complication clinics, paediatric clinics and general podiatry clinics.

At the end of the second year of study in this course you will have the option to apply for the Bachelor of Podiatry (Honours). This allows you to complete an honours research project that extends your knowledge of the professional field, offering a competitive advantage in your career.

QUT introduced Queensland's first degree in podiatry.

Make a difference

'The thing I enjoy most about my job is the day-to-day contact that I have with families and being able to make a difference in a child's life. There's no real way to describe the feeling that emanates when a child looks you in the eye and thanks you for helping them. I'm very, very lucky working as a paediatric podiatrist; my job satisfaction is very, very high every single day. And even in those children with chronic illness we're still able to thankfully make a difference to their wellbeing and quality of life every single day.'

Jason McLellan

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A rewarding career

'The patients I see in the Alice Springs Hospital are generally facing some very significant health challenges. If I can use my skills as a podiatrist to prevent amputation then I'm stopping a cascade of events that can seriously affect people's quality of life and life expectancy.'

Ryan Bonnefin

World-class training facilities

The QUT Health Clinics give students the chance to treat patients in a real-world clinical training environment. Under the supervision of practising podiatrists students have access to a paediatrics room, surgical facilities, orthotic prescription and dispensing facilities, plus high-tech equipment that helps students examine and treat a range of foot and lower limb issues.

Explore our facilities through the virtual tours below.