If you’re living with diabetes in Australia, you already know it touches nearly every part of your health. But your feet? They’re often the last thing people think about — until something goes wrong. That’s a problem, because diabetes can quietly damage the nerves and blood vessels in your feet long before you feel any symptoms. According to Diabetes Australia, around 1.3 million Australians live with Type 2 diabetes and a further 130,000 with Type 1. The good news: with the right diabetic foot care Australia-wide recommends, most serious complications are entirely preventable. In this guide, we cover how diabetes affects your feet, the warning signs to watch for, what a professional foot assessment involves, and how to access Medicare rebates at our Sydney clinics.
How Diabetes Affects Your Feet
Diabetes affects your feet through three main pathways: nerve damage, reduced blood flow, and a weakened immune response. Understanding each one helps explain why consistent foot care matters so much.
Peripheral Neuropathy
Peripheral neuropathy is nerve damage caused by prolonged high blood sugar. It typically begins in the feet and lower legs, producing tingling, burning, numbness, or a “pins and needles” sensation. Over time, many people lose feeling in their feet entirely. This matters because a cut, blister, or sore that you can’t feel can go unnoticed and untreated — and that’s when serious problems begin.
Peripheral Arterial Disease
High blood sugar also damages blood vessels, reducing circulation to the extremities. Poor blood flow means wounds heal more slowly, infections are harder to fight, and even minor injuries can become serious. Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is common in people with long-standing diabetes and raises the risk of foot ulcers considerably.
Reduced Immune Response
Diabetes affects the immune system’s ability to respond to infection. A small cut on a healthy foot would typically heal within days. On a diabetic foot, the same cut may develop into an infected wound that takes weeks to close — or, in severe cases, may not heal without medical intervention.
Warning Signs You Shouldn’t Ignore
Because neuropathy can mask pain, many people with diabetes don’t realise their feet are in trouble until a wound has already progressed. At ModPod Podiatry’s diabetic foot care service, we regularly see patients who weren’t aware of an issue until they came in for a routine check. Watch for these signs:
- Numbness, tingling or a burning sensation in your feet or toes
- Changes in skin colour — pale, reddish or bluish discolouration
- Swelling in the feet or ankles that appears without clear cause
- Cuts, blisters or sores that are slow to heal
- Thickened, discoloured or brittle toenails
- Dry, cracked skin, especially around the heels
- Persistent foot odour that’s difficult to resolve
- Pain or cramping in your legs when walking (a sign of poor circulation)
If you notice any of these signs, see a podiatrist promptly. Early intervention makes a real difference to outcomes.
What a Diabetic Foot Assessment Involves
The Australian Diabetes Society recommends every person with diabetes have a thorough foot check at least once a year — and more frequently if risk factors are present. Our podiatrists have more than 20 years of combined experience working with patients who have diabetes, and each assessment is comprehensive.
A diabetic foot assessment at ModPod Sydney includes:
- Monofilament testing — A thin nylon filament is pressed gently against the skin of your foot to test sensation. If you can’t feel it in one or more spots, this indicates peripheral neuropathy.
- Neurological screening — We assess reflexes, vibration sense and temperature sensitivity to build a complete picture of nerve health.
- Doppler vascular assessment — A handheld Doppler device measures blood flow in the foot and ankle arteries, identifying any signs of peripheral arterial disease.
- Skin and nail assessment — We examine the skin for calluses, corns, cracks, fungal infections and any active wounds or areas of concern.
- Footwear review — Ill-fitting shoes are one of the most common causes of diabetic foot ulcers. We check your current footwear and advise on appropriate alternatives.
The results guide us in placing you into a risk category — low, moderate or high — which determines how often you need follow-up care and what preventive steps make sense for you.
Diabetic Foot Care at Home: Daily Habits That Matter
Your annual professional foot check is essential — but what you do each day is equally important. These habits form the foundation of good diabetic foot care in Australia and can significantly reduce your risk of complications.
Inspect your feet daily. Use a mirror if needed to check the soles of your feet. Look for cuts, redness, swelling, blisters or changes to the skin or nails. The earlier you spot a problem, the easier it is to manage.
Wash and dry carefully. Use lukewarm water (never hot — test it with your elbow if sensation is reduced). Dry thoroughly, especially between the toes, where moisture encourages fungal infections like athlete’s foot.
Moisturise — but not between the toes. Apply a good foot cream to the soles and heels daily to prevent cracking. Avoid putting cream between the toes, as this can increase infection risk.
Never walk barefoot. Even at home, wear well-fitting slippers or shoes at all times. A small object on the floor — a pin, a toy, a splinter — can cause a wound you won’t feel.
Trim nails carefully. Cut straight across and smooth the edges with a file. If you struggle to reach your feet or your nails are thick, discoloured or painful, let a podiatrist handle nail care. Our safe nail care for diabetics — medical pedicure service uses sterile clinical tools and is designed specifically for people with complex foot health needs.
Avoid corn pads and callus removers. Over-the-counter medicated pads contain acids that can damage diabetic skin and create new wounds. Have corns and calluses treated by a podiatrist.
For personalised footwear advice and ongoing support, our team offers general podiatry for ongoing foot health across all five of our Sydney clinics.
Medicare Rebates for Diabetic Foot Care in Australia
One of the most useful things to know as an Australian with diabetes: podiatry care is covered under Medicare, through several pathways.
Team Care Arrangements and Enhanced Primary Care Plans
If you have a chronic condition such as Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes, your GP can refer you to a podiatrist under a Team Care Arrangement (TCA) or Enhanced Primary Care (EPC) plan. This provides up to 5 Medicare-rebated allied health visits per calendar year. The current rebate is $58.00 per visit. A gap payment may apply depending on the clinic’s fees.
To access this, ask your GP about a diabetes care plan or chronic disease management plan at your next appointment. Bring your current medication list and any recent pathology results to help your GP complete the referral.
The National Diabetes Services Scheme (NDSS)
The NDSS provides subsidised access to diabetes-related products and supports access to diabetes education. Your NDSS registration also confirms eligibility for Medicare-funded allied health visits. If you’re not yet registered, your GP or diabetes educator can help.
Private Health Insurance
Most Extras policies with podiatry cover — including those offered by Medibank, BUPA, HCF and NIB — provide rebates for podiatry visits. Rebates typically range from $30 to $60 per visit depending on your level of cover. Check with your fund before your appointment so you know what to expect.
A Note on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians experience diabetes at rates significantly higher than the general population, and face a greater risk of diabetes-related foot complications. If you or a family member is affected, Medicare-funded podiatry care is available through the same TCA and EPC pathways — and additional support may be available through Indigenous-specific health programs. We welcome patients from all communities across our five Sydney clinic locations — CBD, Mosman, Dee Why, Rose Bay, and North Ryde — and we provide culturally respectful, patient-centred care.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How often should a person with diabetes see a podiatrist?
A: At minimum, once a year for a diabetic foot assessment. If you have neuropathy, poor circulation, a history of foot ulcers, or other risk factors, your podiatrist may recommend visits every 3 to 6 months. Your GP’s chronic disease management plan can help cover the cost through Medicare.
Q: Can I claim podiatry under Medicare if I have diabetes?
A: Yes. If your GP places you on a Team Care Arrangement (TCA) or Enhanced Primary Care (EPC) plan, you can access up to 5 Medicare-rebated podiatry visits per calendar year. The current rebate is $58.00 per visit.
Q: What is monofilament testing and why does it matter?
A: Monofilament testing checks whether you can feel light touch in your feet. A thin nylon filament is pressed gently against different areas of the sole. If you can’t feel it in one or more spots, this indicates peripheral neuropathy — nerve damage caused by prolonged high blood sugar. The test is quick, painless and forms a core part of every diabetic foot assessment.
Q: My feet don’t hurt — do I still need a foot check?
A: Yes — and this is one of the most important points about diabetic foot care. Neuropathy can remove the warning signal of pain, meaning wounds and skin changes can develop without discomfort. Regular foot checks catch problems early, when they’re far easier to treat. Don’t wait for pain to prompt a visit.
Q: Is a medical pedicure safe for someone with diabetes?
A: Yes — and it’s often the safest option. A medical pedicure is performed by a podiatrist using sterile, clinical-grade tools. It’s designed for people with diabetes, peripheral vascular disease or fragile skin, unlike standard salon pedicures, which carry a risk of infection. Ask us about our diabetic-safe nail care at your next appointment.
Book Your Diabetic Foot Assessment — Medicare Rebates Available
If you have diabetes and haven’t had a professional foot check in the past 12 months, now is the time to act. Our experienced podiatrists work with diabetes patients every day across our five Sydney clinics — CBD, Mosman, Dee Why, Rose Bay, and North Ryde. We accept Medicare referrals under TCA and EPC plans, and most private health funds.
Don’t wait for a problem to appear. A thorough diabetic foot assessment takes around 30 minutes and could protect your feet for years to come. Book online today or call your nearest ModPod clinic to make an appointment.
