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Custom Orthotics Sydney
Custom orthotics are devices made from a 3D scan of your foot. They sit inside your shoe and change how your foot loads the ground, easing pain and correcting the mechanics driving it.
ModPod Podiatry prescribes custom orthotics at 5 Sydney clinics: Sydney CBD, Rose Bay, Mosman, Dee Why and North Ryde. Every pair starts with a full biomechanical assessment, not a generic mould.
We only prescribe orthotics when your assessment gives a clear mechanical reason. If a cheaper option will fix your problem, we will tell you.
What are Custom Orthotics?
A custom orthotic is a device built to the exact shape of your foot. We design each one around the mechanical cause of your pain, not a general foot shape.
Off-the-shelf insoles from a pharmacy or shoe store cost around $30 to $100. They suit mild, general discomfort because they are built for an average foot. Custom orthotics cost more — typically $500 to $700 at ModPod — because each device is designed and manufactured from your own foot scan to correct your specific mechanics.
We make orthotics from two main materials, or a combination of both:
- Polypropylene — a firm plastic shell that gives strong correction and control. It suits moderate to severe mechanical problems and high-load activities like running.
- EVA foam — a softer material that prioritises cushioning and comfort. It suits sensitive feet, diabetic patients and people who need shock absorption over correction.
Many devices combine a polypropylene shell with an EVA topcover, giving you control underneath and comfort against the skin.
Conditions that Orthotics Can Help
Orthotics can help when abnormal foot mechanics contribute to your pain. Common conditions we treat with orthotics include:
• Plantar fasciitis and heel pain
• Achilles tendinopathy
• Shin splints (medial tibial stress syndrome)
• Runner’s knee (patellofemoral pain)
• Flat feet (pes planus)
• High-arched feet (pes cavus)
• Bunions (hallux valgus)
• Morton’s neuroma
• Tibialis posterior tendinopathy
• Metatarsalgia (ball-of-foot pain)
• Severs disease in children
• Lower back and hip pain with a foot mechanics cause
We design orthotics around the shoes you wear most and the activities you do. Tell us your lifestyle at your appointment and we will build around it — including a second pair if you move between very different shoe types.
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Types Of Orthotics We Make
We make orthotics to fit different shoe types. At your appointment, we talk through your lifestyle and the shoes you wear so the device works for you day to day
Sports and Running Orthotics
Thin and lightweight devices for running shoes or sports boots. We also make cycling-specific orthotics with a stiff carbon plate.
Dress and Work Orthotics
Slim-profile devices for formal and work shoes. These fit into shoes with less internal depth, including heeled shoes.
Casual and Every-Day Orthotics
A versatile mid-profile device for casual shoes and sneakers. The most common type we make for general foot pain and comfort
Paediatric Orthotics
Made for children with flat feet, in-toeing, out-toeing or growing pains. We review children's orthotics as they grow.
How We Make Your Orthotics
We use a 3D digital scanner to capture the exact shape of your foot. This gives us more detail than a plaster cast or foam impression box.
The scan takes about 5 minutes. We then design the orthotic using CAD software and send the files to a specialist orthotic laboratory for manufacture.
Step 1 — Assessment
We take a full history, assess your posture and watch you walk and run. We identify the mechanical factors driving your pain.
Step 2 — Foot Scan
We 3D scan both feet using a digital scanner. The scan captures your arch shape, foot width and pressure distribution.
Step 3 — Design and Manufacture
We design your orthotic to address your specific mechanics and the shoes you wear. The device is then made by a specialist laboratory.
Step 4 — Fitting and Review
We fit your orthotics at a follow-up appointment. We check the fit, make any adjustments on the spot and show you how to break them in.
Cost and Health Fund Rebates
Custom orthotics typically cost $500 to $700, additional costs include a biomechanical assessment, 3D scan, and fitting/check up appointment.
That is more than an off-the-shelf insole, but off-the-shelf devices are not built for your foot mechanics. If a mechanical problem is driving your pain, a device that does not address it usually will not fix it.
Most private health funds cover custom orthotics as well as consultations. Bring your health fund card and claim your rebate on the spot with HICAPS.
If your GP has written a Chronic Disease Management (CDM) plan, your consultation may attract a Medicare rebate. The orthotic device itself is not covered by Medicare.
If your orthotics are prescribed for a work-related or sport-related condition, they may also be tax deductible or be covered under workers comp. Ask your accountant for advice specific to your situation.
Find A Clinic Near You
Each clinic uses the same 3D scanning and manufacturing process. If you need to visit different locations, your records transfer across the practice.
Frequently
Asked Questions
Do I need a referral to get custom orthotics?
No. You can book directly without a GP referral. If your GP has written a Chronic Disease Management (CDM) plan, a Medicare rebate may apply to your consultation.
Are custom orthotics worth the cost?
For the right problem, yes. Custom orthotics cost more than off-the-shelf insoles because they are built from your own foot scan to correct your specific mechanics, not an average foot shape. We only recommend them when your assessment shows a clear mechanical cause for your pain — in that case, most patients see the cost as worthwhile because it addresses the actual problem rather than masking symptoms.
How much do custom orthotics cost in Sydney?
Custom orthotics at ModPod typically cost $500 to $700, covering your assessment, 3D scan, manufacture and fitting appointment. A standard consultation costs $110 to $145. Off-the-shelf insoles cost less, around $30 to $100, but are not built to your foot.
Does private health insurance cover orthotics?
Most private health funds cover custom orthotics under extras cover. Bring your health fund card to claim your rebate on the spot. Check your policy for your specific orthotic benefit and annual limit.
What is the difference between custom orthotics and off-the-shelf insoles?
Off-the-shelf insoles are built for an average foot and can ease mild, general discomfort. Custom orthotics are built from a 3D scan of your own foot and designed to correct the specific mechanical cause of your pain. If an off-the-shelf insole has not fixed your problem, that usually means the cause needs individual correction.
How long do custom orthotics last?
Most custom orthotics last 2 to 5 years with daily use. Sports orthotics used for high-volume training wear faster and may need replacing or resoling sooner. We recommend a check every 12 months.
Will orthotics weaken my feet?
The evidence does not support this. Research shows foot muscle activity actually increases with correctly prescribed orthotics. We also prescribe foot and calf strengthening exercises alongside orthotics.
Can I wear orthotics in different shoes?
Some designs transfer between shoes. If you need orthotics across multiple shoe types — for example, work shoes and running shoes — tell us at your appointment. We can design for that or make a second pair.
How long until I notice a difference from orthotics?
Most people notice a change within 2 to 4 weeks. Chronic conditions may take longer. We review your progress at your fitting appointment and follow up as needed.
Can children get orthotics?
Yes. We make paediatric orthotics for children from around age 4, depending on the problem. We check the fit regularly as the child grows.
I tried orthotics before and they didn't help. Why would these be different?
Orthotics that don't address the right mechanics often fail. We spend time finding the actual mechanical cause of your pain before prescribing anything. If orthotics are not the right answer, we will say so and use a treatment that is.
Do you prescribe orthotics for every patient?
No. We only recommend custom orthotics when the assessment gives a clear mechanical reason. We do not prescribe them as a default.
Consultation Pricing
New Patients:
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Initial Consult $135
Health fund code F004 - History, diagnosis and treatment plan.
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Biomechanical Assessment $110
Health fund code F118 - Extended consultation with comprehensive analysis of foot and leg biomechanics
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3d Foot Scan $80
Health fund code 301 - If proceeding with orthotics a 3d foot scan will be taken on the initial visit.
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Total Bio Package $325
Existing Patients:
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Consult $120
Health fund code F014 - History, diagnosis and treatment plan.
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Biomechanical Assessment $110
Health fund code F118 - Extended consultation with comprehensive analysis of foot and leg biomechanics
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3d Foot Scan $80
Health fund code 301 - If proceeding with orthotics a 3d foot scan will be taken on the initial visit.
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Total Bio Package $310