Mobile foot care visits

Older people and their families, people with limited mobility, and some aged care facilities. Some clients may pay through home care packages, NDIS plans or private health cover, depending on your qualifications and provider status.

A fee per appointment, usually with repeat visits every 6 to 10 weeks. Grouping several clients in one suburb or facility cuts travel time and lifts what you earn per hour.

• Recognised foot care or podiatry qualification
• Patient, gentle manner with older clients
• Good hygiene and record keeping
• Route planning and booking

• Podiatrist is a protected title, so check what you can call yourself and which treatments need registration
• Professional indemnity and public liability insurance
• Infection control and instrument sterilising rules, check your state health department's requirements
• Clients with diabetes or poor circulation may need referral to a podiatrist or doctor
• Register for an ABN, and check when GST applies to your turnover
• Aged care facilities may ask for police checks and other screening

Startup costs are typically around $3,000 to $12,000, depending on your portable kit, sterilising equipment, insurance and how much training you still need. These are estimates, so get quotes for your own set-up.

Monthly revenue is typically around $2,000 to $9,000, depending on how many clients you visit, your travel routes and whether you work with aged care facilities. These are revenue estimates, not profit, starting at about 12 hours a week.

Podiatrist is a protected title, so check what you can call yourself and which treatments need registration. Also check insurance, your state health department's infection control rules, and the screening aged care facilities may require.