Overview
In this unit students will develop financial, legal, ethical and professional skills to enable them to successfully transition to a qualified practitioner. Students will explore basic business concepts, knowledge of the ethics and law, professional regulation guidelines and the skills required to delegate tasks to supporting staff. Interviewing, resume development and contract negotiation skills will also be developed.
Details
Pre-requisites or Co-requisites
Pre-requisites: All Year 4, Term 1 Units.
Important note: Students enrolled in a subsequent unit who failed their pre-requisite unit, should drop the subsequent unit before the census date or within 10 working days of Fail grade notification. Students who do not drop the unit in this timeframe cannot later drop the unit without academic and financial liability. See details in the Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework).
Offerings For Term 2 - 2026
Attendance Requirements
All on-campus students are expected to attend scheduled classes - in some units, these classes are identified as a mandatory (pass/fail) component and attendance is compulsory. International students, on a student visa, must maintain a full time study load and meet both attendance and academic progress requirements in each study period (satisfactory attendance for International students is defined as maintaining at least an 80% attendance record).
Recommended Student Time Commitment
Each 6-credit Undergraduate unit at CQUniversity requires an overall time commitment of an average of 12.5 hours of study per week, making a total of 150 hours for the unit.
Class Timetable
Assessment Overview
Assessment Grading
This is a graded unit: your overall grade will be calculated from the marks or grades for each assessment task, based on the relative weightings shown in the table above. You must obtain an overall mark for the unit of at least 50%, or an overall grade of 'pass' in order to pass the unit. If any 'pass/fail' tasks are shown in the table above they must also be completed successfully ('pass' grade). You must also meet any minimum mark requirements specified for a particular assessment task, as detailed in the 'assessment task' section (note that in some instances, the minimum mark for a task may be greater than 50%). Consult the University's Grades and Results Policy for more details of interim results and final grades.
All University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
You may wish to view these policies:
- Grades and Results Policy
- Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework)
- Review of Grade Procedure
- Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure - Domestic Students
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure - International Students
- Student Refund and Credit Balance Policy and Procedure
- Student Feedback - Compliments and Complaints Policy and Procedure
- Information and Communications Technology Acceptable Use Policy and Procedure
This list is not an exhaustive list of all University policies. The full list of University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
Feedback, Recommendations and Responses
Every unit is reviewed for enhancement each year. At the most recent review, the following staff and student feedback items were identified and recommendations were made.
Feedback from Informal feedback from students; feedback from staff
Live face-to-face content delivered from Week 7 to 11 could be delivered in a more flexible online format to address the currently high Term 2 on-campus requirement for fourth-year students
It is recommended that the unit coordinator explores strategies to transition live face-to-face content delivered from Week 7 to Week 11 to more flexible online delivery methods.
- Explain financial, legal and ethical theoretical concepts within professional practice
- Implement podiatry practice as required by the national professional and regulatory bodies, within private and public healthcare settings
- Describe the processes applicable to job search, interviews, resumes and contract negotiation
- Design and apply basic business processes applicable to starting and managing a private practice
- Analyse the social and cultural challenges faced by new allied health employees.
Podiatry Board of Australia
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes
| Assessment Tasks | Learning Outcomes | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | |
| 1 - In-class Test(s) - 40% | |||||
| 2 - Written Assessment - 60% | |||||
Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes
| Graduate Attributes | Learning Outcomes | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | |
| 1 - Communication | |||||
| 2 - Problem Solving | |||||
| 3 - Critical Thinking | |||||
| 4 - Information Literacy | |||||
| 5 - Team Work | |||||
| 6 - Information Technology Competence | |||||
| 7 - Cross Cultural Competence | |||||
| 8 - Ethical practice | |||||
| 9 - Social Innovation | |||||
| 10 - First Nations Knowledges | |||||
| 11 - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures | |||||
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Graduate Attributes
| Assessment Tasks | Graduate Attributes | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | |
| 1 - In-class Test(s) - 40% | |||||||||||
| 2 - Written Assessment - 60% | |||||||||||
Textbooks
There are no required textbooks.
IT Resources
- CQUniversity Student Email
- Internet
- Unit Website (Moodle)
- Zoom (both microphone and webcam capability)
All submissions for this unit must use the referencing style: American Psychological Association 7th Edition (APA 7th edition)
For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.
j.mcguinness@cqu.edu.au
Week 1
Begin Date: 13 Jul 2026Module/Topic
Introduction to PODI14013
Self-directed learning lecture: Podiatry Board of Australia
NOTE: There is no face-to-face class for PODI14013 in weeks 1-5 due to students being on external clinical placement for PODI14012. Consequently, all weekly content will be self-directed.
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 2
Begin Date: 20 Jul 2026Module/Topic
Self-directed learning: NDIS
NOTE: There is no face-to-face class for PODI14013 in weeks 1-5 due to students being on external clinical placement for PODI14012. Consequently, all weekly content will be self-directed.
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 3
Begin Date: 27 Jul 2026Module/Topic
Self-directed learning: My Aged Care
NOTE: There is no face-to-face class for PODI14013 in weeks 1-5 due to students being on external clinical placement for PODI14012. Consequently, all weekly content will be self-directed.
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 4
Begin Date: 03 Aug 2026Module/Topic
Self-directed learning: Working as a podiatrist overseas
NOTE: There is no face-to-face class for PODI14013 in weeks 1-5 due to students being on external clinical placement for PODI14012. Consequently, all weekly content will be self-directed.
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 5
Begin Date: 10 Aug 2026Module/Topic
Self-directed learning: Allied health Assistants
NOTE: There is no face-to-face class for PODI14013 in weeks 1-5 due to students being on external clinical placement for PODI14012. Consequently, all weekly content will be self-directed.
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 6
Begin Date: 17 Aug 2026Module/Topic
There will be scheduled intensive sessions on Monday August 17th and Tuesday August 18th from 8am to 4pm and Wednesday August 19th 8am-12pm. These sessions will consist of various presentations from guest speakers and academics relating to professional podiatry. Further details pertaining to these presenters will be made available closer to the event.
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Vacation Week
Begin Date: 24 Aug 2026Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 7 - Introduction to professional practice
Begin Date: 31 Aug 2026Module/Topic
Introduction to professional practice in Podiatry and Clinical practice guidelines and Quality assurance
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 8 - Entering the workforce
Begin Date: 07 Sep 2026Module/Topic
Entering the workforce:
This week will cover the knowledge and skills required in preparation for the health workforce. A range of topics will be covered including job application, medico-legal issues in podiatry, ethical practice, insurance, and Occupational Work Health and Safety legislation.
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 9 - Public and private sector podiatry
Begin Date: 14 Sep 2026Module/Topic
Public and private sector podiatry:
This week will cover topics related to public and private sector podiatry.
- Public: Topics including structure of different public organisations, key performance indicators, budget management, union memberships, stock ordering and control, mentoring, working with allied health assistants and health literacy.
- Private: Provide business knowledge and skills required to manage a business. Topics such as budgeting, stock control, employment law, and working with accountants will be explored.
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 10 - Industry engagement
Begin Date: 21 Sep 2026Module/Topic
Industry engagement:
This week will focus on industry engagement and provide insight into the importance of industry engagement.
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Assessment 1: Written assessment (60%) due Friday, 25th September, 11:59pm
Written Assessment Due: Week 10 Friday (25 Sept 2026) 11:59 pm AEST
Week 11 - Funding arrangements for podiatry servcies
Begin Date: 28 Sep 2026Module/Topic
This week will be self-directed learning covering funding mechanisms for podiatry services. Funding sources such as Medicare, Department of Veteran's Affairs, Private Health Insurance, National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), and My Aged Care will be explored in detail.
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 12 - Public Holiday
Begin Date: 05 Oct 2026Module/Topic
Self-directed learning. This is a public holiday and you are advised to utilise your time wisely to prepare for your final assessment.
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Exam Week
Begin Date: 12 Oct 2026Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Exam Week
Begin Date: 19 Oct 2026Module/Topic
In-class test (40%)
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Assessment 2: In-class test (40%) Monday 9am
In-class Test Due: Vacation/Exam Week Monday (19 Oct 2026) 9:00 am AEST
1 Written Assessment
Assessment task 1 (Written Assessment, 60%) You will be required to submit a written assessment that will assist and prepare you for the health workforce. This assessment task will be split into two sections (part A and part B).
Part A (30%) – Job Application
You will be required to submit a job application in response to an outlined job advertisement made available to you early into term 2. The application will be compiled by a Curriculum Vitae, cover letter and responses to a specified selection criteria, which includes demonstrating your capabilities in meeting required codes and standards as a new graduate Podiatrist (i.e. the NSQHS Standards and Ahpra's Professional capabilities for podiatrists).
The maximum length for part A is as follows:
Curriculum Vitae – 2 - 3 pages
Cover letter – 1 page
Responses to selection criteria – 3 pages
Part B (30%): Students will be required to develop a 1500-word essay about the National standards and strategies for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health and cultural safety. In this essay, students will be required to access a range of directed and self-selected publications.
This essay will be marked according to a rubric designed specifically for this assessment item. The marking rubric will include criteria related to the purpose, interpretation, and application of the national standards and strategies to health service organisations and to podiatrists; and to critical use of resources and academic writing and referencing.
Further details related to assessment task 1 will be made available via the unit-related Moodle site.
AI assessment score level 2: You may use Al for planning, idea development, and research. Your final submission should show how you have developed and refined these ideas. If suspected beyond what has been stipulated, management will be taken in accordance with University policy and procedures.
Week 10 Friday (25 Sept 2026) 11:59 pm AEST
To be submitted via Moodle.
Week 12 Friday (9 Oct 2026)
Results will be released up to two weeks after submission
You will be marked against a specific marking rubric aligned to this assessment task. This will be made available to you early in term 2 via Moodle.
- Explain financial, legal and ethical theoretical concepts within professional practice
- Implement podiatry practice as required by the national professional and regulatory bodies, within private and public healthcare settings
- Describe the processes applicable to job search, interviews, resumes and contract negotiation
- Design and apply basic business processes applicable to starting and managing a private practice
- Analyse the social and cultural challenges faced by new allied health employees.
- Communication
- Problem Solving
- Critical Thinking
- Information Literacy
- Team Work
- Information Technology Competence
- Cross Cultural Competence
- Ethical practice
2 In-class Test(s)
The In-class test will be in a form of a closed book in-class test covering content from week 1-11, all sessions covered in the intensive block conducted in week 6, and all pre-requisite knowledge to date. Students will be required to attend on-campus to complete this in-class test.
The class test will be 120 minutes long.
The 72 hour grace period does not apply to this assessment.
AI assessment score level 1: You must not use Al at any point during the assessment. You must demonstrate your core skills and knowledge. If suspected, management will be taken in accordance with University policy and procedures.
Vacation/Exam Week Monday (19 Oct 2026) 9:00 am AEST
In-Class Test
Results will not be released prior to the finalisation of grades.
The In-class test will be in a form of a closed book in-class test covering content from week 1-11, all sessions covered in the intensive block conducted in week 6, and all pre-requisite knowledge to date. Students will be required to attend on-campus to complete this in-class test. This assessment is a must-pass assessment item in order to pass the PODI14013 unit.
- Explain financial, legal and ethical theoretical concepts within professional practice
- Implement podiatry practice as required by the national professional and regulatory bodies, within private and public healthcare settings
- Describe the processes applicable to job search, interviews, resumes and contract negotiation
- Design and apply basic business processes applicable to starting and managing a private practice
- Analyse the social and cultural challenges faced by new allied health employees.
- Communication
- Problem Solving
- Critical Thinking
- Information Literacy
- Team Work
- Cross Cultural Competence
- Ethical practice
As a CQUniversity student you are expected to act honestly in all aspects of your academic work.
Any assessable work undertaken or submitted for review or assessment must be your own work. Assessable work is any type of work you do to meet the assessment requirements in the unit, including draft work submitted for review and feedback and final work to be assessed.
When you use the ideas, words or data of others in your assessment, you must thoroughly and clearly acknowledge the source of this information by using the correct referencing style for your unit. Using others’ work without proper acknowledgement may be considered a form of intellectual dishonesty.
Participating honestly, respectfully, responsibly, and fairly in your university study ensures the CQUniversity qualification you earn will be valued as a true indication of your individual academic achievement and will continue to receive the respect and recognition it deserves.
As a student, you are responsible for reading and following CQUniversity’s policies, including the Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure. This policy sets out CQUniversity’s expectations of you to act with integrity, examples of academic integrity breaches to avoid, the processes used to address alleged breaches of academic integrity, and potential penalties.
What is a breach of academic integrity?
A breach of academic integrity includes but is not limited to plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, cheating, contract cheating, and academic misconduct. The Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure defines what these terms mean and gives examples.
Why is academic integrity important?
A breach of academic integrity may result in one or more penalties, including suspension or even expulsion from the University. It can also have negative implications for student visas and future enrolment at CQUniversity or elsewhere. Students who engage in contract cheating also risk being blackmailed by contract cheating services.
Where can I get assistance?
For academic advice and guidance, the Academic Learning Centre (ALC) can support you in becoming confident in completing assessments with integrity and of high standard.
What can you do to act with integrity?
