Orthotics — Custom & Off-the-Shelf, Fitted Near You in St Leonards, Newcastle and Gosford
Whether you need a simple off-the-shelf insert or fully custom handmade orthotics, our team assesses your feet and gait in-clinic and fits you with the right option — not just a shoe that happens to fit orthotics, but orthotics that are actually right for you.
What we see in the fitting room
We fit a lot of people who’ve already tried a 3D-scanned orthotic sent off to a factory and lightly adjusted in clinic — it’s quicker and cheaper, and I understand why people go that way first, but again and again they end up back in my fitting room asking for something that actually works. Trained by a pedorthist and a podiatrist, I make every orthotic custom by hand from start to finish, using traditional techniques: I choose each piece myself and grind and shave it down so the shell and padding are shaped to your foot specifically, fully customisable to your arch height, with a metatarsal bar and domes built in where you need them to offload the ball of your foot. Yet we know not everyone can have full custom orthotics thats why we have become a distributor of what we personally think are the best off the shelf orthotics such as OrthoLift.What’s the difference between custom orthotics and off-the-shelf orthotics?
Off-the-shelf orthotics are pre-made inserts sized to fit your shoe, while custom orthotics are shaped from a mould or foot assessment of your own feet. Off-the-shelf works well for general comfort and support; custom is built when your feet need a more specific correction than a standard shape can give — we’ll tell you honestly which one you actually need, not sell you the more expensive option by default.
Off-the-shelf orthotics
- Pre-made inserts fitted to your shoe size and foot shape in-clinic, same visit
- Good general arch and heel support for everyday comfort
- Lower cost than a custom device
- A sensible starting point if you haven’t tried orthotics before
Custom handmade orthotics
- Made from a mould or foot assessment taken of your own feet in-clinic
- Built for a specific correction — not just support, but a shape matched to how your foot actually moves
- Typically the better option for more significant or ongoing foot conditions
- May be covered under DVA, NDIS or a Home Care Package — see below
Off-the-shelf vs custom, side by side
| Off-the-Shelf | Custom Handmade | |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | General comfort, first-time orthotic users | Specific corrections, ongoing or complex conditions |
| How it’s made | Pre-made, fitted to your foot and shoe | Moulded or foot assessment from your own feet |
| Turnaround | Same visit | Assessment first, device fitted at a follow-up visit |
| Assessment needed | Quick in-clinic check | Full foot and gait assessment |
| Funded care | Case by case | May be covered under DVA, NDIS or Home Care Package |
How an orthotics fitting works here
Book an assessment
Tell us what’s going on with your feet through our contact form and we’ll set up a time at your nearest clinic.
Foot & gait assessment
Might, our Doctor of Physiotherapy, checks how you stand, walk and where the pressure sits in your feet.
Off-the-shelf or custom
Straightforward cases are fitted with an off-the-shelf insert on the spot. More specific needs go to a custom mould or foot assessment.
Fit & follow-up
We check the fit in your actual shoes before you leave, and again at a follow-up if you’ve gone custom.
Who we fit orthotics for
Most people who come to us for orthotics are dealing with one of these — if you’re not sure where you fit, book an assessment and we’ll tell you honestly whether orthotics will help.
What does custom orthotics cost?
Cost depends on what your assessment finds and which type of orthotic you need, so we won’t quote you a price before we’ve seen your feet. Book an assessment at one of our three clinics and we’ll walk you through the options and the cost before you commit to anything — no pressure, and no discount gimmicks, just a straight answer.
Can orthotics be covered by Medicare, DVA, NDIS or a Home Care Package?
If you’re a DVA client, an NDIS participant, or you have a Home Care Package, your orthotics may be fully or partially funded — we’re an approved provider for all three. Medicare rebates for orthotics generally need a referral and care plan from your GP, which we can talk you through at your appointment.
Home Care Package
Orthotics and fittings may be eligible under your package.
Read more on our NDIS & funded care page.
What shoes work best with orthotics?
Shoes with a removable insole and enough depth in the toe box work best with orthotics, since the device needs room to sit properly without crowding your foot. Our orthotic-friendly footwear range and orthopaedic footwear collection are both built with that depth and adjustability in mind, so your new orthotics actually fit once you leave the clinic.
How long do custom orthotics last?
Custom orthotics are built to hold up under normal daily wear, but how long yours last depends on your activity level, weight-bearing and the materials used. We check the fit at your follow-up visits and let you know honestly if it’s time to consider a replacement, rather than waiting for you to notice they’ve broken down.
Do you need to see a podiatrist to get orthotics?
You don’t need a separate podiatrist visit — Might Nasrabadi, our in-house Doctor of Physiotherapy, assesses your feet and gait on-site and fits both off-the-shelf and custom orthotics in the one appointment. If you already have orthotics from a podiatrist, we can also fit shoes to work properly with them.
Orthotics — frequently asked questions
Off-the-shelf orthotics are pre-made inserts fitted to your shoe; custom orthotics are shaped from a mould or foot assessment of your own feet for a more specific correction. We’ll recommend whichever one actually suits your feet, not the more expensive option by default.
No — Might Nasrabadi, our in-house Doctor of Physiotherapy, assesses and fits orthotics on-site. If you already see a podiatrist, we can fit shoes to work with orthotics you already have.
It depends on your assessment and which type of orthotic you need, so we don’t quote a price sight unseen. Book an assessment and we’ll go through the cost before you commit.
They may be fully or partially funded — we’re an approved provider for DVA, NDIS and Home Care Packages. Medicare rebates generally require a GP referral and care plan.
It depends on your activity level and the materials used. We check the fit at follow-up visits and let you know if it’s time to consider a replacement.
Shoes with a removable insole and a deep toe box, so the orthotic has room to sit properly. Our orthotic-friendly and orthopaedic footwear ranges are both built with that in mind.
Orthotics fittings at all three clinics
St Leonards
Newcastle / New Lambton
Gosford
Ready for an orthotics assessment?
Tell us what’s going on with your feet and we’ll book you in at whichever clinic is closest — St Leonards, Newcastle or Gosford.
Book Your Orthotics Assessment