Working in Australian Schools: A Practical Guide for OTs
This workshop for occupational therapists new to working in school settings covers key topics areas including legislation, intervention models, assessments, and collaboration with teachers, as well as opportunities to participate in discussions and network with peers.
Program Overview
This comprehensive 2-part online workshop is designed to provide occupational therapists new to working in school settings with the essential knowledge and skills to support their work with students.
Across 8 hours of practical, interactive learning, you will gain foundational knowledge on the role of occupational therapy in schools, covering key areas such as:
- Legislation & Education Systems: Understand the Australian legislative context and how it impacts occupational therapy practice in education.
- Models of Intervention: Learn about different models of practice, including transdisciplinary, consultative, and tiered models of support.
- Assessments & Collaboration: Gain practical skills for conducting assessments within the school environment and strategies for working effectively with teachers to support student success.
By attending this workshop you will:
- Increase your understanding of the OT role in various school settings, including mainstream government schools, specialist schools, and private schools.
- Explore different models of practice for OTs in school settings: transdisciplinary, consultative, and tiered models of support.
- Gain insight into the occupational roles of children in schools and how OTs can support these roles.
- Enhance your understanding of the education system and how OTs contribute to improving access to education.
- Deepen your knowledge of the Australian legislative context and its implications for occupational therapy in education.
- Understand developments in inclusive education and how they relate to occupational therapy practice
- Explore formal and informal assessments that can be utilised within the school environment
- Discus a range of resources and tools for use in school-based settings.
The workshop will consist of presentations, case studies, discussion forums, Q&A and provide opportunities for networking with other occupational therapists.
With the Thriving Kids reform rolling out from October 2026, OTs in schools will be a key aspect of Australia's new approach to early childhood support. This workshop will provide you with practical tools, and collaborative frameworks to support your work in this space.
Who should attend
This session is suitable for new graduate occupational therapists or those new to working in the education sector. It is suitable for those employed by a school, education department as well as community based paediatric therapists.
Please note: this course is not targeted for OTs with extensive experience in working in school settings, although all levels of experience are welcomed
WORKSHOP DETAILS:
This is a 2-part interactive online workshop with two weeks between part 1 and part 2. Each part consists of 4 hours of learning.
DATE
Part 1: Thursday 3rd September 2026
Part 2: Thursday 17th September 2026
TIME
12 noon – 4:00pm | ACT, VIC, TAS, NSW, QLD |
11:30am – 3:30pm | SA, NT |
10:00am – 2:00pm | WA |
Please log on 15 minutes prior to start time each day.
VENUE
Online via Zoom. Login details will be sent to registered participants the day prior to the workshop.
CPD HOURS
Total CPD claimable workshop hours: 8 hours
A certificate of attendance will be issued upon completion of the full course. Please allow up to 48 hours for the certificate to appear in your CPD tracker.
ACCESS:
This is an interactive workshop, the sessions will NOT BE RECORDED.
Participants will have 12 weeks following the workshop to access the course materials via our online learning platform.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
This is an online workshop which includes activities and group interaction. Participation will require a PC, laptop or similar device with a video and microphone. For the best experience of the workshop we recommend a quiet and private space to limit interruptions, promote audio quality and afford privacy to all participants during activities.
REGISTRATION FEES
EARLYBIRD – Register on or before 6 August 2026
OTA Member: $360
New Graduate Member: $325
Non-member: $480
STANDARD – Register on or after 7 August 2026
OTA Member: $400
New Graduate Member: $360
Non-member: $540
Members must be logged in with username and password to register at the member rate.
Not a member, you can join here and enjoy many benefits.
RSVPS close 1 September 2026 at 11:55pm AEST
Note: All pricing is inclusive of GST
Members must be logged in with username and password to register at the member rate.
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DISCLAIMER
All information is correct at the time of publication. OTA reserves the right to alter or delete items from the CPD calendar as required, and takes no responsibility for any errors, omissions, and changes.
All resources including copies of the presentation, along with all supporting documents and links are not for distribution and are the property of the presenter.
An OTA staff member or representative may be photographing this event for use in OTA publications and/or on OTA social media sites. If you do not wish to be photographed, or have your image published please make this known to the OTA representative at your course or contact OTA on 1300 682 878 or info@otaus.com.au
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
Terms and Conditions including OTA’s refund and cancellation policy are available here
CONTACT US
Please email info@otaus.com.au or phone 1300 682 878
Presented By
Megan West
Megan West is an occupational therapist who has worked in paediatrics for more than 8 years. Megan has worked within the QLD, VIC and NSW school systems. In her work within the education sector, Megan has had a variety of roles including working individually with students, running group programs, providing teacher coaching and running presentations and workshops for teachers and leadership staff. Megan is passionate about developing the role of OT’s in the education system. Megan is currently employed in a private practice in Queensland.
Megan King
Megan King is an experienced Occupational Therapist with over 20 years’ experience in public health, clinical mental health services across Victoria. Megan transitioned into the Education setting and has worked as an Occupational Therapist in schools for 7 years, including within the Mental Health Practitioner initiative established by the Department of Education Victoria and in a discipline specific role as an OT. She also works as a Clinical Practitioner at La Trobe University.