Association Awards

Association Awards

Occupational Therapy Australia has an awards program incorporating student awards, national awards, trustee prizes and divisional awards.

 

Open Awards

Applications open for 2025

The Sylvia Docker lecture was established in 1964, to honour Miss Sylvia Docker who established the first training school for Occupational Therapists in Sydney in 1941.

Currently Closed Awards

Applications are closed

This new accolade aims to honour and showcase an occupational therapist who has made outstanding, innovative, and impactful contribution to the clinical practice of occupational therapy.

Applications are closed

The Lifetime Achievement Award is granted to Occupational Therapy Australia members who have shown meritorious services in the field of occupational therapy while displaying exemplary contributions in support of the Association.

Applications are closed

These fellowships are conferred on members who have significantly contributed to the development of the body of knowledge of the profession of occupational therapy in Australia

Applications are closed

OTA are proud supporters of a range of awards based programs that recognise the achievements of occupational therapists and we encourage our members to be considered for these awards as they become available.

Applications are closed

The Occupational Therapy School of Victoria Clinical Award was introduced at the 28th OTA National Conference in July 2019. In 1974 the Occupational Therapy Trust Fund was created after the Occupational School of Victoria was dissolved.

Applications are closed

The Occupational Therapy Australia Research Academy has been established to both recognise scholars in the occupational therapy profession but also to enhance research capacity building in the profession.

Applications are closed

The purpose of the Judith Marsham Farrell Research Grant is to support “research in occupational therapy by occupational therapists and in particular studies in which the study subjects themselves to perform occupation embedded activity to determine its influence on a stated human health condition.”

Applications are closed

The Elspeth Pearson Award enables award recipients to advance their clinical skills and expertise through access to professional development opportunities. This award has been made possible through the generosity of Elspeth Pearson's family and the Elspeth Pearson Estate.

Research Awards

Applications are closed

Research conducted by an occupational therapist prior to completion of their PhD or up to a maximum of four years’ academic research experience following the completion of their PhD, or be of equivalent professional standing - AHRC.

Applications are closed

This category refers to research conducted by an occupational therapist 5-10 years from the award of their PhD or with equivalent professional standing.

Applications are closed

This category refers to research undertaken by an occupational therapist, who holds a substantive clinical position.

Applications are closed

This category refers to research undertaken by a team where the lead investigator is an occupational therapist.

Past Awards

No longer active

The Gwendoline Sims Memorial Award aimed to provide an occupational therapist with financial support to further self-education and professional growth, either by conducting a relevant study or an investigative project.

No longer active

The Elaine B Wilson Memorial Award was in recognition of the life's work of Elaine Wilson to occupational therapy with children and their families and is only awarded to a recent occupational therapy graduate.

No longer active

Occupational Therapy Australia established the Kryss McKenna Award in 2008, to honour the dedication and significant contribution made by Associate Professor Kryss McKenna to developing academic OT writers in Australia, at all levels, from undergraduate and graduate students to clinicians, and to her long and productive association with the Australian Occupational Therapy Journal.

No longer active

Queensland

Clinical Research Bursaries were offered, on a competitive basis, to occupational therapists who are current members of Occupational Therapy Australia residing in NT/QLD. Applicants may vary from those already undertaking clinical research to members wishing to commence clinical research.

No longer active

Queensland

The Mary Rankine Wilson Memorial Award for Professional Excellence is an annual award for Queensland OTA members. This award was established in 1994 to honour the memory of Mary Rankine Wilson AM. Mary was a founding member of the Association and past president.

No longer active

Queensland

The Louise Van Willigen Memorial Professional Development Scholarship is an annual scholarship of Occupational Therapy Australia - Qld Division established in 2004 to honour the memory of Louise Van Willigen.

No longer active

Northern Territory

The OT of the NT Award was given to an occupational therapist working in the Territory who has made an outstanding contribution to their profession. This award provides ongoing recognition to our members, many of whom represent the profession and the Association on a long term and consistent basis, as well as acknowledging that they are simply remarkable Occupational Therapists.

No longer active

Victoria

To recognise the outstanding honorary endeavour or achievement, by an individual member, that contributes significantly towards the objectives and the strategic plan of the Victorian Division.

No longer active

Victoria

This award recognised an outstanding contribution made by a person who has worked closely with members of the occupational therapy profession to significantly further and enhance the objectives of Occupational Therapy Australia Victoria Division.

No longer active

Western
Australia

This award recognised innovative practice and demonstrated excellence that has benefited or improved the life of a client, group, process or service.

No longer active

Western
Australia

This award recognised the supervisor, mentor, academic or colleague who has gone above and beyond to support another occupational therapist or group of occupational therapists to enable excellence in the profession.

No longer active

South
Australia

This award recognised the valued contribution of South Australian OTs who have initiated, or assisted in the development of an, innovative model of service delivery within the last 5 years.

No longer active

South
Australia

This award highlighted the achievement of a project by South Australian OTs that involves research into some aspect of occupational therapy where there is little current published knowledge which progresses the capability of the profession in improving community outcomes.

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