Member Update - Aged Care (October 2025)

A new Aged Care Act will be implemented on November 1st. This introduces the new home-based aged care program, Support at Home, which will replace the existing Home Care Packages and Short Term Restorative Care programs. OTA has prepared practice resources to support our profession during this transition. These resources provide a summary of the Support at Home Program's key details and offer considerations for clinicians to best prepare for the new reforms.

Policy and advocacy update - 16 October 2025

Read about OTA policy and advocacy updates and developments this week, including the NDIS Therapy supports operational guideline, AT-HM guidelines, and an open position for Digital Health Advisers.

Understanding the Support at Home Program - Preparing to work in Support at Home

This practice resource provides a summary of key features of the Support at Home Program. This document offers a summary of information drawn from resources provided by the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing. Please note that this content is general in nature and does not constitute legal or business advice. We strongly encourage individuals to seek their own independent legal and business advice regarding their own arrangements and to directly engage with the source resources to clarify the information provided.

Understanding the Support at Home Short Term Programs - Restorative Care Pathway

This practice resource provides a summary of the Restorative Care Pathway under the new Support at Home Program. This document offers a summary of information drawn from resources provided by the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing. Please note that this content does not reflect the views of OTA, nor does it constitute legal or business advice. We strongly encourage individuals to seek their own independent legal and business advice regarding their own arrangements and to directly engage with the source resources to clarify the information provided.

Capability Framework for Occupational Therapists Working with Older People (Aged Care)

The Capability Framework for Occupational Therapists working with Older People (Aged Care) proposes a series of capabilities (knowledge, skills and attitudes) for occupational therapists practising across different aged care settings and support structures. The framework acknowledges that aged care is a complex and multifaceted area of clinical practice and is within the scope of all registered occupational therapists.

Understanding the Support at Home Short Term Programs - AT/HM Pathway

This practice resource provides a summary of key features of the Assistive Technology/Home Modifications (AT/HM) pathway under the new Support at Home Program. This document offers a summary of information drawn from resources provided by the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing. Please note that this content does not reflect the views of OTA, nor does it constitute legal or business advice. We strongly encourage individuals to seek their own independent legal and business advice regarding their own arrangements and to directly engage with the source resources to clarify the information provided.

Understanding the Support at Home Short Term Programs - End of Life Pathway

This practice resource provides a summary of the End of Life Pathway under the new Support at Home Program. This document offers a summary of information drawn from resources provided by the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing. Please note that this content does not reflect the views of OTA, nor does it constitute legal or business advice. We strongly encourage individuals to seek their own independent legal and business advice regarding their own arrangements.

World Mental Health Day 2025 – Connect with Your Community

Occupational therapists play a vital role in mental health – supporting people to engage in meaningful activities, build resilience, and stay connected.

Access and utilisation of key allied health services by older adults in rural coastal NSW

To investigate the perspectives of key allied health professions regarding older adults' accessibility and utilisation of their health services in rural coastal areas of NSW against the dimensions of accessibility.

Rehabilitation program development for people diagnosed with BPD

This study aims to consult with consumers, carers and clinicians to identify which domains of daily living functioning are a priority in rehabilitation program development for people diagnosed with BPD.

Advancing the use of telehealth technology for older people

Advancing the use of telehealth technology by occupational therapists to provide home safety risk assessments for community dwelling older people.

Palliative Care - Learning Hub

Explore our available events on Palliative Care, designed to expand your knowledge, build skills, and connect with peers through expert-led learning opportunities.

Aged Care - Learning Hub

Explore our available events about working with older people, designed to expand your knowledge, build skills, and connect with peers through expert-led learning opportunities.

Adult Health and Disability - Learning Hub

Explore our available events on Adult Health and Disability, designed to expand your knowledge, build skills, and connect with peers through expert-led learning opportunities.

Mental Health - Learning Hub

Explore our available events on Mental Health, designed to expand your knowledge, build skills, and connect with peers through expert-led learning opportunities.

Policy and advocacy update - 25 September 2025

Read about OTA policy and advocacy developments this week and what they mean for you.

When compliance hurts: Rethinking OT for children with PDA

When compliance hurts: Rethinking occupational therapy for children with PDA

Bridging the pelvic health gap for women in Australia

Connections Spring 2025 Article by: Hollie Swanton | Occupational Therapist Janelle Gullan | Occupational Therapist

Learning that sets the standard for OTs Working with Children, Young People & Families

Every occupational therapist deserves to feel confident in their practice – this is especially true for foundational practitioners, whether they are new to the profession, returning after a break from practice, or moving into a new area of practice.

Win for NDIS transparency in the Senate

Thanks to our members who took urgent action on Tuesday by calling their Senators to support a Greens’ motion to compel the government to release a report it received from the Independent Health and Aged Care Pricing Authority (IHACPA) titled *A fresh approach to NDIS pricing – Final report*.

Consultation on Foundational Supports for children with developmental concern, delay and/or disability and their families, carers and kin

Occupational Therapy Australia (OTA) welcomes the opportunity to provide a submission in relation to targeted foundational supports - Foundational Supports for children with developmental concern, delay and/or disability and their families, carers and kin.

Submission: Productivity Commission – Final Review of National Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Agreement

In this interim report, the Productivity Commission presents its initial findings and draft recommendations.

Submission: Productivity Commission Interim Report on Final Review of National Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Agreement

The Productivity Commission (PC) has been asked by the Australian Government to conduct the final review of the National Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Agreement.

OTA Submission to the Qld Mental Health Select Committee | Mental health outcomes for Queenslanders

OTA provided a submission to the Qld Mental Health Select Committee on their Inquiry into the opportunities to improve mental health outcomes for Queenslanders.

Help for members Digital Transformation and OTA Connect

Help for members through OTAs Digital Transformation.

Courses, Learning Modules & Programs

We offer a variety of on-demand, self-directed learning and development, covering a broad range of practice areas and topics.

Workforce

We know there are significant workforce challenges and opportunities for the occupational therapy profession, such as attracting and retaining OTs. To address these challenges, we've consulted with our members to develop a workforce development plan.

Early Career Support

OTA Mental Health Endorsement

The OTA Mental Health Endorsement program provides recognition of the additional knowledge, skills and experience of OTs focusing their scope of practice on mental health.

Workforce Development Project

Here at OTA, we know there are significant workforce challenges and opportunities for our profession. To address these challenges, we've developed the OTA Occupational Therapy Workforce Plan. It was devised using an evidence-based approach which included a literature review, an analysis of OT workforce data, a survey of Australian occupational therapists, interviews and focus groups.