FAQ: Allied Health Assistants

Allied health assistants must work under the direct clinical oversight and supervision of a qualified OT. See a full list of FAQs here.

Media Release: Occupational therapy peak body urges Vic Government to address growing pay gap between OTs and nurses

Occupational Therapy Australia is urging the Victorian Government to follow through on the Fair Work Commission (FWC)’s provisional recommendation and address the growing pay gap between occupational therapists (OTs) and nurses working in the state’s public mental health services.

The enduring value of professional development for Occupational Therapists

In today’s dynamic healthcare landscape, professional development is not just a recommendation for occupational therapists – it is essential to ethical, safe and effective practice.

Federal Election 2025: OTA Scorecard and Summary

Ahead of the 2025 federal election, OTA has compiled a summary of major party commitments relevant to occupational therapy practice and the broader allied health sector.

Spotlight on Aged Care: How we're advocating for our members

OTA has raised concerns about the new arrangements for funding for Assistive Technology and Home Modifications when Support at Home commences 1 July 2025, and in particular the lifetime cap of $15,000 for Home Modifications in submissions to the Aged Care Rules.

Aged Care Media Release—Fed Election 2025

Experts warn that new funding reforms, set to take effect on July 1, may place many older Australians at increased risk of hospitalisation, early entry into residential care, and even death.

Mental Health Occupational Therapy Resource Kit

The OTA Mental Health OT Resource Kit can be used by OTA members to advocate, raise awareness and support understanding of mental health OT. We encourage members to use this resource in their organisations to shape the narrative of mental health occupational therapy.

May Interest Groups for your calendar

In May we have a wide range of interest groups and topics for you to choose from. We’d love to see you there! Interest groups bring together OTs focused on different areas of practice to discuss relevant topics and new developments. The meetings offer peer and expert support, networking and learning opportunities.

AI and OT: Myth or Fact?

With so much confusion around artificial intelligence and occupational therapy, we’ve done some fact finding and myth busting to bring you up to speed quickly.

New release: Mental Health Capability Framework

OTA has released an update of our Mental Health Capability Framework, with new content relating to ageing and life transitions and development and life stage assessments.

Supporting the sexual wellbeing of people with mental health conditions

This study aims to explore the perspectives of occupational therapists worldwide on their role in supporting the sexual wellbeing of people with MH conditions.

NDIS & Disability update: How we're advocating for our members

The upcoming Federal election and ongoing reforms to the NDIS has led to several opportunities to advocate on behalf of the occupational therapy profession. OTA has met with Minister of Social Services, the Hon. Amanda Rishworth’s office to advance our calls to action ahead of the Federal election and provided feedback to the NDIA on its approach to developing support needs assessments. Read about how we’ve been collaborating.

Workforce Development Project Findings Webinar

OTA held a Member Update on the 21st May 2024, providing an overview of the project findings of the Workforce Development Project. The session was presented by Sarah Jones, Professional Practice Advisor. The workforce development plan was established using an evidence-based approach, drawing from multiple data sources and processes. This included an examination of occupational therapy workforce data, an examination of the national and international literature related to the occupational therapy workforce, an online national survey of registered occupational therapists and consultations with occupational therapists and key stakeholders. More information about the Workforce Development Project is available here.

Final Review of National Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Agreement

OTA made a submission to the Productivity Commission’s Final Review of the National Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Agreement, which is due to expire in June 2026.

Aged Care Act Rules - Release 2b

OTA made a submission on new Aged Care Rules - Release 2b.

Capability Framework for Occupational Therapists Working with Environmental Modifications

This draft Capability Framework outlines the essential knowledge, skills, and attitudes required for occupational therapists working with Environmental Modifications across various career stages and across all relevant Australian service settings.

Capability Framework for Occupational Therapists Working with Assistive Technology

This draft Capability Framework outlines the essential knowledge, skills, and attitudes required for occupational therapists working with Assistive Technology (AT) across various career stages and across all relevant Australian service settings.

Mid Career Researcher Award

This award is one category of OTA's Research Awards, which acknowledge a member’s contribution towards the advancement of the research base of occupational therapy in four categories: early career researcher, mid career researcher, clinical researcher, and research team.

Early Career Researcher Award

This award is one category of OTA's Research Awards, which acknowledge a member’s contribution towards the advancement of the research base of occupational therapy in four categories: early career researcher, mid career researcher, clinical researcher, and research team.

Essential Supports for Early Career OTs

Essential Supports for Early Career OTs (Essential Support Guide) outlines the minimum recommended supports that Occupational Therapy Australia (OTA) advises for early career occupational therapists. The Essential Support Guide also identifies enabling factors that enhance the effectiveness of these minimum recommended supports and contribute to the success, job satisfaction, and retention of early career therapists in their roles.

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.

Capability Frameworks

Occupational Therapy Australia’s capability frameworks propose what best practice looks like in a particular area across the career pathway. Each framework outlines a set of capabilities that occupational therapists may use in their area of practice at the foundational, intermediate or senior practitioner level.

Primary Health

We advocate for the crucial role that OTs play in an effective primary health system that embraces the spectrum of the allied health workforce.

Mental Health

We advocate to raise awareness of the important role of occupational therapists in providing mental health services. We call for increased visibility, funding and opportunities for mental health OTs.

Aged Care

OTA are actively working towards a better Aged Care sector that supports our profession to deliver the high quality, specialised services our older population want and need.