Australian Occupational Therapy Journal - Call for Editorial Board Members

The Australian Occupational Therapy Journal (AOTJ), the official research publication of Occupational Therapy Australia (OTA), invites expressions of interest from OTA members for positions on its Editorial Board.

Policy and Advocacy update - 5 February 2026

Read about OTA policy and advocacy updates and developments this week, including the speech of OTA CEO Samantha Hunter at Parliament House Canberra, recommendations from Advisory Group for Thriving Kids, and many more.

OTA Submission: Senate Community Affairs Legislation Committee Review of the Aged Care Rules

OTA welcomes the opportunity to contribute to this review and to bring to the Committee’s attention a number of concerning aspects of funding arrangements under the new Support at Home program.

OTA Submission: Senate Inquiry into transition of CHSP to Support at Home

OTA welcomes the opportunity to contribute to Senate Inquiry into the transition of the Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP) to the Support at Home Program (the Inquiry) and to highlight several significant concerns relating to the new Support at Home program.

OTA’s South Australian State Election 2026 Campaign

The SA state election will be held on 21 March 2026. MPs are finalising commitments now. A short message from local constituents helps put occupational therapy workforce solutions on the agenda.

Submission: OTA’s Federal Budget Submission 2026

Occupational Therapy Australia (OTA) has submitted its Federal Budget Submission 2026, advocating for targeted government investments to support children, families, and the occupational therapy workforce across Australia.

OTA Morning Tea at Australia Parliament House, 2 February 2026

OTA CEO Samantha Hunter addresses members and stakeholders at a Morning Tea held at Australia’s Parliament House, highlighting the vital role of occupational therapy in supporting participation, wellbeing, and inclusive communities across the nation.

Policy and Advocacy update – 29 January 2026

Read about OTA policy and advocacy updates and developments this week, including the inaugural hosting of OTA Morning Tea, Mental Health Continuum of Care, and many more.

February Interest Groups - 2026

Mark your calendars! It’s time to be inspired and energised with like-minded peers in our February Interest Groups sessions.

Policy and Advocacy update – 22 January 2026

Read about OTA policy and advocacy updates and developments this week, including a near-closing consultation to help shape fairer NDIS pricing, and an OTA call to support the Thriving Kids.

Environmental Modification Training: A core capability for Occupational Therapists

Investing in formal environmental modification training is critical to ensuring safe, effective, and meaningful outcomes for clients and communities.

Policy and Advocacy update – 15 January 2026

Read about OTA policy and advocacy updates and developments this week, including the South Australian State Election, member feedback for the new Aged Care Act, EMPHN survey, and many more.

Member-only resource: Crisis and Disaster Response for Occupational Therapists

OTA’s Crisis and Disaster Response for Occupational Therapists resource, available exclusively to members, provides practical, evidence-informed guidance across the Prepare, Respond and Recover phases of disaster management.

About OTA’s CPD & Events

Learn from leading clinicians and academics while earning CPD hours to meet Ahpra requirements. Every completed activity is automatically recorded in your OTA CPD Tracker, with certificates included.

Practice Resource: Occupational Therapy and the Strengthened Aged Care Quality Standards

This resource helps occupational therapists (OTs) and key stakeholders understand the specific ways the Strengthened Aged Care Quality Standards relate to occupational therapy scope of practice.

Department of Health Disability and Ageing - Support at Home for Allied Health professionals

This document offers a summary of information drawn from resources provided by the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing.

OTA Oration Award

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

OTA Leadership Program 2026

Step into your next chapter as a leader. Join OTA’s 2026 Leadership Program with Donna Markham OAM to grow your confidence, clarity and influence.

OTA Annual General Meetings

The Occupational Therapy Australia (OTA) 2025 Annual General Meeting (AGM) will be held on Zoom on Thursday 20 November at 1.00pm AEDT.

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.

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.

Occupational Therapy - Frequently Asked Questions

Occupational Therapy – FAQs provides clear answers to common queries about occupational therapy, understand its role in promoting health, wellbeing, and participation in daily life.

Foundational Supports

OTA are working to support and advance the critical role that OTs will play in the design and delivery of foundational supports. As this reform process continues, we will provide updates on opportunities for consultation and advocacy. We will also offer guidance to support coordinated advocacy efforts across the sector and ensure our profession is well represented in these changes.

Professional Supervision

Grounded in principles including reflective practice, self-directed learning, and critical feedback, professional supervision empowers supervisees to take control of their own learning and development, and provides a platform for self-directed growth, skill development, problem solving and wellbeing.

Help for members Digital Transformation and OTA Connect

Help for members through OTAs Digital Transformation.

Practice Support

Your practice doesn't stop at your clients. Our practice support is designed to help you with your day-to-day whether you're just starting out, an experienced practitioner or managing a business - OTA practice support has been designed to support you.

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.