Published: Thursday 8 May 2025
Where can I find information about Ahpra registration?
Ahpra has comprehensive information on their website regarding registration requirements. Where possible, it is recommended that clinicians maintain their Ahpra registration, by meeting the recency of practice requirements and CPD requirements.
Recency of Practice
At time of publication, the recency of practice standards stipulate that you must have worked for:
- 750 hours of practice in the last 5 years or,
- 450 hours of practice in the last 3 years or,
- 150 hours of practice in the previous 12 months.
Please check for direct updates from the Ahpra web page. You might find the document titled “Recency of practice - Pathways diagram for re-entry to practice” particularly helpful.
Continuing Professional Development
CPD requirements changed in December 2019. Please also refer to the FAQ on CPD for more information.
If you are changing your scope of practice, you may need to complete additional training to ensure you are competent in your new scope of practice. The requirements vary depending on the change that you are making. For further information, click here.
Other useful information for OT registration and navigating changing registration/returning to practice can be found at:
What are the requirements for reinstating registration after a long absence from practice?
The pathway for re-entry to practice is determined by Ahpra and varies depending on the clinician’s previous registration history, work history and recency of practice. View the registration standards here.
When you apply for registration after an extended break from practice the Board will consider your application for general registration on a case by case basis. They may decide that you need to have:
- a period of supervised practice
- additional CPD to be completed, and/or
- further education or assessment of competence
The supervision requirements may be different for each practitioner and determined by the Board on a case by case basis. They will be tailored to the purpose of the supervision, and the practitioner’s circumstances, settings, experience and learning needs.
What are the registration requirements if I am returning to practice and have never been registered?
If you are returning to practice, and have never been registered with Ahpra, there are additional requirements. Reviewing the “Recency of Practice - Pathways for re-entry into practice” guides you to the additional Ahpra requirements. It states that you will need to apply for general registration, provide supplementary information, a copy of your CV, a supervision agreement, and a supervision plan.
Before you re-apply for registration to practise you are encouraged to assess what changes have occurred in your profession and if there is any professional development you need to do to ensure that you are prepared to return to practice. CPD options are available on the OTA website here.
How can I find a supervisor to complete AHPRA mandated supervision (ie for return to practice/gaining registration as an overseas qualified practitioner)?
Initially, you will need to obtain provisional registration to be able to return to practice. You will need to liaise with Ahpra regarding your specific supervision requirements, as this varies for each individual (and is dependent on previous experience, time since last practicing etc). The level and type of supervision you require will have an impact on finding a supervisor. With clear expectations of supervision requirements, you will then be able to search for an appropriate supervisor.
The Find an OT function in the OTA website is a good resource to assist in finding a supervisor within your relevant field of practice. Other options to consider would be attending an OTA interest group in your area of practice and asking for assistance there.
For overseas trained therapists:
There is information for overseas trained therapists wanting to work in Australia on the Ahpra website and on the OTA website.
How do I move from a non-practicing registration to general registration?
The first step is to review all the information on recency of practice and registration information on the Ahpra web page here and here.
The document titled “Recency of practice - Pathways diagram for re-entry to practice” will be particularly helpful.
I’m an OT Student awaiting registration, can I work as an AHA?
You must be registered as an occupational therapist before you start practising as an occupational therapist. You must not use the title “Occupational Therapist/Occupational Therapy” until such time you are registered as an occupational therapist with Ahpra. You can work as an Allied Health Assistant under the direct supervision of a qualified OT. Whilst working as an AHA, you must work within the scope of an AHA only (refer to state guidelines for AHA Frameworks).
I’m changing roles, do I need to inform AHPRA?
The requirements for notifying Ahpra vary depending on the changes that you are making. For full information and examples of changes in scope of practice refer here.
In general, if you are making a substantial change to your scope of practice, you must submit a professional development plan to the Board for approval that details the activities you intend to do to ensure your competence in the new scope of practice. In some cases, you may not be able to practise in the new scope of practice until the Board has approved your plan.
If the change is not substantial, "it is expected that the practitioner will engage in training and continuing professional development to ensure they are competent and safe to practice within their extended scope of practice. Formal approval of the development plan by the Board may not generally be required." (Taken from FAQ: Regency of Practice).
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