Working in Australia
General Information
Number of occupational therapists in Australia
32,386
Main language(s) spoken in Australia
English
Other languages commonly spoken in Australia
English
Registration
Occupational therapists are required to register with a federal/national organisation to practice
Required
Occupational therapists must be registered with the Occupational Therapy Board of Australia, and meet the Board's registration standards, in order to practice in Australia.
https://www.occupationaltherapyboard.gov.au/registration.aspx (External) ↗
https://www.occupationaltherapyboard.gov.au/registration.aspx (External) ↗
Occupational therapists are required to register with a state/regional organisation to practice
Not Required
It is compulsory to join the Occupational Therapy Australia in order to practice as an occupational therapist
No
Practicing Requirements
Graduation from a WFOT approved programme is required to register to practice
Yes
Language(s) that are required for occupational therapists to practice
English
English (Note that the Australian national registration board for occupational therapy have a requirement regarding proficiency level for English – refer to their website for information http://www.occupationaltherapyboard.gov.au/ (External) ↗
Additional requirements for occupational therapists to practice
A bachelor's or master's degree in Occupational Therapy from a program accredited by the Occupational Therapy Council (OTC) is required. Registered occupational therapists must fulfill ongoing CPD requirements, involving a minimum of 20 hours of professional development activities annually. Occupational therapists must adhere to the Code of Conduct set by OTBA, including ethical behavior, confidentiality, and high standards of practice. Non-compliance can result in disciplinary actions. Practitioners are required to have Professional Indemnity Insurance, which protects against legal liability from their professional activities. This is a mandatory condition for registration.
Employment Opportunities
Occupational therapy is recognised as a shortage occupation
Yes
Australia faces a shortage of OTs driven by several key factors:
The aging population and expansion of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) have significantly increased demand for OTs, especially in mental health, aged care, and disability services.
The number of graduates isn't keeping pace with demand, leading to shortages, especially in rural and remote areas.
Many OTs experience burnout due to heavy workloads, administrative burdens under the NDIS, and complex caseloads, contributing to high turnover rates, leaving the profession.
The aging population and expansion of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) have significantly increased demand for OTs, especially in mental health, aged care, and disability services.
The number of graduates isn't keeping pace with demand, leading to shortages, especially in rural and remote areas.
Many OTs experience burnout due to heavy workloads, administrative burdens under the NDIS, and complex caseloads, contributing to high turnover rates, leaving the profession.
Sources of information for occupational therapist employment opportunities
Occupational Therapists in Australia can find jobs through platforms like Seek, MyCareer, and CareerOne, which offer healthcare-specific listings. The Occupational Therapy Australia website is another key resource, featuring OT-specific job ads. Major newspapers, including The Australian and Sydney Morning Herald, also list opportunities. Government job boards provide public sector roles, while hospital websites and specialised recruitment agencies offer both temporary and permanent positions.
Immigration
Immigration regulations or visa requirements to practice
To work as an OT in Australia, you must apply for registration with the Occupational Therapy Board of Australia, and possibly a visa through the Department of Home Affairs. For overseas-qualified OTs, the Occupational Therapy Council (OTC) assesses qualifications. Successful applicants must complete a period of supervised practice before applying for general registration. Fees apply for both registration and OTC assessments. New Zealand-trained OTs may apply under the Trans-Tasman Mutual Recognition Act. More details can be found on the Occupational Therapy Board and OTC websites.
Occupational Therapy Assistants
Occupational therapy assistants exist in Australia
Yes
Number of occupational therapy assistants in Australia
0
Occupational Therapy Australia has a membership category for occupational therapy assistants
No
It is compulsory to join the Occupational Therapy Australia in order to practice as an occupational therapy assistant
No
Occupational therapy assistants require formal training in occupational therapy to work as such in Australia
Yes
Certificate
Occupational therapy assistants need to register with a federal/national organisation to practice in Australia
No
Occupational therapy assistants need to register with a state/regional organisation to practice in Australia
No
Disclaimer: This information was provided by Occupational Therapy Australia and was last updated on 21st November 2024. WFOT is not liable for any inaccuracies, omissions, or changes in the information provided. This information is intended as a guide and should be independently verified before making any decisions.
Definition of Occupational Therapy in Australia
Occupational Therapy Australia's definition of occupational therapy in own language
Occupational therapists use a whole person perspective to work with individuals, groups and communities to achieve optimal health and wellbeing through participation in the occupations of life.
The term ‘occupation’ is used to describe all the everyday things we do in our life roles, but also the things we do to be who we are, the things we do to create a meaningful life and to engage with wider society and culture.
The term ‘occupation’ is used to describe all the everyday things we do in our life roles, but also the things we do to be who we are, the things we do to create a meaningful life and to engage with wider society and culture.
Definition date: December 2015
Publications
Connections
Connections, OTA's official member publication, reaches over 12,000 occupational therapists, allied health professionals, and industry participants. This full-color magazine covers professional representation, CPD events, news, and the latest technologies in the field.
Australian Occupational Therapy Journal
The Australian Occupational Therapy Journal is the official journal of Occupational Therapy Australia, and welcomes manuscripts relevant to the theory, research, practice and education of occupational therapy.
Education Programmes
WFOT Approved Programmes in Australia
60