Working in South Africa
General Information
Number of occupational therapists in South Africa
6,597
Terminology
In
South Africa
, the term "occupational therapist" is also referred to as no
Main language(s) spoken in South Africa
English
Other languages commonly spoken in South Africa
Afrikaans, Zulu, Sotho
Registration
Occupational therapists are required to register with a federal/national organisation to practice
Required
Health Professions Council of South Africa – http://www.hpcsa.co.za (External) ↗ 553 Corner Hamilton and Madiba Streets, Arcadia, Pretoria Postal address: P O Box 205, Pretoria, 0001
Occupational therapists are required to register with a state/regional organisation to practice
Not Required
It is compulsory to join the Occupational Therapy Association of South Africa in order to practice as an occupational therapist
No
Practicing Requirements
Graduation from a WFOT approved programme is required to register to practice
No
All South African education programs are WFOT approved, but it is not a requirement for practice.
Language(s) that are required for occupational therapists to practice
English
There are 11 official languages recognised in South Africa. Some practices employ therapists who speak local languages for easy communication with clients.
Additional requirements for occupational therapists to practice
All occupational therapists, after qualification, have to complete a year's community service in the public health system. Once this has been completed, they can register with the HPCSA as an independent practitioner. All occupational therapists have to pay an annual fee to re-register and have to be compliant with the HPCSA's CPD regulations
Employment Opportunities
Occupational therapy is recognised as a shortage occupation
Yes
We have stringent austerity measures in the public sector, which have resulted in posts in the public sector being frozen. This is especially problematic in the more rural provinces. Jobs are being advertised in the private sector more regularly since the COVID-19 pandemic, when posts in the private sector were hard to come by. The exact unemployment rate of occupational therapists is uncertain at this stage, although there are increasing reports of this.
Sources of information for occupational therapist employment opportunities
Occupational Therapy Association of South Africa Website - http://www.otasa.org.za (External) ↗.
Government websites of the departments employing occupational therapists.
Government websites of the departments employing occupational therapists.
Immigration
Immigration regulations or visa requirements to practice
Occupational Therapy Assistants
Occupational therapy assistants exist in South Africa
Yes
Number of occupational therapy assistants in South Africa
404
Occupational Therapy Association of South Africa has a membership category for occupational therapy assistants
Yes
It is compulsory to join the Occupational Therapy Association of South Africa in order to practice as an occupational therapy assistant
No
Occupational therapy assistants require formal training in occupational therapy to work as such in South Africa
Yes
There is no training at present.
Occupational therapy assistants need to register with a federal/national organisation to practice in South Africa
Yes
Health Professions Council of South Africa – http://www.hpcsa.co.za (External) ↗ 553 Corner Hamilton and Madiba Streets, Arcadia, Pretoria Postal address: P O Box 205, Pretoria, 0001
Occupational therapy assistants need to register with a state/regional organisation to practice in South Africa
No
Disclaimer: This information was provided by Occupational Therapy Association of South Africa and was last updated on 14th July 2025. 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 South Africa
Occupational Therapy Association of South Africa's definition of occupational therapy in own language
Occupational therapy is a client-centred health profession concerned with promoting health and wellbeing through occupation. The primary goal of occupational therapy is to enable people to participate in the activities of everyday life. Occupational therapists achieve this outcome by working with people and communities to enhance their abilityto engage in the occupations they want to, need to, or are expected to do, or bymodifying the occupation or the environment to better support their occupational engagement.
Occupational Therapy Association of South Africa is currently using the WFOT definition but are planning on developing their own definition at a workshop in 2016.
Occupational Therapy Association of South Africa is currently using the WFOT definition but are planning on developing their own definition at a workshop in 2016.
Definition date: May 2017
Publications
South african Journal of Occupational therapy
This is the official peer-reviewed, open access journal of the South African Association of Occupational Therapy and is the leading publication for research on Occupational Therapy in Africa.
Focus
Focus, the official magazine of the Occupational Therapy Association of South Africa (OTASA), features practice-based articles across a range of occupational therapy fields along with national news, updates, tributes and OTASA committee report backs.
Education Programmes
WFOT Approved Programmes in South Africa
8