23 June 2025
Changes to allied health referrals under the Medicare CDM program
From 1 July 2025, there will be changes to the Medicare Chronic Disease Management Program that affect how allied health providers receive referrals
23 June 2025
Thousands join our call for fair NDIS pay
OTA has launched a coordinated, strategic campaign in response to the devastating NDIS decision to halve travel rates and continue freezing hourly pay for occupational therapists. We're fighting this decision on every front and will continue to take strong action to advocate for OTs and access to vital services for NDIS participants.
20 June 2025
Allied Health NDIS Price Cuts Joint Public Statement 2025
The Australian Physiotherapy Association, Dietitians Australia, Australian Podiatry Association, Speech Pathology Australia, Occupational Therapy Australia, the Australian Psychological Society, Exercise & Sports Science Australia and Osteopathy Australia are calling on the Federal Government and the National Disability Insurance Agency to immediately halt and review the NDIS pricing decision which poses a direct threat to essential supports and choice for people with disability.
11 June 2025
Media Release. No relief for OTs: NDIS price freeze enters seventh year with services at breaking point
Thousands of NDIS participants are facing longer waitlists and reduced access to critical occupational therapy services after the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) today confirmed that therapy support prices will remain frozen into a seventh consecutive year.
10 June 2025
OTA Submission to the Qld Mental Health Select Committee | Mental health outcomes for Queenslanders
OTA provided a submission to the Qld Mental Health Select Committee on their Inquiry into the opportunities to improve mental health outcomes for Queenslanders.
10 June 2025
Media Release: With ramping surging, South Australia risks losing vital OT workforce over pay gap
Patients across South Australia could face longer wait times and reduced access to care as the state risks losing its vital occupational therapy workforce due to an unresolved and unfair pay gap.
8 June 2025
Change to fitness to drive assessment requirements for ACT OTs
A new mandatory reporting requirement comes into force on 12 June 2025 for ACT health practitioners registered in the medical, occupational therapy, physiotherapy, optometry, and psychology professions.
6 June 2025
Artistic expression for people with disability: AI to foster creativity
Among the most captivating and controversial technological advancements is the rapid proliferation of artificial intelligence (AI) image generation tools. These sophisticated algorithms, capable of transforming text-based prompts into intricate visual imagery, are not merely a novelty; they represent a profound shift in how art is conceived and created and pose some significant ethical issues.
6 June 2025
Why OTs love our mental health modules
It makes our day when we hear that our members value the CPD and resources we've worked hard to develop. Huge thanks to everyone who has provided feedback about our mental health foundation modules, a suite of online learning modules, designed to help you build your expertise and practice, change direction in your career, or gain mental health endorsement. **More than 700 OTs have completed one or more of our Mental Health Foundation Modules. This is what they're saying about them:**
5 June 2025
Media Release: Minister responds to industry concerns by delaying Aged Care Act implementation
Occupational Therapy Australia (OTA) acknowledges the announcement by the Hon. Sam Rae MP to defer the implementation of the new Aged Care Act to 1 November 2025.
5 June 2025
Submission: Select Committee on Foundational and Disability Supports Available For Children and Young People In New South Wales
OTA welcomes the opportunity to provide input to the NSW Government’s approach to development of foundation supports for children and young people with disability, developmental delay or concerns.
4 June 2025
Delay to Aged Care Act will enable clarification and support transition
OTA welcomes the delay to the introduction of the new Aged Care Act until November as a response to the significant concerns raised by the sector. However, for the delay to be meaningful, the key issues raised by the sector need to be addressed.
22 May 2025
DVA Overview for Occupational Therapists
The Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) recognises that health care providers play a key role in providing treatment for DVA clients. Occupational therapists are essential allied health professionals who provide services to clients who hold DVA Veteran Cards.
15 May 2025
FAQ: My Aged Care (MAC)
Frequently asked questions about My Aged Care (MAC) here.
14 May 2025
Application Form - Mental Health Endorsement
Access the OTA Mental Health Endorsement application form here.
7 May 2025
FAQ: Assistive Technology and Home Modifications
FAQs on assistive technology and environmental modifications.
7 May 2025
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.
7 May 2025
FAQ: Ahpra Registration Queries including Returning to Practice
See Frequently Asked Questions about Ahpra registration here.
22 April 2025
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.
1 April 2025
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.

25 March 2025
Karen Jacobs Tour 2025
Join Dr. Karen Jacobs for a two-day workshop that will bridge the gap between cutting-edge AI technology and practical clinical applications in occupational therapy.

19 February 2025
Help for members Digital Transformation and OTA Connect
Help for members through OTAs Digital Transformation.

3 January 2025
OTA 2025 Federal Election Toolkit
OTA’s Federal Election Advocacy Toolkit provides everything you need to engage with local candidates and highlight our profession’s priorities for the 2025 Australian Federal Election.

18 December 2024
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.

10 December 2024
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.

4 December 2024
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.

4 December 2024
OT Notification Navigator Service
Full-Time, Part-Time and New Graduate members who receive a notification from industry regulators can utilise this service to access guidance from a qualified Occupational Therapist about how to navigate the notification process.

2 December 2024
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.

24 November 2024
History
Occupational Therapy Australia was formed in 2009 after national members voted to consolidate all divisions within the Australian Association of Occupational Therapists (AAOT) to form Occupational Therapy Australia Limited.

3 October 2024
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.