Maximizing Occupational Therapy in Residential Aged Care: Barriers & Enablers

This project aims to understand barriers and enablers to maximising occupational therapy's contribution in residential aged care facilities (RACFs).

Exploring perceptions of the allied health role in palliative and end of life care

This study aims to explore how allied health professionals work with older adults receiving palliative care and at end of life, in Australia; what unique input the various disciplines can offer, and what learning or professional development informs clinical practice.

WFOT International Research Engagement of Occupational Therapists

To determine the level of research engagement across occupational therapists who are members of their local OT associations internationally that are associated with WFOT.

Capability Framework for 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.

New Aged Care Act

The Aged Care Bill 2024 was passed by Parliament on 25 November, incorporating additional amendments.

NDIS Evidence Advisory Committee – EOIs now open

NDIA has announced they are seeking expressions of interest for an Evidence and Advisory Committee (EAC) as well as technical subcommittees (AT, capacity building and economics).

NDIS Evidence Advisory Committee (EAC) – EOI extended

The NDIA has extended the EOI deadline for its new Evidence and Advisory Committee (EAC) to January 31, 2025. The EAC will assess disability supports for NDIS funding.

Mental Health Medicare Mental Health Centres Grant Opportunity

A grant opportunity for the delivery of Mental Health Medicare Mental Health Centres centralised tele psychology and tele-psychiatry service was released on 23rd December with the closing date for applications on 31 January.

Residential Care Service List Consultation - February Update

The Department of Health and Aged Care is consulting on the Aged Care Residential Care Service List following recent feedback received on the broader Aged Care Service List.

Opportunity to Participate in a Study on Outcome Measurement Tools in Aged Care

Researchers are seeking participation from health professionals from a range of backgrounds to participate in a study titled "Aged Care: GEM-OMATIC: Geriatric Evaluation and Management: Outcome Measures that are Automated, Timely, Interoperable and Consolidated".

National Allied Health Workforce Strategy

The Federal Government has released a draft of the National Allied Health Workforce Strategy for public consultation, with feedback open until March 3, 2025. The strategy focuses on five key priorities, including workforce recognition, data improvement, sustainability, and support for Indigenous and rural allied health professionals.

PHN: Allied Health in Primary Care Engagement Framework

The National PHN Allied Health in Primary Care Engagement Framework seeks to define the scope and role of PHN engagement with Allied Health, in line with the above shared leadership approach.

DHAC: National Strategic Action Plan for Pain Management

The Action Plan will provide a key step towards a national and holistic policy framework that will support consumers, health practitioners and the wider community to improve the quality of life for people living with pain, their families and carers and minimise its impact.

DHAC: Progress Report - Implementation of the Recommendations of the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety

The report provides an objective and independent assessment by the Interim Inspector-General of Aged Care on progress of the implementation of the Royal Commission’s recommendations. It identifies progress against each recommendation, presents stakeholder views and initial observations.

DHAC: A New Model for Regulating Aged Care Consultation Paper No.1

This paper opens consultation with stakeholders to inform a new model for regulating aged care, which is referred to in this paper as the ‘Regulatory Model’. This paper is the first in a series of consultation papers that will develop the different components of the model in more detail.

DHAC: Australia’s Primary Health Care 10 Year Plan (2022-2032)

The Australian Government’s Future focused primary health care: Australia’s Primary Health Care 10 Year Plan 2022–2032 is about strengthening primary health care as part of the health system and providing an agenda for primary health care reform over a decade.

DHAC: Assistive Technologies and Home Modifications Scheme for in-home aged care

The content in this report reflects the output from a co-design process that sought input from older Australians and their families and informal carers, industry professionals and government stakeholders.

DHAC: A New Program for In-Home Aged Care Discussion Paper

This discussion paper canvasses key issues in the design of reforms to in-home aged care. It seeks the views of older Australians, carers, and service providers on five key areas of focus for the design of a new in-home aged care program.

AHPA: What is needed for quality allied health in Australian aged care?

As the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety concluded, allied health is a fundamental element of the aged care system, and is essential for ‘reablement’.

Medicare Overview for Occupational Therapists

This document is intended to support practitioners to understand the Medicare programs available to occupational therapists, their eligibility requirements including endorsement, any treatment guidelines associated with each, and where to find additional information.

OTA National Conference and Exhibition 2025

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.

Aged Care

OTA are actively working towards a better Aged Care sector that supports our profession to deliver the high quality, specialised services our older population want and need.