7 July 2025
Board Director and WFOT Delegate Nominations Now Open
Board Nominations are now open until 5.00pm (AEST) Wednesday 30 July 2025.
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.
6 May 2025
Media Release: Occupational therapy peak body urges Vic Government to address growing pay gap between OTs and nurses
Occupational Therapy Australia is urging the Victorian Government to follow through on the Fair Work Commission (FWC)’s provisional recommendation and address the growing pay gap between occupational therapists (OTs) and nurses working in the state’s public mental health services.
25 March 2025
OT School of Victoria Clinical Award
In 2019, trustees of the OT Trust Fund donated funds to OTA, which established the Occupational Therapy School of Victoria Clinical Award. The award aims to promote advancement in clinical practice by supporting members of OTA to engage in clinical-based projects or studies.
4 March 2025
OTA Submission: Aged Care Rules on the Residential Care Service
OTA was invited to meet with the Department of Health and Aged Care to discuss our submission to the Aged Care Rules on the Residential Care Service list. The Chief OT, Michelle Oliver and senior OTA policy staff met with the Department on Monday 3 March.
25 February 2025
New Resource: Capability Framework for Occupational Therapists Working with People with Pain
OTA's new capability framework outlines the skills and knowledge occupational therapists can build to better understand the physical, psychological, environmental anad societal factors that influence a person’s experience of pain.
12 February 2025
Capability Framework for Occupational Therapists Working with People with Pain
Occupational Therapists are uniquely placed to support clients who are experiencing acute or persistent pain by applying a holistic approach to assessment and therapeutic interventions that are focused on enhancing engagement and participation in meaningful occupation. Occupational therapists play a key role in multidisciplinary teams working in pain management across a range of settings from inpatient and sub-acute settings to specialist pain clinics, community rehabilitation centres, return to work programs, aged care settings and private practice, bringing an understanding of the physical, psychological, environmental and societal factors that influence a person’s experience of pain.

12 February 2025
Practice Queries Service
Need advice? Our Practice Queries Service connects you with experienced occupational therapists from our Professional Practice Team. We provide general, in-principle guidance on professional practice matters to support your work.
10 February 2025
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.
10 February 2025
New Victorian Chief Allied Health Officer
Rachel Elliott has been appointed as the new Victorian Chief Allied Health Officer, bringing over 25 years of experience as an occupational therapist. She will lead reforms and advancements in allied health services across Victoria. OTA has congratulated Ms. Elliott on her appointment and looks forward to collaborating with her to support and advocate for occupational therapists.
16 January 2025
VicRoads: Motorised Mobility Devices - Resources for Consumers
A comprehensive guide for consumers has been developed by the Department of Transport with input from topic experts and other stakeholders.
16 January 2025
VicRoads: Motorised Mobility Devices - Resources for Occupational Therapists
Occupational Therapy Australia is proud to collaborate with Road Safety Victoria (Department of Transport) and other community, health, disability and industry stakeholders to bring these valuable resources to our members. The resources aim to equip OTs to deliver consistent evidence-based care for users of mobility scooters and powered wheelchairs, and to engage with other health professionals and agencies to optimise outcomes for clients and their families. Each year, over 1,000 Australians are admitted to hospital due to incidents involving mobility scooters. Road safety issues are critical to consider in assessment, training and monitoring for both the user and other community members.
16 January 2025
VicRoads: Peer Developed Testing Routes
A list of suggested driving test routes developed by occupational therapist driving assessors.
16 January 2025
VicRoads: Testing Routes (2017-18)
A list of suggested driving test routes developed by OTA and VicRoads in 2017-18.
15 January 2025
VicRoads: Occupational Therapy Driving Test Toolkit
A collection of resources to assist OT driver assessors.
15 January 2025
VicRoads: Road Safety Victoria -Occupational Therapy Driving Test Webinar Series (2020)
This 3 part series in completing on road driving assessments in Victoria were developed as part of a VicRoads and Road Safety Victoria Department of Transport project.
15 January 2025
VicRoads: Occupational Therapy Driving Test - Assessment Manual (March 2018)
This manual has been compiled by VicRoads to provide OT driver assessors with clear and precise guidance on VicRoads criteria for testing whether a person is able to drive safely, legally and independently and meets the requirements for a Victorian licence, detailed guidance on the type and number of driving tasks that should be included in a licence test route and where in the route they should occur, and additional information concerning testing procedures.
15 January 2025
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.

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.

26 November 2024
VIC Advisory Group
The Occupational Therapy Australia Victorian Advisory Group represents the interests and provides advice to support the members affiliated with the state.

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.