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Association Awards
Association Awards
Occupational Therapy Australia has an awards program incorporating student awards, national awards, trustee prizes and divisional awards.
Open Awards
OT School of Victoria Clinical Award
Applications open for 2025
The Occupational Therapy School of Victoria Clinical Award was introduced at the 28th OTA National Conference in July 2019. In 1974 the Occupational Therapy Trust Fund was created after the Occupational School of Victoria was dissolved.
OTARF Direct Gift Recipient Grants
Applications open for 2025
The Occupational Therapy Australia Research Academy has been established to both recognise scholars in the occupational therapy profession but also to enhance research capacity building in the profession.
Judith Marsham Farrell Research Grant
Applications open for 2025
The purpose of the Judith Marsham Farrell Research Grant is to support “research in occupational therapy by occupational therapists and in particular studies in which the study subjects themselves to perform occupation embedded activity to determine its influence on a stated human health condition.”
Elspeth Pearson Award
Applications open for 2025
The Elspeth Pearson Award enables award recipients to advance their clinical skills and expertise through access to professional development opportunities. This award has been made possible through the generosity of Elspeth Pearson's family and the Elspeth Pearson Estate.
Research Awards
Early Career Researcher
Applications open for 2025
Research conducted by an occupational therapist prior to completion of their PhD or up to a maximum of four years’ academic research experience following the completion of their PhD, or be of equivalent professional standing - AHRC.
Mid Career Researcher
Applications open for 2025
This category refers to research conducted by an occupational therapist 5-10 years from the award of their PhD or with equivalent professional standing.
Clinical Researcher
Applications open for 2025
This category refers to research undertaken by an occupational therapist, who holds a substantive clinical position.
Research Team
Applications open for 2025
This category refers to research undertaken by a team where the lead investigator is an occupational therapist.
Currently Closed Awards
Sylvia Docker Lecture
Applications are closed
The Sylvia Docker lecture was established in 1964, to honour Miss Sylvia Docker who established the first training school for Occupational Therapists in Sydney in 1941.
OTA Oration Award
Applications are closed
This new accolade aims to honour and showcase an occupational therapist who has made outstanding, innovative, and impactful contribution to the clinical practice of occupational therapy.
Lifetime Achievement Award
Applications are closed
The Lifetime Achievement Award is granted to Occupational Therapy Australia members who have shown meritorious services in the field of occupational therapy while displaying exemplary contributions in support of the Association.
Fellow of the OTA Research Academy
Applications are closed
These fellowships are conferred on members who have significantly contributed to the development of the body of knowledge of the profession of occupational therapy in Australia
Divisional and Student Awards
Applications are closed
OTA are proud supporters of a range of awards based programs that recognise the achievements of occupational therapists and we encourage our members to be considered for these awards as they become available.
Past Awards
Gwendoline Sims Memorial Award
No longer active
The Gwendoline Sims Memorial Award aimed to provide an occupational therapist with financial support to further self-education and professional growth, either by conducting a relevant study or an investigative project.
Elaine B Wilson Memorial Award
No longer active
The Elaine B Wilson Memorial Award was in recognition of the life's work of Elaine Wilson to occupational therapy with children and their families and is only awarded to a recent occupational therapy graduate.
Kryss McKenna Award
No longer active
Occupational Therapy Australia established the Kryss McKenna Award in 2008, to honour the dedication and significant contribution made by Associate Professor Kryss McKenna to developing academic OT writers in Australia, at all levels, from undergraduate and graduate students to clinicians, and to her long and productive association with the Australian Occupational Therapy Journal.
Clinical Research Bursaries
No longer active
Queensland
Clinical Research Bursaries were offered, on a competitive basis, to occupational therapists who are current members of Occupational Therapy Australia residing in NT/QLD. Applicants may vary from those already undertaking clinical research to members wishing to commence clinical research.
Mary Rankine Wilson Memorial Award
No longer active
Queensland
The Mary Rankine Wilson Memorial Award for Professional Excellence is an annual award for Queensland OTA members. This award was established in 1994 to honour the memory of Mary Rankine Wilson AM. Mary was a founding member of the Association and past president.
Louise Van Willigen Memorial Professional Development Scholarship
No longer active
Queensland
The Louise Van Willigen Memorial Professional Development Scholarship is an annual scholarship of Occupational Therapy Australia - Qld Division established in 2004 to honour the memory of Louise Van Willigen.
OT of the NT Award
No longer active
Northern Territory
The OT of the NT Award was given to an occupational therapist working in the Territory who has made an outstanding contribution to their profession. This award provides ongoing recognition to our members, many of whom represent the profession and the Association on a long term and consistent basis, as well as acknowledging that they are simply remarkable Occupational Therapists.
Betty S Cameron Award
No longer active
Victoria
To recognise the outstanding honorary endeavour or achievement, by an individual member, that contributes significantly towards the objectives and the strategic plan of the Victorian Division.
Wilma Wheatland Award
No longer active
Victoria
This award recognised an outstanding contribution made by a person who has worked closely with members of the occupational therapy profession to significantly further and enhance the objectives of Occupational Therapy Australia Victoria Division.
Innovators in Practice Award
No longer active
Western
Australia
This award recognised innovative practice and demonstrated excellence that has benefited or improved the life of a client, group, process or service.
Enabling Excellence Award
No longer active
Western
Australia
This award recognised the supervisor, mentor, academic or colleague who has gone above and beyond to support another occupational therapist or group of occupational therapists to enable excellence in the profession.
Williams OT Innovative Service Delivery Award
No longer active
South
Australia
This award recognised the valued contribution of South Australian OTs who have initiated, or assisted in the development of an, innovative model of service delivery within the last 5 years.
Brazier Mobility Supported Research Award
No longer active
South
Australia
This award highlighted the achievement of a project by South Australian OTs that involves research into some aspect of occupational therapy where there is little current published knowledge which progresses the capability of the profession in improving community outcomes.
