Meeting Your Local Member Guide

This guide is designed to support Occupational Therapy Australia (OTA) members in preparing for one-on-one meetings with their local federal election candidates. It provides practical advice on how to prepare, conduct, and follow up after a meeting to effectively advocate for the occupational therapy profession ahead of the 2025 federal election.

OTA's 2025 Federal Election Playbook

The OTA 2025 Federal Election Playbook is a key resource for OTA members, OTs, supporters of the profession, and government officials seeking to understand and shape policies that impact healthcare, disability, aged care, mental health, veteran care and workforce planning from the perspective of the occupational therapy profession.

Announcing OTA's Federal Election Advocacy Toolkit

With the 2025 Federal Election fast approaching, now is the time to advocate for occupational therapy. OTA’s Federal Election Advocacy Toolkit provides everything you need to engage with local candidates and highlight our profession’s priorities.

OTA's 2025 Federal Election Statement

The 2025 Federal Election is a critical opportunity to invest in the allied health workforce and strengthen healthcare services. This Statement outlines 27 strategic calls to action essential for addressing pressing issues. A detailed breakdown of each ask is available in OTA’s 2025 Federal Election Playbook.

CEO Member Update February 2025

OTA CEO Samantha Hunter shares the latest updates on the outlook for Federal Election, her recent round table discussion with Senator Jordan Steele-John and WA members, capability framework announcements, and the use of AI in practice and how this technology may support, challenge and redefine aspects of the profession.

Evidence-Based Care for Cognitive & Psychosocial Impacts of TBI

This survey examines practices, gaps, and barriers in cognitive and psychosocial rehabilitation for adults with moderate-to-severe TBI.

Facilitating Community-Based Physical Activity for People with Dementia

This research addresses a major unmet need for an early, systematic approach to identify physical activity needs for people with mild dementia, and embed referral pathways/training opportunities for exercise leaders to support improved physical activity options.

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.

Western Australian Election

Western Australians will be heading to the ballot boxes on 8 March 2025. Ahead of the election, OTA wrote to political leaders to highlight critical challenges impacting the occupational therapy workforce and service delivery in the state.

New Aged Care Act

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

Preparing for the Federal Election

With the 2025 federal election approaching, OTA is advocating to elevate occupational therapy on the national agenda. Learn about our efforts and how you can get involved.

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.

VicRoads: Testing Routes (2020)

A list of suggested driving test routes developed by OTA and VicRoads in 2020.

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.

Maurice Blackburn Lawyers: Professional risks & responsibilities - Acting as an expert witness

See the attachment below for this fact sheet by Maurice Blackburn Lawyers, a Corporate Partner of Occupational Therapy Australia.

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.

Position Statement: The Role of Allied Health Assistants in Supporting Occupational Therapy Practice (2015)

This position paper defines the roles, scope, and operational and professional responsibilities of Allied Health Assistants (AHAs) in the delivery of occupational therapy in hospital and the community. The paper provides a structure for occupational therapists to effectively supervise and delegate to AHAs, and will assist occupational therapists in understanding the clinical governance requirements in facilitating the AHA role within an occupational therapy service.

Member Feedback: OTA Federal Election Forum

On Wednesday 30 October 2024, OTA held its Federal Election Forum. Members were provided with an overview of our proposed election strategy and provided feedback on OTA’s draft Federal Election Statement.

Practice Support

Your practice doesn't stop at your clients. Our practice support is designed to help you with your day-to-day whether you're just starting out, an experienced practitioner or managing a business - OTA practice support has been designed to support you.

Occupational Therapy Guide to Good Practice: Working with Children

The Occupational Therapy Guide to Good Practice for Working with Children provides practice guidelines for occupational therapists who work with children (aged 0-18 years) and their families/caregivers. This can be used as a reference for occupational therapists, consumers, and organisations. It outlines expectations for good practice.

Position Statement: Occupational Therapy Scope of Practice Framework (2017)

This document provides the framework for scope of practice which will be underpinned by position papers and guides to good practice for key practice areas and additional scope of practice documents (in development), such as an advanced practice framework, advanced and extended scope of practice documents, and national supervision framework. Occupational Therapy Australia scope of practice documentation will be regularly revised to reflect current needs, knowledge and research to include new areas of activity for occupational therapists in Australia.

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.

2024-25 Federal Budget Delivered – OTA's full analysis

The 2024-25 Federal Budget was handed down on Tuesday 14 May 2024. See OTA’s detailed commentary and analysis of what it will mean for occupational therapy.

ACT Divisional Council

The Occupational Therapy Australia ACT Divisional Council represents the interests and provides advice to support the members affiliated with the Division.

Contact Us

Do you have a question about the association, membership or occupational therapy? Contact us.