Aged Care Indicative Pricing

Support at Home will commence from 1 November 2025 following a delay to its original start date of 1 July 2025. It will replace the existing Home Care Packages (HCP) and the Short-Term Restorative Care (STRC) programs. Guidance material available for the pricing of Support at Home services currently states that: “a billable unit of service will be time based and will be the face-to-face time (or time spent on a telehealth appointment, if appropriate) spent with a participant”. The new pricing model is very different to the current aged care approach where occupational therapists can charge for their client attributable time irrespective of whether that is face-to-face or non-face-to-face.

OTA is seeking feedback from OTs providing in-home services to older people to understand how these changes will affect your business or role, the sustainability of services, and the impact on the people you support. Your insights will help our advocacy efforts to address these issues and ensure prices set in the future cover the true costs of delivering services.

Take the survey here.

Advocating for improved access to occupational therapy services through Medicare

The Medicare Benefits Schedule Review Advisory Committee (MRAC) is currently reviewing MBS allied health chronic disease management services. The Department of Health, Disability and Ageing has commissioned a consultant to undertake interviews during the first round of consultation. OTA has advocated for some key program improvements to enable better access to OT services for those with chronic conditions. Read more here.

Engaging SA leaders ahead of the Election

To ensure OTs are part of the solution on critical issues like hospital pressures, workforce participation and community independence, OTA has written to government, opposition and crossbench MPs inviting early collaboration on policy ahead of the South Australian election.

Tell us the most pressing issues OTs in SA are facing, Take the survey here

WorkCover WA updates

Comprehensive Report Item update & Worksite / Home Visit Item

OTA has written to the Minister for Industrial Relations and the CEO of WorkCover WA to thank them for introducing a dedicated comprehensive report item for OTs. We also highlighted the need for a separate worksite/home visit item, which is core to OT practice and currently undervalued.

Take the survey - Help our advocacy by telling us how the reduced OT travel item (effective 1 July 2024) has affected your practice.

Allied health fees to increase 3.96% from 1 November

WorkCover WA has confirmed a 3.96% indexation of allied health fees under the workers compensation scheme, effective 1 November 2025. This annual adjustment is based on its Composite Index, which accounts for changes in wages and Consumer Price Indices.

Visit WorkCover WA’s website for more information about rates, fees and payments.

Victorian Advocacy: Calling for OTs to Issue Subsequent Certificates of Capacity

OTA and the Australian Hand Therapy Association (AHTA) have written to the Victorian Minister for WorkSafe and TAC, the Hon Ben Carroll, and to WorkSafe Victoria, seeking an amendment to the Workplace Injury Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2013 to allow OTs (including OT hand therapists) to issue subsequent certificates of capacity. This change would improve continuity of care and reduce delays in returning injured workers to work.