Member Update - Aged Care (October 2025)

A new Aged Care Act will be implemented on November 1st. This introduces the new home-based aged care program, Support at Home, which will replace the existing Home Care Packages and Short Term Restorative Care programs. OTA has prepared practice resources to support our profession during this transition. These resources provide a summary of the Support at Home Program's key details and offer considerations for clinicians to best prepare for the new reforms.

Policy and advocacy update - 16 October 2025

Read about OTA policy and advocacy updates and developments this week, including the NDIS Therapy supports operational guideline, AT-HM guidelines, and an open position for Digital Health Advisers.

Understanding the Support at Home Program - Preparing to work in Support at Home

This practice resource provides a summary of key features of the Support at Home Program. This document offers a summary of information drawn from resources provided by the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing. Please note that this content is general in nature and does not constitute legal or business advice. We strongly encourage individuals to seek their own independent legal and business advice regarding their own arrangements and to directly engage with the source resources to clarify the information provided.

Understanding the Support at Home Short Term Programs - Restorative Care Pathway

This practice resource provides a summary of the Restorative Care Pathway under the new Support at Home Program. This document offers a summary of information drawn from resources provided by the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing. Please note that this content does not reflect the views of OTA, nor does it constitute legal or business advice. We strongly encourage individuals to seek their own independent legal and business advice regarding their own arrangements and to directly engage with the source resources to clarify the information provided.

Policy and advocacy update - 7 October 2025

Read about OTA policy and advocacy updates and developments this week, including the newly established NDIS Evidence Advisory Committee (EAC), NDIS Supports list, and many more.

World Mental Health Day 2025 – Connect with Your Community

Occupational therapists play a vital role in mental health – supporting people to engage in meaningful activities, build resilience, and stay connected.

Policy and advocacy update – 1 October 2025

Read about OTA policy and advocacy developments this week and what they mean for you.

Professional and Practice Skills - Learning Hub

Explore our available events on Professional and Practice Skills, designed to expand your knowledge, build skills, and connect with peers through expert-led learning opportunities.

CPD Learning Hub

Access a library of expert-led content, anywhere, anytime. Our OnDemand Learning ensures professional development is easy to access and cost-effective.

Policy and advocacy update - 19 September 2025

Read about OTA policy and advocacy updates and developments this week, including OTA priorities ahead of the South Australian election, support for new OT graduates, and many more.

October Interest Groups

Ready to be inspired and energised with like-minded peers? Explore our October Interest Groups. Interest Groups bring together OTs focused on different areas of practice to discuss relevant topics and new developments. The meetings offer peer and expert support, networking and learning opportunities.

Stronger foundations, smarter practice: Introducing OTA’s Practice Essentials

Ailsa Leslie, Head of Professional Practice at OTA, shares her thoughts on OTA's  Practice Essentials – a new suite of learning programs designed to ensure you’re practising with clarity, confidence, and credibility. 

Q & A with Kate Purslowe: Understanding the Aged Care Quality Standards updates

Occupational therapist Kate Purslowe has worked in the aged care sector since 2012, across residential aged care, transition care and the NDIS. She is currently the Allied Health Coordinator at Brightwater Group and a sessional academic at Curtin University. Kate brings a deep and practical understanding of the aged care system, service delivery, and is presenting at OTA's upcoming event CPD Empower Perth.

Advocacy and policy update 14 August 2025

Read about OTA policy and advocacy updates and developments this week, including: clarity on charging for kilometers for NDIS travel; aged care indicative pricing; and the Senate Committee Inquiry on Aged Care Service Delivery.

Advocacy and policy update for 7 August 2025

Read about OTA policy and advocacy updates and developments this week, including Aged Care Indicative Pricing, Medicare Benefits, WorkCover WA updates and more.

State and Territory Advisory Councils

State and Territory Advisory Councils are advisory councils of OTA members from across states and territories to bring voice to local and state-based issues affecting occupational therapists and communities. Advisory Councils provide pivotal intelligence to inform OTA of the opportunities, emerging issues, and changing landscape to enable OTA to be responsive to all of our members' needs, no matter where they reside.

Practice Essentials

OTA’s Practice Essentials are self-directed, online learning modules designed to help you meet the demands of your practice area – with confidence and competence – at the foundational level.

CPD Empower

Face-to-face CPD workshops for OTs in Perth, Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne. Choose your stream, earn CPD hours, and build skills in specialist practice areas.

OTA Submission to the Qld Mental Health Select Committee | Mental health outcomes for Queenslanders

OTA provided a submission to the Qld Mental Health Select Committee on their Inquiry into the opportunities to improve mental health outcomes for Queenslanders.

FAQ: Setting Up a Professional Practice

Frequently asked questions about setting up a professional practice.

FAQ: Early Career

Frequently asked questions about starting your career as an occupational therapist.

FAQ: Continuing Professional Development (CPD)

See our FAQ on Continuing Professional Development.

FAQ: Ahpra Registration Queries including Returning to Practice

See Frequently Asked Questions about Ahpra registration here.

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.

Australian Occupational Therapy Competency Standards

The new Australian occupational therapy competency standards (the competency standards) have been in effect since 1 January 2019. The Occupational Therapy Board of Australia (the Board) expects all occupational therapists to understand and apply them in their practice.

Search all CPD & Events

Our evidence-based CPD and events will prepare you for every situation and empower you with the skills and knowledge to excel in your practice. We offer learning opportunities across all practice areas and levels of experience.

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.

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.

OTA 2025 Federal Election Toolkit

OTA’s Federal Election Advocacy Toolkit provides everything you need to engage with local candidates and highlight our profession’s priorities for the 2025 Australian Federal Election.

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.