30 April 2025
Federal Election 2025: OTA Scorecard and Summary
Ahead of the 2025 federal election, OTA has compiled a summary of major party commitments relevant to occupational therapy practice and the broader allied health sector.
4 April 2025
NDIS & Disability update: How we're advocating for our members
The upcoming Federal election and ongoing reforms to the NDIS has led to several opportunities to advocate on behalf of the occupational therapy profession. OTA has met with Minister of Social Services, the Hon. Amanda Rishworth’s office to advance our calls to action ahead of the Federal election and provided feedback to the NDIA on its approach to developing support needs assessments. Read about how we’ve been collaborating.
1 April 2025
Final Review of National Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Agreement
OTA made a submission to the Productivity Commission’s Final Review of the National Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Agreement, which is due to expire in June 2026.
26 March 2025
OTA Post-Budget Analysis 2025-26
Read the analysis of the Budget that is relevant to Occupational Therapy. Read OTA’s media release. As anticipated, this was a shorter, more targeted budget. Just three weeks ago the Government had been expected to announce an election and forego a Federal Budget until after the next election.
20 March 2025
2025-26 Federal Pre-Budget Submission
The 2025-26 Federal Budget presents a real opportunity for the Australian Government to commit to investing in the allied health workforce, improving the overall health system in particular critical sectors like disability, primary care, mental health and aged care. This commitment would enhance access to essential services and support the development of a more robust and sustainable healthcare infrastructure for all Australians.
19 March 2025
2024-25 Federal Pre-Budget Submission
OTA has prepared a Pre-Budget Submission as part of its annual budget consultation process. OTA has identified five key areas for government attention in the 2024-2025 financial year, to support occupational therapists to improve the health and wellbeing of the Australian community.
12 March 2025
OTA's Federal Election Toolkit is now available!
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.
11 March 2025
Connections Autumn 2023
Read Connections Autumn 2023 edition here.
11 March 2025
Connections Winter 2023
Read Connections Winter 2023 edition here.
11 March 2025
Connections Spring 2023
Read Connections Spring 2023 edition here.
11 March 2025
Connections Summer 2023
Read Connections Summer 2023 edition here.
5 March 2025
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.
4 March 2025
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.
25 February 2025
American Journal of Occupational Therapy (AJOT)
The American Journal of Occupational Therapy (AJOT) is an official publication of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), which represents the professional interests and concerns of nearly 213,000 occupational therapists, occupational therapy assistants, and students. The primary mission of AJOT is to publish research examining the effectiveness and efficiency of occupational therapy practice so that occupational therapy professionals can make informed, evidence-based decisions about best practice.
24 February 2025
Australian Occupational Therapy Journal (AOTJ)
The Australian Occupational Therapy Journal (AOTJ) is a leading international publication presenting influential and innovative scholarship and research relevant to occupational therapy. The journal is the official research publication of the peak membership body, Occupational Therapy Australia.
15 January 2025
DHAC: Progress Report - Implementation of the Recommendations of the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety
The report provides an objective and independent assessment by the Interim Inspector-General of Aged Care on progress of the implementation of the Royal Commission’s recommendations. It identifies progress against each recommendation, presents stakeholder views and initial observations.
3 January 2025
Medicare Overview for Occupational Therapists
This document is intended to support practitioners to understand the Medicare programs available to occupational therapists, their eligibility requirements including endorsement, any treatment guidelines associated with each, and where to find additional information.
3 December 2024
Occupational Therapy National Workforce Data Report (2023)
In 2023 OTA commissioned a significant workforce development project which aimed to formulate a workforce development plan in partnership with the occupational therapy profession. This report provides details of the data analysis that was provided to OTA. This analysis was prepared for the purpose of understanding the key trends across the Occupational Therapy (OT) workforce for the development of the Occupational Therapy Australia (OTA) Workforce Plan.
2 December 2024
Workforce Development Project Summary Report (2024)
In 2023, OTA commissioned a significant workforce development project which aimed to formulate a workforce development plan in partnership with the occupational therapy profession. This report provides a summary of the key findings, details of the data analysis, and key priorities that were provided to OTA.
21 November 2024
The role of Allied Health Assistants in Supporting Occupational Therapy Practice (October 2015)
For many years allied health (OT) assistants have been part of many public sector occupational therapy departments. With the increased opportunities for assistants arising from the NDIS and aged care reforms and with many workforce reviews in progress by Governments, Occupational Therapy Australia, like many of our other allied health association colleagues, have been developing position statements to guide practice in this area.

2 October 2024
Disability
We advocate to support and advance the critical role that OTs play in the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). We lobby for better systems, processes and funding to enable access to safe, quality and value for money OT services for Australians with disability.