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.

Advocating for improved access to occupational therapy services through Medicare

OTA is calling for better access to Medicare funded OT services for those with chronic conditions.

The power of connection: Why CPD Empower delivers more than learning

OTA Chief Occupational Therapist Michelle Oliver reflects on why CPD is so important, not only for staying current in our field, but for reigniting that sense of purpose and professional pride that brought many of us to occupational therapy in the first place.

Consultation on Foundational Supports for children with developmental concern, delay and/or disability and their families, carers and kin

Occupational Therapy Australia (OTA) welcomes the opportunity to provide a submission in relation to targeted foundational supports - Foundational Supports for children with developmental concern, delay and/or disability and their families, carers and kin.

Submission: Productivity Commission – Final Review of National Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Agreement

In this interim report, the Productivity Commission presents its initial findings and draft recommendations.

Submission: Productivity Commission Interim Report on Final Review of National Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Agreement

The Productivity Commission (PC) has been asked by the Australian Government to conduct the final review of the National Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Agreement.

Advocacy and policy update for 31 July 2025

Read about OTA policy and advocacy updates and developments this week, including NIDS Supports lists developments & travel claiming support; WA and Qld compensation schemes changes and more

Submission: Department of Social Services consultation on NDIS Supports rule

OTA's submission provides feedback on the overall approach outlined in the NDIS Supports Lists, and specific inclusions and omissions in specific lists, which is detailed in this content.

MEDIA RELEASE: OTA backs calls to end placement poverty

OTA has called on the Federal Government to end placement poverty for students, backing Allied Health Professions Australia’s campaign to expand the Commonwealth Prac Payment (CPP) to include all allied health students.

Step into a CPD experience designed to move you forward

Occupational Therapy Australia is proud to present CPD Empower – a national CPD event series designed to advance your practice and supercharge your professional growth.

Foundational Supports for Children - OTA advice to governments paper

The Foundational Supports for Children – Advice and actions for governments document has been developed by Occupational Therapy Australia (OTA) in close collaboration with the occupational therapy community.

SA OTs secure stronger EBA

A new standalone Allied Health EBA has been endorsed by 80.1% of voters, delivering a 13.5% pay rise and improved conditions for South Australia’s allied health workforce.

Exploring general practitioners' perspectives on Occupational Therapy in Mental Health Care

The aim of this research is to investigate general practitioners' perspectives on occupational therapy's role in mental health care, and the perspectives of occupational therapists providing services under the Better Access Mental Health Scheme (BAMHS).

Foundational Supports & NDIS: Release of Grattan Institute report

The Grattan Institute released a report last week, Saving the NDIS. This adds to the literature informing the NDIS reform landscape that OTs are navigating and will continue to navigate as services for children with developmental delay and disability, and for people with psychosocial disability transition to Foundational Supports.

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.

Submission: Select Committee on Foundational and Disability Supports Available For Children and Young People In New South Wales

OTA welcomes the opportunity to provide input to the NSW Government’s approach to development of foundation supports for children and young people with disability, developmental delay or concerns.

Professional Supervision Framework - Appendix 5

As part of OTA's new Professional Supervision Framework, additional tools and resources have been developed to assist in your supervision journey.

Professional Supervision Framework - Appendix 4

As part of OTA's new Professional Supervision Framework, additional tools and resources have been developed to assist in your supervision journey.

Professional Supervision Framework - Appendix 3

As part of OTA's new Professional Supervision Framework, additional tools and resources have been developed to assist in your supervision journey.

Professional Supervision Framework - Appendix 2

As part of OTA's new Professional Supervision Framework, additional tools and resources have been developed to assist in your supervision journey.

Professional Supervision

Grounded in principles including reflective practice, self-directed learning, and critical feedback, professional supervision empowers supervisees to take control of their own learning and development, and provides a platform for self-directed growth, skill development, problem solving and wellbeing.

Help for members Digital Transformation and OTA Connect

Help for members through OTAs Digital Transformation.

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.

State-Based Issues

We advocate across Australian states and territories to advance the recognition of OTs and address known issues affecting OTs and the people the support.

Workforce

We know there are significant workforce challenges and opportunities for the occupational therapy profession, such as attracting and retaining OTs. To address these challenges, we've consulted with our members to develop a workforce development plan.

Early Career Support

Workforce Development Project

Here at OTA, we know there are significant workforce challenges and opportunities for our profession. To address these challenges, we've developed the OTA Occupational Therapy Workforce Plan. It was devised using an evidence-based approach which included a literature review, an analysis of OT workforce data, a survey of Australian occupational therapists, interviews and focus groups.

Professional Supervision Program

The Professional Supervision Program is designed to...

Capability Frameworks

Occupational Therapy Australia’s capability frameworks propose what best practice looks like in a particular area across the career pathway. Each framework outlines a set of capabilities that occupational therapists may use in their area of practice at the foundational, intermediate or senior practitioner level.

Aged Care

OTA are actively working towards a better Aged Care sector that supports our profession to deliver the high quality, specialised services our older population want and need.