Policy & Advocacy update – 9 April 2026

Read about OTA policy and advocacy updates and developments this week, including the recent media coverage about NDIS reform, updates on QCAT Act Review, and many more.

Research Survey: Health Professionals’ Views on Supporting Carers of Older Adults

This study seeks to explore the perceived needs of carers (from health professionals), the decision-making processes of health professionals, and how health professionals support the health and wellbeing of informal carers aged 50+ who care for older adults aged 65+.

Policy and Advocacy update – 2 April 2026

Read about OTA policy and advocacy updates and developments this week, including Victorian Election Advisory Group's expression of interest closing soon, easy to find the OTA’s policy submissions, and many more.

Stronger Together: United on the road ahead during disability reform

OTA has taken a measured approach, focusing on stakeholder engagement and behind-the-scenes policy influence.

Thriving Kids at Risk Without the Right Funding and Workforce Model

The interview highlighted the initiative’s potential while raising concerns about risks without proper funding and commissioning.

Policy and Advocacy update – 26 March 2026

Read about OTA policy and advocacy updates and developments this week, including NDIS Commission survey closing soon, upcoming webinar, NDIS 2026 annual pricing, and many more.

OTA Policy Submissions

OTA’s submissions represent the collective expertise, experience, and perspectives of occupational therapists across Australia, with the goal of advancing the profession across the diverse sectors in which OTs work.

Policy and Advocacy update – 19 March 2026

Read about OTA policy and advocacy updates and developments this week, including National Reference Groups (EOI) closing tomorrow, NDIS 2026 annual pricing review, and many more.

Capability Framework for Occupational Therapists Working with Adults

We invite you to review the draft and provide your feedback by completing this short survey.

Policy and Advocacy update – 12 March 2026

Read about OTA policy and advocacy updates and developments this week, including proposed changes to health professionals award pay structure, EOI open for National Reference Groups (NRGs), and many more.

OTA Submission: NDIS Rules – Public consultation on New Framework Planning

OTA have submitted formal feedback to Government calling for: the release of the Exposure Draft.

Policy and Advocacy update – 5 March 2026

Read about OTA policy and advocacy updates and developments this week, including concerns about the NDIS Rules, SA elections, and many more.

Policy and Advocacy update – 26 February 2026

Read about OTA policy and advocacy updates and developments this week, including the SA election countdown, NDIS 2026 pricing review, aged care updates, and many more.

International Speaker Tour 2026 - Greg Santucci

Join internationally recognised paediatric occupational therapist Greg Santucci (USA) for an exclusive national tour in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane.

Submission: National Disability Insurance Agency | 2026 Annual Pricing Review Consultation

Occupational Therapy Australia calls for a decisive pricing adjustment to stabilise and strengthen the occupational therapy market under the NDIS. Read for more.

Psychosocial Practice v Mental Health OT

Learn more about the distinction between psychosocial practice and mental health occupational therapy.

What is Mental Health OT?

Learn more about how mental health occupational therapists support people with complex mental health diagnoses.

Maintaining Mental Health Endorsement

Endorsed occupational therapists must continue to meet a minimum threshold of supervision, CPD and other requirements to maintain endorsement. Learn more.

Department of Health Disability and Ageing - Support at Home for Allied Health professionals

This is a presentation from the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing to AHPA members including OTA on the key changes under the Support at Home Program relating to allied health professionals.

OTA Annual General Meetings

The Occupational Therapy Australia (OTA) 2025 Annual General Meeting (AGM) will be held on Zoom on Thursday 20 November at 1.00pm AEDT.

Adult Health and Disability - Learning Hub

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

Mental Health - Learning Hub

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

OTA Mental Health Endorsement

The OTA Mental Health Endorsement program provides recognition of the additional knowledge, skills and experience of OTs focusing their scope of practice on mental health.

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.

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.