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.

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.

NDIS Evidence Advisory Committee – EOIs now open

NDIA has announced they are seeking expressions of interest for an Evidence and Advisory Committee (EAC) as well as technical subcommittees (AT, capacity building and economics).

NDIS Evidence Advisory Committee (EAC) – EOI extended

The NDIA has extended the EOI deadline for its new Evidence and Advisory Committee (EAC) to January 31, 2025. The EAC will assess disability supports for NDIS funding.

Kruk Update and AHPRA Vexatious Complaints Review

Read the latest updates on the registration process for overseas-trained health professionals and the release of AHPRA’s Framework for Identifying and Managing Vexatious Notifications.

Every Australian Counts NDIS Campaign

OTA has endorsed a campaign by Every Australian Counts, which calls on Government to slow the speed of NDIS reforms and commit to genuine codesign and testing of new systems. Read the campaign statement and add your voice.

NDIS Announcement: The National Disability Insurance Agency has announced new work to design and develop NDIS assessment tools

The National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) announced that it has commenced work to design and test a new way of gathering information about the support people with disability need and to set their NDIS budgets.

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.

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.

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.