Thriving Kids Update

The Australian Government launched Thriving Kids on Thursday 1 October with the following features:

• A national Digital Hub with information and resources about child development, developmental delay and developmental differences. 
• A national phoneline (1800 882 436 or by video call, 7am to midnight, 7 days a week) offering information and advice to families with questions about a child’s development or behaviour. 
• An Autism Helpline (1300 654 789, 8am to 7pm, Monday to Friday) offering trusted information to families of Autistic children and families whose children may be seeking an autism diagnosis.
  

To find out more, please visit this link.

See also our full update here.

If you have questions, please contact us at policy@otaus.com.au.

Funding changes for NDIS supports start 1 October

Following changes announced earlier this year, the Australian Government will begin reducing funding in NDIS participants’ plans from Thursday 1 October. The following cuts will take effect:

• Social, economic and community participation supports will reduce by 50%
• Improved daily living skills supports will reduce by 10%

Improved daily living skills funds much of the capacity building work that occupational therapists deliver, so many OTs will feel the impact of this change.

The reductions will apply gradually as plans are created or reassessed from 1 October 2026 or renewed from 1 February 2027. All affected plans will be updated by 30 September 2027. Until then, participants can keep using their current plan and will be notified before their reassessment or renewal.

Participants cannot request a review of the reduction itself, but they can request a plan change if they experience a significant and ongoing change in their support needs.

OTA will continue to monitor how these changes affect participants and members.

More information can be found on the NDIS website here.

New OT opportunities working with DVA

The Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) has announced an expansion of program outreach services under the Open Arms program, publishing a notice for an upcoming tender.

Open Arms is Australia’s national accredited provider of mental health and wellbeing services for veterans and the families of veterans. The program provides counselling, care coordination and peer support services to veterans and their families within an episode of care model, via goal-directed interventions for a defined period. 

Under new panel arrangements, including newly expanded treatment principles, there will be scope for Ahpra-registered OTs to work as Outreach Program Counsellors in Open Arms.

The current notice relates only to an upcoming tender, meaning the criteria, payment structures, application processes and contractual arrangements are still to be confirmed by DVA. The newly updated closing date for the notice is 23 October, after which the tender is expected to open. When further details are confirmed, OTA will update members.

DVA has also announced $3.744 million for the Veteran Wellbeing Grants (VWG) program, comprised of two streams (capped at $50,000 and $200,000 respectively). The objectives of the VWG Program are to maintain and improve the independence and quality of life of members of the veteran community by providing funding for activities and projects that sustain or enhance health and social wellbeing or raise awareness of the important issues faced by the veteran community. Applicants must either partner with an ESO (ex-service organisation) or be one of the legal entity types outlined in the Grant Opportunity Guidelines. The grant application deadline is 10 November and more details are available here.

New guidelines on allergy information in electronic health records

The National Allergy Council has released its Best practice guideline for the accurate recording, transfer and access of allergy information in electronic health records. The guideline supports health professionals to accurately record, transfer, and access allergy information in electronic health records, with recommendations relating to clinical documentation, standardised terminology, interoperability and My Health Record.

Occupational therapists are invited to attend a webinar showcasing the guideline and its application across community and healthcare settings. Presented by Professor Michaela Lucas, the webinar will cover:

• why accurate allergy information is so important for patient safety and clinical decision-making
• the new best practice framework and its core principles
• practical recommendations for health professionals around documentation, access to allergy information, standardised terminology and allergy alerts
• how better allergy information can support medication safety, allergy delabelling and antimicrobial stewardship
• how the guideline supports national healthcare standards, interoperability and My Health Record

Webinar details
Date: Wednesday 7 October 2026
Time: 7.30–8.30pm AEDT
Cost: Free
Register: https://www.trybooking.com/DPYAC