Published: Thursday 19 March 2026
Your experiences, insights and priorities guide how we represent you, consult with you and champion the profession. There’s lots happening this week! Your feedback is more important than ever. Help us ensure decision makers understand the vital, life-changing work OTs do every day. Share your input at policy@otaus.com.au.
OTA National Reference Groups – EOI closes tomorrow!
Expressions of interest (EOIs) for our National Reference Groups (NRGs) close tomorrow, 20 March. If you are passionate about shaping the future of occupational therapy, we would love to hear from you.
Our NRGs bring together members from across Australia and ensure OTA’s policy and advocacy work is informed by occupational therapists working across diverse sectors, including disability, aged care, mental health and veterans’ health.
EOIs are currently open for four groups:
We invite occupational therapists with diverse experience, perspectives and skills to join these groups and help ensure our advocacy reflects the full breadth of the profession.
NRG members meet online three times a year for one hour during business hours, with occasional opportunities to contribute between meetings via email or other sessions. Read more about our NRGs here.
Find out more and apply today.
South Australians head to the polls this weekend
Ahead of this weekend’s South Australian election (21 March), OTA has been advocating to ensure the voice of occupational therapists is heard in the policy conversation. Over the past 7 months, we have worked with members to develop our election priorities, shared them with ministers, shadow ministers, crossbenchers and independents, and progressed this work through letters, proposal documents, meetings, media coverage and our email-to-your-local-MP campaign.
This advocacy has generated encouraging engagement across the political and policy landscape. OTA had strong engagement with Minister Picton and his office during the campaign, with this dialogue set to continue. OTA also secured discussions with Minister Cook, Sarah Game and the South Australian Chief Allied Health Officer, Dr Ingrid Lensink. Our proposals generated written responses, follow-up discussions and requests for further information, and several stakeholders expressed support for elements of OTA’s agenda. SA-BEST’s Connie Bonaros expressed in-principle support for OTA’s three health proposals and saw merit in the Return-to-Work proposal, while Liberal offices also indicated interest in ongoing consultation.
Thank you to the members who have helped shape and support this work. While advocacy continues beyond polling day, we are pleased that occupational therapy priorities have received meaningful attention ahead of the election. There is still time to write to your local MP via our SA election campaign page.
Member Forum: TAC’s new OT Access Registry
The Victorian Transport Accident Commission (TAC) is launching a new occupational therapy service model and access registry on 13 April 2026. The registry recognises the vital role OTs play in client recovery, and introduces higher rates, clearer expectations and better matched referrals. To support members to understand the changes and prepare for registration, TAC representatives will speak at an online OTA member-only forum on Tuesday 31 March, 12 –1pm (AEDT).
The session will cover key features of the new model, fees and registration arrangements, and next steps. Members will have an opportunity to ask questions during the session or ahead of time via this anonymous survey.
Visit the TAC’s website for more information.
Register here for the Member Forum by 29 March.
Member Forum: Shaping the future of driving
Hurry! Registrations close 11:55pm AEDT on Sunday 22 March.
Stay informed and have your say on key initiatives shaping the future of OT driver assessors at our Member Forum on Tuesday 24 March, 12.30–1.30pm AEDT. We’ll be discussing the work OTA is doing to update the Driving Competency Standards, present key practice resources including the OTA Jurisdictional Differences Table and update you on national initiatives to support best practice for OTDAs.
This event is suitable for OTA members who are OTDAs, and OTs interested in the driving space.
Senate Inquiry: Rural, regional and remote Medicare access and funding
OTA is preparing a submission to the Senate Inquiry into rural, regional and remote Medicare access and funding, due 27 March. We’re seeking member feedback on how the 1 November 2025 Medicare changes are impacting access to primary care – including telehealth – for people living in rural, regional and remote Australia.
Your insights will help inform OTA’s submission. Please send your feedback to the OTA Policy & Advocacy Team by COB Wednesday 25 March: policy@otaus.com.au.
NDIS 2026 Annual Pricing Review
The NDIA’s consultation on the Annual Pricing Review (APR) concluded on 8 February. Last year, the APR Report was released in May. OTA anticipates that the APR Report will be released earlier this year, potentially within the coming weeks.
OTA made a submission to the NDIA’ consultation process, strongly recommending a decisive pricing response from the NDIA to stabilise and strengthen the occupational therapy market under the NDIS. Several key changes are needed to ensure occupational therapists can continue delivering high-quality supports, including:
- An immediate 11% uplift to OT hourly rates. OTs have now weathered 7 years of frozen NDIA maximum fee rates, in a period of record inflation and rising business and household costs. Providers are at their limit and are absorbing costs, and many are closing.
- Reinstating 100% travel funding for occupational therapy as a core component of service delivery. OTs must travel to conduct therapy and environmental assessments in a client’s natural setting like their home, school or in the community. This is best practice, is required by the NDIS Practice standards, and is not a provider choice.
- Develop a fit-for-purpose allied health pricing model. NDIA needs to work with the allied health sector and OTA to review therapy support pricing and ensure that NDIA rates reflect real costs, and include report writing, travel and MDT consultations.
Read OTA’s full submission here.
OTA will also be seeking meetings with the NDIS Minister and Minister for Health, Disability and Ageing to advocate for these changes.
OTA will be closely monitoring and updating members upon the release of the APR Report.
NDIS Evidence Advisory Committee consultation
The NDIS Evidence Advisory Committee is reviewing a range of supports to provide advice to Government. OTA will be preparing a submission (due 29 March) and is seeking feedback from members who provide these types of supports, and who have a view on the role of occupational therapy in delivering them. The consultation focuses on:
- early intensive behavioural interventions
- positive behaviour support for older children and adults
- robot-assisted gait training
- social skills training as a disability support for children and young people.
You can read more here.
Please send your feedback to the OTA Policy & Advocacy Team by COB Wednesday 25 March: policy@otaus.com.au.
Concerns about the NDIS Rules: New Framework Planning
OTA continues to raise concerns about the potential impact of the proposed New Framework Planning rules on the occupational therapy profession and OT services. We recently provided a submission to Government calling for the release of the Exposure Draft, inclusion of occupational therapists as NDIA Assessors, no cuts or reductions in therapy supports, a slower rollout with real co-design, and representation on a Government Reference Group on the NDIS Rules.
You can view the submission here.
Aged Care Reform Update – Recording now available
Major reforms to the aged care sector came into effect on 1 November 2025, including the introduction of the new Aged Care Act and the Support at Home program. In this video, we share what we’re hearing and learning from the first three months of implementation, including key developments most likely to impact the profession. As the reforms continue to roll out, there are still unknowns and evolving details. We’re listening to member feedback and working to support the profession through this transition.
Watch the recording here.
Our Support at Home Survey remains open for the next few months for both members and non-members. It takes about 10 minutes and responses will remain confidential and anonymous. Your insights will directly inform our advocacy, including upcoming submissions to Senate inquiries on the Support at Home program expected in July.
Add your name to the petition to end placement poverty
AHPA’s Prac Payment Petition has more than 23,000 signatures! There’s still time to add yours. Occupational therapy students complete extensive mandatory unpaid placements, often at significant personal cost. This reform would reduce the financial hardship and strengthen Australia’s future health workforce.
Every signature counts – sign the petition today!
We acknowledge that the current reforms may be causing stress and anxiety for occupational therapy business owners, and those who work in occupational therapy businesses, including private practitioners. OTA is here to support you. Members can access our EAP service, TELUS Health. Organisations like Beyond Blue also offer mental health coaching for small business owners.
