Policy and Advocacy update

No OTs, No NDIS – Have you joined the campaign?

More than 2,000 people have already joined the No OTs, No NDIS national campaign since we launched it last week! The campaign is our response to ongoing major NDIS reforms that are restricting participant access to essential occupational therapy supports, undermining participant outcomes and increasing pressure on families, communities and our broader support systems.

For years, we have persistently advocated on behalf of our members against NDIS workforce conditions that undermine safe, essential practice by OTs. As reforms continue to undervalue allied health professionals, more participants are going without the essential services they need, with conditions forcing occupational therapists to withdraw from the scheme entirely.

The reforms fundamentally change access to the scheme and supports. The OT role is being removed from assessment pathways, and their therapy role is being scaled back. Yet OTs need to remain central to determining what supports participants need and providing them.

Initially, the No OTs, No NDIS campaign will focus on raising our concerns around the NDIS Reforms and the NDIS Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026. Join us on the journey and provide feedback at any time: policy@otaus.com.au.

Please spread the word and join the campaign here.

We are stronger together!

Member-only workshop: Navigating uncertainty in occupational therapy

The occupational therapy profession is navigating significant reform and uncertainty. Join our free, online member-only workshop to pause, reflect and connect with peers. Together, we’ll explore sector reform, professional identity and leadership challenges, while strengthening clarity, confidence and sustainability in practice.

This session will focus on:

Understanding the moment we are in
The emotional and identity load of change
Holding steady as a leader and professional
Sustainability without endurance culture
What remains within our influence

Details: Thursday 28 May, 11am–12 noon AEST

NSW Thriving Kids EOI – Momentum is building

OTA and member advocacy is working in NSW and now is the time to keep the pressure on! On 8 May, the NSW Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ) opened its Thriving Kids EOI process. OTA called on NSW members to email the DJC to express concern around the exclusion of private OTs from this process. Since then, more than 60 members have sent an email to the DCJ to express concern. Thank you to members who have joined this collective advocacy. 

DCJ has since shared that they are exploring the option of establishing a procurement process to establish a panel arrangement for private allied health practitioners. They have said that further information will be provided in the second half of 2026.  

If you work with children and families in NSW and haven’t yet done so, we encourage you to keep the pressure on and send an email to the DCJ. You can include OTA’s key messaging below.

We encourage members in other states and territories who work with children and families to keep an eye on OTA Weekly for updates relating to your jurisdiction.

What’s happening in NSW

DCJ announced an Expression of Interest (EOI) process for Thriving Kids that raises serious concerns for the profession and for families.

According to DCJ procurement information, Thriving Kids services will be delivered by:

NSW Government agencies, and
Non‑government organisations (NGOs) commissioned by DCJ

Separate processes are proposed for:

NSW Government agencies, and
Private providers, “where required.”

That wording is critical and concerning.

It suggests that private paediatric OT providers may only be included as an exception, rather than as a core part of service delivery. For many members, this effectively excludes them from the outset.

More information is available on the DCJ website.

OTA’s response

OTA is making it clear that:

Private paediatric OTs are essential to service capacity, choice and continuity
Excluding them will harm families and place additional pressure on an already stretched system
Thriving Kids cannot succeed without meaningful inclusion of the private workforce

Member advocacy is already strengthening this message and remains critical.

Key NSW details

Procurement process: Two‑stage (EOI → Request for Tender)
Services expected to commence: October 2026
EOIs close: 3pm, 29 May

What NSW members can do now

Thank you to those who have already contacted DCJ. If you haven’t yet, your voice still matters. OTA is calling on NSW members to continue advocating directly.

DCJ: thrivingkids@dcj.nsw.gov.au
NSW Premier, Chris Minns: kogarah@parliament.nsw.gov.au
NSW Minister, Kate Washington: portstephens@parliament.nsw.gov.au

Please cc: policy@otaus.com.au

Each email reinforces the same message: children and families need access to private occupational therapists.

Submit an EOI

Even where eligibility is unclear, submitting an EOI sends a strong signal. It says plainly: Thriving Kids cannot succeed without private occupational therapists.

NDIS Amendment Bill 2026 – Have your say

Last week, the new NDIS Bill was introduced. It tightens access criteria, limits reassessments and reduces plan flexibility. It also introduces new mechanisms that could reduce funding across entire categories of supports.

Of particular concern are changes to the definition of functional capacity and proposed budget cuts from 1 October 2026, including a 10% reduction to capacity building daily activity supports and a 50% reduction to social, civic and community participation supports. These changes would directly affect participants’ ability to build skills, maintain independence and take part in everyday life, with significant impacts on inclusion and wellbeing.

The Bill has been referred to an inquiry, which is due to report on 16 June. We are preparing a submission to outline our concerns and advocate directly to Government and politicians. Submissions close 29 May. Please send us your feedback by 26 May to policy@otaus.org.au

You can find more info via these links:

NDIS operational reforms – Share your ideas

OTA is preparing a submission to the Joint Standing Committee on the NDIS for the Annual Report No. 2 of the 48th Parliament. As part of the submission, we are looking for feedback from members on ideas for NDIS Operational Reforms. For example, many OTs have often suggested we could make improvements to assessments, assistive technology, environmental modifications and skill building within the scheme.

If you have any ideas to share, please email policy@otaus.com.au by 20 June.

Mental Health Australia’s Member Policy Forum

OTA attended Mental Health Australia’s Member Policy Forum in Canberra last week. The forum provided an opportunity to hear directly from the Australian Government on its mental health priorities, the rollout of election commitments, progress on mental health and suicide prevention reforms, and key mental health measures in the Federal Budget.

The program also included sector perspectives, including from the CEO of Gayaa Dhuwi (Proud Spirit) Australia, on the importance of culturally safe, community-led mental health reform. Attendees also heard from a panel on the opportunities and risks of AI in mental health care in Australia.

Participation in forums like this helps OTA stay close to national policy developments, hear directly from sector leaders, identify emerging advocacy opportunities, and strengthen relationships with government, peak bodies and partners. These insights support OTA’s work to ensure occupational therapy is visible in national mental health reform.

Aged Care: Support at Home pricing caps deferred

After the Aged Care and Allied Health sectors strongly noted the absence of Support at Home pricing caps in the Government’s Federal Budget measures, Aged Care Minister Sam Rae has announced deferral of confirmed Support at Home pricing caps, incorporating measures to monitor pricing.

A specific focus of overall pricing scrutiny will be on the transition from personal to clinical care.

The Aged Care Quality Safety Commission (ACQSC) will have expanded regulatory powers to request providers refund older people who have been overcharged.

Older Persons Advocacy Network (OPAN), COTA (Council on the Ageing) and ACQSC will also form a working group to focus on issues connected to reasonable pricing, multi-provider consultation, and guidance around self-managed packages.

OTA notes the absence of Allied Health representation in a group whose focus includes multi-provider consultation and will make representations accordingly based on member feedback.

No OTs, No NDIS – Have you joined the campaign?

Member-only workshop: Navigating uncertainty in occupational therapy