Victorian State Disability Plan and Autism Plan

OTA is preparing a submission to the Victorian Government about the Victorian State Disability Plan and the Victorian Autism Plan 2027–2031. These two strategic frameworks aim to ensure equal opportunities, participation and inclusion in all aspects of community life and will be aligned with ongoing national reforms. We are seeking feedback from members, especially around the rollout of the Thriving Kids Initiative in Victoria. Please share your feedback with us by 1 July by emailing policy@otaus.com.au. Consultation closes on 17 July.

Submissions on NDIS Amendment Bill

OTA has lodged a submission to the Senate Inquiry on the NDIS Amendment Bill, warning that the proposed changes to the NDIS may limit participant access to essential occupational therapy supports.

The Bill introduces significant changes to the NDIS, restructuring how the Scheme controls access, plans, budgets, pricing and compliance. It shifts the scheme from one that is participant-centred, and focused on supports that are reasonable and necessary, to one focused on cost containment.

The Bill also increases the risk of workforce shortages, reduced service availability, and longer wait times for participants. This would place significant pressure on occupational therapists, who are essential to the effective functioning of the NDIS.

Our submission calls for a strong, sustainable NDIS that is accessible, fair and supported by a skilled workforce. OTA has made 13 recommendations to strengthen the bill and help deliver a genuinely sustainable NDIS for future generations. Read our submission and recommendations on our website.

We will continue to monitor the progress of this Bill through the Senate inquiry process and will keep members informed of developments.

We were also thrilled to see a strong contingent of OTA members make their own submissions to the Bill. Thank you to everyone who shared their views with the Inquiry. Insights from the frontline of service delivery are essential to shaping real, practical reform. Hearing directly from OTs also ensures the reforms remain grounded in real practice.

You can continue to make your voice heard through our No OTs, No NDIS campaign – find out more on our website.

Advocacy in Canberra

OTA’s CEO Samanta Hunter met with Senators and MPs in Canberra last week – including Chief Opposition Whip in the Senate, Senator Wendy Askew, and Independent MP Dr Monique Ryan – to launch our No OTs, No NDIS campaign and advocate for the critical role of occupational therapy supports in the NDIS. These conversations reflect growing interest and support for the work of OTs, help build awareness and strengthen backing for our campaign across Parliament. OTA is pushing for amendments to the NDIS Bill to protect participant’s access to essential occupational therapy services. We will continue to meet with Parliamentarians in the weeks ahead to ensure the voice of the profession is heard through the reform process.

Fair Work decision on OT award classifications and pay

The Fair Work Commission has handed down its decision on the Health Professionals and Support Services Award as part of its gender undervaluation review. Occupational Therapy Australia argued that the current OT education landscape, including bachelor, honours, and master’s entry pathways, should be better recognised in the Award. The Commission decided to keep occupational therapy at AQF Level 7 for award purposes, but it also confirmed higher minimum award pay rates for award-covered OTs, with the first increase taking effect from 1 October 2026 and further increases phased in over time.

This decision will be most relevant to members employed under the Award, particularly in private health settings, and to private practice owners whose staff may be covered by it. Members who are unsure whether the Award applies to them should check with their employer or payroll team and can also refer to the Fair Work Commission materials for more detail.

For more information, visit the Fair Work Commission’s gender undervaluation review page at www.fwc.gov.au, the Health Professionals and Support Services Award at awards.fairwork.gov.au, the Fair Work Ombudsman’s Health Services Award summary at www.fairwork.gov.au.

WorkSafe Victoria: New home assessment framework

WorkSafe Victoria has commenced a new home assessment framework, effective from 1 June 2026. The new framework is called the Household Help Services Means Assessment and supersedes the Assessment of Daily Living (ADL) home help policy. There will be a four-week transition period for the new framework, commencing 1 June, although this may be extended by a further four weeks, based on feedback and sector requirements. This means Victorian occupational therapists will have stronger involvement in Household Help services assessment, with updated paperwork and a revised fee of $970. The new fee schedule is available here.

OT recommendations, based on assessment submissions, will determine if household help services or required household equipment are "reasonable and necessary" because of compensable injury.

Two new item codes have been added to the Occupational therapy services fee schedule for HHSNA assessments: HHSNA01 and HHSNA02. Adaptive household equipment item trials are included in the HHSNA fee.

For invoices for services prior to 1 June 2026, ADL items codes (OT320 or ADL002) can be used. Equipment requests outside adaptive household equipment will be assessed via an equipment prescription and trial, using the updated Equipment prescription form.

Requests for attendant care, home modifications, car modifications, childcare or nursing services require assessment by a framework occupational therapy provider. All requests for cleaning and gardening services must now be assessed using the new HHSNA form.

OTs will need to complete a newly updated assessment template available from WorkSafe Victoria, and other support material is now publicly available via their website.

Share your feedback with the TAC

The Victorian TAC is inviting occupational therapists to take part in a short provider check-in survey to help improve how it works with health sector providers. This builds on previous feedback from OTs, including the need for faster query resolution, improved invoice processing and clearer system processes.

OTs can also provide feedback on issues such as reductions in billing codes, clarity of service descriptions and referral matching. The survey is available here and closes on 14 June. Responses are anonymous and confidential.

The check-in helps the TAC understand what is working well and where further improvements are needed.