Policy and Advocacy Workforce October Update

Update on Occupational Therapy Business Names and Schedule 1 of the Business Names Registration (Availability of Names) Determination 2015

Recently, OTA submitted a request to the Assistant Treasurer, seeking the inclusion of commonly used occupational therapy terms—such as 'occupational therapy,' 'OT,' and related expressions—in Schedule 1 of the Business Names Registration (Availability of Names) Determination 2015. These additions aimed to alleviate the financial and legal challenges our members have faced due to confusion over similar business names.

While Treasury acknowledged the challenges outlined in our case studies, they concluded that there is not yet sufficient justification for an immediate legislative amendment to the Determination. They reaffirmed that business name registration under the Business Names Registration Act 2011 does not provide exclusive legal protection. Instead, they recommended that occupational therapy businesses consider trademarking their names to secure intellectual property protection.

Treasury has assured us that they will keep our concerns in mind for the next review of the Determination. In the meantime, OTA encourages members to explore trademark registration for additional protection. More information on trademarks can be found at: Trade Mark Registration Information.

We will continue to advocate for changes that reduce administrative burdens and provide clarity for occupational therapy businesses.

OTA at Senate Inquiry hearing into Universities Accord Bill 2024

Michelle Oliver our General Manager of Occupational Therapy gave evidence on 24 September at the Senate Education and Employment Legislation Committee Inquiry into the Universities Accord Bill 2024.  As you may know the government recently announced an initiative in providing targeted financial relief to students undertaking mandatory clinical placements however this was only extended to students in social work, nursing and teaching, and allied health professionals have been largely excluded.  OTA has called for the Government to use the new grants under the bill to expand placement support to OTs and other allied health professions - to reduce supply barriers - and to ensure we meet future demand. Read Michelle’s statement to the Committee here. 

The Committee’s Final Report was tabled in Parliament on October 3. Read the final report here. 

While the Committee has recommended that the Bill pass, OTA is pleased that they recognised OTA’s concerns that occupational therapy has not been included in the Commonwealth Prac Payment program, and the Bill does not address every recommendation of the Universities Accord Final Report.

Meeting with Department on Workforce Data

OTA met with staff in the Department of Health and Aged Care about allied health workforce data and is pleased to report that occupational therapy is one of the key professions that will undergo an in-depth supply and demand analysis in coming months to assist with future national workforce planning. OTA has offered to assist the department to understand the demand for OT services.

OTA will continue to keep members updated.