Policy and Advocacy update – 14 May 2026

Read about OTA policy and advocacy updates and developments this week, including the launch of No OTs, No NDIS campaign, released of Federal budget 2026-2027 and many more.

No OTs, No NDIS 

No OTs, No NDIS is a OTA campaign responding to NDIS reforms that are limiting access to essential occupational therapy supports and impacting participants, families and communities.

Research Survey: Exploring the skills and interventions of mental health occupational therapists

This survey is to understand OTs current practice - who they work with, what interventions and assessments they use, what models of OT they use and what are their challenges and barriers faced.

Stay smart online: How to use digital health systems safely and confidently

This article is the third and final instalment in our cyber health series to help OTs build confidence and stay safe online.

Strengthening cyber security in practice: simple steps for OTs

This second instalment focuses on practical steps you can take to strengthen your practice’s cybersecurity.

Policy and Advocacy update – 30 April 2026

Read about OTA policy and advocacy updates and developments this week, including NDIS reform update, OTA warnings about the NDIS reform, and many more.

Strengthening member workplace support with new HR partnership

Workplace issues can be complex, so OTA members get clear, practical advice from experts who understand the sector.

Stay smart online: Simple ways to protect your practice

As digital health becomes part of everyday practice, we’re sharing a short cyber health series to help OTs build confidence and stay safe.

May Interest Group highlights: Guest speakers and upcoming sessions

Mark your calendars! OTA’s May’s Interest Group sessions are here to inspire, energise and connect you with like-minded OTs across Australia.

New OTA resource: Normal life is being disrupted (again)

Normal life is being disrupted (again) is a practical, easy-to-use guide designed for immediate application in clinical and community settings.

Occupational Therapy Australia calls for person-centered approach as NDIS reforms take shape

Today, Minister Mark Butler, Minister for Disability & NDIS and Minister for Health & Ageing, announced the next stage of the NDIS and Aged Care Reforms in a significant pre-budget announcement at the National Press Club in Canberra. OTA is on the ground at the National Press Club today, with our CEO Sam Hunter ensuring OTs are firmly in the frame as NDIS reform takes centre stage.

Normal life is being disrupted (again): Navigating disruption in a changing world (2026)

Normal life is being disrupted (again) is a practical, easy-to-use guide designed for immediate application in clinical and community settings.

Member Update: Aged Care Reform Implementation (March 2026)

Watch the recorded updates on the implementation of aged care sector reforms that commenced on 1 November 2025.

OTA Submission: NDIS Rules – Public consultation on New Framework Planning

OTA have submitted formal feedback to Government calling for: the release of the Exposure Draft.

Submission: National Disability Insurance Agency | 2026 Annual Pricing Review Consultation

Occupational Therapy Australia calls for a decisive pricing adjustment to stabilise and strengthen the occupational therapy market under the NDIS. Read for more.

Psychosocial Practice v Mental Health OT

Learn more about the distinction between psychosocial practice and mental health occupational therapy.

What is Mental Health OT?

Learn more about how mental health occupational therapists support people with complex mental health diagnoses.

Maintaining Mental Health Endorsement

Endorsed occupational therapists must continue to meet a minimum threshold of supervision, CPD and other requirements to maintain endorsement. Learn more.

OTA Submission: Senate Community Affairs Legislation Committee Review of the Aged Care Rules

OTA welcomes the opportunity to contribute to this review and to bring to the Committee’s attention a number of concerning aspects of funding arrangements under the new Support at Home program.

OTA Submission: Senate Inquiry into transition of CHSP to Support at Home

OTA welcomes the opportunity to contribute to Senate Inquiry into the transition of the Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP) to the Support at Home Program (the Inquiry) and to highlight several significant concerns relating to the new Support at Home program.

Department of Health Disability and Ageing - Support at Home for Allied Health professionals

This is a presentation from the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing to AHPA members including OTA on the key changes under the Support at Home Program relating to allied health professionals.

Adult Health and Disability - Learning Hub

Explore our available events on Adult Health and Disability, designed to expand your knowledge, build skills, and connect with peers through expert-led learning opportunities.

Mental Health - Learning Hub

Explore our available events on Mental Health, designed to expand your knowledge, build skills, and connect with peers through expert-led learning opportunities.

Help for members Digital Transformation and OTA Connect

Help for members through OTAs Digital Transformation.

Courses, Learning Modules & Programs

We offer a variety of on-demand, self-directed learning and development, covering a broad range of practice areas and topics.

OTA Mental Health Endorsement

The OTA Mental Health Endorsement program provides recognition of the additional knowledge, skills and experience of OTs focusing their scope of practice on mental health.

News

Find all the latest news from OTA including our policy and advocacy updates.

Capability Frameworks

Occupational Therapy Australia’s capability frameworks propose what best practice looks like in a particular area across the career pathway. Each framework outlines a set of capabilities that occupational therapists may use in their area of practice at the foundational, intermediate or senior practitioner level.

Primary Health

We advocate for the crucial role that OTs play in an effective primary health system that embraces the spectrum of the allied health workforce.

Mental Health

We advocate to raise awareness of the important role of occupational therapists in providing mental health services. We call for increased visibility, funding and opportunities for mental health OTs.