Policy and advocacy update - 30 October 2025

Read about OTA policy and advocacy updates and developments this week, including NDIS Psychosocial Access, The New Aged Care Act, and many more.

New Editor-in-Chief Appointed for the Australian Occupational Therapy Journal

Occupational Therapy Australia is delighted to announce the appointment of **Professor Angus Buchanan** as the next Editor-in-Chief of the *Australian Occupational Therapy Journal (AOTJ)*.

OTA launches The Participation Gap report

Launched today on World OT Day, new national polling commissioned by Occupational Therapy Australia’s reveals the scale of health-related disruption across the nation – and the opportunity to close it through occupational therapy.

Policy and advocacy update - 23 October 2025

Read about OTA policy and advocacy developments this week and what they mean for you.

The Future of Early Childhood Intervention – with Jacqui Barfoot

families, this is one workshop you simply cannot miss. OTA’s CPD Empower series proudly presents Connect Play Learn: Using the PAIR Model to Integrate Relational Approaches in Early Childhood Intervention, delivered by the innovative and down-to-earth Dr Jacqui Barfoot.

Policy and advocacy update - 16 October 2025

Read about OTA policy and advocacy updates and developments this week, including the NDIS Therapy supports operational guideline, AT-HM guidelines, and an open position for Digital Health Advisers.

Understanding the Support at Home Program - Preparing to work in Support at Home

This practice resource provides a summary of key features of the Support at Home Program. This document offers a summary of information drawn from resources provided by the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing. Please note that this content is general in nature and does not constitute legal or business advice. We strongly encourage individuals to seek their own independent legal and business advice regarding their own arrangements and to directly engage with the source resources to clarify the information provided.

Understanding the Support at Home Short Term Programs - Restorative Care Pathway

This practice resource provides a summary of the Restorative Care Pathway under the new Support at Home Program. This document offers a summary of information drawn from resources provided by the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing. Please note that this content does not reflect the views of OTA, nor does it constitute legal or business advice. We strongly encourage individuals to seek their own independent legal and business advice regarding their own arrangements and to directly engage with the source resources to clarify the information provided.

Capability Framework for Occupational Therapists Working with Older People (Aged Care)

The Capability Framework for Occupational Therapists working with Older People (Aged Care) proposes a series of capabilities (knowledge, skills and attitudes) for occupational therapists practising across different aged care settings and support structures. The framework acknowledges that aged care is a complex and multifaceted area of clinical practice and is within the scope of all registered occupational therapists.

Understanding the Support at Home Short Term Programs - AT/HM Pathway

This practice resource provides a summary of key features of the Assistive Technology/Home Modifications (AT/HM) pathway under the new Support at Home Program. This document offers a summary of information drawn from resources provided by the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing. Please note that this content does not reflect the views of OTA, nor does it constitute legal or business advice. We strongly encourage individuals to seek their own independent legal and business advice regarding their own arrangements and to directly engage with the source resources to clarify the information provided.

Understanding the Support at Home Short Term Programs - End of Life Pathway

This practice resource provides a summary of the End of Life Pathway under the new Support at Home Program. This document offers a summary of information drawn from resources provided by the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing. Please note that this content does not reflect the views of OTA, nor does it constitute legal or business advice. We strongly encourage individuals to seek their own independent legal and business advice regarding their own arrangements.

Policy and advocacy update - 7 October 2025

Read about OTA policy and advocacy updates and developments this week, including the newly established NDIS Evidence Advisory Committee (EAC), NDIS Supports list, and many more.

World Mental Health Day 2025 – Connect with Your Community

Occupational therapists play a vital role in mental health – supporting people to engage in meaningful activities, build resilience, and stay connected.

Access and utilisation of key allied health services by older adults in rural coastal NSW

To investigate the perspectives of key allied health professions regarding older adults' accessibility and utilisation of their health services in rural coastal areas of NSW against the dimensions of accessibility.

Advancing the use of telehealth technology for older people

Advancing the use of telehealth technology by occupational therapists to provide home safety risk assessments for community dwelling older people.

Environmental Modifications & Assistive Technology - Learning Hub

Explore our available events on Environmental Modifications & Assistive Technology, designed to expand your knowledge, build skills, and connect with peers through expert-led learning opportunities.

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.

Across the lifespan - Learning Hub

Explore our available events, 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.

Professional and Practice Skills - Learning Hub

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

Occupational Therapy - Frequently Asked Questions

Occupational Therapy – FAQs provides clear answers to common queries about occupational therapy, understand its role in promoting health, wellbeing, and participation in daily life.

FAQ: Environmental and Home Modifications

FAQs on home and environmental modifications.

Poster - Understanding occupational therapy in education

Download the "Understanding occupational therapy in education" flyer.

Poster - An ABC of Occupational Therapy in Education

Download the "An ABC of Occupational Therapy in Education" poster.

Consultation on Foundational Supports for children with developmental concern, delay and/or disability and their families, carers and kin

Occupational Therapy Australia (OTA) welcomes the opportunity to provide a submission in relation to targeted foundational supports - Foundational Supports for children with developmental concern, delay and/or disability and their families, carers and kin.

Submission: Productivity Commission – Final Review of National Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Agreement

In this interim report, the Productivity Commission presents its initial findings and draft recommendations.

Practice Essentials

OTA’s Practice Essentials are self-directed, online learning modules designed to help you meet the demands of your practice area – with confidence and competence – at the foundational level.

NDIS Pricing Campaign

OTA needs your voice. The NDIA’s frozen pricing is unsustainable. We’re calling for fair funding now - before more OTs leave the workforce. Join the campaign.

Professional Supervision

Grounded in principles including reflective practice, self-directed learning, and critical feedback, professional supervision empowers supervisees to take control of their own learning and development, and provides a platform for self-directed growth, skill development, problem solving and wellbeing.

Practice Queries Service

Need advice? Our Practice Queries Service connects you with experienced occupational therapists from our Professional Practice Team. We provide general, in-principle guidance on professional practice matters to support your work.