– Michelle Oliver, Chief Occupational Therapist, OTA

As occupational therapists, we’re deeply committed to making a difference in people’s lives – but it’s just as important that we continue to invest in our own growth.

I know how hard it can be to step away from the demands of work and clients. Finding time for Continuing Professional Development (CPD) is never easy.

But every time I do, I’m reminded of just how valuable it is – not only for staying current in our field, but for reigniting that sense of purpose and professional pride that brought many of us to occupational therapy in the first place.

In a profession as broad and evolving as ours, CPD isn’t just about compliance. It’s about staying sharp, challenged, and inspired. It’s about strengthening our ability to respond to changing policies, emerging practice areas, and the real-life complexity of client needs.

The need for immersive, high-impact learning

Many OTs tell us they're looking for more from their CPD: more relevance, more depth, more inspiration.

That's exactly why we developed CPD Empower: a new series of immersive, in-person learning events designed specifically for occupational therapists at all career stages.

Launching in Perth this September, CPD Empower then heads to Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne, with OTs from other states and regional areas travelling to join their peers.

CPD Empower has been designed for both experienced clinicians and those wanting to stretch themselves in key practice areas. It is ideal for OTs looking for more than just a workshop, providing an opportunity to extend our professional networks, invest in ourselves, connect and grow.

Participants choose a workshop stream for the duration of the event, for a deep dive into a key area of practice, facilitated by practice area experts.

The immersive and focused approach gives clinicians practical and practice-ready insights – more than just theory, it's learning that you can use immediately.

Connection is key: The value of in-person learning and networking

Online and self-paced learning remain an important and flexible part of our CPD toolkit. But face-to-face professional development offers something more – the chance to connect with like-minded peers and experienced presenters in person, in real time.

Building networks within a supportive occupational therapy community can be especially important for solo practitioners, and also for newer entrants to the profession. For these clinicians, connection and peer reflection provide meaningful support, particularly in practice areas that can be challenging to navigate alone.

To create an energising and engaging experience, OTA’s CPD Empower has been carefully curated to provide opportunities for OTs to connect and network throughout the day.

Beyond earning interactive CPD hours, CPD Empower participants will be able to enjoy a shared plenary presentation, catered breaks, a curated gift bag, and meaningful connection with peers from all workshop streams and presenters, ending with a signature ‘Power Hour’ networking event.

I invite you to explore the workshop streams announced for Perth and Sydney, and discover more about CPD Empower’s tailored, OT-specific approach.

I believe this is CPD worth making time for.

Read more about OTA’s CPD Empower series coming to Perth, Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne. Click here

See OTA’s full CPD calendar and options to plan your CPD in 2025. Click here