Policy and Advocacy update - 19 February 2026

Read about OTA policy and advocacy updates and developments this week, including the upcoming Digital Health webinar, updates on the Thriving Kids initiative, and many more.

Australian Occupational Therapy Journal - Call for Editorial Board Members

The Australian Occupational Therapy Journal (AOTJ), the official research publication of Occupational Therapy Australia (OTA), invites expressions of interest from OTA members for positions on its Editorial Board.

OTA’s South Australian State Election 2026 Campaign

The SA state election will be held on 21 March 2026. MPs are finalising commitments now. A short message from local constituents helps put occupational therapy workforce solutions on the agenda.

OTA Morning Tea at Australia Parliament House, 2 February 2026

OTA CEO Samantha Hunter addresses members and stakeholders at a Morning Tea held at Australia’s Parliament House, highlighting the vital role of occupational therapy in supporting participation, wellbeing, and inclusive communities across the nation.

Policy and Advocacy update - 11 December 2025

Read about OTA policy and advocacy updates and developments this week, including algorithm-driven NDIS support needs assessments, a call for input from AOPA, changes to Better Access, 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)*.

MEDIA RELEASE: OTA backs calls to end placement poverty

OTA has called on the Federal Government to end placement poverty for students, backing Allied Health Professions Australia’s campaign to expand the Commonwealth Prac Payment (CPP) to include all allied health students.

Step into a CPD experience designed to move you forward

Occupational Therapy Australia is proud to present CPD Empower – a national CPD event series designed to advance your practice and supercharge your professional growth.

SA OTs secure stronger EBA

A new standalone Allied Health EBA has been endorsed by 80.1% of voters, delivering a 13.5% pay rise and improved conditions for South Australia’s allied health workforce.

Media Release: With ramping surging, South Australia risks losing vital OT workforce over pay gap

Patients across South Australia could face longer wait times and reduced access to care as the state risks losing its vital occupational therapy workforce due to an unresolved and unfair pay gap.

Neurodiversity – Exploring the knowledge and perspectives of Australian Allied Health Practitioners

Understanding where to seek information and how to implement evidence-based practice that is neurodiversity-affirming is currently presenting a significant challenge for allied health professions in Australia.

Australian Occupational Therapy Competency Standards

The new Australian occupational therapy competency standards (the competency standards) have been in effect since 1 January 2019. The Occupational Therapy Board of Australia (the Board) expects all occupational therapists to understand and apply them in their practice.

Australian Occupational Therapy Journal (AOTJ)

The Australian Occupational Therapy Journal (AOTJ) is a leading international publication presenting influential and innovative scholarship and research relevant to occupational therapy. The journal is the official research publication of the peak membership body, Occupational Therapy Australia.

DHAC: Australia’s Primary Health Care 10 Year Plan (2022-2032)

The Australian Government’s Future focused primary health care: Australia’s Primary Health Care 10 Year Plan 2022–2032 is about strengthening primary health care as part of the health system and providing an agenda for primary health care reform over a decade.

AHPA: What is needed for quality allied health in Australian aged care?

As the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety concluded, allied health is a fundamental element of the aged care system, and is essential for ‘reablement’.

Occupational Therapy Australia Oration

The OTA Oration is bestowed by the Occupational Therapy Australia Board in recognition of innovation and impact in the Australian occupational therapy profession which has led to positive outcomes for the profession or those who are recipients of occupational therapy services.

Occupational Therapy Australia Inaugural Members Commemorative Roll

The Inaugural Members Commemorative Roll is a list of members, who at the first occasion either joined or renewed their membership upon the forming of the single entity Occupational Therapy Australia.