
Published: Wednesday 12 February 2025
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.
The framework aims to:
- facilitate occupational therapists’ self-reflection and decision making regarding their practice
- help clinicians identify areas they may need to build their knowledge or skills relevant to their service setting or area of practice
- demonstrate the clinical practice expectations of occupational therapists at different career stages
- support advocacy of the role and function of aged care occupational therapy to government, funding bodies, employers, managers and other key stakeholders
This framework does not intend to:
- be prescriptive or restrictive
- expect clinicians working in aged care to meet all capabilities listed - capabilities need to be applied to their specific setting/context
- expect clinicians to operate at the same proficiency level across all capabilities
Download the framework below.
Related Tags
Related topics

6 January 2025
The Road Ahead: A Guide to Occupational Therapy Driving Assessments
Occupational Therapists work with people to help them to be as independent as possible in everyday activities. In particular, OTs help with Driving Assessments when our abilities change.

31 March 2025
OTseeker
The OTseeker database provides abstracts of systematic reviews, randomised controlled trials and other resources appropriate to OT interventions. The database is more comprehensive pre-2016 and should be complemented with other resources (PubMed, OT journals and Google Scholar) for findings on more recent research.

26 February 2025
Mental Health Endorsement Audit Guidelines
As an endorsed mental health occupational therapist, you are required to undertake activities to develop and maintain your mental health expertise in order to maintain your endorsement. OTA is required to ensure that all endorsed practitioners adhere to these requirements through regular audits.