The Lifetime Achievement Award is granted to Occupational Therapy Australia members who demonstrate sustained, exemplary and impactful contributions in support of OTA and the broader occupational therapy profession.

Eligible nominees

Applicants must:

• Be a current General member of Occupational Therapy Australia
• Have at least 20 years of membership (including membership in the previous state associations of the Australian Association of Occupational Therapists). This membership does not need to be continuous however the nominee needs to have held membership for the last 5 consecutive years.
• Demonstrate meritorious services in the field of occupational therapy and have made sustained and exemplary contributions in the support of OT Australia.

Applicants must not:

• Be current Directors of Occupational Therapy Australia or served on the Board in the prior 2 years before application
• Be current employees of Occupational Therapy Australia or have been employees in the prior 2 years before application

Nomination process

Nominations will be accepted and reviewed biennially.

A nomination must:

1. Be completed by a current member of Occupational Therapy Australia and be seconded by a person, who is also a member of the Association, familiar with the contribution made by the nominee.
2. Outline, the meritorious contributions, achievements and impact provided in support of the Association and the profession of occupational therapy, in no more than 5 pages, 11 point font. This may include, but is not limited to, the following activities:
   • Roles within OTA (e.g. President, Board Director, Divisional Chair, Journal Editor, Chairperson of Committees, WFOT Delegate)
   • Representation or advocacy on behalf of OTA (e.g. standing committees, royal commissions) - Engagement in OTA projects (E.g. working parties, state-level committees, special interest group convenor)
   • Contributions that have delivered significant impact within or on behalf of the occupational therapy profession nationally or internationally.
3. Include a no-more than four (4) page curriculum vitae that should clearly outline relevant roles/service to OTA.

Method of selection

Nominations are accepted, assessed and a decision determined by the Board or a subcommittee of the Board for each cycle of applications. Board members will not be involved where it is determined that a conflict of interest exists.

Recognition

• The recipient(s) will be announced at the National Conference.
• An article about the recipient(s) will appear in OTA Publication(s) and website.
• The recipient(s) will receive a certificate of Honorary Life Membership. This certificate will specify that the membership is awarded in recognition of "long standing contributions to OTA and the profession of occupational therapy"
• The recipient’s name will be added to the Honorary Life Member Register.

Frequency

Honorary Life Membership candidates will be received and allocated biennially. There is no requirement to bestow an Honorary Life Membership in each cycle. The number of Honorary Life Memberships appointed must not exceed two in any one cycle.

Rights and privileges of honorary life membership

• Honorary Life Members are exempt from paying any fees or levies, but hold all rights and privileges of ordinary members, including voting rights.
• Honorary Life Members shall receive the provision of all Member Benefits equivalent to a General Member.
• Honorary Life Members will be invited to Annual General Meetings.
• Honorary Life Membership can be withdrawn immediately by the Board of Directors, should it become aware that the member is deemed no longer eligible for membership.
• Should Occupational Therapy Australia become aware that a life member is subject to criminal investigation or alleged breach of negligence/duty of care, life membership will be suspended during the investigation period.

Date of Approval: December 2022, Approved by Board

Date of next review of Policy: August 2025