Occupational Therapy, often referred to as ‘OT,’ is a profession focused on facilitating an individuals’ independence in their daily lives through meaningful engagement in activity. It is an evidence based profession that supports an individual’s independence and safety, through assessment and support of their environment, skills and occupations. Occupational Therapists work in a variety of settings, including in hospitals, helping adults to rehabilitate following strokes or brain injuries; in workplace settings, helping workers to return to their vocations following a workplace injury; or in clinic and community settings to help their families understand and support their child’s development. The following blog explores different pathways to becoming an Occupational Therapist in Australia and maintaining registration.
What is an Occupational Therapist
An Occupational Therapist is an Allied Health professional with university training in assessing and supporting the ‘occupations’ of an individual. Occupations are the things that a person needs, or wants, to do as part of their life roles in their day to day life. For children, in their role as friends, students and sons or daughters, their occupations include playing with their toys and friends, learning to take care of their bodies, and learning how to follow group rules and be a learner as part of a group. ‘Occupational Performance’ is when the child has the right skills to do their occupation, and their environment supports them to do just that. When there isn’t a great fit between the environment, occupation and the person we see a breakdown in occupational performance – this is where an OT can help.
In order to be an Occupational Therapist in Australia, individuals are required to attain either an undergraduate or master’s degree in Occupational Therapy from an accredited university. Following the completion of their academic studies, professionals must register with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA), the regulatory authority responsible for overseeing the profession, and engage in ongoing professional development to maintain membership and ensure ongoing commitment to evidence-based practice.
Pathways to Occupational Therapy in Australia
Occupational Therapy Accredited Courses
Aspiring occupational therapists should identify and enrol in an undergraduate degree program or masters program approved by the World Federation of Occupational Therapists (WFOT) and by the Occupational Therapy Board of Australia (OTBA).
Approval from these institutes ensures that the program meets national standards and provides quality education essential for professional practice.
Occupational Therapy Undergraduate Courses
Pursuing a bachelor’s degree in occupational therapy from an accredited university forms the foundational stage of the educational journey. This typically involves a comprehensive curriculum encompassing theoretical knowledge, practical skills, and clinical experience. Students engage in coursework covering areas such as Occupational Therapy Theory and Practice; anatomy and physiology; and Occupational Therapy Assessment and Intervention in order to prepare for their role as a future Occupational Therapist. Undergraduate degrees in Occupational Therapy are typically 4 years in length full time but may be completed over 8 years part time at the discretion of the university.
Throughout their undergraduate journey, aspiring occupational therapists are expected to adhere to professional standards and ethical guidelines set forth by AHPRA and Occupational Therapy Australia. This entails demonstrating integrity, respect, and cultural sensitivity in all interactions, maintaining confidentiality, and upholding the highest standards of clinical practice.
If you are currently studying Occupational Therapy in South East Queensland and have a strong interest in paediatrics, feel free to reach out to the BillyLids team and join us for Shadow a Therapist for the Day program.
Occupational Therapy Postgraduate Courses
The Masters Occupational Therapy program is at times referred to as the ‘GEM’ program or a Graduate Entry Masters. Entry into the Master of Occupational Therapy program does not require an undergraduate degree in Occupational Therapy. Different universities have different requirements for admission with a health related undergraduate degree and a competitive grade point average often being viewed favourably. Additionally, certain pre-requisite courses may be required, such as a unit of anatomy, psychology, physiology, or statistics. For specific information, please refer to the relevant university website.
During the Master program, students engage in condensed coursework covering areas
such as Occupational Therapy Theory and Practice; anatomy and physiology; and Occupational Therapy Assessment and Intervention in order to prepare for their role as a future Occupational Therapist. Postgraduate degrees in Occupational Therapy are typically 2-2.5 years in length full time but may be completed over 4-5 years part time at the discretion of the university.
Throughout their master’s journey, aspiring occupational therapists are expected to adhere to professional standards and ethical guidelines set forth by AHPRA and Occupational Therapy Australia. This entails demonstrating integrity, respect, and cultural sensitivity in all interactions, maintaining confidentiality, and upholding the highest standards of clinical practice.
Occupational Therapy Placement
Integral to the study pathway is the completion of clinical placements and practicum experiences. These immersive learning opportunities enable students to apply theoretical concepts in real-world settings under the guidance of experienced Occupational Therapists. Clinical placements provide exposure to diverse client populations and clinical settings, fostering the development of essential clinical competencies and professional skills. Examples of placements include: Department of Education, hospitals, disability support services, and rehab centres. Placement hours are required in both a paediatric and adult settings.
Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) registration
Upon successful completion of the postgraduate program, graduates are eligible to apply for registration with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) , the regulatory authority responsible for overseeing the profession. Registration is a legal requirement to practise as an occupational therapist in Australia.
Ongoing Professional Development
As lifelong learners, occupational therapists engage in continuing professional development to stay abreast of advancements in the field, enhance their clinical skills, and maintain professional competency. AHPRA requires you to complete a minimum of 20 hours of Continuing Professional Development (CPD) activities each year by November 30th.
This may involve attending workshops, conferences, and seminars, participating in ongoing education programs, and pursuing further specialisation through advanced training or postgraduate studies. At BillyLids Therapy all Occupational Therapists participate in both internal and external professional development, including: mentoring, shadowing senior Occupational Therapists, cross discipline shadowing with Speech Pathologists, and external courses such as DIR-Floortime, equipment prescription, and Learn to Play.
What Job Opportunities are Available Upon Graduation?
In Australia, the field of occupational therapy offers an array of promising graduate opportunities. Aspiring occupational therapists are met with a breadth of employment prospects spanning various sectors of healthcare, hospitals, education, research, and community services.
Graduates entering the workforce in Australia find themselves well-positioned to contribute to multidisciplinary teams within hospitals, clinics, schools and rehabilitation centers. These settings offer invaluable opportunities to apply clinical skills in assessing, diagnosing, and treating physical, cognitive, and psychosocial challenges across the lifespan.
What do Occupational Therapists Earn in Australia?
In Australia, the remuneration for occupational therapists reflects a combination of factors including experience, qualifications, geographic location, and sector of employment. As dedicated and in-demand healthcare professionals, occupational therapists typically command competitive salaries commensurate with their specialised skills and expertise.
According to seek.com $93,000 is the typical salary for Occupational Therapists in Australia. However, Occupational Therapists in Australia may earn anywhere between $75,000-$120,000 per year. Additionally, benefits such as superannuation contributions, professional development opportunities, and flexible work arrangements may also contribute to the overall remuneration package for occupational therapists in Australia.
I’m a Current Occupational Therapy Student Interested in Paediatrics
BillyLids is a private practice focused on supporting children under the age of 10. You can read more about the role of the Occupational Therapist for children here.
If you are currently studying Occupational Therapy in South East Queensland and have a strong interest in paediatrics, feel free to reach out to the BillyLids team and join us for Shadow a Therapist for the Day program. This one-day experience is a chance for university students to witness our family-focused approach, learn from our dedicated team, and see the meaningful impact of personalised therapy.
Job Opportunities at BillyLids Therapy
If you are interested in working with us, visit our careers page here.
