Occupational Therapist jobs in Australia

CrossNation has 2 open occupational therapists roles listed right now. This count comes live from our job board and updates every few minutes.

Occupational therapy is a regulated profession, so you must hold registration with the Occupational Therapy Board of Australia, which works with Ahpra, before practising or using the title occupational therapist. Graduates of approved Australian programs apply directly. Overseas-qualified OTs usually go through the Occupational Therapy Council, which assesses whether overseas qualifications are comparable and may require further assessment before the Board considers registration. OTs registered in New Zealand may be able to apply under trans-Tasman mutual recognition. The Board's registration standards cover English language skills, criminal history, recency of practice, continuing professional development and professional indemnity insurance. Once registered, you appear on the public register, which employers check before your start date. Allow time for this process before agreeing to a start date, and keep copies of transcripts and clinical placement records, since assessors often ask for detailed evidence.

OTs help people do the everyday activities that matter to them after illness, injury or disability, or as they age. In hospitals that often means discharge planning, home visits, equipment prescription and rehabilitation. In aged care, OTs assess falls risk, seating and pressure care, and help residents keep as much independence as possible. Disability work, much of it funded through the NDIS, includes functional capacity assessments, assistive technology and home modification reports, which call for strong report writing. Paediatric OTs work with children on fine motor skills, sensory processing and school participation. Mental health and workplace rehabilitation roles focus on returning people to daily routines and work. Community roles usually involve driving between clients, so a driver licence is commonly required. Tell recruiters which client groups you have worked with, as experience is usually matched closely to the setting.

Occupational therapists in private practice, aged care, disability services and private hospitals are commonly covered by the Health Professionals and Support Services Award [MA000027], which sets minimum rates by health professional level, plus overtime, penalty rates, allowances and leave. Public hospital and community health OTs are usually employed under state or territory enterprise agreements with their own classification structures. Some NDIS providers set billable hours targets, so read how report writing, travel time and cancellations are treated in the contract and whether pay changes if targets are not met. Independent contractors are not employees and are not covered by the award. We do not publish pay figures, as rates depend on the instrument, level and employment type. Use the Fair Work Ombudsman's Pay Calculator to check the minimum award rate for your level before accepting an offer.

Registration: Occupational Therapy Board of Australia (via Ahpra). Registration is required before practising or using the title occupational therapist. Overseas-qualified OTs are usually assessed by the Occupational Therapy Council first.

Pay and conditions: usually the Health Professionals and Support Services Award [MA000027] or an enterprise agreement. Check current minimum rates with the Fair Work Pay Calculator.

Award rates: Occupational therapist salary in Australia: what the award sets.

ANZSCO: 252411 Occupational Therapist