Occupational Therapy Australia

Occupational Therapy Australia As Australia's professional association for occupational therapy, Occupational Therapy Australia (OTA)

Deepen your expertise. Expand your thinking. Empower your practice.Take your professional development deeper at CPD Empo...
21/08/2026

Deepen your expertise. Expand your thinking. Empower your practice.

Take your professional development deeper at CPD Empower Adelaide on Thursday 12 November.

Designed for occupational therapists, this immersive one-day event gives you the opportunity to choose from one of three specialist workshop streams and focus on the area of practice most relevant to you.

🧠 Acquired Brain Injury – Supporting cognition, behaviour and participation
🧩 Progressive Neurological Conditions – Explore approaches to supporting people living with progressive neurological conditions
🩹 Understanding Pain – A regulation and sensory-informed approach to pain in occupational therapy

Join experienced presenters for a full day of focused learning, practical strategies and professional connection.

📅 Thursday 12 November 2026
📍 The Playford Hotel, Adelaide

Choose your focus. Deepen your practice.

Register now: https://bit.ly/4xOBIfI

🚨 Thriving Kids needs OTs.Children and families deserve continuity of care, choice and access to occupational therapy.We...
21/08/2026

🚨 Thriving Kids needs OTs.

Children and families deserve continuity of care, choice and access to occupational therapy.

We're asking every occupational therapist, family member, supporter and advocate to spend just 30 seconds emailing their MPs calling for occupational therapists to be recognised as an essential part of the Thriving Kids rollout.

Your voice matters.

Take action now: https://bit.ly/45gAUnN

Dr Tahnee Bridson knows firsthand the challenges of working in mental health and the power of lived experience to drive ...
20/08/2026

Dr Tahnee Bridson knows firsthand the challenges of working in mental health and the power of lived experience to drive change.

After overcoming anorexia nervosa as a university student, Tahnee went on to graduate top of her class, become a psychiatrist and researcher, and found Hand-n-Hand Peer Support, a free peer support network for healthcare workers across Australia and New Zealand. Her work to reduce stigma, improve help-seeking and champion healthcare worker wellbeing earned her recognition as the 2022 Queensland Young Australian of the Year.

Join us at the 2026 Mental Health Forum to hear Tahnee share her inspiring journey and practical insights into building a more compassionate, sustainable mental health workforce.

🎟 Register by 14 September to secure Early Bird rates.

📅 29–30 October 2026
📍 National Convention Centre Canberra

Explore the program and register today: https://bit.ly/4b5k2DG

The NDIS Bill has passed.OTA is appalled that Parliament has passed the NDIS Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Gen...
19/08/2026

The NDIS Bill has passed.

OTA is appalled that Parliament has passed the NDIS Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026.

The Bill will lead to real harm by cutting $37.8 billion from the NDIS over the next four years, restricting access to the Scheme, and limiting how funding is spent.

The cost of these reforms will fall on participants and the people who support them.

Parliament passed this legislation despite overwhelming evidence and criticism from people with disability, their families, and the broader community.

Throughout the process, OTA has advocated strongly for a NDIS that protects both participant access and a sustainable occupational therapy workforce.

We met with representatives, wrote submissions, and appeared at the Senate Inquiry calling for practical amendments to mitigate some of the Bill’s most damaging provisions.

In the final stages, the Government adopted several amendments in response to sector feedback. These are welcome but fail to address the wide-ranging concerns raised throughout this process.

This is not the end of the reform process. Attention now shifts to the rules and implementation that will follow, including how some participants transition to schemes such as Thriving Kids.

Our work continues through this next phase. We will keep pushing for a truly sustainable NDIS.

👉 You can help by joining our No OTs, No NDIS campaign: https://bit.ly/43nlYTU

OTA in Canberra: representing occupational therapyOTA’s Chief Occupational Therapist, Michelle Oliver, was in Canberra o...
19/08/2026

OTA in Canberra: representing occupational therapy

OTA’s Chief Occupational Therapist, Michelle Oliver, was in Canberra on Monday, taking the concerns and priorities of occupational therapists directly to decision makers.

Meeting with representatives from across the political spectrum, OTA advocated to protect participants and practitioners during a period of significant NDIS reform. We also raised serious concerns about veterans’ access to care, including the proposed $5,000 allied health cap.

Across each meeting, we made the case for a strong, sustainable OT workforce that can continue delivering essential supports to NDIS participants and veterans.

Michelle also joined Sky News live to discuss the proposed changes to the NDIS Amendment Bill [pictured above].

With significant reforms progressing through Parliament, it is more important than ever that the experience and expertise of occupational therapists is part of the conversation. We will continue advocating for participants and the profession as these reforms move into their next phase.

The NDIS Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026 has passed the Senate and is expected to return ...
19/08/2026

The NDIS Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026 has passed the Senate and is expected to return to the House of Representatives for a final vote this afternoon.

OTA has raised serious concerns about the Bill throughout the parliamentary process and advocated strongly for changes to protect NDIS participants and the occupational therapy workforce.

While some amendments have been made in response to sector feedback, significant concerns remain.

We are closely following developments in Parliament today and will provide a further update once the outcome is confirmed.

🤔 What's your biggest HR headache right now?Our HR Advice Online team has noticed a recent spike in questions about:✓ Aw...
19/08/2026

🤔 What's your biggest HR headache right now?

Our HR Advice Online team has noticed a recent spike in questions about:

✓ Award classifications
✓ Performance management
✓ Recruitment
✓ Leave
✓ Employment contracts

If any of those made you think, "That's me", you're in good company.

The right advice at the right time can make all the difference. Eligible OTA members have access to a complimentary HR consultation through HR Advice Online. Plus, a dedicated Resource Hub with practical tools, templates and resources.

Already a member? Get expert support and tools from HR Advice Online when you need it. Thinking about joining? Discover how OTA membership can support you throughout your career.

Learn more here: https://bit.ly/4xg49U9

Pathological Demand Avoidance: Rethinking Demands – A Neuroaffirming Approach for OTsWhat if what looks like “refusal” i...
18/08/2026

Pathological Demand Avoidance: Rethinking Demands – A Neuroaffirming Approach for OTs

What if what looks like “refusal” is actually a response to anxiety?

For children with a PDA profile, everyday demands can feel overwhelming. Understanding the why behind demand avoidance can change how we approach participation, communication and therapy.

In this 3-part online workshop, explore a neuroaffirming approach that moves beyond compliance and behaviour management to focus on autonomy, regulation, trust and meaningful participation.

You’ll explore:
🧠 How anxiety, sensory experiences and executive functioning can shape responses to demands
💬 Practical ways to reduce perceived demand through communication and collaboration
🤝 How to support autonomy while still working towards meaningful goals
🏫 How PDA can affect everyday occupations including self-care, school, play and community participation
💡 Practical strategies you can take straight into practice

Presented by Heidi Brandis, a highly respected educator in the PDA space, who brings both professional knowledge and lived experience to the workshop.

Join us online and rethink how you respond to demand avoidance.

📅 Part 1: Tuesday 1 September | 1–4pm AEST
📅 Part 2: Monday 7 September | 10am–6pm AEST
📅 Part 3: Tuesday 29 September | 1–4pm AEST

👉 Register now: https://bit.ly/3TRXPDt

📣 6 days left to share your experience and strengthen the evidence for OT advocacyIf you work in the NDIS, now is the ti...
17/08/2026

📣 6 days left to share your experience and strengthen the evidence for OT advocacy

If you work in the NDIS, now is the time to share your experience.

Our 2026 NDIS Provider Survey closes this Sunday, 23 August. We want to hear from OTA members who work in the Scheme about your experience delivering occupational therapy in the NDIS.

Your response is vital. Strong, credible evidence is essential to effective advocacy – and every response helps build the picture we take to government.

Last year, more than 600 OTs shared their experiences, providing powerful evidence that helped strengthen OTA’s advocacy and our No OTs, No NDIS campaign.

This year, we want to understand how NDIS reforms, the ongoing price freeze and growing administrative burden are affecting your practice, your caseload and the participants you support.

⏱️ The survey takes around 15 minutes to complete, and all responses are confidential and reported in aggregate only.

The more OTs who share their experience, the stronger the evidence behind our advocacy.

👉 OTA members, complete the survey today: https://bit.ly/3TF0q3n

📣 Member Forum: NDIS reform in 2026 and beyondOTA is bringing our Policy and Advocacy team together with members to unpa...
17/08/2026

📣 Member Forum: NDIS reform in 2026 and beyond

OTA is bringing our Policy and Advocacy team together with members to unpack the reforms reshaping the NDIS this year.

2026 has brought the most significant changes to the NDIS since the scheme began, and the pace of reform shows no sign of slowing.

This forum is your chance to hear directly from OTA on what's happening, where our advocacy stands, and what it all means for your practice and the participants you support.

You'll have the opportunity to ask questions and get clarity on a reform agenda that's moving fast and touching almost every part of the scheme.
The Policy & Advocacy team will cover:
•The NDIS Amendment Bill and its impact on access, plans, and compliance.
•Pricing reform, including OTA's response to the 2026–27 APR.
•The rollout of foundational supports, psychosocial supports, and Thriving Kids - and what it means for occupational therapists.
•What to expect next as reform continues to unfold

📅 Thursday 20 August
⏰ 12 noon–1.30pm AEST
💻 Online
💰 Free for OTA Members

Members are welcome to submit questions beforehand to the Policy & Advocacy team at [email protected]

Register now: https://bit.ly/4xoL5Th

Address

5/340 Gore Street
Melbourne, VIC
3065

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+611300682878

Website

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