Occupational therapy (OT) is a fast-growing field in the health sector. There is a wide range of opportunities in this healthcare field. Occupational therapy in Australia is divided into several categories. Each of these categories have demand and being qualified in one of these specialities can give you the upper hand when it comes to employment.

Let’s learn about the employment opportunities of occupational therapists in Australia and more about the field of Occupational Therapy.

A brief on the role of an Occupational Therapist in Australia

An occupational therapist is involved in assisting injured and disabled individuals. Specialised OTs work within specified demographics. They may also work in identifying workplace hazards and monitoring safety guidelines in place.

Occupational therapists in Australia require more than just qualifications. They also need to possess specific soft skills such as communication, problem-solving, self-management, compassion, empathy, innovativeness, patience, etc.

Requirements to practice occupational therapy in Australia

The basic requirements to work as an occupational therapist in Australia are as follows:

·        Complete a bachelor's or master's entry-level course in occupational therapy in an accredited university or educational institute.

·        Complete at least 30 hours of CPD (Continuing Professional Development) activities per year.

·        Meet national regulatory requirements as set out by the Occupational Therapy Board of Australia for the Australian Health Practitioners Regulation Agency (AHPRA).

You can find out more information on how to become an occupational therapist in Australia through the Occupational Therapy Australia website and the Occupational Therapy Board of Australia website.

You can also read Guide to a Career in Occupational Therapy in Australia to find out more details on following a career in occupational therapy in Australia.

Why occupational therapists choose Australia

There are many benefits to working as an occupational therapist in Australia. Occupational therapy is a high-paid job role that also has high job satisfaction levels. Australia also provides a great lifestyle and work-life balance to its employers. Therefore, you get to enjoy life while working in a highly-rewarding profession.

Here are the benefits of working as an occupational therapist in Australia:

·        High payment rates.

·        High job satisfaction levels.

·        Flexible work with the ability to maintain work-life balance

·        Self-satisfaction of having the opportunity to assist another individual on his path to recovery.

·        Great networking opportunities.

·        A job that provides mobility and the opportunity to travel.

·        It provides career development opportunities.

The demand for occupational therapists in Australia

There is a limited supply of occupational therapists in Australia. It is because they work to close the skills gap. This has left a huge demand for occupational therapists across all states and suburbs in the country. This is an opportunity for you to try your luck in applying for an occupational therapy job role if you have the right qualifications and experience.

An occupational therapist’s role involves enabling patients to engage in their daily activities. Therefore, an occupational therapist’s role is critical anywhere in the world. With regard to Australia, the country is falling behind in terms of professional trained occupational therapists. This has brought an urgent demand for healthcare professionals in occupational therapy, enabling pathways for foreign graduates as well.        

Growth in the occupational therapy industry

There are several reasons for the growth in the occupational therapy industry in Australia. This is mainly due to the increase of specific factors that contributes to the need for occupational therapy. These factors are as follows:

·        An increase in the ageing population with greater life expectancy. This means that there are more complex needs to be met in these individuals.

·        Increased National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) coverage and the rise in individual coverage schemes.

·        The high level of commitment by the government of Australia to improve mental health in people and prevent suicides.

With the increased growth, there are continuing challenges in occupational therapy workforce capacity. This is mainly due to workforce retention issues. Due to this reason, the health sector is unable to keep skilled and experienced occupational therapists working within the healthcare system for long. This applies to both the cities and rural and remote areas in Australia.

The government expects to introduce more training and job opportunities to skilled occupational therapists in Australia.

Occupational Therapist Specialities in Australia

There are several specialities in occupational therapy in Australia. Below are some of the more popular occupational therapy specialities.

·        Corporate Occupational Therapist

A Corporate Occupational Therapist works in an office setting and examines workplace risks. He is responsible for demonstrating and advising employees on workplace safety procedures.

·        Committed Occupational Therapist

This type of occupational therapist is specialized in a particular area of occupational therapy. They are also known as dedicated occupational therapists. A committed occupational therapist is more skilled and knowledgeable in a specific subject area in occupational therapy. Therefore they are able to give comprehensive interventions to patients.

·        Policy Development and Research

Occupational therapists in policy development and research are generally hired by government and educational institutions to draft policies and conduct research on occupational therapy.

A few other specialities in occupational therapy are:

·        Driver Trained Occupational Therapy

·        Mental Occupational Therapy

·        Paediatric Occupational Therapy

·        Hand Therapy

Visa pathways for international occupational therapists

As there is a huge demand for occupational therapists in Australia, the country is willing to take in foreign skilled migrants to the workforce. The following pathways are available for foreign graduates to work in occupational therapy in Australia.

·        Visa Subclass 190

·        Visa Subclass 491

·        Visa Subclass 485

·        Visa Subclass 482

·        Labour Agreement

·        Visa Subclass 186

·        Visa Subclass 49

The candidates are required to have a bachelor's or master's degree along with three to five years of experience working in an occupational therapy setting.

Work settings

There is a wide range of work settings in which an occupational therapist in Australia can work. These are as follows:

·        Public and private hospitals

·        Community health centres

·        Private clinics

·        Aged care facilities

·        Correctional institutions

·        Government institutes

·        Educational institutions

·        Universities

·        Industrial settings

·        Research and evaluation facilities

·        Corporate offices

·        Non-government institutions

·        Individuals living centres and people’s homes

·        Supported employment

·        Palliative care

·        Mental healthcare facilities

·        Acute and community rehabilitation centres

·        Hand therapy services

Specific specialities in occupational therapy may require you to work in limited work settings from the above list.

Pay rates of occupational therapists in Australia

Occupational therapy is a very rewarding career with high pay rates. These are some of the average salaries of occupational therapists of varying levels.

·        An entry-level registered occupational therapist with less than one year of experience: $62,940

·        A registered occupational therapist with one to four years of experience: $66,256

·        A mid-level registered occupational therapist with five to nine years of experience: $74,083

·        A senior registered occupational therapist with ten to nineteen years of experience: $85,065

Conclusion

Australia is the best country to work as an occupational therapist. With the demand for occupational therapists on the rise, there are ample job opportunities for occupational therapists in Australia and across the globe.

Medfuture is committed towards providing the guidance you require to follow a career in occupational therapy in Australia. Visit our website to find out the latest occupational therapy jobs in Australia.

Read the below articles for more information on occupational therapy in Australia:

https://medfuture.com.au/blog/post/allied-health-occupation-growth-in-australia

https://medfuture.com.au/blog/post/occupational-therapists-in-australia-industry-trends