OTA priorities ahead of the South Australian election

Occupational Therapy Australia has written to the Premier, Opposition Leader, Ministers, Shadow Ministers, crossbench MPs, and the Chief Allied Health Officer ahead of the South Australian election, requesting meetings to discuss the profession’s key priorities. These priorities were shaped through consultation with members and focus on reforms to strengthen the health system and support the OT workforce:

• Complex Discharge Therapists - dedicated OT roles to reduce hospital discharge delays and improve patient flow.
• Certificates of Capacity - enabling OTs to issue ongoing return-to-work certificates, cutting red tape and GP pressure.
• Scope of Practice - a system-wide SA Health framework to ensure OTs’ skills are used consistently and effectively.
• Burnout and Retention - supervision and peer support for community-based OTs to reduce isolation and attrition.

OTA is now arranging meetings to discuss these priorities in more detail.

Strengthening support for new OT graduates in Tasmania

OTA has written to Tasmania’s Chief Psychiatrist, raising concerns about the lack of structured, discipline-specific support for occupational therapy graduates entering mental health services. Members have reported that new graduates often commence without consistent orientation, supervision, or professional development frameworks - placing them at risk of professional isolation and impacting client care. OTA has asked the Department of Health to review the graduate program, mandate structured supervision, and address the broader workforce risks if locally trained OTs are not adequately supported.

NDIS Evidence Advisory Committee announced

Following a lengthy selection process, the Federal Government has announced the members of the new NDIS Evidence Advisory Committee (EAC). The EAC will give advice to government on the suitability of supports for funding under the NDIS, supported by some selected subcommittees.

The committee members have expertise in a wide range of areas including allied health practice, nursing, clinical research, education, medicine, law, social work and business alongside people with lived experience. OTA is particularly pleased that several OTA members have been appointed and that occupational therapy features prominently on both the main committee and sub-committees.

Read the full list of members here.

The EAC is expected to seek feedback on the supports that will be reviewed, with a consultation process expected in coming months. OTA will keep members updated as this work progresses.