TAC inquiry recommends improvements for clients with complex injuries

The Victorian Parliament’s inquiry into TAC claims has recommended stronger support for people with severe injuries, reduced administrative burden, better communication with health providers and clearer protocols between the TAC and other schemes, including the NDIS. OTA’s submission, which was cited in the report, raised concerns about administration, delays, payment and fee arrangements, provider participation and cross-system confusion. The report and its recommendations are now with the Victorian Government for consideration and response. Read the report.

CHSP: Two more years in win for sector

The Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP) will be discretely maintained alongside the troubled Support at Home program until at least 30 June 2029 in a major policy win for the allied health sector and occupational therapists working in the program.

CHSP, first established in 2015, was scheduled to be rolled into Support at Home no earlier than 1 July 2027. CHSP helps older people maintain independence, safety and social connection while living at home through basic, low-level support. CHSP helps older people age in place with dignity and can delay more complex home care, or admission to residential care.

However, excessive Support at Home package wait times, higher participant co-contribution levels and considerable confusion around its implementation and workability inspired a long-running campaign by the CHSP Alliance (of whom OTA is a founding member) to maintain CHSP.

OTA will contribute to consultation on CHSP's longer-term funding aligned to the position OTA took to the Ageing Australia roundtable in June, which broadly supports June 2026 Senate Community Affairs References Committee recommendations to maintain the program. A consultation process underpinned by a co-design approach will focus on fair co-contribution frameworks, continued block funding, and reducing system pressures.

Take action: Thriving Kids needs OTs

Thriving Kids begins rolling out from 1 October, but occupational therapists are still not explicitly included in the model. You can help strengthen our call for OTs and the broader allied health workforce to be meaningfully included in its design and delivery.

Take two quick actions today:

• Email your MPs: It takes just 30 seconds to email your state and federal MPs and ask them to protect children’s access to occupational therapy. Take action here.
• Sign the NSW petition: Nearly 2,800 people have already signed the NSW Thriving Kids Petition. If you’re in NSW, add your name by 3 October and help demonstrate the strength of support from OTs, participants, families, carers and people with lived experience. Sign the petition here.

Every email and signature strengthens the message to government: Thriving Kids needs OTs.

DVA confirms OT codes correction

The Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) has responded to recent OTA member enquiries pertaining to the accuracy of practice-specific codes on the DVA website. OT30 (Aids Assessment – Extended Consultation – Home) is now correctly priced at $168 per hour, with OTA34 (Extended consultation – Aids assessment – Private hospital and RACF) confirmed as attracting the same rate. Incorrect rates had previously been published in error. Members should note that software vendor files (i.e. XML and XLSX files) at this link have been confirmed as being correct by DVA and that temporarily incorrect pricing may still be reflected in PDF and word documents before they’re amended.

We recommend referring to the software vendor files to ensure correct pricing. We have also queried the apparent removal of the remote area travel fee (OT80) with DVA and will advise members on any response.

Help shape Telstra Health’s new digital health platform

Telstra Health is seeking currently practising occupational therapists to help shape Corus™, its new digital health platform for health professionals. This paid opportunity will enable OTs to provide input into the platform’s development and help ensure it reflects the practical needs of allied health professionals and supports efficient clinical practice and collaboration across professions. Telstra Health is especially eager to hear from clinicians with knowledge or experience in digital health and understanding of the systems needed to support effective clinical operations. EOIs close 5 September 2026. Review the EOI for further information and apply via this link.