Occupational therapy regulation at work in Australia, 2014/15

08 Apr 2016

The Occupational Therapy Board of Australia (the Board) has released its report for 2014/15.

During 2014/15 the Board continued its program of engagement and informing the profession. A number of breakfast forums and webinars were undertaken to ensure that occupational therapists understand their registration requirements. The year saw a reduction in practitioner fees, overseeing of practitioner audits, and start of a review of the profession-specific registration standards for recency of practice, professional indemnity insurance and continuing professional development. During the year the Board also undertook a project analysing practitioner notifications, and initiated a project to develop new competency standards for the profession.

Highlights

• 17,200 registered occupational therapists in Australia on 30 June 2015.
• 6% increase in the number of registered occupational therapists compared to 2013/14.
• 51% of occupational therapists under 35. 
• In 69% of notifications, no further action was required. 
• 73 occupational therapists under active monitoring on 30 June 2015 – 81% due to suitability/eligibility and 14% due to health concerns. 
• One immediate action case, compared to two in 2013/14. 
• 56% of the 36 notifications closed during the year (outside of New South Wales) were closed following an assessment.

Download a copy of the report below:

Occupational therapy regulation at work in Australia - 2014-15 (37.6 KB,PDF), Word version (44.9 KB,DOCX)