Occupational Therapy Board of Australia - Competence assessment
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Competence assessment

If you need to complete the competence assessment before you apply for general registration, you will be assessed during a period of 6 months of supervised practice under limited registration.

This process is for you if you:

  • qualified as an occupational therapist outside of Australia or New Zealand, and
  • want to practise as an occupational therapist in Australia, and
  • have received a qualification portfolio assessment outcome of relevant to the occupational therapy profession.
  Action by applicant Action by Ahpra and Occupational Therapy Board of Australia Action by Occupational Therapy Council of Australia (OTC)
Step 1

Find suitable employment (you must be employed in a position that requires registration as an occupational therapist).

Find a supervisor who is prepared to supervise you and assess your competence.

   If needed, the OTC may be able to help you to find a supervisor.
Step 2

Apply for limited registration for supervised practice using the Ahpra portal or form ALPS-96 and provide all supporting documents. This must include

  • your qualification portfolio assessment outcome letter (issued by us)
  • relevant employment documents including a Supervised practice plan form SPPA-00
  • curriculum vitae (CV) of your nominated supervisor.

We will assess your application on behalf of the Occupational Therapy Board of Australia and will contact you if we need more information.

Your application for limited registration cannot be finalised until you provide all information.

We will grant you limited registration if your application meets the eligibility and suitability requirements.

We will inform you and the OTC when your limited registration has been granted. We will also inform the OTC of details of your approved supervisor(s).

  
Step 3 Advise the OTC and Ahpra of the date you will start supervised practice. Email the OTC at: [email protected]    
The period of supervised practice cannot start until you have been granted limited registration.
Step 4

Within two weeks of starting supervised practice, you must provide to the OTC your

  • application for competence assessment
  • position description
  • CV
  • supervisor(s)'s CV
  • Supervised Practice Implementation Plan using the OTC template
  • payment for competence assessment.
  

When the OTC has received all your documents, it will assess your application for competence assessment, including the Supervised Practice Implementation Plan.

The OTC will contact you if it needs more information.

If the OTC is satisfied with your application for competence assessment and approves your Supervised Practice Implementation Plan, it will send you a formal confirmation letter.

The OTC will send a copy of this confirmation letter to us. /p>

Step 5 We recommend that you complete the cultural safety training required by the Board. If not completed, this requirement will be a condition attached to your registration.   OTC will provide you with information on how to commence this training.
Step 6 We recommend you complete the Orientation to the Australian healthcare system - Appendix 5. You should provide us with your confirmation of successful completion using the online upload. If not completed, this requirement will be a condition attached to your registration    
Step 7

After 2-3 months of your period of supervised practice, you must give the OTC your:

  • Competence assessment midway progress report
  • Competence assessment supervision log
   The OTC will assess your midway report and supervision log and provide feedback to you.
Step 8

At the end of your period of supervised practice, you must provide to the OTC your:

  • Competence assessment final report,
  • Any other information specified in the midway feedback.
  

The OTC will assess your final report and other information.

If approved, the OTC will send you a Certificate of Competence Assessment (COCA).

The OTC will advise Ahpra of your COCA number.
Successful completion of your competence assessment (i.e. obtaining a COCA) is needed to apply for general registration
Step 9

You may apply online to the Occupational Therapy Board of Australia for general registration.

When applying, you may provide evidence of successful completion of the Orientation to the Australian health system and Cultural Safety education. If you have not yet completed these, this will be a condition attached to your registration.

    

 
 
Page reviewed 22/10/2025
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