Occupational Therapy Week 2026: Why Australia's OTs Are in Demand and Where the Career Can Take You
Occupational Therapy Week | 26 October – 1 November 2026
From helping children develop everyday life skills to supporting older Australians to maintain their independence, occupational therapists play an essential role in healthcare.
As Australia prepares to celebrate Occupational Therapy (OT) Week 2026, we're looking at the growing demand for occupational therapists, the different career pathways available, and why working in rural and regional Australia could offer some of the most rewarding opportunities.
This year's theme, "Participation Matters," highlights how occupational therapy helps people participate in the activities that give their lives meaning, independence and connection.
It's also an opportunity to recognise a profession facing significant workforce shortages, particularly outside Australia's major cities.
What is Occupational Therapy Week 2026?
Organised by Occupational Therapy Australia, OT Week runs from 26 October to 1 November 2026, with World Occupational Therapy Day celebrated on 27 October.
This year's theme, Participation Matters, recognises that being able to participate in everyday life is fundamental to our health, wellbeing and sense of belonging.
Occupational therapists help make that possible by supporting people to develop, regain or maintain the skills needed for daily living.
That might involve helping someone return to work after an injury, supporting a child with developmental difficulties, assisting a person living with disability or helping an older Australian remain safely at home.
Is There a Shortage of Occupational Therapists in Australia?
Yes, and regional Australia is experiencing some of the strongest recruitment pressures.
According to Jobs and Skills Australia's 2025 research, occupational therapists were among the most
undersupplied professional occupations in the country.
The findings were particularly significant for regional communities:
- 1.4 applicants per vacancy for occupational therapists in regional Australia.
- 2.6 applicants per vacancy nationally.
- 3.9 applicants per vacancy across metropolitan areas.
These figures relate to the 2024 labour-supply analysis published in 2025, but demonstrate how difficult attracting qualified occupational therapists has been for regional healthcare employers.
While workforce conditions vary between locations and specialties, the shortage highlights opportunities for qualified OTs willing to work beyond metropolitan areas.
Why Are Occupational Therapists Needed in Rural Australia?
For patients in rural and remote communities, accessing an occupational therapist can mean travelling considerable distances or waiting for visiting healthcare services.
Demand comes from several areas, including ageing populations, disability support, rehabilitation services, paediatric therapy and community healthcare.
Unlike larger metropolitan hospitals, smaller regional facilities may not have occupational therapists available across every specialty.
In some communities, an OT may work across multiple services, supporting hospital patients, aged care residents, NDIS participants and people recovering from injuries.
This creates opportunities for occupational therapists who enjoy varied caseloads, greater clinical independence and working closely with local communities.
For experienced professionals, rural and remote contracts can also offer the chance to develop broader clinical experience while exploring different parts of Australia.
Where Can Occupational Therapists Work?
One of the attractions of occupational therapy is the variety of clinical environments and career specialisations available.
Hospitals and Rehabilitation
Supporting patients recovering from surgery, stroke, injury or illness to regain independence and return to everyday activities.
Paediatrics
Working with children experiencing developmental, sensory, physical or functional challenges, often alongside families, schools and other allied health professionals.
Mental Health
Helping people living with mental health conditions develop routines, functional skills, social participation and greater independence.
Aged Care
Supporting older Australians with mobility, home safety, daily activities, falls prevention and assistive equipment.
Disability and NDIS Services
Helping people living with disability improve functional capacity, access suitable equipment and participate more fully in everyday life.
Community and Rural Health
Providing services across community clinics, homes, schools, regional hospitals and outreach programs.
Occupational Rehabilitation
Assisting people recovering from workplace injuries, assessing functional capacity and supporting safe return-to-work programs.
Occupational therapists can also specialise in areas such as hand therapy, assistive technology, home modifications, driver rehabilitation, neurological rehabilitation and workplace health.
How Do You Become an Occupational Therapist in Australia?
Occupational therapy is a regulated allied health profession requiring an approved university qualification and registration.
There are two common university pathways.
1. Bachelor of Occupational Therapy
Typically a four-year university degree, incorporating academic study and supervised clinical placements.
2. Graduate-entry Master of Occupational Therapy
For people who already hold a relevant undergraduate degree, an approved graduate-entry master's program may provide an alternative pathway, typically involving approximately two years of further study.
Students learn subjects including anatomy, physiology, psychology, rehabilitation, clinical reasoning and occupational therapy practice.
After graduating, occupational therapists must obtain registration through the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (Ahpra) under the Occupational Therapy Board of Australia.
Once registered, graduates can enter the workforce in hospitals, private practices, community organisations or other healthcare settings.
With experience, occupational therapists can progress into senior clinical positions, specialist practice, team leadership, clinical education, management or private practice ownership.
How Much Do Occupational Therapists Earn in Australia?
Occupational therapy can offer competitive earning potential, particularly for experienced professionals and those prepared to work in regional or remote locations.
According to Jobs and Skills Australia, the median full-time earnings for occupational therapists were approximately $1,913 per week, equivalent to around $99,500 annually, based on May 2025 earnings data.
However, salaries vary considerably depending on experience, location, employer, specialisation and employment type.
Recent advertised salary averages on SEEK illustrate the difference between locations:
| Location | Advertised average annual salary |
|---|---|
| Canberra | $100,000 |
| Rockhampton & Capricorn Coast | $102,500 |
| Broome & Kimberley | $105,000 |
| Alice Springs & Central Australia | $110,000 |
| Wagga Wagga & Riverina | $115,000 |
| Far West & North Central NSW | $118,790 |
| Port Macquarie & Mid North Coast | $127,500 |
These are indicative advertised salary averages, not guaranteed earnings. Some advertised packages include superannuation or other benefits.
For occupational therapists considering relocating, these figures suggest that regional opportunities can be financially attractive as well as professionally rewarding.
Can Occupational Therapists Earn More Working Locum Contracts?
For experienced occupational therapists looking for flexibility, higher hourly rates and opportunities to travel, locum and contract work can be appealing.
Locum assignments allow occupational therapists to work with healthcare services requiring temporary workforce support.
Contracts may be available in regional hospitals, rehabilitation units, mental health services, community health programs and rural outreach services.
Recent Australian job advertisements have shown occupational therapy locum and contractor rates of approximately 60–95 per hour, with some assignments offering additional benefits.
For example:
| Hourly rate | Weekly earnings at 38 hours |
|---|---|
| $60 | $2,280 |
| $70 | $2,660 |
| $80 | $3,040 |
| $90 | $3,420 |
| $95 | $3,610 |
Illustrative gross earnings before tax, assuming all 38 hours are paid at the advertised rate. Superannuation, unpaid leave, contract gaps and other entitlements depend on the engagement.
At $90 per hour, a 12-week contract working 38 paid hours per week could generate approximately $41,040 in gross earnings.
Some regional and remote contracts also include travel assistance, accommodation or relocation support, depending on the employer and assignment.
While contract rates can be higher than permanent employee hourly rates, it's important to consider contract duration, leave entitlements, employment arrangements and continuity of work before comparing overall earnings.
Is Rural or Locum Occupational Therapy Right for You?
For occupational therapists who enjoy variety, regional or locum work can offer more than just competitive earnings.
Working in different healthcare environments can provide opportunities to:
- Develop experience across multiple clinical specialties.
- Work with diverse patient populations and multidisciplinary teams.
- Experience different parts of Australia.
- Build clinical confidence and professional networks.
- Enjoy flexible contracts between permanent roles or personal commitments.
- Make a meaningful difference in communities where healthcare services are limited.
Some roles require previous hospital, rehabilitation or community experience, so the right opportunity will depend on your qualifications, clinical background and willingness to travel.
Celebrating Australia's Occupational Therapists
OT Week 2026 is an opportunity to recognise the thousands of occupational therapists helping Australians live more independent, meaningful and fulfilling lives.
Whether supporting a child to participate at school, helping someone recover after a stroke or enabling an older person to remain at home, occupational therapists make an enormous contribution to Australia's healthcare system.
And with continued workforce pressures, particularly across rural and regional Australia, experienced occupational therapists have opportunities to make a difference in communities where their skills are genuinely needed.
Explore Occupational Therapy Opportunities with CC Medical
If you're a qualified occupational therapist considering your next career move, CC Medical can help you explore permanent, locum and contract opportunities across Australia, subject to current vacancies.
Whether you're interested in competitive regional rates, flexible contracts or a new clinical environment, our allied health recruitment team can help you find opportunities suited to your experience and career goals.
Contact CC Medical to explore occupational therapy career opportunities across Australia.
Learn more about
OT Week 2026 and this year's theme, Participation Matters.
