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Occupational Therapy Assistant

Working as an Occupational Therapy Assistant you will maximise individual’s functional abilities and outcomes under direction of occupational therapists. You will report changes in client’s conditions, implement treatment plans, conduct exercise classes and coordinate client appointments.

Summary of Training

  • Interpret and apply medical terminology appropriate
  • Respond effectively to behaviours of concern
  • Support relationships with carer and family
  • Facilitate the empowerment of people receiving support
  • Work with diverse people
  • Assist with an allied health program
  • Engage with clinical supervision and delegation
  • Recognise impact of health conditions
  • Apply basic principles and practices of infection prevention and control
  • Follow safe work practices for direct client care
  • Assist with movement
  • Deliver and monitor physical or manual therapy programs
  • Support maintenance of functional status
  • Deliver and monitor a hydrotherapy program
  • Support the use of orthoses or prostheses
  • Maintain patient records
  • Implement falls prevention strategies
  • Conduct manual tasks safely

Please note that this Job & Training Description provides an example of the selection of non-core units. Alternative combinations of units may be selected and in some cases prerequisite units may need to be completed. For advice contact Apprenticeship Network providers or an approved Registered Training Organisation.

Job Pathways

This occupation fits generally with these groupings

Industry Group
Health & Community Services

Work Type
Manual & Realistic
Social & Helping

Videos & Industry Information

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Employment and wage data for this industry

Commencements Change

The change in Australian Apprenticeships commencements in this overall industry in the past two years. Commencements in 22/23: 3816

Source: VOCSTATS, extracted on 18/10/2023. AATIS analysis.

Graduate Employment

Australian Apprentice graduates from this overall industry in employment (in any industry).

Source: NCVER National Student Outcomes Survey, 2020, unpublished. AATIS analysis.

Graduate Wage

Average wage of Australian Apprentice graduates from this overall industry employed full-time after training.

Source: NCVER National Student Outcomes Survey, 2020, unpublished. AATIS analysis.

Industry Growth

Predicted growth in employment in this overall industry over the next 5 years.

Source: National Skills Commission, 2022. AATIS analysis.

Industry Size

The number of employees in this overall industry compared with other Australian industries.

Source: National Skills Commission, 2022. AATIS analysis.

Industry Wage

Average wage of employees in this overall industry.

Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2022. AATIS analysis.

Availability Information

Occupational Therapy Assistant - HLT43021
NSW VIC QLD WA SA TAS ACT NT
Full Time

(Nominal Duration)

24 mths 24 mths 24 mths 24 mths 24 mths 36 mths
Part Time
Commencements 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
ASbA
Availability of Australian Apprenticeships and Nominal Duration (in months)

A Qualification registered by a State or Territory as available as an Australian Apprenticeship may not be eligible for public funding support, check with the relevant State or Territory Training Authority.

Nominal durations listed are for full time occupations, stated in months. In some cases nominal durations provided may not include the completion of pre-requisites. This data is sourced from State and Territory Training Authorities and is provided for information only and must be confirmed with these authorities.

Commencements

Commencement data source: National Apprentices and Trainees collection, VOCSTATS, extracted 18/10/2023, rounded estimates for April 2022 to March 2023. This data is for general information purposes only.

Australian School-based Apprenticeships (ASbA)

This information generally reflects availability of ASbAs that may contribute to study scores. In some cases full-time or part-time ASbAs allow an individual to start training in a qualification that can be completed after they leave secondary school. Please note that applicable industrial arrangements must allow for ASbAs. Visit our Australian School-based Apprenticeships page for more detailed information.

Next Steps

Who to contact next ...

Search for an Apprenticeship Network provider or Group Training Organisation in your area to ask for more information about apprenticeships and traineeships.

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Where to ask wages questions ...

The Fair Work Ombudsman is the source of information on wages across industries and occupations. The FWO provides apprenticeship and traineeship specific information.

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Training provider and incentives information

Each state and territory lists Registered Training Organisations they approve to deliver apprenticeships and traineeships. Access these sites here, as well as information on incentives.

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