National Registration for OTs
Updates from the Occupational Therapy Board
www.occupationaltherapyboard.gov.au/News/Communiques.aspx
Links to specific issues below:-
http://www.occupationaltherapyboard.gov.au/Registration-Standards.aspx
Occupational-Therapy-Board—Registration-Standard—Recency-of-Practice-Registration-Standard (1)
Occupational-Therapy-Board—Registration-Standard—English-Language-Skills-Registration-Standard
Occupational-Therapy-Board—Registration-Standard—Criminal-History-Registration-Standard
More links:
http://www.occupationaltherapyboard.gov.au/Codes-Guidelines/FAQ.aspx
http://www.occupationaltherapyboard.gov.au/Codes-Guidelines.aspx
http://www.occupationaltherapyboard.gov.au/Registration.aspx
https://www.ahpra.gov.au/Publications/Advertising-resources/Social-media-guidance.aspx
An approved template to use for the documentation of your CPD as mentioned is available http://www.occupationaltherapyboard.gov.au/Registration-Standards/Continuing-professional-development.aspx
To view the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law (WA) Act 2010 please download the following:-
https://www.legislation.wa.gov.au/legislation/statutes.nsf/main_mrtitle_12106_homepage.html
Links to Communiques :
http://www.occupationaltherapyboard.gov.au/News.aspx
Occupational Therapy Board of Australia
The Occupational Therapy Board of Australia (the Board) is established under the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law, as in force in each state and territory (the National Law). The Board meets face-to-face each month to consider and decide on any matters related to its regulatory functions within the National Registration and Accreditation Scheme (the National Scheme).
For a full list of current Board members, please visit the Board’s website.
Registration Fees
Schedule of fees effective 19th September 2019 – Fees
Australian Occupational Therapy Competency Standards (AOTCS) 2019
The Australian occupational therapy competency standards (the competency standards) have been in effect since 1 January 2019. The Board expects all occupational therapists to understand and apply them in their practice.
The competency standards outline professional behaviours all occupational therapists should demonstrate to practise safely and ethically. They apply to all occupational therapists working across all practice settings, including research, education, management and other roles not involving direct contact with clients.
The competency standards focus on four conceptual areas of occupational therapy practice:
- Standard 1 − Professionalism
- Standard 2 − Knowledge and learning
- Standard 3 − Occupational therapy process and practice
- Standard 4 − Communication.
The competency standards specifically acknowledge the need for occupational therapists to enhance their cultural responsiveness and capabilities with respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples. The new standards also include reference to the integration of evidence, reflective practice, digital literacy and the use of appropriate assistive technology.
Each of the four competency standards is further described by a number of practice behaviours. These practice behaviours indicate to occupational therapists and the public the expected behaviours for each competency standard. Clients of occupational therapists can consult these competency standards and practice behaviours to understand what is expected of occupational therapists.
The competency standards have been designed for regulatory use and are a benchmark for the standard of practice deemed suitable by the occupational therapy profession. They also provide a resource for employers and managers of services about what to expect of a competent occupational therapy workforce and the safety of their clients. Education providers can also use the competency standards to inform the design of programs of study to produce safe and competent new graduates.
Ahpra have published a range of tools on their website including an e-brochure, a poster and videos to support occupational therapists in becoming familiar with and applying the competency standards. Ahpra published the first video with Board Chair Julie Brayshaw when the competency standards were first published in 2018. Ahpra have now published an animated video introducing the competency standards to support their effective implementation.
The Board is continuing its work on the development of supporting tools to help occupational therapists, students, employers, members of the public and others understand and apply the competency standards.
To view the videos and standards, and for more information, visit webpage: Australian occupational therapy competency standards.
Case studies available on boards website in newsletters:
- Case Study 1: August 2019
- Case Study 2: December 2019
- Case Study 3: July 2020
Further Information
The Board publishes a range of information about registration and its expectations of practitioners on its website at www.occupationaltherapyboard.gov.au or www.ahpra.gov.au. We encourage you to refer to the site for news and updates on policy and guidelines affecting your profession.