Published 2026
Occupational therapy is, like psychology, regulated nationally by Ahpra — in this case under the Occupational Therapy Board of Australia (OTBA). If you trained overseas, there's an important, very recent change worth knowing about before you start.
What changed: until late October 2025, the Occupational Therapy Council of Australia (OTC) handled qualification assessments for internationally qualified applicants. As of 27 October 2025, the OTC stopped assessing qualifications for registration purposes, and a new process now runs through Ahpra directly. If you submitted an application to the OTC before that date, it's still being processed under the old system — but any new application follows the current Ahpra-run process.
The current pathway, broadly: your qualification is first assessed by Ahpra to determine whether it's accepted for general registration outright, or whether you'll need to complete a period of supervised practice under limited registration first (a "competence assessment"). If a competence assessment is required, you'll need to secure a suitable position (one that genuinely requires a registered OT) and a nominated supervisor before applying for limited registration.
Cultural responsiveness training is a mandatory requirement for internationally qualified OTs seeking registration, delivered by Indigenous Allied Health Australia (IAHA) — worth factoring into your planning timeline, as it's a genuine prerequisite rather than an optional extra.
A reform in progress: the Occupational Therapy Board has also been consulting on a draft registration standard proposing three new pathways specifically for experienced internationally qualified practitioners — designed to better recognise genuine overseas professional experience and reduce administrative friction. That consultation closed in February 2026; watch the OTBA's website for the outcome, since it could meaningfully change this process again.
English language requirements apply separately from the qualifications assessment — IELTS (minimum band 7) or OET are the commonly accepted routes, though exemptions exist for applicants who completed their OT training in English in specific countries. Confirm current requirements directly with Ahpra, as these are periodically reviewed.
If you're a registered OT (or working through this process) considering your next Australian role — paediatric, community, or aged care — register your details with ARK Talents. It's free, confidential, and we specialise exclusively in allied health placements.
This article is general information only and not migration, legal, or financial advice. Requirements change — always confirm current details with the relevant official body before acting.