Occupational Therapist
Shortage Now
States / territories with a shortage signal
Why this shortage: Long training gap
Snapshot
Median salary
A$131,500
Full-time annual
Shortage signal
Shortage (national)
Categories identify where a shortage occurs; they are not a severity score.
What you actually do
Assesses functional limitations of people resulting from injuries, illnesses and disability, and provides therapy to enable people to perform their daily activities and occupations.
Read official OSCA descriptionSkills & main tasks
Official main tasks
- Assesses clients' emotional, psychological, developmental and physical capabilities using clinical observations and standardised tests
- Assesses clients' functional potential in their home, leisure, work and school environments, and recommends environmental adaptations
- Plans and directs programs using vocational, recreational, remedial, social and educational activities for individuals and groups
- Provides education to family members, carers, employers and teachers about adapting clients' home, leisure, work and school environments
- Provides recommendations for assistive technologies that allow clients to increase their independence and perform daily activities
- Provides education regarding restorative or compensatory strategies
- Collaborates with other Health Professionals in overall case management of clients
- Collaborates with other Professionals to provide specialist advice to client groups such as those requiring driver rehabilitation, third-party compensation and medico-legal representation
- Monitors and records clients' progress and maintains professional relationships in accordance with relevant legislative requirements and ethical guidelines
Credentials & Pathway
OSCA skill level 1
A classification attribute describing the occupation; it is not a personal eligibility or qualification decision.
Registration or licensing
Registration or licensing is required.
Related study options
Real jobs right now
Live signal from SEEK, Indeed & moreCurrent vacancy signal
AUST · May 2026
1,437
WA · May 2026
150
QLD · May 2026
285
SA · May 2026
125
VIC · May 2026
351
NSW · May 2026
405
2030 & 2035 employment outlook
to 2030
+19%
5,867 projected jobs
to 2035
+33%
10,354 projected jobs
Where could this career take you?
Compare state-level shortage signals, salary context, study options and visa information for Occupational Therapist.
Regional demand
Largest employment base
#1 Newcastle and Lake Macquarie
2,028 estimated employed
- 1
Newcastle and Lake Macquarie
2,028 employed
NSW
+36.84%
year on year
- 2
Sydney - North Sydney and Hornsby
1,498 employed
NSW
+42.13%
year on year
- 3
Perth - North West
1,456 employed
WA
-1.89%
year on year
- 4
Sydney - Parramatta
1,417 employed
NSW
+25.29%
year on year
- 5
Brisbane - South
1,366 employed
QLD
+33.66%
year on year
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Ranked by current shortage signal and projected employment growth.
Workers in this occupation
20,325
Moved in from another occupation
2,360
Moved to another occupation
785
Recommendation score: shortage = 2 points, no shortage = 1 point, plus 1 point for each 10% of projected growth to 2035.
- 1
6
points
- 2
5
points
- 3
4
points
- 4
3
points
- 5
3
points
Data status
- Classification
- OSCA 262331
- Last updated
- 2026-01-23
- Sources
- Jobs and Skills Australia OSL · Jobs and Skills Australia DOM · ABS OSCA · OSCA 2025 Shortage List + ABS EEH May 2025
Labour-market data coverage
- Shortage signal and drivers: JSA Occupation Shortage List (ANZSCO unit group where applicable).
- Regional employment: JSA NERO, June 2026.
- Career-move observations: JSA DOM, last available 2020–21. Observed Australian worker transitions are not personalised recommendations; many contractors and sole traders are excluded, as are transitions below 10 workers.
- Vacancy signal: JSA Internet Vacancy Index, 3-month average (ANZSCO unit group).
- Employment outlook: JSA employment projections (ANZSCO unit group).
Data confidence: verified.