Occupational therapy assistant job description
Where we source our data
Let’s get real. Job information online can often be overly optimistic — conveniently glossing over the raw bits. But when you’re making decisions about your future, you need all the facts.
That’s why we anonymously surveyed occupational therapy assistants about their job, with hopes of getting an honest insight into what it’s really like.
While we did our best to ensure respondents were Australians and verified their job titles with proof of employment, we can’t guarantee complete accuracy — or that your experiences in the field will reflect theirs. So, we suggest that you take these insights as a guide only and try to talk to people in the field before making an important decision.
Where we source our data
Let’s get real. Job information online can often be overly optimistic — conveniently glossing over the raw bits. But when you’re making decisions about your future, you need all the facts.
That’s why we anonymously surveyed occupational therapy assistants about their job, with hopes of getting an honest insight into what it’s really like.
While we did our best to ensure respondents were Australians and verified their job titles with proof of employment, we can’t guarantee complete accuracy — or that your experiences in the field will reflect theirs. So, we suggest that you take these insights as a guide only and try to talk to people in the field before making an important decision.
Physical
Based on our career survey data, these are the words that workers would use to describe their jobs.
Cooperative
Based on our career survey data, these are the words that workers would use to describe their jobs.
Intellectual
Based on our career survey data, these are the words that workers would use to describe their jobs.
Tasks and responsibilities for an occupational therapy assistant
A day in occupational therapy assistance can include:
- Assessing patient needs
- Helping patients with mobility and communication
- Instructing patients in using therapeutic equipment and occupational therapy aides
- Assisting with the creation and implementation of rehabilitation programs
- Supporting and assisting senior professionals in occupational therapy services
- Promoting good mental health in clients
- Monitoring patient's progress and maintain records
- Performing other industry administrative duties
Reasons to choose this job
Based on our career survey data, these are the factors that workers said were most important to them when choosing this job.
Makes a difference
Not being able to do some of life’s essential activities can negatively affect people’s physical and mental wellbeing. Having a hand in improving the quality of life, promoting independence and fostering a sense of empowerment makes a job as an occupational therapist’s assistant extremely rewarding.
Learning opportunities
As an occupational therapy assistant, you work to support senior therapists. Working with trained professionals provides a valuable opportunity to learn from the best and employ your new knowledge to make your service even better.
Enjoyable
Occupational therapy is no desk job — yes, you have record keeping and administration to do. Still, most of your efforts are dedicated to physically helping patients and improving their lives. As an occupational therapy assistant, you meet new and interesting people every day.
Job satisfaction
Overall job satisfaction
This overall score combines the critical factors in job satisfaction. It includes fulfilment, stress levels, and opportunities for advancement, based on our career survey data.
Stress level
How stressful workers feel their job is, based on our career survey data.
Fulfilment
How personally rewarding workers feel their job is, based on our career survey data.
Skill level
The skill level required to do this job is based on both our career survey data and official data from the Labour Market Information Portal.
Job market trends for an occupational therapy assistant
You may be wondering, is occupational therapy a good career in Australia? Current industry data indicates that the occupational therapy assistant outlook is good.
Occupational therapy is part of an industry projected to continue steadily growing over the next five years. Contributing to this job growth are increased demand for alternative therapies, rising health awareness, a recognition of the need for preventative health care and Australia’s ageing population.
With less than 40% of employees in therapy aid positions working full-time, this role lends itself to part-time or casual work environments.
Median salary
Where this data comes from
Median salary
We use the median salary over the average because it’s more realistic — unusually high or low salaries don’t skew the median. It shows the true middle point, which is what your typical worker in this job earns.
This figure is from the Australian Bureau of Statistics. It’s the official median full-time adult salary for non-managers, before tax. (Includes salary sacrifice.)
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours (cat. no. 6306.0), Customised Report
Projected job growth
Job growth projections, using data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics. These calculations were made before COVID-19 and may not accurately reflect the labour market. Use these numbers as a general guide only.
Where this data comes from
Median salary
We use the median salary over the average because it’s more realistic — unusually high or low salaries don’t skew the median. It shows the true middle point, which is what your typical worker in this job earns.
This figure is from the Australian Bureau of Statistics. It’s the official median full-time adult salary for non-managers, before tax. (Includes salary sacrifice.)
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours (cat. no. 6306.0), Customised Report
Projected job growth
Job growth projections, using data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics. These calculations were made before COVID-19 and may not accurately reflect the labour market. Use these numbers as a general guide only.
Projected job growth
Where this data comes from
Median salary
We use the median salary over the average because it’s more realistic — unusually high or low salaries don’t skew the median. It shows the true middle point, which is what your typical worker in this job earns.
This figure is from the Australian Bureau of Statistics. It’s the official median full-time adult salary for non-managers, before tax. (Includes salary sacrifice.)
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours (cat. no. 6306.0), Customised Report
Projected job growth
Job growth projections, using data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics. These calculations were made before COVID-19 and may not accurately reflect the labour market. Use these numbers as a general guide only.
Where this data comes from
Median salary
We use the median salary over the average because it’s more realistic — unusually high or low salaries don’t skew the median. It shows the true middle point, which is what your typical worker in this job earns.
This figure is from the Australian Bureau of Statistics. It’s the official median full-time adult salary for non-managers, before tax. (Includes salary sacrifice.)
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours (cat. no. 6306.0), Customised Report
Projected job growth
Job growth projections, using data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics. These calculations were made before COVID-19 and may not accurately reflect the labour market. Use these numbers as a general guide only.
Pathway options
Job pathways are drawn from the Australian Apprenticeships Pathways site.
An initial role as an occupational therapy assistant might be where you want to stay, but it can also expose you to other exciting job opportunities in the health sector.
Some future career options could be:
Junior
-
Occupational therapy assistant
Most common qualification: Certificate III in Allied Health Assistance (HLT33015)
-
Therapy aide
Most common qualification: Certificate III in Allied Health Assistance (HLT33015)
Mid
-
Physiotherapy assistant
Most common qualification: Certificate IV in Allied Health Assistance (HLT43015)
-
Community rehabilitation assistant
Most common qualification: Certificate IV in Allied Health Assistance (HLT43015)
Skills you might already have
Based on our career survey data, the soft skills that workers said were most needed to do their job well.
If you have ever worked in a role helping other people, you might already possess crucial skills that set you apart from others aiming to join the occupational health industry.
Empathy
Working with people that need physical help requires compassion, patience and kindness. Some people may have frustration and anxiety around treatments or using equipment, and understanding what they are going through and knowing what they need to feel confident and safe is very important in this role.
Teamwork
Occupational therapy assistants work alongside qualified therapists, administration staff and others that work in an organisation or care facility. Respect and consideration of other teammates ensure a happy work environment, and great communication is vital for the safety and best outcome for patients.
Organisation
To work as an occupational therapy assistant, you help create and execute treatment plans, organise equipment, coordinate appointments, and more. This requires good time management and organisation to ensure days with tight schedules run to plan, and compliance is met with administrative regulations.
Hard skills
The job-specific skills that workers said were most important, supplemented with data from JobOutlook and online job advertisements.
Studying a course through a TAFE or recognised training organisation (RTO) gives you the occupational therapy assistant education requirements and skills needed to perform the role.
Healthcare knowledge
Fundamental knowledge of health care and correct terminology is integral to working confidently with clients.
Patient psychology
Occupational therapy involves both physical and psychological assistance. Physical limitations can also affect a person’s emotional wellbeing. Basic knowledge of psychology helps you support a senior therapist and understand how to assist a patient holistically.
Health administration
To accurately record and monitor patients progress and follow healthcare policies and processes correctly, you need a broad knowledge of healthcare administration.
Workplace health and safety
Health and safety is important in any workplace. In occupational therapy, there are specific requirements to follow to meet health and safety standards.
Assisting with an allied health program
With plans and programs a massive part of the treatment process for patients, you need skills in working within these carefully established guidelines.
Rehabilitation of clients
Core skills in the rehabilitation of clients are essential to start work with confidence and be a valuable team member in occupational therapy.
Assistive equipment knowledge
Various pieces of equipment and technology have been innovated to assist patients in occupational therapy. Knowing what they are and their uses are skills you need in the job from day one.
Occupational therapy is about giving clients agency and dignity whilst assisting them as I work to ensure they are safe in the community. Ultimately, the aim is that they are able to live a long and healthy life. It gives me a lot of satisfaction to help them achieve their goals.
Julia Caplan, Occupational Therapist at Total Health Physio
How to become an occupational therapy assistant
-
Study
Completing an allied health assistant course through TAFE or a recognised training organisation provides you with vital skills and knowledge in occupational therapy, assisting and opening you to better job prospects.
-
Apply for an entry-level role
Once you have your allied health qualification, hands-on experience is the best way to learn. An entry-level job as an occupational therapy assistant trainer can further enhance your skills.
-
Get a Working with Children Check
Many prospective employers require you to complete a working with children check to work as an occupational therapy assistant. This check is usually part of the recruitment process and can be applied for and completed online.
Explore related qualifications
Certificate III in Allied Health Assistance
This course prepares the learner for an allied health assisting role under direct supervision and predetermined guidelines. Job outcomes for this course are physiotherapy assistants, speech pathology assistants, occupational therapy assistants and more.
To achieve this qualification, the candidate must have completed a work placement of at least 80 hours.
The course duration is on average nine months and can be delivered either on-campus or online. Some providers allow a self-paced learning model that you can start any time. Payment plans and funding may be available to eligible students. Enquire about a course to find out more.
2 providers offer this course
Certificate IV in Allied Health Assistance
A Certificate IV in Allied Health Assistance (Occupational Therapy) provides the skills required to work in therapeutic and program-related support to allied health professionals. This work requires conducting activities under either direct or remote guidance of an allied health professional.
This coursework delves deeper into areas in allied health and may result in positions in a specialty area or a supervisory role to other allied health assistance workers.
To achieve this qualification, the candidate must have completed work experience of at least 120 hours.
The average course duration is one year and can be completed on campus or in an online setting. The course can be self-paced if required, and some providers offer enrolment at any time. This course has government subsidies for eligible students. Enquire about a course to find out more.
2 providers offer this course
Related subjects
For those that love the idea of helping people in need reach their goals, there is no shortage of roles in the healthcare industry that might be your perfect fit.
Some other subjects to explore:
Reviews
How we collect reviews
Reviews are from Australian workers with this job title or a very closely related one.
Is this your job title?
Share your thoughts and help people decide if this job is right for them.
How we collect reviews
Reviews are from Australian workers with this job title or a very closely related one.
Is this your job title?
Share your thoughts and help people decide if this job is right for them.
- All
- Positive
- Negative
Anne
Sep 08 2021Engage with many people.
What are the best parts of the job?
Meeting new people and forming new relationships.
What's the most challenging part?
Difficult people who are rude or do not want my help.
Ada
Sep 08 2021Enjoy assisting people.
What are the best parts of the job?
Assisting people is the best part of my job.
What's the most challenging part?
Assisting people that do not want my help and do not cooperate.
Helen
Sep 12 2021My patients make the job so fulfilling.
What are the best parts of the job?
Patients' kind words encourage me and I really like doing this job.
What's the most challenging part?
You need to be able to decide what kind of scans you do and when to call a doctor.
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If an occupational therapy assistant job feels right for you, you can access the resources you need and more information on the healthcare sector below.
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Job cluster: The Carer
What are job clusters?
The seven job clusters are sets of closely related jobs that share skills, making it easy to apply skills learned in one career to another.
The idea of the seven job clusters first appeared in a 2016 research report by the Foundation for Young Australians, titled “The New Work Mindset”. Researchers analysed thousands of online job advertisements and found that jobs are more similar than commonly thought — and the skills you gain in one position are easy to bring to another. In fact, they can help you get 13 other closely related jobs.
This model is a great way to think about 21st-century careers, where the average person changes career five times. We’ve used this framework (along with the much-loved Holland Codes model) to build a career quiz.
Why not take it and find out which job cluster feels like home?
What are job clusters?
The seven job clusters are sets of closely related jobs that share skills, making it easy to apply skills learned in one career to another.
The idea of the seven job clusters first appeared in a 2016 research report by the Foundation for Young Australians, titled “The New Work Mindset”. Researchers analysed thousands of online job advertisements and found that jobs are more similar than commonly thought — and the skills you gain in one position are easy to bring to another. In fact, they can help you get 13 other closely related jobs.
This model is a great way to think about 21st-century careers, where the average person changes career five times. We’ve used this framework (along with the much-loved Holland Codes model) to build a career quiz.
Why not take it and find out which job cluster feels like home?
A role in occupational therapy or any other that has you hands-on, helping others in need live better lives is best suited to the career personality of The Carer.
People with the ‘Carer’ personality type love to work in a team, have tons of compassion and empathy and genuinely love to see other people thrive.
Take the Career Quiz to discover what jobs are a great fit for you.
Frequently asked questions
What does an occupational therapy assistant do?
Occupational therapy assistants help senior therapists promote health and wellbeing by working with adult and child patients to carry out treatment plans and teaching them to continue treatment autonomously.
How long does it take to become an occupational therapy assistant?
Although not a requirement to commence work as an occupational therapy assistant, vocational training is a great way to get your foot in the door. Course duration depends on the provider and whether they are full-time or part-time.
What is the role of an OT assistant?
An occupational therapy assistant works under the supervision of occupational therapists to help people overcome limitations that impact their day-to-day life.
How much does an occupational therapy assistant make?
The average base salary for an occupational therapy assistant in Australia is $62K per year.
What makes a good occupational therapy assistant?
A good occupational therapy assistant is empathetic and loves to help others achieve their psychosocial and mental goals. They have confidence in their work and the skills and knowledge to perform their service to the best quality.