|
Australia has a federal system of government and is divided into
six States and two Territories. As in most countries, the
practice of a profession in Australia requires evidence of an
appropriate level of education and practical skills. Each
Australian State and Territory has separate legislation covering
the recognition of occupational therapy qualifications.
The steps that you will need to take to obtain recognition as
an occupational therapist in Australia are explained below in
Entry of Overseas Qualified Occupational Therapists into the
Profession in Australia.
The Council of Occupational Therapists Registration Boards
(Australia and New Zealand) Inc (COTRB) is the body responsible
for assessing occupational therapy qualifications for
recognition in Australia.
At present, occupational therapists must be registered to
practise in Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia and
the Northern Territory. Registration is through the local
registration board.
If you hold overseas qualifications, you will need to apply
for recognition of your qualifications by the Council of
Occupational Therapists Registration Boards (Australia and New
Zealand) Inc. (COTRB) to enable you to become eligible for
limited/conditional registration.
After your arrival in Australia you will also be required to
undertake a practice audit in the course of your first year of
employment or self-employment as an occupational therapist.
The Overseas Qualifications Assessment Committee (OQAC) of
COTRB will administer both the assessment of qualifications and
the practice audit procedures. On successful completion of the
practice audit you will be issued with a certificate of
professional competency by COTRB. This must be presented to the
relevant registration board before full registration is granted.
Registration is not required in Tasmania, New South Wales,
Victoria or the Australian Capital Territory. However, if you
want to work as an occupational therapist in a government-funded
agency, for example, a public hospital or a community health
centre, you are usually expected to have qualifications
acceptable to OT AUSTRALIA.
OT AUSTRALIA is the professional association for occupational
therapists in Australia. Initial membership of OT AUSTRALIA
requires recognition of your qualifications by COTRB.
If you live overseas and are an occupational therapist and
you intend to migrate and work in this profession in Australia,
you should first contact the nearest Australian Embassy, High
Commission or Consulate.
If you are already in Australia but need a skills assessment
to support an application to change your immigration status, you
should seek the advice of the Department of Immigration and
Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs (DIMIA) in your State or
Territory.
If you live in Australia and hold occupational therapy
qualifications gained overseas you may, if you wish, apply to
the Council of Occupational Therapists Registration Boards
(Australia and New Zealand) Inc (COTRB) for recognition of your
qualifications in Australia.
The Overseas Qualifications Assessment Committee (OQAC) of
COTRB is responsible for the administration of the assessment
procedures and will liaise with Registration Boards, OT
AUSTRALIA and others as required.
The OQAC of COTRB assesses your eligibility by checking that
you are recognised as an occupational therapist in your country
of origin or education, and that your professional education is
of a standard that would adequately prepare you for practice in
Australia.
If your qualifications are assessed as suitable for
recognition in Australia, you will receive an official letter
from COTRB that entitles you to apply to migrate to Australia
under the General Skilled Migration category of occupational
therapist.
The official letter also entitles you to apply for
registration in relevant Australian States and Territories
and/or to apply for membership of OT AUSTRALIA. On receipt of
your application, the registration boards will grant conditional
registration and will require a period of audited practice
during your first year of practice in Australia.
On successful completion of the practice audit you will be
issued with a Certificate of Practical Completion by COTRB. This
must be presented to the relevant registration board before full
registration is granted and/or to OT AUSTRALIA for renewal of
membership. |
In the following pages, you will find brief
information useful to overseas occupational therapists that want to
work in the United States, Canada, the United
Kingdom, Republic of Ireland, Australia and New
Zealand.