What does an Occupational Therapy Assistant do?

Being an Occupational Therapist’s Assistant is an extremely rewarding career. You'll help rehabilitate people who struggle with injuries, illnesses or disabilities every day.  

If you’re interested in this type of meaningful work, you may have seen this job title around. But what exactly does an Occupational Therapy Assistant do? 

In this article, you’ll find information about the duties of an Occupational Therapy Assistant or Occupational Therapy Aide, why it’s a great career choice, and the qualifications you'll need. 

What is an Occupational Therapy Assistant? 

An Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) works in the field of healthcare, assisting individuals with injuries, illnesses and/or disabilities. Using a holistic approach, OTAs help these individuals to address physical, cognitive, emotional and social challenges, empowering them to live more fulfilling lives. 

An Occupational Therapy Assistant might help someone get back into the swing of their occupation after an enforced layoff. But for occupational therapists, it doesn’t end there; they call a lot of things ‘occupations’. 

‘Occupation’ in this context refers to all kinds of activities in everyday life, such as working, socialising, bathing and eating. An Occupational Therapy Assistant might help you get your hobby or social life back up and running after an injury or illness. But they also help people with disabilities and illnesses to live a full life with as much independence and dignity as possible. 

What does an Occupational Therapy Assistant do? 

OTA duties are as varied as the clients they work with – which could be anyone from children with disabilities to injured adults, to the elderly.  

In general, a treatment plan will be created by an Occupational Therapist for the OTA to carry out. This may include tasks such as showing clients how to perform prescribed physical exercises.

Other tasks include helping individuals with disabilities learn self-care skills like cooking or cleaning, aiding clients in using assistive devices, facilitating social or therapeutic activities, and documenting clients’ progress.

Helping kids grow  

Every child deserves the opportunity to reach their full potential, no matter the hurdles they face, be it conditions like cerebral palsy and spina bifida, learning or sensory challenges or developmental delays and injuries.  

As an Occupational Therapy Assistant, you’ll typically collaborate with parents, doctors and teachers to help create a fulfilling, active life for these kids. You might focus on refining motor skills so they can participate in sports or perform daily tasks like dressing. Your role can range from building positive habits in children to guiding parents on how to continue the support at home.

Bringing dignity to the elderly 

Through therapeutic activities tailored to individual needs, an OTA can help elderly patients maintain or regain independence in daily tasks, such as dressing, cooking or mobility exercises. The focus here is on enhancing their quality of life, fostering a sense of accomplishment and addressing any limitations associated with ageing. 

Helping people with disabilities overcome obstacles 

The OTA collaborates with Occupational Therapists on customised treatment plans, incorporating exercises and activities that address specific challenges related to the disability. The OTA aims to empower individuals with disabilities to work with challenges, participate in activities they enjoy, create rewarding social outlets and navigate their environment with greater ease. 

Helping injured individuals recover, regain independence and readjust 

During the recovery phase from an injury, an Occupational Therapy Assistant becomes a crucial member of a person’s support system. The OTA helps to implement rehabilitation exercises and activities prescribed by the Occupational Therapist to return as closely as possible to their former level of functionality and mobility.

They guide individuals through the recovery process, helping them regain strength and coordination. Ideally, the goal is to promote a full recovery, prevent future injuries and ensure the individual can resume their regular routines with confidence. 

Making a real difference  

There’s no doubt that the Occupational Therapy Assistant makes a real, tangible difference to the lives of others - where and when it’s needed most.

Where do Occupational Therapy Assistants work?  

Occupational Therapy Assistants work in a variety of different settings in Australia, from large cities to small towns and remote regions. 

The majority of jobs can be found in both private and public hospitals, rehabilitation centres and aged care and residential care facilities. Home visits and excursions for hobbies, shopping or social-related activities are also common. 

Benefits of becoming an Occupational Therapy Assistant  

Generally speaking, working as an Occupational Therapy Assistant or Occupational Therapy Aide is an incredible career choice for those who want to give back to others, interact with a variety of people from all walks of life and make a difference in their lives. Here are some of the main benefits you can enjoy:

Meaningful career path  

Making a positive difference in people’s lives is one of the most satisfying ways to spend your days, and you’ll be connecting and sharing with others along the way. Every day you’ll learn something new, whether that’s knowledge about how to do your job better, or the touching stories from the lives of others.  

Diverse work environment 

This is one job where you won’t necessarily get bored going to the same place every day! There are various settings you can work, between hospitals, clinics, schools or rehabilitation centres, creating opportunities to be flexible in your skills and the types of clients you interact with. 

Competitive salary 

Accounting for the level of qualifications required, being a certified Occupational Therapy Assistant in Australia comes with a competitive salary, with the average across the country sitting between $50,000 to $65,000 per year.  

Secure employment opportunities 

According to the data for Nursing Support and Personal Care Workers from the Australian Government’s ‘Labour Insights’, the industry is projected for strong future growth. The predicted growth is set at 9.6% for the five years between 2021 and 2026. That equates to around 10,000 new jobs in the sector! 

This is a highly promising insight and signals a strong industry with plenty of steady opportunities available for those entering into the healthcare and personal care industry. 

Qualifications you need for this role 

Most Occupational Therapy Assistants have at least a Certificate III level qualification, although others hold a Certificate IV or higher. Naturally, the higher your OTA qualifications, the better the position you can secure. 

It’s important to note that an OTA plays a different role to an Occupational Therapist, a position which requires a Bachelor’s degree at minimum.  

Here are the qualifications that’ll set you up for a long-lasting and life-changing career in Occupational Therapy. 

Certificate III in Allied Health Assistance   

A Certificate III in Allied Health Assistance equips you with a solid understanding of how to assist with allied health programming, how to interpret basic medical terminology and how to comply with infection prevention and control policies. You will also learn the important skill of communicating effectively with both professionals and patients. It’s a great entry-level qualification that’ll open the doors to applying for Occupational Therapy Assistant roles across Australia. It can even be completed in a matter of just 12 months or less, allowing you to jump into a job in a relatively short period of time. 

Certificate IV in Allied Health Assistance  - Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy Focus

The Certificate IV in Allied Health Assistance is a nationally recognised 12-month qualification that will prepare you for a successful career in allied health, ensuring you have the necessary practical skills and theoretical knowledge to thrive in the health and community sector. It’s a more advanced course than the Certificate III, going further in-depth into the principles of healthcare, and is designed for those who already have industry experience or a Certificate III qualification. It’s a great course to study for career progression and higher-paid positions.  

Think a fulfilling career as an Occupational Therapy Assistant is right for you? Explore our Allied Health courses or enquire now to speak with one of our friendly Careers Advisors. 

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