Occupational Therapy

What is Occupational Therapy?

The term ‘occupational’ in the context of Occupational Therapy refers to everyday activities that people do, as well as activities that bring meaning and purpose to life:

• as individuals
• in their families
• in their communities. 

Occupational Therapy helps you participate in activities you find useful and meaningful, including:

• taking care of yourself and others:
  • showering
  • dressing 
  • grooming
  • eating
• functioning in your household and the community:
  • maintaining your home
  • driving
  • budgeting
  • shopping
  • moving around your local community
• working 
• volunteering
• participating in hobbies, interests and social events.

Through Occupational Therapy, you understand what activities you can do and how to manage any limitations you face. Often, it focuses on how to do something more easily and safely.

Occupational Therapists can prescribe devices to help you do the activities you need and want to do. They work with:

• children
• older people
• people suffering from mental illness
• people with disabilities
• people undergoing rehabilitation.

Is Occupational Therapy a regulated profession in Australia?

Yes. In Australia, the Australian Health Practitioner Agency (Ahpra) and the Occupational Therapy Board of Australia regulate Occupational Therapists.

Does private health insurance cover Occupational Therapy?

If private health insurance covers Occupational Therapy, it falls under:

• Hospital Cover (inside a hospital)
• Extras Cover (outside a hospital).

Ask your insurer whether your Hospital Cover and Extras Cover includes Occupational Therapy.

If so, check whether Occupational Therapy is subject to:

• a waiting period before you can make a claim
• per claim limits
• annual limits.

If I have Extras Cover that includes Occupational Therapy, can I see any Occupational Therapist?

No. To be covered, your Occupational Therapist must be a member of Occupational Therapy Australia. They must also have approval to be registered under the state and territory laws where they operate.

In addition, your health insurer can decide whether or not to cover treatments from a particular provider.

Some insurers may require you to see an Occupational Therapist who is one of their recognised providers only.

Before seeking treatments, always check with your health insurer that you are covered.

Does Medicare cover Occupational Therapy?

Yes. Medicare covers Occupational Therapy but only in certain situations:

You:

• have a chronic condition and complex care needs, or
• live in an aged care facility, or
• are of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent

and

• your GP recommends Occupational Therapy services
• the consultation lasts at least 20 minutes
• you receive no more than 5 services in a calendar year.

Medicare may also cover Occupational Therapy for the diagnosis and treatment of a developmental disorder or other disability for a person under 25.

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