Occupational Therapists

Occupational therapists who have qualified outside Australia or New Zealand should contact the Council of Occupational Therapists Registration Boards (COTRB) to have their skills assessed.

In some states including New South Wales, Tasmania and Victoria, to date there is no requirement for Occupational Therapists to be registered. However, candidates with COTRB recognition of qualifications are favoured, particularly for public hospital positions. To enable you to gain employment in states such as South Australia, Northern Territory, Queensland and Western Australia it is a legal requirement to be registered with the applicable state registration board. This is only achievable by having a COTRB assessment completed.

Assuming your qualifications are favourably assessed, COTRB will deem you eligible for limited/conditional registration. After you commence a position in Australia, you may be required to undertake a practice audit, administered by the COTRB. Alternatively, if you trained at a WFOT recognised facility you can register first in New Zealand (details outlined below) and then gain full registration with COTRB through the Trans Tasman agreement, which covers all states except Western Australia.

The contact details for the Council of Occupational Therapists Registration Boards are:

Council of Occupational Registration Boards
PO Box 229
TORRENSVILLE PLAZA SA 5031
Tel: +618 8443 9375
Fax: +618 8443 9550
Email: cotrb@saboards.com.au
Website: www.cotrb.saboards.com.au

If you intend to work in New Zealand you must be registered with the New Zealand Occupational Therapy Board before you can practise. Registration entitles you to practice as an occupational therapist anywhere in New Zealand subject to holding an annual practising certificate (APC).

When you submit your completed application form to the New Zealand Board all supporting documents should include original or copies of the original that have been certified by a Justice of the Peace, Notary Public, Lawyer or other person authorized to take statutory declarations. You should also include a resume and the official academic syllabus of your occupational therapy course from your training institution and a letter of good standing from your current and any previous registration authorities.