ANZSCO 2424-11
Occupational Therapist
Victoria
March 2015
Current labour market rating
No Shortage
Previous labour market rating (February 2014)
No Shortage
Comments
The survey found that metropolitan and regional employers were able to fill all of their advertised
positions.
Survey results
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The Department of Employment Survey of Employers who have Recently Advertised (SERA) found
that 100 per cent of the surveyed occupational therapist vacancies were filled from an average of
8.3 applicants per vacancy of which an average of 2.2 applicants were found to be suitable.
o This is an increase from the fill rate noted in the 2014 survey where 80 per cent of positions
were filled from an average of 5.1 suitable applicants per vacancy.
o Strong results were also noted in the 2013 survey where 100 per cent of advertised positions
were filled from an average of 14.1 suitable applicants per vacancy.
Metropolitan and regional areas both recorded vacancy fill rates of 100 per cent; there was
however disparity in the number of applicants and suitable applicants. Metropolitan vacancies
attracted an average of 9.8 applicants and 2.0 suitable applicants compared to 5.3 applicants and
2.5 suitable applicants per vacancy in regional areas.
The surveyed vacancies related to a range of private and public services across Victoria including
disability service providers, public and private hospitals, multi-disciplinary health clinics and
palliative care centres.
All of the surveyed vacancies were for qualified occupational therapists (Grades 1 to 3) registered
with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA). Preference for postqualification experience varied between roles and locations:
o Regional employers stated that in order to overcome the difficultly of attracting candidates to
rural locations they routinely compromised on experience and took on new graduates.
o Metropolitan employers generally sought a minimum of two years of experience. Particularly
challenging or specialised roles warranted five years of experience or more in addition to on
the job training.
o Most commonly, employers sought previous experience in a similar role or specific,
demonstrable experience in areas such as working with the disabled or children.
o Employers were generally seeking applicants that presented with strong technical knowledge
and were comfortable operating autonomously within multidisciplinary teams.
Labour Economics Office Victoria
Department of Employment
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Some positons required an understanding of different therapeutic models and occupational
therapy approaches such as gross and fine motor development and sensory integration; others
necessitated a capacity to work with cognitive and developmental difficulties associated with
handwriting, learning and coordination.
o The ability to provide strategic direction was a requisite for professional leadership roles.
Employers commonly noted that demonstrating a positive attitude and a good personality fit for
their organisation could take precedence over experience and hence, they regarded a range of
personality traits as highly desirable including strong communication and interpersonal skills, a
passion for the job and an enthusiastic work ethic. Reliability and excellent time management skills
were also valued. Some positions required applicants to have a physicality suited to the demands of
the role.
Unsuitable applicants
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Whilst 96 per cent of applicants were qualified, 73 per cent of qualified applicants were found to be
unsuitable. The key factor impacting on suitability was a lack of sufficient relevant experience or for
graduates, the lack of work experience at a reputable placement facility.
A range of other reasons were referenced by employers regarding unsuitability including poor
technical knowledge, poor communications skills and an inability to cope with challenging
situations. Poorly presented applications or failing to address the selection criteria also impacted on
applicant suitability.
Demand and Supply
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To become an occupational therapist candidates generally have to complete a degree in
occupational therapy. A number of Australian universities offer occupational therapy degrees with
varying prerequisites and entry requirements.
The Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) Occupational Therapy Board of
Australia reports that there were 4,046 general Occupational Therapy practitioners registered in
Victoria by principle place of practice in December 2014, an increase of 320 (8.6 per cent) in
comparison to December 2013.1
Whilst the number of domestic students commencing bachelor degrees in Occupational Therapy in
Victoria from 2008 to 2013 remained relatively steady, completions in 2013 fell by 32 percent
compared to the average completion rate for the previous five years.2
Supply to the occupational therapist profession is predominantly domestic as 457 visas granted to
Occupational Therapists has remained less than 10 per annum since 2011.3
Demand for Occupational Therapy services continues to grow in Victoria due to the expanding role
this form of therapy plays in treating our growing and ageing population along with the increased
government on health, aged care and disability:
1
Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) Occupational Therapy Board of Australia, Occupational Therapist
Registrant Data, December 2012, 2013 and 2014
2
Department of Education and Training, Higher Education Student Data Collection, 2013, customised tables
3
Department of Immigration and Border Protection, Subclass 457 visas granted, 31 Dec 2014
Labour Economics Office Victoria
Department of Employment
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In 2014 there were 35,980 occupational therapist services logged by the private health
industry in Victoria; an increase of 0.3 percent from 2013 and a 16.7 per cent increase in
comparison to the annual average of the previous five years.4
o Occupational therapist services processed in 2014 by Medicare in Victoria under the Allied
Health Service classification of the Medicare Benefits Scheme (MBS) increased by 8.8 percent
from 2013 and 41.4 per cent in comparison to the annual average of the previous five years.5
The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) which supports people with a permanent and
significant disability that makes it difficult to take part in everyday activities has been available in
the local government areas of the City of Greater Geelong, Colac Otway Shire, Surfcoast Shire and
the Borough of Queenscliffe region of Victoria from 1 July 2013.6
4
Australian Government Private Health Insurance Administrative Council, Private Health Insurance Benefits Trends, Ancillary
Benefits; General Services - Occupational Therapy, Victoria, December 2014
5
Australian Government Department of Human Services, MBS Item Statistics Reports; Category 8 - Miscellaneous Services
(Allied Health Services, Group M3 and Group M11, occupational therapy), 2008 to 2014
6
National Disability Insurance Scheme, ndis.gov.au
Labour Economics Office Victoria
Department of Employment