Australia’s aged care sector is undergoing rapid transformation. With an ageing population, new legislative requirements under the Aged Care Act, and increasing expectations for culturally safe, person-centred care, occupational therapists (OTs) face significant demands to deliver high-quality services.
For early-career therapists, those returning to practice, or professionals transitioning into aged care, the challenge is clear: experience alone cannot meet today’s complex standards.
Michelle Oliver, Chief Occupational Therapist at Occupational Therapy Australia (OTA), the peak body representing over 34,000 OTs, understands this skills gap. “Occupational therapists work with individuals who experience illness, injury, or disability that impact their ability to do the things they need and want to do in life,” she says.
“In aged care, this means supporting older Australians to live happy, healthy, and engaged lives, often in their own homes. But the changing landscape demands a clear, structured approach to skill development.”
OTA’s Practice Essentials programs, particularly the Working with Older People program, provide a solution. This suite of five interactive, self-paced e-learning modules, developed in partnership with Flinders University and grounded in OTA’s Capability Framework for Occupational Therapists Working with Older People (Aged Care), equips therapists with the tools to excel in this critical field.
The growing skills gap
Aged care reform is reshaping the sector, with a focus on enabling Australians to age well at home and reducing reliance on residential care.
“We are an ageing population, and there’s a strong push to support Australians to age well in their own homes,” Oliver notes. “Occupational therapists are ideally suited to support this goal, helping people maintain independence and engagement.” However, meeting new standards, mastering cultural safety, and collaborating in multidisciplinary teams require specific capabilities.
For OTs, this means navigating complex assessments, delivering evidence-based interventions, and providing inclusive care. Employers face the challenge of ensuring consistent, high-quality care across their teams.
“There’s a lot of change and reform occurring in the aged care space,” Oliver explains. “It’s really important for our profession to be up to date and clear around best practice and our scope of practice.” Without targeted training, this skills gap can impact outcomes for practitioners and clients alike.
A practical, evidence-based solution
OTA’s Practice Essentials programs address this gap with structured, evidence-based learning. The Working with Older People program covers five key areas: aged care systems and common conditions, comprehensive assessment and goal setting, occupation-focused interventions, client-centred practice, and collaboration in multidisciplinary teams.
“They cover all foundational capabilities defined in the Capability Framework, building not just capability but confidence,” Oliver says.
The program’s evidence-based design sets it apart. “They’re developed in partnership with occupational therapists and Flinders University, a leading researcher in aged care,” Oliver highlights.
“We pride ourselves on being the go-to place for OTs seeking the most up-to-date, evidence-based learning and development.” Modules teach critical skills, such as delivering culturally safe care for diverse populations, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and using assessment tools to create client-centred goals.
The self-paced, fully online format offers flexibility. “The ability to drive learning at their own pace and take it back to practice for reflective work is incredibly valuable,” Oliver shares. OTs can revisit content within six months of purchase, ensuring practical application.
Feedback from related Practice Essentials modules, such as those for mental health, underscores their impact: “We’ve had incredibly positive feedback about the self-directed modules. Practitioners appreciate how comprehensive they are and how they’re grounded in current evidence-based practice.”
Empowering OTs and employers
For early-career OTs or those transitioning into aged care, the program builds confidence and clarity. “It equips an occupational therapist to work at a high quality level with older Australians,” Oliver says.
The focus on cultural safety and client-centred care ensures therapists deliver inclusive, ethical services that respect clients’ dignity and choices.
Employers also benefit significantly. By investing in Practice Essentials, aged care providers can ensure their teams meet consistent, high-quality standards. “For employers, this is an ideal way to ensure your workforce has the full suite of capabilities expected of an OT in aged care,” Oliver explains.
“It provides a quality safeguard, giving practitioners the confidence and competence to navigate the changing landscape.” This consistency enhances care quality and supports organisational goals.
OTA members who purchase the full suite unlock an exclusive interactive session, a member-only benefit that enhances learning through peer reflection. “The interactive session provides an opportunity for reflective practice within a peer group,” Oliver notes, highlighting its role in meeting CPD requirements and embedding skills into daily practice.
Shaping the future of aged care
As aged care evolves, Oliver sees OTs playing a central role. “Occupational therapists’ core business is to support people to live happy, healthy, engaged, and productive lives,” she says.
OTA’s Practice Essentials programs are designed to align with these trends, ensuring OTs remain equipped for best practice. From supporting home-based care to navigating reforms, the Working with Older People program prepares therapists to make a meaningful impact.
Oliver’s call to action is straightforward: “This is a never-before-seen program, grounded in best practice. We urge OTs to choose learning that equips them with the confidence, skills, and capabilities to do their best for the communities we serve.”
OTA’s Practice Essentials programs offer a clear path for OTs to build the skills needed for aged care. To explore the Working with Older People program or other modules, visit https://otaus.com.au/event/804dab0d-4368-f011-9a49-00505696a186
OTA members enjoy discounted rates and exclusive benefits, including the interactive session for full-suite purchasers. Employers seeking to upskill their teams can contact info@otaus.com.au for tailored options.
