Occupational therapy (OT)

Therapy that helps you do everyday activities, and that can recommend equipment or home changes.

What it means

Occupational therapy, often shortened to OT, is therapy that helps you do the everyday activities that matter to you. In OT, an occupation means any activity that fills your time and has meaning, such as getting dressed, cooking, studying, working, or joining in hobbies and community life.

An occupational therapist looks at what you want or need to do, and what is getting in the way. They then work with you to find practical solutions. This might mean building your skills, changing how a task is done, or recommending equipment. In the NDIS, OTs also assess your needs and their reports often support requests for assistive technology or home modifications.

In practice

An OT usually starts by talking with you about your goals and watching how you manage certain tasks. They may visit your home, school or workplace to see the real setting where you have difficulty.

From there, an OT might teach you new ways to do a task, suggest tools like a modified kitchen aid or a shower chair, or recommend changes to your home such as a ramp or grab rails. They can also help with routines, sensory needs and building independence.

In the NDIS, occupational therapy is usually funded as a therapy support under Capacity Building. When you need equipment or home changes, an OT can carry out an assessment and write a report explaining why the support is reasonable and necessary. This evidence helps the NDIS decide whether to fund it.

A real example

For example, Daniel finds it hard to shower safely because of balance problems. His occupational therapist visits his home, watches how he moves in the bathroom, and recommends a shower chair and grab rails. She writes a report explaining why these supports are needed, which Daniel uses to request funding.

Occupational therapy (OT) — FAQs

What does an occupational therapist do?
An occupational therapist helps you do the everyday activities that matter to you, such as self-care, tasks at home, school or work. They assess what is getting in the way and find practical solutions. This can include building your skills, changing how a task is done, or recommending equipment or home modifications to support your independence.
How is occupational therapy funded under the NDIS?
Occupational therapy is usually funded as a therapy support under Capacity Building in your plan. This helps you build skills and independence over time. The support needs to be reasonable and necessary and linked to your disability and goals. You choose an OT provider, agree on what to work on, and progress towards your goals together.
Can an OT help me get assistive technology?
Yes. An occupational therapist can assess your needs and recommend assistive technology, such as equipment for the bathroom, kitchen or getting around. They write a report explaining why the item suits you and why it is reasonable and necessary. This assessment is often required as evidence before the NDIS will fund the equipment.
Can an OT recommend home modifications?
Yes. Occupational therapists can assess your home and recommend changes that make it safer and easier to use, such as ramps, grab rails or a modified bathroom. For larger or more complex changes, a specialised OT assessment and detailed report are usually needed to support your request for NDIS funding.
What happens in a first OT session?
In a first session, the occupational therapist usually talks with you about your goals and the activities you find difficult. They may watch how you manage certain tasks and, where helpful, visit your home, school or workplace. From this, they build an understanding of your needs and work with you to plan the next steps.

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