Graduates finishing study in the next three months can apply for registration now

16 Sep 2024

If you’re studying to become an occupational therapist and are about to finish your course, you can apply for registration now.

Getting your application in early helps avoid any delays and helps get you into the workforce sooner. If you apply before you finish your study, we can start assessing your application while we wait for your graduate results.

Before you can start working as an occupational therapist you have to be registered with the Occupational Therapy Board of Australia (the Board).

Easy steps to apply online

1. Create your account using the online services and complete your application
2. Upload your documents and pay the required fees. Check that you have provided all required documents to prove you’ve met the registration standards, including certified copies of your photo ID.
3. Wait for your education provider to provide your graduate results to the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (Ahpra).

Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander graduates

The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Engagement and Support team (the support team) is there to assist you through the registration process.

The support team is staffed by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and provides a one-on-one service. They can assist you navigate the registration process, provide regular phone contact, and advise on any disclosures you made on your registration application (for example, about impairments) that the Board may need to consider.

The support team is committed to assisting you get registered promptly so you can start making vital contributions to culturally safe healthcare for your communities. If, after reading the handy hints below, you would still like help with your application for registration, please email the support team at mobengagementsupport@ahpra.gov.au.

Handy hints to help you apply

Watch our video to get your application right

Applying for graduate registration video

You’ll find helpful advice, tips for avoiding common causes of delay and downloadable information flyers on the graduate applications page of the Ahpra website.

Get your photo ID certified correctly

It's important that you provide correctly certified photo ID documents with your application – the wording is specific:

‘I certify that this is a true copy of the original and the photograph is a true likeness of the person presenting the document as sighted by me.’

To get it right the first time, download the guide Certifying documents and take it with you to the authorised officer.

Registered health practitioners, as well as Justice of the Peace, public servants, teachers, lecturers and members of the legal profession can certify photo ID documents. The full list of authorised officers is in the guide.

Meeting the Board’s registration requirements

When you apply for registration, your application is carefully assessed against the Board’s requirements for registration, which includes meeting the following registration standards:

• English language skills, and
• professional indemnity insurance.

You also need to tell us about any criminal history and any health impairments that may affect your ability to practise.

You can also check out the Board’s video for graduating students which introduces you to the Board and outlines the professional standards expected of occupational therapists.

How long does it take to get registered?

We aim to finalise your application within two weeks of receiving your graduate results. This assumes you have submitted a complete application so be sure to read the handy hints above and watch our video.

Get your application right and submit it to us before you finish studying, so we can be ready to go when your results come in.

When you are registered, we will publish your name to the Register of practitioners, and you can start working as an occupational therapist.

For more information

For registration enquiries or difficulties with the online application form, contact us by making a web enquiry or by calling 1300 419 495 (within Australia).