Occupational Therapy Board of Australia
FACT SHEET
Recency of Practice – Clarification and Template
Background
The Occupational Therapy Board of Australia (the Board) has developed its Recency of practice
registration standard to establish the requirements in relation to the nature, extent, period and recency of
any previous practice of the profession by applicants for registration in the profession.
The standard specifies that all registered occupational therapists are required to maintain their
competence to practice. The Board requires that a minimum of six months full-time equivalent
occupational therapy practice has been undertaken during the five-year period immediately prior to
commencement of the registration period.
Why is this so?
The powers and functions of the national boards are defined by the Health Practitioner Regulation
National Law, as in force in each state and territory (the National Law). The fundamental principle
underpinning registration is the protection of the public. By regulating practice each national board works
to ensure practitioners are suitably trained and had defined its standards to ensure competence.
The Board recognises that many occupational therapists take extended breaks from practice, for various
reasons including parenting, extended leave and other responsibilities. In developing its Recency of practice registration standard the Board ensures that practitioners have a clear and accessible pathway to
return to practice, but in a way that certifies currency and competence as well as providing public safety.
The standard warrants that members of the public have access to practitioners with up to date skills and
experience and is an important component of the national regulatory framework.
What do I do?
A practitioner who does not meet this standard has the following options:
a) to register in the non-practicing category; or
b) to undertake activities to demonstrate current practice competence in order to maintain or renew their
registration as an occupational therapist.
A practitioner who has previously held registration, but who does not meet this standard may choose to
take option b) as outlined above, and submit an application in order to maintain or renew their registration
as an occupational therapist.
The Standard notes that the Board’s assessment of applications and renewals that do not meet the
recency of practice requirement will take into account the following:
a) the practitioner’s registration history
b) the period of absence from the profession
c) activities related to the practice of occupational therapy undertaken in the previous five years
d) history of CPD completed
e) any additional study undertaken or qualifications obtained during the period of absence from practice.
To assist applicants provide such information a template is available (see Attachment A) which outlines
the requirements specified in the registration standard. Applicants are invited to complete this template
and attach it to the application for renewal of registration.
The Standard also notes that applicants returning to practice after an absence of five or more years will
be required to complete the minimum of 30 hours of continuing professional development (CPD) as set
out in the Board’s CPD registration standard. This must be completed in the 12 month period prior to
applying for re-registration. To assist practitioners meet the requirements of the Board’s CPD registration
standard the Board has developed CPD guidelines which explain the activities that qualify as CPD as well
as providing advice on record keeping and information to assist occupational therapists to establish and
maintain an appropriate CPD portfolio of evidence (see www.occupationaltherapyboard.gov.au/CodesGuidelines.aspx).
What activities relate to practice?
The National Boards have defined “practice” in a number of their registration standards as:
Practice means any role, whether remunerated or not, in which the individual uses their skills and
knowledge as a health practitioner in their profession. For the purposes of this registration standard,
practice is not restricted to the provision of direct clinical care. It also includes using professional
knowledge in a direct non-clinical relationship with clients, working in management, administration,
education, research, advisory, regulatory or policy development roles, and any other roles that impact on
safe, effective delivery of services in the profession.
When providing further information to the Board in the template, on activities related to the practice of
occupational therapy undertaken in the previous five years, practitioners may wish to refer to the Board’s
statement ‘When should occupational therapists be registered’ which is loaded as a Fact Sheet at the
website (www.occupationaltherapyboard.gov.au/Codes-Guidelines/Fact-Sheets.aspx).
The Board appreciates that many qualified health practitioners use their skills and knowledge in a range
of activities outside of direct patient care. The Board’s statement clarifies the circumstances in which the
Board expects occupational therapist to be registered, so will assist in clarifying what activities relate to
the definition of practice.
Will my registration be renewed?
The Board’s assessment of applications and renewals that do not meet the recency of practice
requirement will take into account a number of factors, as outlined above.
The Board may therefore consider the practitioner’s circumstances, on a case-by-case basis, whilst
upholding both the requirements of the National Law and the intent of the Board’s registration standard.
Can I continue to practise?
The Board has provided an exemption in the standard which states that an applicant who has not
practised for a minimum of six months full-time equivalent in the previous five years can hold provisional
registration while undertaking a period of supervised practice required by the Board.
The period of supervised practice will be not less than three months full-time equivalent, with a supervisor
assessment against the Australian Minimum Competency Standards for New Graduate Occupational
Therapists. This pathway ensures practitioners can return to practice and become eligible for general
registration, while affording the public protection by ensuring the practitioner has demonstrated currency
and competence when returning to practice.
The supervised practice arrangements can be undertaken on a voluntary or paid basis but must be
approved by the Board. The Board’s supervision guidelines include provisions for supervised practice to
be undertaken either full-time or part-time. The supervisor will provide the Board with an assessment of
the applicant’s practice, against the competency standards.
As the circumstances and period away from practice varies considerably between individuals the Board
may require the applicant to complete additional training or assessment.
Once a practitioner has satisfactorily completed their period of supervised practice, and obtained sign-off
from their supervisor within the specified registration period, the practitioner may submit an application for
General Registration, which can be renewed on an annual basis.
If the practitioner fails to achieve sign off from their supervisor within the specified registration period, they
will remain on provisional registration. This can only be renewed twice.
Summary
The Board requires that a minimum of six months full-time equivalent occupational therapy practice has
been undertaken during the five-year period immediately prior to commencement of the registration
period. If your application or renewal does not meet the recency of practice requirement it is
recommended that you provide further information to the Board for consideration, using the template
provided in Attachment A and also ensure that you have completed the minimum of 30 hours of
continuing professional development (CPD) as set out in the Board’s CPD registration standard in the 12
month period prior to applying for renewal of registration1.
Should you have further questions we invite you to contact AHPRA on 1300 419 495 or log an enquiry via
AHPRA’s website www.ahpra.gov.au.
therapists who do meet the Board’s Recency of Practice registration standard will have from 1 July
2012 until 30 November 2013 to meet the requirement of 30 hours of CPD.
1Occupational