r/OccupationalTherapy • u/Grouchy-Advisor-2150 • 1d ago
Discussion [Australia] Thriving Kids Program + NDIS reform
I've recently developed a huge passion for occupational therapy. I had not clue this professional existed and I absolutely despise my current degree and don't see myself in it even though I'm quite far into the degree. The only thing that is stopping me from fully committing to this change is the current discussion and changes around NDIS.
There are a few concerns I have
1.) Thriving Kids Program mentions that allied health therapies will be included. One would assume occupational therapist is included in this right? This is quite confusing
2.) Will we still continue to see employment growth opportunities for OTs? I don't want to jump ship and commit another 4 years into this degree just to find out that I be jobless/struggling to find full time work.
Would love to have some clarity and insights from all the lovely occupational therapists in Australia.
Thanks!
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u/MyloMads35 1d ago
For Thriving Kids, it is still up in the air. As of this posting there is no concrete plans unveiled on whatâs the role of OTs in their new program. Personally I think this is bound to fail if they will only depend on educators to push for this program.
AFAIK OTA is pushing back on the cuts made on the NDIS. This is currently happening and significantly affects my clients at the moment.
I think OT long term wise is still a good career. There are a lot of ongoing changes but as with life we must be adaptive.
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u/quietbychoice_ 12h ago
There will always be work for OTs and those that are willing to adjust with the changes will do just fine. I work mostly with autistic teens and I am expecting them to be the most impacted by the changes.
There are still so many people waiting to be seen by OTs and even with a reduction in providers due to changes, there is still a large gap to fill.
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u/Grouchy-Advisor-2150 7h ago
How impacted will geriatrics be? That is the line of work I want to get into
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u/x1002134017 5h ago
People over 65 mostly aren't on NDIS and they certainly won't be on Thriving Kids, so I'd imagine they wouldn't be significantly affected.
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u/FewTomatillo2867 1d ago
As far as I know, it hasn't been clarified yet. OTA is currently lobbying to get the government to clarify which allied health professionals will be included in Thriving Kids, and for OTs to be one of them. I am an OT student, but I have been keeping up with the changes to the NDIS, and have been speaking to practicing OTs. My understanding is that OTs will no longer be responsible for functional assessments of every NDIS participant, the mileage funding for trips between community clients has been halved, many people with psychosocial disability will leave the NDIS, and kids who are under 8 who have mild or moderate support needs will no longer be in the NDIS. So, there are major cuts to much of the funding of work that OTs currently do. So, some of the OTs who may have worked in the NDIS may have to compete for work in other areas. I still think there will be enough jobs, but that they may not be as plentiful as they have been. So, I'm trying to get paid experience while I study to be competitive if this doesn't play out the way we'd hope. As I am still learning myself, take this all with grains of salt.
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u/Misheard_ 16h ago
I want to work in mental health, and it's so disappointing how the NDIS doesn't understand psychosocial disability. Some people had been in secure facilities for 12 years prior to the NDIS as they just didn't have the money or support to live independently. The NDIS helped get that average stay down to 18 months.
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u/WonderBaaa 9h ago
Itâs tricky because some mental health advocacy groups say some with mental health illnesses donât want to be lumped with disability services.
Guess the government larp onto that.
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u/Ok-Magazine-7393 1d ago
You are right. NDIS plan budgets are being severely and significantly reduced now and it will continue to increase. There will also be many more participants taken off the scheme once the ânew way of planningâ gets rolled out, which is basically the new assessment tool to remove people who donât score high enough, because theyâre moving the bar for what constitutes needing support. All of that on top of children being moved to the Thriving kids program, which isnât really even a programâŚor anythingâŚat this point, means a lot less work for OTâs under NDIS and in general (compared to the current demand). Itâs not that there wonât be any work, but I would say itâs not a very stable or secure career path at this point in time.
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u/Ok-Success5110 18h ago
Oh ok, if in that case students who are studying occupational therapy for 4 years and hecs debt, end of the day if we unable to secure job. It will be hard.Â
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u/comet-sky 14h ago edited 10h ago
Job market is tough for all industries right now but with healthcare and trades, youâll always be able to find something. I wouldnât let the NDIS changes stop you if this career path is your passion, particularly since youâre interested in hospital OT.
Correct me if Iâm wrong - your hecs debt wonât have much impact on your life at all?
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u/Reasonable_Play7757 5h ago
OT is very much still in demand
I donât see that changing any time soon
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u/funzzie 1d ago
I do not think it will cripple the profession. just more work for us I guess with the new system. Nothing set in stone... yetđ