Help! Ahpra registration as an occupational therapist.

[nikkibikki]

Hi there all.

 

Moved to sunny Oz in May and struggling to find work. I'm a qualified OT with 17 years of UK experience but can't gain employment as I'm not AHPRA registered. Is there anyone out there (anywhere) that will consider helping me out with my supervised practice? Seems ridiculous I was allowed in the country as a permanent resident based on my skills but I can't work. Arggggghhhhhh. Any help, advice would be gratefully received.

[nic1171]

Why can't you get AHPRA registration?

[nikkibikki]

I need to have a job offer in order to register and i can't get a job without ahpra registration.

[nic1171]

Bummer!

[Rhian1]

I would recommend speaking to the employers and hospitals about this predicament before applying. Employers are aware of this aprha problem and do employ British ots. I got a job before this came in but still had to do 6 months supervised practice and they were absolutely fine with it. Where r u based?

[Nikkidylan]

[h=1]The following information is on the OT Australia website

http://www.otaus.com.au/about/requirements-for-overseas-trained-occupational-the You should be able to get conditional AHPRA registration with the requirement that you have to complete a practice audit. It is a lot of paperwork, but doesn't affect your day to day working conditions.

 

 

Requirements for overseas-trained occupational therapists[/h]Occupational therapists who have trained overseas and wish to migrate and work as occupational therapists in Australia, are required to undergo an assessment conducted by the Occupational Therapy Council (OTC) previously known as Council of Occupational Therapy Registration Board (COTRB).

Click here to view the OTC Information Leaflet

This assessment process involves an initial desktop audit where you will need to meet a number of criteria before being able to migrate. Once in the country, you will complete a goal-directed practice audit in your initial employment, designed to ensure that your practice skills develop and that you are able to attain standards required in an Australian work context.

For full details, contact the OTC directly:

OTC

Postal Address:

PO Box 959

South Perth WA 6951

Street Address:

Suite 7, Level 2, 23 Richardson Street

South Perth WA 6151

Telephone: 08 9368 2655

Fax: 08 9368 2677

E-Mail: admin@cotrb.com.au

Website: http://www.cotrb.com.au

[Nikkidylan]

More information from the AHPRA website which gives the new link to OT council who must have processed your desktop audit for immigration

 

[h=2]Overseas qualified practitioners[/h]Internationally-qualified occupational therapists wanting to practise in Australia are currently required to undertake an initial assessment in compliance with the requirements specified by the Occupational Therapy Council (OTC). This assessment comprises:

 

 

• Stage 1 - desktop audit
  
• Stage 2 - Supervised practice audit
  

 

These initial assessment processes will then qualify internationally-trained practitioners for registration by the Occupational Therapy Board of Australia via the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA).

Please visit the OTC website for further details on the initial assessment processes.

In addition, further information is provided at the Board’s website comprising of facts sheets detailing information on:

 

 

• Demonstrating English language skills for overseas qualified practitioners
  
• Grandparenting - pathways to practise transitional arrangements for overseas qualified practitioners
  

 

[Nikkidylan]

Occupational-Therapy-Board---Form---Application-for-limited-registration-for-supervised-practice.pdf

 

Occupational-Therapy-Board---Form---Application-for-limited-registration-for-supervised-practice.pdf

 

This is the form for your registration which will allow you to be do the supervised practice audit. If the attachment doesn't work, the link is

 

http://www.occupationaltherapyboard.gov.au/Registration/Forms.aspx

 

and you'll find it under the Limited Registration heading

Occupational-Therapy-Board---Form---Application-for-limited-registration-for-supervised-practice.pdf

[nikkibikki]

Hi guys. Thanks for the response. I'm aware of all the procedures and I have already completed the desktop audit. Its just the case of finding an employer willing to take on the supervised practice. I'm in WA and as yet have not found anyone willing to take me on without full registration. I have now taken to ringing every agency up and down the country with view of going anywhere. No luck though.

[Nikkidylan]

That is a rather silly situation. Have you considered an agency that would specifically recruit in the UK- they would know of others in the same position and how they solved their issue

 

http://www.aussielocums.com.au/australia/professions/occupational-therapy

 

 

 

I also went to the OT council website and under their FAQs

 

http://otcouncil.com.au/?page_id=23

 

it states

Am I able to accept a non-clinical role to do my practice audit?

 

Yes, you are able to do this.

 

Would a way around it being looking at a non-clinical role for the practice audit - they would not be as stringent on the registration aspect, get the audit done and then look at clinical positions? A bit of a roundabout way of doing it, but may work

 

If all else fails, have you contacted the OT Board under AHPRA directly with your situation and see what response you get?

 

Please contact the OTBA in the first instance for all questions and concerns related to registration to practice as an occupational therapist in Australia.

Occupational Therapy Board of Australia

GPO Box 9958, Canberra ACT 2601, Australia

Telephone: +61 3 8708 9001

Website: http://www.occupationaltherapyboard.gov.au

Good luck- you will get there, it must be really frustrating being under this catch-22.

[nikkibikki]

Thanks NikkiDylan. I have contacted all involved and there appears no way round this. The locum agencies have been really good but it appears all employers want full registration and cant be faffed with the paperwork involved. Im that close to heading back to the UK as this is just ridiculous. Im assuming you are an OT?? If so, did you take up a non clinical role and if so, in what area? Thanks for the feedback BTW.

[Nikkidylan]

Thanks NikkiDylan. I have contacted all involved and there appears no way round this. The locum agencies have been really good but it appears all employers want full registration and cant be faffed with the paperwork involved. Im that close to heading back to the UK as this is just ridiculous. Im assuming you are an OT?? If so, did you take up a non clinical role and if so, in what area? Thanks for the feedback BTW.

 

It is ridiculous - something they haven't thought through at all. And Aussies as you'll find out are sticklers for rules over common sense sometimes! I am an OT- I was lucky to have started working last year before the July 1st start of national registration so I was able to get provisional registration while doing my practice audit. I wish you the best of luck and really hope it works out for you. The practice audit was a bit of paperwork but like I said before did not affect my day to day job. It was a bit weird to do it to be honest as I've been an OT for 8 years and it felt like going back to being a student for a while. If I come across anything that may be helpful (I'm in Melbourne) I'll pass that along.

Edited December 22, 2013 by Nikkidylan

[selmar]

How did you go? Have you found a way through this? I have a similar experience with recruitment agencies not wanting to "touch" you if you don't hold current AHPRA registration. It used to be easy to find work as an OT in Victoria before the legislation changed and now employers as you say can't be bothered with all the paperwork involved.

 

Finding work in a non-clinical role i.e occupational rehabilitation may be easier as they are struggling to find staff but you may encounter similar issues as a many of the insurance companies such as Comcare require staff undertaking assessments to be registered. You can usually get collegaues with registration to sign off your work and reports though.

 

I hope it will work out for you.

[Bosco]

Hi Nikkibikki,

 

I'm in the exact same situation and it's so frustrating.

 

I moved from the UK to Sydney last October with permanent residency, but have been unable to get a job as an OT as I cannot get registered with AHPRA (for same reasons as yourself - you need a job before you can get registered but can't get a job unless you have registration!!!) It's just a crazy situation and so stressful.

 

I've returned to the UK for a few months to rethink my plans and get some work. Just wondering if you have any update and if you have managed to get a job?

 

Kind Regards,

 

Bosco

[nikkibikki]

Hi Bosco.

Ive sent you a pm.

[fortytwo]

This is a bit worrying. My wife and I are emigrating to Sydney in June/July. She is Australian born but trained and has worked for a couple of years here in the UK.

 

She spent last weekend getting her CV in order and doing her OTC rego.

 

Keep us posted in how you get on.

[nikkibikki]

I have say its been an absolute nightmare attempting to find an organization willing to take on supervised practice. I even offeted myself as a volunteer but didnt get responses!!! Most job adverts want full ahpra reg and won't consider your application without it. Luckily after applying for 16 jobs I now have been offered a position but 6 weeks later I'm still waiting for a response from ahpra re limted reg. I'm hoping my future employers will hold out. I would advise that your wife has all the necessary paperwork ready to go when needed as there is a lot of it. I would like to say its been easy and pain free but I think extracting my own teeth would have been easier. Good luck.

[fortytwo]

Thanks for the advice. Congrats on your offer. I hope it all works out. Where are you?

[Bosco]

Hi,

 

I don't think it makes any difference that she is Australian born as they look at where you trained but I'm not 100% sure so best to check it out on the AHPRA website.

 

Best of luck to you both and keep us posted on how she gets on.

[fortytwo]

Hi Bosco,

 

No it doesn't make a difference, Jenny has looked in to that. Speaking to her sister who came in as a nurse pre-APHRA it used to be that the oz-uk education systems were like for like but unfortunately for us poms now you need to go through this process.

 

I guess the process is the reality and we will have to deal with it even if that means finding alternative work initially.

 

Will post any updates here for sure.

[kelleademille]

Hi Everyone,

 

I finishing my Masters degree in OT here in Canada and plan to move and work in Auss as of August. I have been applying to jobs and have read into the whole process. I am wondering if anyone has ideas of where to look for an employer willing to take on OTs for supervising period or if anyone knows any potential positions available in their area. I am not picky as to where I find work as I am coming over as a young single OT.

 

Thank you all for your help we need more OTs in the world!

 

Kellea

[janelleley]

Hi nikki!

 

I am also an overseas-trained OT and I'm going thru the AHPRA problem. I can't seem to find an employer who is willing to allow me to undergo practice audit. You mentioned you have finally been offered a position. How did it go? Were you granted limited registration? also, I would like to ask for the agency/ employer that hired you to make enquiries, if you dont mind. THANKS HEAPS!

[Dyanel]

Hi! Im also in a same position as most of you. Im planning on working in Aus and does not care where i can find work.

Im starting to process all my papers and im currently preparing for the IELTS exam. How far in the process are you guys? Have you found an employer willing for practice audit? Any info or tip will be of great help.

 

Thank you very much!

[fortytwo]

We have now arrived in Oz and my wife has started looking for work.

 

She had a slightly bizarre call with a recruiter who told her you can register in NZBOT and then apply for registration with APHRA without having to do a desktop audit.

 

Anyone heard of this or got any experience?

[Carol121]

Hi! I'm in the same position, battling to find anyone to take me on for the practice audit. I'm been applying for paid OT work as well as contacting NPOs to see if I can get it done on a voluntary basis. No luck at all so far, despite months of trying, and it's getting more and more disheartening.... I keep reading that OTs are in demand / there is an OT shortage???? Certainly doesn't feel like my skills are in demand!