/ Why and How to Become an Allied Health Professional
The healthcare sector is an important influence towards promoting the well-being of the general population. There are many areas of speciality available at the certificate level, allowing you to study for a potentially stable and rewarding career in many different areas of interest.
Allied Health Assistants work under the direct supervision of health care professionals (such as doctors and nurses) to provide therapeutic and program-related support in a variety of assistant roles such as occupational therapy, physiotherapy, speech pathology among others.
| Job Outlook | Average Salary | Work Hours | Age Groups |
| Education Level | Skills Trends | Courses | Interview with a Pro |
The graph shows historical and projected (to 2024) employment levels (thousands) for Occupational therapy.
Source: *Job Outlook Government website. ABS Labour Force Survey, DEEWR trend data and DEEWR projections to 2023. Estimates have been rounded.
Over the years to 2024, the number of job openings for Occupational Therapists (Allied Health Services) is expected to be around 20,000.
Employment for Occupational Therapists (Allied Health) is expected to grow very strongly. Employment in this medium sized occupation rose very strongly in the past five years and in the long-term (ten years).
The graph shows All jobs average in comparison with weekly earnings for Occupational therapy.
Source: *Job Outlook Government website. Estimates have been rounded and consequently some discrepancies may occur between sums of the component items and totals.
Note: These figures are indicative and cannot be used to determine a particular wage rate.
The wage for an Occupational Therapy Assistant (living in Sydney) is around $1569 per week, or approximately up to $81,588 per annum.
According to the Sydney Morning Herald, "International students studying medicine and health-related degrees and those close to finishing their studies will be given priority to return to NSW universities under a long-awaited rescue plan"
The average hours worked for Occupational Therapy would be 41 hours per week compared to all other jobs (average 44 hours)
Source: *Job Outlook Government website. ABS Labour Force Survey
For Allied Health Professionals (Occupational Therapists) 42.2% people are in the 25-34 age bracket and 25.4% belong to the age group of 35-44.
Source: ABS Labour Force Survey
A speech pathology assistant carries out tasks to help clients overcome speech, understanding and other difficulties caused by such conditions as stuttering, autism, cleft palate and stroke. This course is designed to equip you with the skills to work successfully as a speech pathology assistant.
Occupational therapy helps those affected by illness, injury, accidents or ageing to resume everyday activities such as work, recreation and domestic tasks. OTs work with a variety of clients, from children to the aged. This course prepares you towards a career as an OT assistant.
This course suits people who are, or want to be, physiotherapists’ assistants or aides. The custom-designed course material will teach you how to deliver a client-specific exercise program and assist with physiotherapy treatments in individual or group sessions.
Our Allied Health courses are delivered online, giving you the flexibility of organising your study around your life. You can enrol anytime of the year and study at your own pace.
Among other things, you'll learn about getting started in the allied health industry. This will involve learning how to use the right medical terms and words, and to take the right medical actions with your patients.
You’ll also learn core information on allied health precision, influencing behaviour and how to maintain organisational excellence.
Your course includes comprehensive student support to help you throughout your study. Some of the diplomas and certificates allow you to graduate with a government-accredited, nationally recognised qualification that can boost your chances of employment.
In two sentences, tell us what a bit about your role; working as an OT in the allied health industry.
I predominantly conduct capacity assessments for people who have sustained physical injuries either at work, whilst driving, or within the community. I assess their ability to safely and independently perform everyday activities within the home or workplace.
An Occupational Therapist can work in a wide variety of roles with people of all ages varying from babies and children, to the elderly. Occupational Therapists assist people overcome limitations caused by injury or illness, psychological or emotional difficulties, developmental delay or the effects of ageing. They assist people to move from dependence to independence, maximising personal capability.
In my opinion, the most rewarding part is watching patients progress from disability and dependence, into independence, and regaining their prior roles within their families and respective communities.
I think the most important skills that people need are the basics of patience, perseverance, objectivity, professionalism and empathy.
There are a fantastic variety of roles, both in public and private sectors. The opportunity to be part of an allied health team working towards mutual goals for each patient can be highly satisfying and rewarding.
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