OTWaitlist Answers
50 paediatric OT questions from Australian families
Plain-English answers to the questions Australian parents ask most about paediatric occupational therapy — cost, wait times, NDIS, what to expect, how OT compares to other supports.
Cost & funding
10 questions
- How much does paediatric OT cost in Australia? Read the answer →
- Does the NDIS pay for occupational therapy? Read the answer →
- How much does the NDIS pay per OT session? Read the answer →
- Can Medicare pay for paediatric occupational therapy? Read the answer →
- How do I claim OT on private health insurance? Read the answer →
- What is the Medicare rebate for children’s OT? Read the answer →
- How much is an NDIS OT assessment? Read the answer →
- What does the NDIS pay for OT equipment? Read the answer →
- Is paediatric OT tax deductible in Australia? Read the answer →
- How long does NDIS funding for OT last? Read the answer →
Wait times & access
8 questions
- How long is the wait for paediatric OT in Australia? Read the answer →
- How long does it take to get an OT appointment for my child? Read the answer →
- Why are paediatric OT waitlists so long? Read the answer →
- How do I skip the paediatric OT waitlist? Read the answer →
- Can I see an OT without a referral? Read the answer →
- Do I need a GP referral for paediatric OT? Read the answer →
- How do I find an OT taking new clients? Read the answer →
- What do I do while waiting for paediatric OT? Read the answer →
Process & expectations
10 questions
- What happens at my child’s first OT appointment? Read the answer →
- What should I bring to my child’s OT assessment? Read the answer →
- How long does an OT session last? Read the answer →
- How many OT sessions does my child need? Read the answer →
- What is an OT functional capacity assessment? Read the answer →
- What is the difference between an OT report and an assessment? Read the answer →
- Can an OT help with my child’s NDIS plan? Read the answer →
- Do paediatric OTs do school visits? Read the answer →
- Do paediatric OTs do home visits? Read the answer →
- What is telehealth paediatric OT? Read the answer →
Diagnosis & decision
12 questions
- What are signs my child needs an occupational therapist? Read the answer →
- What age can a child start occupational therapy? Read the answer →
- Is my child too old for occupational therapy? Read the answer →
- OT vs physio for children: which does my child need? Read the answer →
- OT vs speech therapy for toddlers: which first? Read the answer →
- OT vs ABA therapy for autism: what’s the difference? Read the answer →
- OT vs psychologist for ADHD children: who helps more? Read the answer →
- Should my child see an OT or psychologist first? Read the answer →
- Can an OT diagnose autism? Read the answer →
- Can an OT diagnose ADHD? Read the answer →
- Can an OT diagnose sensory processing disorder? Read the answer →
- What conditions do paediatric OTs treat? Read the answer →
Practical guidance
10 questions
- What does a paediatric occupational therapist actually do? Read the answer →
- How do I help my child with handwriting at home? Read the answer →
- How do I help my child with sensory processing at home? Read the answer →
- How do I prepare my child for an OT appointment? Read the answer →
- Is it worth getting occupational therapy for my child? Read the answer →
- Is paediatric OT evidence-based? Read the answer →
- What does “occupational” mean in paediatric OT? Read the answer →
- What do paediatric OTs do at school? Read the answer →
- How often should my child see an occupational therapist? Read the answer →
- When should I stop paediatric occupational therapy? Read the answer →
Keep exploring
OTWaitlist provides general information about NDIS-aligned paediatric occupational therapy clinics. We're not a clinic and don't provide medical advice. Always speak directly with a qualified OT or GP about your child's specific needs.