Why are paediatric OT waitlists so long?

Why waitlists are so long

The NDIS has fundamentally changed demand for paediatric OT. Since the scheme's full rollout (completed in 2020), many more families now have access to funded therapy. This is positive—but it created an immediate supply problem. The number of children seeking OT assessment and treatment increased far faster than the number of available therapists. According to the Australian Health Workforce Institute, Australia has a significant shortage of occupational therapists across all age groups, with paediatric services particularly stretched.

Workforce shortages are the core issue. OTs require a 4-year university degree and AHPRA registration. Training pipelines haven't kept pace with demand. Many experienced paediatric OTs have left the profession or shifted to adult services, and newly graduated therapists often lack the specialised paediatric training needed immediately. This creates a bottleneck: even well-resourced services can't hire enough staff.

Regional and rural Australia faces even longer waits. Therapists concentrate in capital cities where there's higher population density and better job prospects. Families in regional areas may wait 12–18 months or longer, or travel significant distances for appointments. Some areas have no paediatric OT services available at all.

COVID-19 created a backlog that's still clearing. Many services closed or reduced capacity during lockdowns. When they reopened, they faced pent-up demand from children who'd been waiting, plus new referrals. This backlog persists in 2024–25.

What you can do

If your child needs OT, start by speaking with your GP or paediatrician, who can provide a referral. Ask whether your child might be eligible for NDIS support—this can fund therapy sessions (typically $150–$250 per hour under 2025–26 NDIS Pricing Arrangements, depending on your plan). If you're not NDIS-eligible, explore Medicare-funded services through your GP (up to 10 sessions per year under the Chronic Disease Management plan) or private OT (costs vary widely, $80–$200+ per hour). Some community health services offer subsidised paediatric OT on a sliding scale. While waiting, ask your OT or GP for strategies you can use at home to support your child's development.