Suburb directory
Find a children's occupational therapist in Cairns — compare local clinics and contact them directly.
Compare provider contact details and availability status for clinics listed in Cairns, QLD.
As of June 2026, none of the 6 listed paediatric occupational therapy clinics in Cairns are currently listed as taking new clients, and 1 lists NDIS funding. However, 1 clinic with a short or medium waitlist is listed as open to new clients. Availability is self-reported and can change — confirm directly with the clinic.
6 paediatric OT clinics listed in Cairns, QLD.
1 open to new clients — status checked in the past 31 days
A clinic with a short or medium waitlist is usually still accepting new clients — you join their list and start when a spot opens.
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.
Local OT guide
Paediatric occupational therapy in Cairns
Families in Cairns seek occupational therapy support for their children for many different reasons. Some parents notice their child finds it hard to manage everyday tasks like getting dressed, eating, or writing at school. Others want support with coordination, sensory sensitivities, or social participation. Some families are working through a diagnosis or developmental concern and want practical strategies to help at home and school.
When you're looking for an occupational therapist in Cairns, it helps to know what to expect. Most therapists will start with a chat about your child's strengths and what you'd like to work on together. They'll observe how your child manages different activities, then talk through a plan with you. Sessions usually happen in a clinic, at school, or at home, depending on what suits your family.
If your child has a disability or developmental delay and you're exploring support options, your GP can help you understand whether an assessment or diagnosis might be relevant. Once you have a plan in place, funding through the NDIS can help cover occupational therapy costs in Queensland. The NDIS supports eligible children with disabilities, and you can use your plan to access services from registered providers. It's worth checking the NDIS website or speaking with a local coordinator to understand how this might work for your family.
When you're choosing a clinic, think about what matters most to you. Does the location work for your schedule? Do they have availability when you need it? Some families find it helpful to ask whether the therapist has experience with what your child needs support with. You might also consider whether you'd prefer a clinic-based approach or home visits. Tools like OTWaitlist can help you see what's available in your area and compare options.
If you can't find what you need in Cairns, there are occupational therapists across nearby areas including Allora and other suburbs. Depending on your circumstances, you might also explore options further afield in places like Ipswich, Toowong, or Coorparoo, or connect with services across Queensland.
Taking time to find the right fit for your family makes a real difference. Your child's occupational therapist should feel like a partner in supporting their development and independence.
| Clinic | Status | Reported wait | NDIS | Telehealth | Home visits | Ages | Last checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Allied Paediatrics | Short waitlist | — | — | Yes | — | — | 1 week ago |
| Health First Group Cairns | Status unconfirmed | — | Yes | Yes | Yes | children | 1 week ago |
| Little People Therapies | Status unconfirmed | — | — | Yes | — | 0–9 | 1 week ago |
| Little Sparrows Therapy | Status unconfirmed | — | — | — | — | — | 1 week ago |
| Occupational Therapy Cairns | Status unconfirmed | — | — | — | — | children | 1 week ago |
| Wellness Embodied | Status unconfirmed | — | — | — | — | — | 1 week ago |
6 of 6 shown ·
Paediatric Occupational Therapy that comes to you at home, school, childcare, or online. Supporting children to build confidence, independence, and everyday skills through play-based and family-centred therapy.
At Health First Group Cairns, our Occupational Therapy services are tailored to support individuals of all ages in managing everyday tasks with greater ease and confidence. Our paediatric OTs specialise in helping children with developmental challenges, sensory processing issues,
Little People Therapies is a paediatric allied health practice that specialises in providing child-centred, play-based therapies to children between 0-9 years of age with a disability or developmental delay. We offer clinic-based, telehealth and mobile appointments at home, dayca
Our Occupational Therapists help people do the things to live life to the fullest. We can help people with behaviour regulation, sensory problems through to equipment trials and functional assessments.
Succeed Healthcare Solutions provides comprehensive paediatric occupational therapy and physiotherapy services focused on enhancing skills and social interactions in children.
Wellness Embodied offers occupational therapy treatment, support, and assessment, focusing on tailored interventions for individual clients. The clinic employs AHPRA registered occupational therapists offering holistic, client-centered approaches to enhance health and well-being,
We'll email you when paediatric OT clinics in Cairns start accepting new clients.
Suburb listings last refreshed on 7 July 2026. Sourced from public clinic listings. Confirm directly with each clinic before booking.
Parent-facing guides on conditions where the related services overlap.
Dedicated directory pages for Cairns families looking for OTs that support each childhood condition.
See Browse all QLD paediatric OT providers for clinics across the wider state directory.
Answered from the current directory snapshot — listings are self-reported and may change.
6 clinics are listed in Cairns, QLD on OTWaitlist.
No Cairns clinics are currently listed as taking new clients, but 1 with a short or medium waitlist is listed as open to new clients — you join their list and start when a spot opens.
Yes — 1 of the 6 listed Cairns clinics are listed as accepting NDIS funding.
3 clinics offer telehealth and 1 offers home visits in Cairns.
Listings here are self-reported and sourced from public registers; check directly with the clinic before relying on availability.
Wait times in QLD vary by clinic, funding type, age group, and the kind of support your child needs. Some private clinics may offer intake calls sooner, while ongoing therapy places can take longer. Public and community pathways may have separate eligibility rules. Contact each Cairns provider directly to confirm current availability, cancellation lists, and whether they can suggest nearby options if their books are full.
A first paediatric OT appointment usually starts with parent questions about routines, strengths, concerns, school or childcare participation, and relevant reports. The therapist may observe play, movement, fine motor tasks, sensory responses, or daily living skills, depending on the referral reason. Sessions often run for about 45 to 90 minutes. Afterward, the therapist explains next steps, possible goals, and whether further assessment is useful.
If your child has an NDIS plan, check whether occupational therapy fits the goals and budgets in that plan. Ask the clinic whether they accept self-managed, plan-managed, or NDIA-managed funding, and whether they need service agreements, plan manager details, or support coordinator information. Families should confirm fees, travel charges, reporting costs, and cancellation rules before booking so there are fewer surprises later.
Paediatric OTs commonly support children with fine motor skills, handwriting, self-care, play, sensory processing, emotional regulation, developmental delays, autism-related participation needs, ADHD-related routines, and school or childcare readiness. Not every clinic offers every service, and some focus on particular ages or appointment settings. Read each listing carefully, then contact the provider to confirm whether their experience matches your child's current goals.
Families often consider OT when a child is finding everyday activities harder than expected for their age, such as dressing, feeding, toileting, play, handwriting, transitions, or coping with sensory environments. OTWaitlist cannot diagnose or tell you whether therapy is needed. If you are unsure, speak with your GP, paediatrician, teacher, or another qualified professional who can help decide whether an OT assessment is appropriate.
Jump to a state directory to compare clinic availability across regions.
NDIS funding
Many Queensland families access paediatric occupational therapy through the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). Understanding your plan type helps you find suitable clinics.
NDIS plans come in three management types. Self-managed plans mean the family controls funding directly. Plan-managed plans use a registered plan manager to handle payments. NDIA-managed plans are administered by the National Disability Insurance Agency itself. Each type has different processes for paying therapists.
Occupational therapy typically sits within the "Supports for Daily Living" or "Core Supports" budget categories in NDIS plans, though this varies by individual plan. Some families also access therapy through "Improved Daily Living" or specialist disability support categories.
When contacting a clinic, ask directly whether they accept your specific plan type and management arrangement. Clinics can usually confirm this quickly. It's worth checking your NDIS plan documents to know your available budget and plan management type before making enquiries.
If you're unsure about your plan or eligibility, speaking with your NDIS planner or local area coordinator can clarify next steps.