Occupational Therapist (ANZSCO 252411)
Updated
What an Occupational Therapist does
Assesses functional limitations of people resulting from illnesses and disabilities, and provides therapy to enable people to perform their daily activities and occupations. Registration or licensing is required.
Key facts
- ANZSCO code
- 252411
- Skill level
- 1Bachelor degree or higher
- Assessing authority
- OTC
- National shortage
- Shortage
Visa options
Occupation eligibility is one requirement; each visa page links to the rest.
Points-tested
- Subclass 189 Skilled IndependentVia MLTSSLEligible
- Subclass 190 Skilled NominatedVia MLTSSLEligible
- Subclass 491, state or territory nominatedVia MLTSSLEligible
- Subclass 491, family sponsoredVia MLTSSLEligible
Employer-sponsored
Main tasks
- assessing clients' emotional, psychological, developmental and physical capabilities using clinical observations and standardised tests
- assessing clients' functional potential in their home, leisure, work and school environments, and recommending environmental adaptations to maximise their performance
- planning and directing programs through the use of vocational, recreational, remedial, social and educational activities on an individual and group basis
- providing advice to family members, carers, employers and teachers about adapting clients' home, leisure, work and school environments
- providing adaptive equipment, such as wheelchairs and splints, to assist clients to overcome their functional limitations
- working with other Health Professionals in overall case management of clients
- working with other professionals in providing specialist advice to specific client groups such as those requiring driver rehabilitation, third-party compensation and medico-legal representation
- recording clients' progress and maintaining professional relationships in accordance with relevant legislative requirements and ethical guidelines
Shortage by state
- NationalShortage
- ACTShortage
- NSWShortage
- NTShortage
- QLDShortage
- SAShortage
- TASShortage
- VICShortage
- WAShortage
State and territory nomination
For the 190 and 491, each state and territory also has its own occupation list.
Common questions
What does an Occupational Therapist do?
Assesses functional limitations of people resulting from illnesses and disabilities, and provides therapy to enable people to perform their daily activities and occupations. Registration or licensing is required. (ABS ANZSCO description.)
Is Occupational Therapist on the skilled occupation list?
Yes. Occupational Therapist (ANZSCO 252411) is on the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL) and Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL) (lists in force from 14 December 2024). It is listed for the 186, 189, 190, 482, 491 and 494 visas.
What is the ANZSCO code for Occupational Therapist?
252411. Home Affairs uses ANZSCO codes for skilled visas.
How can an Occupational Therapist migrate to Australia?
The occupation lists Home Affairs publishes include Occupational Therapist for the Subclass 186, Subclass 189, Subclass 190, Subclass 482, Subclass 491 and Subclass 494 visas. Being on a list is one requirement among several; each visa's page links to Home Affairs for the rest.
Who assesses Occupational Therapist for an Australian visa?
OTC, the skills assessing authority listed for 252411.
Is Occupational Therapist in demand in Australia?
Jobs and Skills Australia rated it "Shortage" nationally in its 2025 Occupation Shortage List, with ratings for each state and territory shown above.