OT Week is just around the corner, running from 26 October until 1 November, with World OT Day falling on 27 October. This year's theme is Participation Matters, putting the focus on something central to the profession:
“Being able to participate in life is fundamental to health, wellbeing and belonging.”
Occupational Therapy Australia (OTA) will be marking the week nationally with a celebration pack, merchandise and stories from OTs across the country. If you want to get involved or see what's planned, OTA's OT Week 2026 page is the place to start.
Alongside the celebrations, OT Week lines up with some great professional development opportunities. Here are some of them.
OT Mental Health Forum 2026 in Canberra
Organised by OTA, OT Mental Health Forum is Australia's only major forum dedicated exclusively to mental health OT. This event brings clinicians and OTs from across the country together to learn from leaders shaping contemporary practice and swap notes with people who understand the day-to-day of mental health work.
“It’s a great place to learn and connect with others working in the field.”
The program covers a lot of ground. A taste of what's on:
- Eating disorders: Preparing Occupational Therapists for Safe, Stigma-Free Eating Disorder Practice
- Trauma and recovery: Occupation-Based Interventions to Facilitate Recovery from Psychological Trauma
- Sensory modulation: OT Leadership in Implementing Sensory Modulation Across Inpatient Mental Health Services
- Forensic and justice settings: Understanding Occupational Roles in a Prison Context
- Sexual health and wellbeing: Sexual Wellbeing and Mental Health: Why Occupational Therapy Matters
- Family-centred practice: Working with Families: Using Genograms and Timelines in Occupational Therapy Practice
Plus opening and closing keynotes from Paralympian Michael Milton OAM and psychiatrist Dr Tahnee Bridson, a live recording of the Occupied Podcast, and a DoNOHarm workshop from MIEACT on communicating safely about lived experience.
See the full program here.
CPD Empower Adelaide Is Also Coming Up
Following OT Week, OTA is running a one-day CPD event in Adelaide with three workshop streams to choose from:
- Acquired Brain Injury by Nadine Holgate
- Progressive Neurological Conditions by Nicole de la Perrelle
- Understanding Pain by Dr Cate Sinclair & Fiona Thomas
Each runs as a dedicated, interactive and immersive session, with a closing plenary bringing everyone back together.
Details and registration are on the CPD Empower Adelaide page.
Other Events to Have on Your Radar
Between OT Week itself, the Mental Health Forum, and CPD Empower, there are many other OTA events on offer this spring. Full details, dates and registrations for all OTA events are always best checked directly via OTA's CPD & Events page.
Country Care Group Is Celebrating OT Week Too!
“To celebrate the incredible work OTs do every day, Country Care Group is running an OT Tea Break during OT Week.”
Know an OT who deserves a little something extra? Nominate a colleague, mentor or unsung hero who goes the extra mile, and tell us why they deserve to be celebrated.
Selected OTs will receive a morning tea hamper delivered to their workplace during OT Week to enjoy with their team.
Nominations Close 9 October
Nominate an OT who deserves to be celebrated before entries close.
Nominate an OT
Selected OTs will receive a morning tea hamper delivered to their workplace during OT Week. Nominations close 9 October.