Telehealth Occupational Therapy Across Australia: How Online OT Works
Occupational therapy is all about helping people take part in the everyday activities that matter to them, from getting dressed and preparing meals to managing emotions, organising schoolwork or participating in the community. For many people, the biggest barrier to accessing occupational therapy is not motivation. It is distance, time, transport or availability.
Telehealth occupational therapy offers another way to connect. At South Coast Therapy & Support Group, our Occupational Therapists deliver sessions by secure video call to children, adults and families across Australia, as well as in-person services at our Nowra clinic and community-based services across the Shoalhaven and Illawarra.
What Is Telehealth Occupational Therapy?
Telehealth occupational therapy is an OT session delivered by secure video call rather than face to face. You connect with your Occupational Therapist using a computer, tablet or phone with a camera and internet connection.
Sessions are planned around each person's goals. Your therapist may observe an everyday activity, guide you or your child through strategies in real time, coach parents and carers, review progress and adapt a home program that fits your routines.
Who Might Telehealth OT Support?
Telehealth may be an option for a wide range of people, including:
• Children and young people working on goals such as emotional regulation, routines, handwriting, self-care or school participation
• Parents and carers seeking coaching and strategies to support their child at home
• Adults working towards independence in daily living, organisation, work or community participation
• Older Australians and their carers looking for support with daily routines and safety at home
• NDIS participants in regional, rural or remote areas where local services may be limited or have waitlists
Every person is different. Your Occupational Therapist will talk with you about whether telehealth suits your goals, and whether some or all of your sessions may be better delivered in person.
What Does a Session Look Like?
A telehealth OT session often looks less like a clinic appointment and more like therapy woven into daily life. Depending on your goals, a session might include:
• Talking through what has been happening since the last session
• Watching a routine such as a morning checklist, a mealtime or a homework setup
• Practising a strategy together with your therapist guiding you on screen
• Using household items, toys or visual supports you already have
• Agreeing on small, practical steps to try before the next session
For younger children, parents and carers often take an active role, with the therapist coaching them through activities as they happen. This reflects our value of Collaboration: working together with families, support networks and professionals.
Why Families and Adults Consider Telehealth
People choose telehealth for many different reasons. Some of the practical advantages may include:
• Less travel time and fewer disruptions to school, work and family routines
• Sessions take place in familiar environments where daily activities naturally happen
• It can be easier for parents, carers and support people to join, even from different locations
• Access to Occupational Therapists regardless of where you live in Australia
• Continuity of support during school holidays, travel or a move
Is Telehealth Right for Everyone?
Telehealth is one way to deliver occupational therapy, and it is not the right fit for every person or every goal. Some assessments, equipment trials and home modification reviews may need to be completed in person. Our team will be honest with you about what can be delivered online and discuss other options where needed.
If you live in the Shoalhaven or Illawarra, you can still access occupational therapy at our Nowra clinic, or through community-based sessions at home, school or in the community. Many local families combine in-person and Telehealth sessions to suit their week.
About South Coast Therapy & Support Group
South Coast Therapy & Support Group is an award-winning regional allied health organisation, recognised as Business of the Year, Employer of Choice, for Excellence in Innovation and as one of the Top 5 Best Places to Work in Australasia. Our team of Occupational Therapists, Speech Pathologists and Allied Health Assistants is based in Nowra and supports people across the Shoalhaven, Illawarra and, through telehealth, across Australia. Our work is guided by our values of Compassion, Innovation, Collaboration, Growth and Community. Expanding telehealth reflects two of them in particular: embracing technology and continual improvement (Innovation), and proudly serving the Shoalhaven, Illawarra and Australia through Telehealth (Community).
Getting Started
Getting started with telehealth OT is simple. You can self-refer, or be referred by your GP, Paediatrician, Support Coordinator, school or other health professional. Once your referral is received, our team will contact you to discuss your goals, funding and how telehealth sessions work.
To make a referral, visit sctherapysupport.au/make-a-referral or call our team on (02) 4421 6013.
Taking the time, making a difference, wherever you are.
This content provides general information only and does not replace individualised advice from a qualified health professional. Telehealth may not be suitable for everyone. Please contact our team to discuss whether it suits your needs.
