Occupational therapy is one of the fastest-growing and most acutely short-staffed allied health professions in Australia. Healthcare Australia’s (HCA) 2026 Salary Guide confirms occupational therapists (OTs) are in shortage across every state and territory, and pay reflects it, with senior OTs in several states now earning above $120,000.
Here’s what HCA’s 2026 data shows about occupational therapist salaries around the country, how pay differs by practice setting, and where the strongest demand sits heading into 2026.
Occupational therapist salaries in Australia, 2026
As with other allied health roles, OT pay is exclusive of superannuation (12% from 1 July 2025) and can be expected to rise a further 3–3.5% from July 2026 on a like-for-like basis. The table below shows graduate starting pay alongside senior OT rates in acute and private practice settings.
| State | Graduate OT | Acute – Senior OT | Private Practice – Senior OT |
| ACT | $78,000 | $125,000 | $125,000 |
| NSW | $78,000 | $125,000 | $125,000 |
| NT | $76,000 | $120,000 | $115,000 |
| QLD | $75,000 | $117,000 | $115,000 |
| SA | $76,000 | $112,000 | $115,000 |
| TAS | $74,000 | $97,000 | $97,000 |
| VIC | $78,000 | $110,000 | $112,000 |
| WA | $80,000 | $110,000 | $115,000 |
Source: Healthcare Australia 2026 Salary Guide (HCA market research and workforce surveys). Salaries shown are annual base rates, exclusive of superannuation.
Superannuation increased to 12% from 1 July 2025. Figures are a mid-financial-year benchmark; an increase of roughly 3–3.5% can reasonably be expected from July 2026. Regional variances, Enterprise Bargaining Agreements and awards may affect actual pay.
To view salary bandings in detail, please download our salary guide.
OT is one of only four allied health roles short-staffed in every state
Occupational therapy sits alongside optometry, podiatry and speech pathology as one of the four allied health professions HCA identifies as being in shortage across every state and territory. HCA’s Allied Health lead, Darienne Anandappa, points to structured graduate programs, enhanced supervision models and investment in leadership development as the tools providers are using to build capability and future-proof the workforce pipeline, given how few experienced OTs are available to hire directly from the market.
What affects OT pay
Setting makes a real difference: acute and private practice pay the highest senior-level rates, with NSW and the ACT leading at a $125,000 senior benchmark, while Tasmania sits notably lower across all settings. Specialising in paediatrics or disability-related OT work, both high-demand niches, tends to command a premium, as does taking on supervision or leadership responsibilities. Rural and regional placements typically carry incentives given the acute shortages outside metro areas, and new scope-of-practice flexibility, including greater use of telehealth, is starting to reshape how and where OTs can work.
How to increase your earnings as an OT
- Expand your scope of practice into aged care, mental health or rehabilitation to increase demand for your services.
- Work across multiple settings by combining private practice, community care and hospital work for income diversity and broader career options.
- Consider rural and regional placements, where OTs are in high demand with higher salaries, relocation support and government incentives often available.
- Offer specialised or niche services, such as paediatrics or disability support, to attract clients and secure premium rates.
- Engage with locum and agency work for flexible, competitively paid exposure to different workplaces.
How this compares to other OT salary data
Other OT salary guides commonly present a single national range without breaking figures down by state or setting, which makes it harder to negotiate a specific offer with confidence. HCA’s benchmark separates graduate, acute and private practice pay by state, giving candidates and employers a much more precise reference point, particularly useful given the meaningful gap between, for example, NSW/ACT senior rates and Tasmania’s. For an OT weighing up an interstate move, that level of detail can be the difference between accepting an offer at face value and knowing exactly how much room there is to negotiate.
Frequently asked questions
- What do occupational therapists earn in Australia in 2026?
HCA’s data shows OT salaries starting around $74,000–$80,000 for graduates, rising to $97,000–$125,000 for senior OTs in acute or private practice settings, depending on the state. - Is occupational therapy a shortage occupation?
Yes. OT is one of four allied health professions HCA identifies as in shortage across every Australian state and territory, alongside optometry, podiatry and speech pathology. - Which state pays occupational therapists the most?
HCA’s 2026 data shows NSW and the ACT posting the highest senior OT rates, at up to $125,000–$150,000 in acute settings, while Tasmania sits notably lower across all settings.
Download our Salary Guide
Talk to a healthcare recruitment specialist
Healthcare Australia’s Allied Health team places occupational therapists into permanent, temporary and locum roles across the country, backed by more than 50 years of healthcare-specific recruitment experience. This article draws on data from HCA’s 2026 Salary Guide, which also covers nursing, allied health, medical imaging, mental health and healthcare leadership roles.
