Once in Australia following successful completion of the Stage I – Desk Top Audit, overseas educated occupational therapists will be required to have their practice audited once they have secured paid employment, or self-employment, as an occupational therapist in Australia.

The purpose of the practice audit is to promote competence of the overseas educated OT to practice in the Australian context. In most cases, audited practice is consistent with normal supervision/performance management procedures. Nevertheless, COTRB needs to be assured that the practice of overseas educated therapists is audited for the equivalent of six months full-time practice once they are employed as an occupational therapist in Australia.

The specific aims of a program of audited practice are to enable the applicant to:

• Demonstrate their capacity to perform safely and competently as an Occupational Therapist in Australia.
• Obtain supervisor reports that can assist the applicant to demonstrate their competence in the practice of Occupational Therapy in Australia.
• Develop their knowledge and skills relevant to contemporary Occupational Therapy practice in Australia.
• Receive peer review of their practice skills and knowledge that can contribute to further learning, particularly in the Australian context.

The Overseas Qualifications Assessment Committee (OQAC) of COTRB will administer both the assessment of qualifications and the practice audit procedures. On successful completion of the practice audit you will be issued with a Certificate of Practical Completion by COTRB. This must be presented to the relevant Registration Board before full registration is granted and/or to OT Australia for renewal of membership.