Graduate Occupational Therapist

SmartRecruiters, Inc.; City of Melbourne; On-site; AUD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Buddy program

1:1 supervision

CPD allowance

Relocation assistance up to $5,000

Job summary

Early Start Australia is offering a 12‑month graduate program in Occupational Therapy at our Caroline Springs clinic. You’ll receive structured induction, clinical supervision, shadowing, and a supportive ramp‑up to managing your own caseload.

You will work with a multidisciplinary team to deliver clinic, home, school and community services, including group programs and parent workshops, with a defined pathway from graduate to independent clinician.

Qualifications

• Qualified Occupational Therapist with AHPRA registration.
• Current driver’s license and vehicle.
• WWC/Working with Vulnerable People check and NDIS checks.
• Accredited first aid & CPR certificate.
• Strong communication and organisational skills.
• Excellent observational and report-writing abilities.

Responsibilities

• Assess and manage a varied caseload using a client-centred approach.
• Design, implement, monitor, and adjust individualised therapy programs.
• Deliver therapy services across clinic, home, school and community, including group programs and parent workshops.
• Collaborate with clients, families, allied health professionals and external stakeholders.
• Monitor progress, complete reviews and reports, identify additional service opportunities.
• Maintain accurate documentation, treatment notes, incident reporting and stakeholder communications.
• Ensure therapy plans align with funding requirements including NDIS and accurate invoicing.

Skills

Communication

Documentation

Organisation

Team collaboration

Education

Occupation Therapy degree / registration (AHPRA)

Job description

• Job Function Group: Health
• Job Function: Occupational Therapy
• Employment Type: Full Time

Job Description

On the Early Start Australia Graduate program, you’ll feel all in from day one. In a close-knit allied health team, learning from each other and building lasting friendships along the way. With dedicated clinical supervision, mentoring and training, we’ll support you to grow with confidence – while making a positive impact in the lives of children and their families.

About the Graduate program

Our 12-month graduate program is designed to help you progress from student to thriving therapist. You can expect:

• Structured induction with clinical skills training and a dedicated buddy.
• Clinician shadowing before leading sessions independently.
• Weekly supervision with an experienced clinician.
• Supported ramp-up to managing your own caseload.
• Learning and development built into your week.
• Ongoing support from your multidisciplinary team and team leader.

What you’ll do at our Caroline Springs clinic:

• Conduct assessments and manage a varied caseload, including complex clients, using a client-centred case management approach.
• Design, implement, monitor, and adjust individualised therapy programs based on client goals and support needs.
• Deliver therapy services across clinic, home, school, and community settings, including specialised group programs and parent workshops.
• Collaborate with clients, families, allied health professionals, and external stakeholders to achieve optimal outcomes.
• Monitor client progress, complete reviews and reports, and identify opportunities for additional services or interventions.
• Maintain accurate, timely documentation, treatment notes, incident reporting, and high-quality stakeholder communications.
• Ensure therapy plans align with funding requirements, including NDIS plans, and support accurate service invoicing.
• Uphold professional, ethical, and organisational standards through compliance, confidentiality, professional development, risk management, and continuous service improvement.

What you’ll get

Support

• Dedicated buddy to help you settle in
• 1:1 supervision with an experienced clinician
• Discipline and peer-to-peer support sessions
• Admin support so you can focus on learning and therapy

Grow with confidence

• CPD allowance + paid professional development leave
• Structured clinical and soft skills training
• Clear path from graduate to independent clinician, and beyond
• Local and global career opportunities through the APM Group

Flexibility and wellbeing

• Up to 12 weeks annual leave
• Flexible working options as you progress
• Wellbeing support for you and your family

Reward and recognition

• Competitive graduate salary + bonus program
• Registration and professional membership contribution
• Relocation reimbursement up to $5,000, where applicable

What you’ll bring

• Relevant qualification in Occupational Therapy
• Membership / registration with relevant bodies (AHPRA)
• Current Driver’s License and vehicle
• Current Working with Children Check or Working with Vulnerable People Registration (state specific)
• NDIS workers screening check & Police Check
• Accredited first aid & CPR certificate
• Strong communication and organisational skills
• Exceptional observational and report writing skills

Who we are:

We’re a dedicated and passionate team of allied health professionals helping children and young people aged 0-16 to reach their full potential. Our multidisciplinary teams work closely with families to deliver personalised, evidence-based support across communication, motor, cognitive and social development. We are a registered NDIS provider and our clinics offer therapy under different funding models. As part of the APM Group, you have the opportunity to grow your career in Human Services across multiple global brands and geographies. A diverse team of over 16,000 people across 11 countries with a shared purpose – to enable better lives for our employees and the communities we work in. Our work enables the people we serve to realise their ambitions and aspirations through sustainable employment, independence, better health and wellbeing and increased social participation.

Early Start Australia places a high priority on the principles of respect, equity and diversity. As an employer of choice, we strongly encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, people from culturally diverse backgrounds and people with disabilities.