Occupational Therapist

Department of Education; Ballarat; On-site; AUD 60,000 - 80,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Flexible employment conditions

Professional learning opportunities

Employee Assistance Program

Job summary

The Department of Education is hiring an Occupational Therapist to work within the Student Support Services team in Central Highlands Area (Ballarat region) on a 0.4 FTE fixed-term basis until 17 December 2027. The role focuses on helping students participate in learning by supporting functional, sensory, motor and self-regulation needs in educational settings.

You will collaborate with schools and a multidisciplinary workforce to foster inclusive learning environments, provide leadership in

Qualifications

• This role requires an OT qualification with registration in Australia.
• Experience in multidisciplinary student wellbeing support is advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Provide schools with support and advice on complex cases and time-sensitive decisions.
• Support schools to respond effectively to critical incidents.
• Develop and implement reasonable adjustments for students over time.
• Build teacher capability through professional learning.

Skills

Leadership

Team collaboration

Assessment & analysis

Communication

Public sector values

Education

OT degree

Job description

Join the Department of Education's Student Support Services team as an Occupational Therapist. Collaborate with multidisciplinary professionals to help children and young people overcome barriers, achieve their educational goals and reach their full potential.

Employment type:

This a part time 0.4 FTE, fixed term until 17th Dec 2027

Are you passionate about supporting children and young people to achieve their potential?

An exciting opportunity exists for a highly motivated Occupational Therapist to join the Student Support Services (SSS) team based in the Central Highlands Area.

As an Occupational Therapist in Student Support Services, you will help students participate fully in learning by supporting their functional, sensory, motor and self-regulation needs within educational environments.

This is an opportunity to work proactively with schools to create inclusive learning environments and support students to achieve meaningful educational outcomes.

Why Student Support Services?

SSS is made up of a broad range of allied health professions including psychologists, speech pathologists, social workers, occupational therapists and behavioural analysts.

We work in multi-disciplinary teams across Victoria, partnering with schools to improve student access, participation, engagement and achievement.

About the role

This 0.4 FTE, fixed term position is located in the Student Support Services (SSS) Branch, Central Highlands Area, South Western Victoria Region. The fixed term contract will go until 17th Dec 2027. The Student Support Services Branch operates from the Ballarat office and includes schools from Trentham to Ararat and Waubra to Willaura, Linton, Bannockburn to Bacchus Marsh.

In your role, you will help children and young people achieve their educational goals and overcome barriers. You will contribute to this by:

• Providing support and advice to schools, including regarding complex cases and time sensitive decisions.
• Supporting schools to respond effectively to critical incidents.
• Supporting schools to develop reasonable adjustments for students over time as part of ongoing student support planning.
• Building the capability of teachers through professional learning.

Why Allied Health Professionals Choose Education

• Make a lasting difference to children's learning, wellbeing and future success.
• Work in a preventative and early intervention model.
• Competitive salary, with salary packaging options
• Enjoy flexible and supportive employment conditions.
• Build capability in schools and create sustainable impact beyond individual interventions.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams across Victoria.
• Access professional learning, statewide networks and career development opportunities.
• Dedicated Employee Assistance Program
• Access to fleet cars (subject to availability)
• Access to an extensive assessment and therapy resource library

The work you do every day can help students participate, engage and thrive in education. If you're looking for a rewarding career where your expertise contributes to meaningful and lasting change, we'd love to hear from you.

Key selection criteria

We want to hear from you, if you have:

• Suitable experience in the initiation, development and implementation to programs, procedures and policies that foster resilience in children and young people and address their physical, social and emotional needs to support their educational needs
• Capacity to provide leadership within a multidisciplinary team delivering a range of wellbeing support services to school students
• Highly developed capacity to assess, conceptualise and analyse more complex student wellbeing issues that translate to improving student support services
• Highly developed communication, networking and interpersonal skills to liaise effectively with a wide range of people in the education community and beyond
• Demonstrated commitment to the Victorian Public Sector Values

• Demonstrated commitment to the Victorian Public Sector Values as detailed in Organisational Values section above

Qualifications

• A graduate or post-graduate qualification in occupational therapy.

Other requirements

• Registration as an Occupational Therapist with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA).
• A valid Working with Children Check.
• A current Australian Drivers' Licence.

The department values diversity and inclusion in all forms - gender, religion, ethnicity, LGBTIQ+, disability and neurodiversity. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. For more information about our work, working for the Department, diversity and inclusion, and our employment conditions visit the Department website and our Diversity and Inclusion page

Applicants requiring adjustments can contact the nominated contact person.

Information about the Department of Education's operations and employment conditions can be located at www.education.vic.gov.au.

The Department of Education aims to provide every student in Victoria with equal access to high-quality public education. Our vision is to enhance student experiences and wellbeing and provide educators with the resources they need to guide young people.

We are committed to working with our staff and partners to deliver our vision for students and educators across Victoria.

For more information about working in education, visit the links below:

For further information pertaining to the role, please contact Beth Sutton Student Support Services Team Leader via Email ***********@education.vic.gov.au or Phone [phone]***.

Applications close

11:59pm on Wednesday, 25 November 2026