Occupational Therapist | Graduate Program

Avina; Newcastle-Maitland; On-site; AUD 65,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Avina is offering a 12-month Graduate Program for Occupational Therapists across NSW, designed to provide structure, supervision and practical experience to shape a confident clinical identity. The program includes a 9-week onboarding and gradual caseload ramp-up with MDT collaboration, shadowing, and regular supervision.

You will learn across community, clinic, home and school settings, with opportunities to specialise and develop core professional skills in documentation, risk management and

Qualifications

• Bachelor or Master of Occupational Therapy completed or nearing completion.
• AHPRA registration or eligibility to obtain registration.
• Interest in disability and community-based practice.
• Curiosity, initiative, willingness to learn and openness to feedback.
• Strong communication and organisational skills.
• Driver's licence and access to a reliable vehicle.
• NDIS Worker Screening Check and Working With Children Check, or willingness to obtain them.

Responsibilities

• Deliver evidence-informed, person-centred occupational therapy services across community, clinic, home and school environments.
• Take on greater ownership of a real caseload as capability grows.
• Supportive supervision and collaborative practice to build confidence and clinical identity.

Skills

Communication

Curiosity & learning

Driver's license

Education

Bachelor/Master of Occupational Therapy

Job description

Occupational Therapist | Graduate Program

• Structured 9-week onboarding and gradual caseload ramp-up
• Regular discipline-specific supervision, shadowing and supported practice
• Peer connection, multidisciplinary learning and room to build confidence

Starting your first role as an Occupational Therapist is a big transition. At Avina, our 12-month Graduate Program is designed to give you structure, people to turn to and the practical experience to become the clinician or practitioner you want to be.

Avina is a national allied health and behaviour support organisation, delivering community and clinic-based support to people across the lifespan, with 400+ clinicians across QLD, NSW, VIC and SA.

Everything we do is guided by our values:

Progressive | Curious | Respectful | Collaborative | Informed | Purposeful.

Your Graduate Year at Avina

Someone has your back

Your first year as an Occupational Therapist is about developing your clinical identity and building confidence in your own practice.

When you start with us, your first weeks are about learning, observing, asking questions and gradually taking on more.

The program begins with a structured 9-week onboarding and caseload ramp-up, supported by:

• Shadowing with experienced clinicians
• Reverse shadowing and supported sessions as you transition into independent practice
• Regular discipline-specific clinical supervision
• Case consultation, report review and clinical feedback
• Working collaboratively within an MDT
• Peer learning and connection with other graduates
• Communities of Practice and broader professional development opportunities

What You'll Learn

Become the clinician you want to be

Across your graduate year, you'll be exposed to a broad range of Occupational Therapy practice, learning alongside experienced clinicians, discipline peers and other graduates.

You will have opportunities to build your capability across a range of Occupational Therapy practice areas, including:

• Functional assessment and capacity building
• Daily living, participation and independence
• Sensory, motor and emotional regulation
• Assistive technology and equipment

Alongside your clinical caseload, you'll also build broader professional skills, including:

• NDIS documentation and report writing
• Clinical risk and safe practice

What You'll Be Doing

Work that matters

You'll deliver evidence-informed, person-centred Occupational Therapy services across community, clinic, home and school environments.

As your capability grows, you'll take on greater ownership of a real caseload. The aim isn’t to make you "productive" as quickly as possible, it’s to help you become safe, thoughtful and confident in work that makes a real difference.

What You’ll Bring

• Bachelor or Master of Occupational Therapy completed or nearing completion
• AHPRA registration or eligibility to obtain registration
• Interest in disability and community-based practice
• Curiosity, initiative, willingness to learn and openness to feedback
• Strong communication and organisational skills
• Driver's licence and access to a reliable vehicle
• NDIS Worker Screening Check and Working With Children Check, or willingness to obtain them

Graduate Opportunities

Our 2027 graduate opportunities are currently available across New South Wales in:

• Alstonville - 30 minutes from Byron Bay
• Armidale - New England region
• Dubbo - in Central West NSW
• Goulburn - Southern Tablelands
• Gosford - an hour north of Sydney
• Inner Sydney
• Orange - Central West NSW
• Port Macquarie - on the Mid North Coast
• Western Sydney
• Wollongong

If you're keen to build skills across a varied caseload, with real supervision and a team that actually has your back, we’d like to hear from you.