Occupational Therapist (Ashburton or Timaru)

Habit Group; Ashburton; On-site; NZD 52,000 - 68,000; Full time

Job summary

Habit Health is offering a Graduate Occupational Therapist position in Canterbury (Ashburton). You will join a structured graduate programme with mentoring, supervision, and hands‑on learning across a diverse client base to build clinical confidence.

From day one you’ll help clients improve independence, participation, and wellbeing through rehabilitation. A Bachelor of Occupational Therapy and NZ registration or eligibility are required, with full NZ working rights.

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (or equivalent) and be registered, or eligible for registration, with the Occupational Therapy Board of NZ.
• Current Annual Practising Certificate and full working rights in New Zealand.
• Applicants must be New Zealand citizens/residents or have unconditional working rights without sponsorship.

Responsibilities

• Support clients to achieve greater independence, participation and wellbeing through meaningful rehabilitation.
• Gain experience across vocational, functional, community-based, and pain management rehabilitation services.
• Work within a supervised multidisciplinary team to develop clinical skills and confidence.

Skills

Communication skills

Teamwork

Clinical reasoning

Education

Bachelor of Occupational Therapy

Annual Practising Certificate

Job description

Occupational Therapist (Ashburton or Timaru)

Posted: 07/09/2026

Closing Date: 09/10/2026

Job Type: Permanent - Full Time

Location: Canterbury - Ashburton - Moore Street

Job Category: Health, Medical & Pharmaceutical

Habit Health is a nationwide healthcare provider, specialising in the rehabilitation space. We enable people to live their best lives and empower our teams to realise their full potential.

Job Description

By joining the Habit Health graduate programme, you'll be supported every step of the way as you build your skills, confidence, and clinical expertise. Working alongside experienced clinicians, you'll receive regular mentoring, supervision, and hands‑on learning opportunities while gaining exposure to a diverse range of clients, conditions, and treatment approaches.

Our Graduate Programme is designed to help you thrive, with structured professional development, protected learning time, and a supportive multidisciplinary team that genuinely wants to see you succeed. You'll have the chance to learn, ask questions, try new things, and grow your clinical confidence in a safe and collaborative environment.

Your role in the programme

From day one, you'll make a real difference in people's lives by helping them improve their health, independence, and wellbeing, while laying the foundations for a rewarding and meaningful career with Habit Health. As a Graduate Occupational Therapist, you'll support clients to achieve greater independence, participation, and wellbeing through meaningful rehabilitation and recovery. Depending on your service area, you'll gain experience across:

• Vocational rehabilitation
• Functional rehabilitation
• Community-based rehabilitation
• Pain management services
• ACC-funded rehabilitation services
• Preferred Provider services

Learning and development

At Habit Health, the learning doesn't stop; you'll benefit from:

• Regular clinical supervision and mentoring
• Regional and national in-service training
• Multidisciplinary learning opportunities
• Professional development pathways aligned with your interests

We encourage graduates to actively participate in team discussions, case reviews, and multidisciplinary meetings to strengthen their clinical knowledge and collaborative practice skills.

We're looking for graduates who are:

• Passionate about helping people achieve meaningful rehabilitation outcomes
• Eager to learn and develop their clinical skills
• Strong communicators who enjoy working with people
• Team players who value collaboration
• Curious, proactive, and committed to professional growth

To be considered for this opportunity, you'll hold a Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (or equivalent) and be registered, or eligible for registration, with the Occupational Therapy Board of New Zealand. You'll also hold a current Annual Practising Certificate and have full working rights in New Zealand.

This role is only open to candidates who are either New Zealand citizens, residents or have unconditional working rights without requiring sponsorship.