What changed in 2026 for overseas OTs, speech pathologists and physios

Written by Callum Trevorrow. Last checked 28 October 2026 against official sources.

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Last updated 28 October 2026. The biggest changes in the past year for overseas OTs, speech pathologists and physios were a new award pay structure that sets first-level pay by qualification (from 1 October 2026), new Ahpra board fees for OTs and physios (also 1 October 2026), and Queensland’s new agents code, which bans agents taking a fee from clinicians who live, or intend to live, in Australia temporarily for finding them work here (from 1 September 2026).

This is a dated log of official changes only, newest first. Each entry says what changed, who it affects and where it’s published. I spent more than three years in allied health workforce development for a large health region, so I know how health services plan, grade and recruit allied health. If an item isn’t backed by an official source with a date, it isn’t here.

The short version, by profession

Occupational therapists: new OT Board registration pathways, including a comparable regulator pathway (currently UK and Ireland) (reported November 2025); registration fee A$138 from 1 October 2026; Ahpra English test minimums changed for tests from 23 April 2026; Better Access referrals now go through MyMedicare (1 November 2025); Support at Home started (1 November 2025).
Speech pathologists: Medicare speech pathology items widened for under-25s (1 March 2026); the award now pays Level 1 by AQF 7, 8 or 9 qualification (1 October 2026); SPA’s MRA is still closed to Speech-Language & Audiology Canada members (since 2 April 2025). Speech pathologists aren’t registered with Ahpra, so the board fee changes don’t apply.
Physiotherapists: APC fees rose in January 2026 and again by October; Physiotherapy Board fees from 1 October 2026; South Africa joined Express FLYR (16 April 2025); Ahpra English test minimums changed (23 April 2026).

Status at 28 October 2026

Queensland’s 2026-27 state nomination program hasn’t opened

What changed: Migration Queensland says the 2025-26 program is closed with all places filled, and it is waiting for Australian Government advice on 2026-27 settings and allocations.
Who it affects: OTs, speech pathologists and physios hoping for Queensland nomination for a 190 or 491 visa.
Source: Migration Queensland

October 2026

By 8 October 2026: a law allowing a published list of approved sponsors

What changed: The Migration Amendment (Combatting Migrant Exploitation) Act 2026 lets Home Affairs publish (it may, it doesn’t have to) details of approved work sponsors, such as name, ABN, number of nominations and occupations.
Who it affects: anyone looking for a sponsoring employer. Check whether Home Affairs has published the list before you rely on it.
Source: Federal Register of Legislation

1 October 2026: new award structure for health professionals

What changed: Under the Health Professionals and Support Services Award, Level 1 pay is now set by the qualification you hold, then by years of experience in the profession (1st year, 2nd–3rd, 4th–6th, 7th and over), not years with one employer. OTs and physios are classified at AQF 7 only, so a master’s doesn’t lift the award minimum. Speech pathologists are classified at AQF 7, 8 or 9 by qualification. Year 1 minimums: A$1,308.80 a week (AQF 7), A$1,337.10 (AQF 8), A$1,444.90 (AQF 9). The Fair Work Commission said whether overseas experience counts would likely be decided by each professional body, National Board or Ahpra, so it isn’t automatic. Ask an employer, in writing, which band they’ve put you in and why.
Who it affects: all three professions in award-covered jobs, mostly private practice and non-government services.
Source: the award and the Fair Work Commission decision

1 October 2026: new OT Board and Physiotherapy Board fees

What changed: OT Board: A$250 application, A$138 registration (A$130 in NSW), A$688 portfolio assessment. Physiotherapy Board: A$452 application, A$220 registration (A$200 in NSW).
Who it affects: OTs and physios applying for or renewing registration. Not speech pathologists.
Source: OT Board fees, Physiotherapy Board fees

From October 2026: Thriving Kids starts

What changed: Thriving Kids, the first phase of Foundational Supports outside the NDIS, started from October 2026 for children aged 8 and under with developmental delay and/or autism and low to moderate support needs. No diagnosis is needed. All supports are due by 1 January 2028, and there’s no change to NDIS access before then.
Who it affects: paediatric OTs, speech pathologists and physios. See paediatric therapy after the NDIS changes.
Source: Department of Health, Disability and Ageing

By 21 October 2026: APC fees higher again

What changed: APC’s fees page, as at 21 October 2026, lists Express FLYR at A$1,742, FLYR at A$3,490 and APEP at A$8,321, above the January 2026 figures (see 5 January below). We couldn’t find an APC notice dating the second rise.
Who it affects: overseas physios.
Source: APC fees and processing times

September 2026

NDIS 2026-27 pricing schedule published

What changed: The NDIS Pricing Schedule 2026-27 sets new national, remote and very remote price limits. The NDIA says updated pricing and claiming guidance will follow, so the 2025-26 Pricing Arrangements remain the latest claiming guidance. A government release on 24 September 2026 also said it is consulting on different pricing for registered and unregistered providers, which the NDIA’s review recommended start on 1 January 2027. Official pages give different effective dates for the new price limits, so we don’t state one.
Who it affects: OTs, speech pathologists and physios working with NDIS participants. See the NDIS for overseas therapists.
Source: NDIS pricing arrangements, NDIS news, 24 September 2026

7 September 2026: draft law to ban non-compete clauses (proposed, not law)

What changed: Treasury released draft legislation to ban non-compete clauses for workers earning under A$190,100. Consultation closed on 2 October 2026. No start date has been given.
Who it affects: clinicians already in Australia who are changing jobs. See notice periods and restraint clauses.
Source: Treasury ministers’ release

1 September 2026: new Queensland Health pay rates

What changed: Health practitioner rates from 1 September 2026: HP3 A$83,824 to A$120,740 a year; HP4 A$132,689 to A$142,315.
Who it affects: OTs, speech pathologists and physios in Queensland Health. See pay by setting in Queensland.
Source: Queensland Health wage rates

1 September 2026: Queensland’s new agents code

What changed: The Private Employment Agents (Code of Conduct) Regulation 2026 started. Agents must not take a fee, deposit or bond from work seekers who live, or intend to live, temporarily in Australia for finding them work here (s18), can’t charge any work seeker for add-on services as a condition of finding work (s19), and must give an information statement before providing a service (s29).
Who it affects: every clinician using a recruiter that operates in Queensland, us included. See choosing a recruiter and who pays recruitment fees.
Source: Queensland legislation

July 2026

17 July 2026: consultation closed on Ahpra recency and CPD standards

What changed: 14 National Boards, including the OT Board, consulted on revised recency of practice and CPD standards. The standards may change, so check the Board’s page before relying on the current ones.
Who it affects: OTs and physios, especially anyone with a career break. Not speech pathologists.
Source: OT Board registration standards

1 July 2026: award wages up 4.75%

What changed: The Fair Work Commission increased modern award wage rates by 4.75% from 1 July 2026. The National Minimum Wage is now A$26.44 an hour.
Who it affects: all three professions in award-covered jobs.
Source: Fair Work Commission

1 July 2026: new migration income threshold and visa charges

What changed: The Core Skills Income Threshold for the Skills in Demand (482) visa is A$79,423. Main applicant charges for permanent visas from 1 July 2026: 186 A$6,140, 189 A$6,135, 190 A$6,140.
Who it affects: clinicians planning a sponsored or skilled visa. This is general information; a registered migration agent advises on your own visa.
Source: Federal Register of Legislation

1 July 2026: working holiday age assessed at lodgement

What changed: Home Affairs says age for a working holiday visa is now assessed when you lodge your application.
Who it affects: younger clinicians looking at a working holiday first.
Source: Home Affairs WHM news

1 July 2026: tax and parental leave

What changed: The resident tax rate on income from A$18,201 to A$45,000 fell from 16% to 15%. Parental Leave Pay rose to 130 days for children born or adopted from 1 July 2026.
Who it affects: all three professions.
Source: ATO, Services Australia

March to April 2026

23 April 2026: new Ahpra English test minimums

What changed: For tests taken from 23 April 2026, Ahpra’s minimums are IELTS Academic 7 overall (listening 7, reading 7, writing 6.5, speaking 7), OET 350 listening and writing and 360 reading and speaking, PTE 63 overall, or TOEFL iBT 91. The OTC uses the same minimums for its migration assessment.
Who it affects: OTs and physios who need an English test. Speech pathologists follow SPA’s rules instead. See English tests for allied health.
Source: Ahpra accepted English tests

18 March 2026: South Africa off Ahpra’s English recognised-country list

What changed: South Africa was removed from the countries whose education can meet Ahpra’s English standard, after a 12-month transition. Only applications lodged before 18 March 2026 could rely on South African education.
Who it affects: South African OTs and physios, who can no longer rely on South African education to meet the English standard.
Source: Ahpra English FAQ

1 March 2026: Medicare speech pathology items widened

What changed: The speech pathology M10 Medicare items were expanded to people under 25 with stuttering, speech sound disorders, or cleft lip and/or palate: up to 8 assessment and 20 treatment services before age 25, on referral from a GP, consultant physician or specialist.
Who it affects: speech pathologists, especially in paediatric private practice.
Source: Services Australia

January 2026

5 January 2026: APC fees up 3%

What changed: APC raised assessment fees by 3%, excluding the migration skills assessment: Express FLYR A$1,650, FLYR A$3,422, APEP A$7,814. (They rose again later in the year; see October.)
Who it affects: overseas physios.
Source: APC notice

2025

November 2025: new OT Board pathways reported

What changed: The OT Board’s November 2025 newsletter reported that it had introduced streamlined pathways for internationally qualified OTs: a comparable regulator pathway (currently UK and Ireland), a recognised qualifications pathway, and an individual qualification assessment pathway. Some OTs on limited registration can now move to general registration. The Board gives no start date.
Who it affects: overseas OTs, especially UK and Irish graduates. See Ahpra registration for overseas OTs.
Source: OT Board newsletter

1 November 2025: Support at Home and Better Access referrals

What changed: Support at Home replaced the Home Care Packages Program and Short-Term Restorative Care. From the same day, Better Access referrals, including for focussed psychological strategies by an eligible OT, must come through a GP or prescribed medical practitioner at the practice where the patient is enrolled in MyMedicare, or the patient’s usual medical practitioner.
Who it affects: OTs and physios in aged care and home modifications; OTs providing Better Access services. See aged care and home modifications OT and mental health OT.
Source: Support at Home, MBS Online

18 September 2025: OT registration fee to A$132

What changed: The OT Board’s registration fee rose 4.25% to A$132 for the registration year starting 1 December 2025. (It’s A$138 from 1 October 2026.)
Who it affects: OTs.
Source: OT Board newsletter

13 September 2025: new 482 English rules

What changed: A new instrument set the English test rules for the Skills in Demand (482) visa. Citizens holding a valid passport from the UK, Ireland, Canada, New Zealand or the USA remain exempt from the test.
Who it affects: clinicians planning a 482, especially those from other countries.
Source: Federal Register of Legislation

26 August 2025: right to disconnect reaches small businesses

What changed: Employees of businesses with fewer than 15 staff can now refuse contact outside working hours unless refusing is unreasonable. Larger businesses have been covered since August 2024.
Who it affects: clinicians in small private practices.
Source: Fair Work Ombudsman

1 July 2025: super guarantee at 12%

What changed: Employer super contributions rose to 12% of ordinary time earnings.
Who it affects: all employees, including temporary visa holders.
Source: ATO

16 April 2025: South Africa added to Express FLYR

What changed: APC added South Africa to Express FLYR for physios with an entry-level qualification completed in South Africa and unrestricted registration with the South African regulator within the past 5 years.
Who it affects: South African physios. See Express FLYR, FLYR or APEP.
Source: APC announcement

2 April 2025: SPA pauses MRA applications from Canada

What changed: SPA stopped accepting MRA applications from Speech-Language & Audiology Canada members, citing changes in Canadian licensing, and points Canadians to the OSQCA. Still paused at 28 October 2026.
Who it affects: Canadian speech-language pathologists. See the SPA MRA.
Source: SPA MRA page

1 February 2025: Queensland Health relocation incentive ended

What changed: Queensland Health discontinued its Workforce Attraction Incentive Scheme for new starters. Any relocation help now depends on the role and should be in the offer letter.
Who it affects: clinicians applying to Queensland Health from overseas or interstate.
Source: Queensland Health careers

Your next step

Changes like these move costs and timelines, but your own route matters more than any single change. OTs: check which OT Board pathway you’re on, now that OTs registered in the UK or Ireland have a comparable regulator pathway. Speech pathologists: check whether you can use the MRA or need the OSQCA. Physios: check whether you’re an Express FLYR, FLYR or APEP applicant, and budget from APC’s current fees page. The pathway check does that for all three professions and points you to an info session or a call. Check the “last updated” date at the top before relying on any entry; how the assessments compare is in skills assessments compared.

Related guides

Ahpra registration for overseas occupational therapists: the 3 pathways, fees and EnglishOverseas OTs register through one of 3 OT Board pathways, from A$388 in fees (A$250 + A$138). Which one is yours, by country, plus CORS and English.
Choosing a recruiter for your move to Australia: 8 questions for OTs, speech pathologists and physiosEight questions for any recruiter, us included: fees, Queensland's information statement, who gives visa advice, sponsor costs and your Fair Work rights.
English tests for OTs, physiotherapists and speech pathologists moving to Australia: Ahpra, OTC, SPA and visas comparedAhpra wants IELTS 7 overall (writing 6.5) for OTs and physios; SPA sets a higher bar for speech. One table of every English rule, and who's exempt by country.
Express FLYR, FLYR or APEP: the Australian Physiotherapy Council pathways for overseas physiotherapistsOverseas physios go through the Physiotherapy Council: Express FLYR A$1,742, FLYR A$3,490 or APEP A$8,321. Stages, times and who qualifies, by country.
Paediatric OT, speech pathology and physio jobs after the NDIS changes: the official dates and what they may meanPlanned from 1 Jan 2028: new NDIS applicants 8 and under with developmental delay or autism and low to moderate needs won't be eligible. Dates for therapists.
OT, speech pathologist and physio pay in Queensland: Queensland Health grades against the award minimumQueensland Health HP3 starts at A$83,824; the award floor for private employers starts at A$1,308.80 a week. Tables for OT, speech and physio, plus super.
Skills assessment for OT, speech pathology and physio: OTC vs SPA vs APCOTC, SPA and APC side by side: fees (A$800, A$825 or A$2,000, A$1,674), published times, documents, English, outcomes, and how each differs from registration.
The Speech Pathology Australia Mutual Recognition Agreement, explained: the rules for each countrySPA's MRA costs A$825 and takes up to 7 weeks, but each country's association sets a different bar, and Canada's is paused. Side-by-side rules and MRA vs OSQCA.
Do you pay a recruiter to work in Australia? Who pays which costs in an OT, speech pathology or physio moveQueensland recruiters can't charge clinicians here temporarily, and sponsors can't sell sponsorship. Every cost in an OT, speech or physio move and who pays.

Sources

Written by Callum Trevorrow, Physiotherapist and founder
Callum Trevorrow is a physiotherapist with experience across public, private and community settings, across the lifespan. He has led a hospital, and now leads a multi-site allied health company that employs overseas staff.
Last checked 28 October 2026. Sources are listed below. How we check.

General information only, not migration or legal advice. Visa advice should come from a registered migration agent (we work alongside them). Registration decisions are made by Ahpra and the professional bodies, not by us. Fees and rules change: check the linked official source before you rely on a figure.