Moving to Australia as an Irish occupational therapist (2026)

If you completed a CORU-approved OT degree between 2015 and 2030, you can apply straight for general registration with Ahpra, with no exam and no supervised practice. If you qualified before 2015, you can’t use that route and go through a portfolio assessment instead. That cut-off matters most for experienced OTs. The application costs A$250 plus A$138 for registration (A$130 in NSW), from 1 October 2026.

The 2015 line: which group are you in?

If you’re in the second group, it’s possible, but budget for a longer timeline and an employer willing to supervise you through limited registration. That changes which employers are realistic, and it’s worth talking through before you apply anywhere.

After registration

• Cultural responsiveness and orientation: complete the IAHA cultural responsiveness training and a one-on-one orientation with an Australian OT who holds unrestricted general registration and has held general registration for at least three consecutive years. If you haven’t done them before you apply, the Board may impose conditions on your registration.
• Skills assessment for a visa: the Occupational Therapy Council (OTC) assesses your degree and English (A$800, generally valid three years). It may be needed for your visa; your migration agent will confirm. You don’t need it for a working holiday visa.

Visas for Irish OTs

General information only; a registered migration agent should confirm your options.

• Working holiday (417): Irish citizens can apply aged 18 to 35. Health, aged care and disability work is exempt from the usual six-month limit with one employer. This applies under current rules, which Home Affairs says stand “until the Government makes further decisions”, and only if your role falls within those sectors. Confirm with your employer or a migration agent.
• Skills in Demand (482): employer-sponsored, needs a year’s experience and a salary of at least A$79,423. Main applicant fee A$4,015 (from 1 July 2026). After two years’ full-time work in the occupation within the last three years on a 482 (time with different approved sponsors can be combined; since 29 November 2025, only time working for an approved sponsor counts), you may be able to apply for permanent residency (subclass 186).
• Points-tested skilled visas: the 189 and 190 are permanent, the 491 is provisional and regional. OTs were invited to the 189 at 75 points in June 2026.

HSE vs Queensland pay

Convert at today’s rate. Australian employers also pay superannuation on top of salary.

Healthcare: Irish OTs get less Medicare than the UK

Ireland’s reciprocal agreement covers public hospital care and some PBS medicines only. It doesn’t cover Medicare (MBS) services like GP visits. Budget for private health insurance, and on a 482 you must hold adequate health insurance as a visa condition anyway.

What I’d tell you if you were in my office

If you already have friends or family in Australia, heading for the same city is fine on a working holiday. If you need sponsorship, though, look 30 minutes or more out of the city centre, where employers who sponsor are more common. In South East Queensland that’s places like Ipswich, Springfield, Logan and Moreton Bay.

If you’re moving into Australian paediatric or NDIS-funded work, the funding model and reporting are different from the HSE. A good employer will tell you exactly what supervision looks like in your first three months. Ask them.