Where the Wollongong OT jobs are
Wollongong occupational therapy roles are spread across Wollongong CBD, Fairy Meadow, Corrimal, Shellharbour, Dapto, and Nowra. Many clinicians work across two or three sites in a week, so a current driver licence and a comfortable commute are common requirements for community, NDIS, and aged care positions.
Wollongong combines a regional hospital network with community health, aged care, and NDIS providers, and some roles extend south to Nowra and the Shoalhaven. The mix runs from hospital rehabilitation and discharge planning to private paediatric clinics, aged care, and community caseloads funded through the NDIS.
Who hires occupational therapists in Wollongong
Major employers include Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District, Wollongong Private Hospital, Flagstaff Group, and Northcott. Alongside them, smaller private practices, paediatric clinics, and NDIS providers employ a significant share of Wollongong OTs, so there is usually more than one route into the local market.
Public health services in NSW generally advertise through central recruitment processes, while private and not-for-profit providers often hire directly. If you want a particular caseload or age group, it is worth approaching clinics before a role is advertised.
OT salaries and conditions in Wollongong
Advertised salaries in Wollongong typically sit between $78,000 and $108,000 depending on experience, setting, and whether the role is employee or contractor. Public health awards, salary packaging, and paid professional development can add several thousand dollars of value on top of the base figure.
New graduates should compare supervision and onboarding before salary, while experienced clinicians can negotiate for caseload caps, flexible hours, or a clinical specialisation. Always confirm whether travel time, report writing, and training are paid or expected outside billable hours.
Living and working in Wollongong
The Illawarra offers beaches, a university, and a train line to Sydney, making it attractive for clinicians who want regional life with city access. Coastal housing costs can be high, and outreach roles involve significant driving. Think about how far you are willing to travel between clients, whether you need parking, and whether public transport can get you to the sites you will visit. A trial visit or a conversation with a local clinician can save a lot of second-guessing.
Browse the live Wollongong vacancies below, or set up a job alert so new roles in your preferred setting reach you as soon as they are approved. If you are open to regional work, the state page covers roles outside the Wollongong metro area.