What paediatric occupational therapy work involves
Paediatric OT roles cover the years from birth to late adolescence, so the caseload changes with every stage. Early intervention work focuses on play, feeding, sensory regulation, and the daily routines that families juggle at home. School-aged work shifts towards fine motor skills, handwriting, playground participation, and classroom access, often in partnership with teachers and education assistants.
Most paediatric clinicians split their week between a clinic, family homes, schools, and telehealth appointments. Travel is a normal part of community and NDIS roles, and a current driver licence is usually essential. Ask in interviews how travel time is counted, whether a fleet vehicle is provided, and how many families you would carry in your first three months.
Paediatric OT salaries, funding and supervision
Advertised paediatric OT salaries generally run from about $78,000 for a new graduate to $110,000 or more for an experienced clinician, with senior and team-leader roles moving higher again. Private practice packages often add bonuses or commission, while public and not-for-profit employers tend to offer stronger salary packaging, paid professional development, and predictable award conditions.
NDIS-funded clinics may set billable-hour targets, so compare the real week rather than the headline salary: how many billable hours are expected, who writes reports, and how much admin time is funded. Supervision matters just as much in paediatrics. Look for weekly individual supervision, access to a senior paediatric clinician, and a structured onboarding period before you carry a full caseload.
How to move into paediatric OT
Clinics increasingly hire graduates who have seen children on placement, volunteered with early-intervention services, or completed short courses in sensory processing, feeding, or handwriting. If your experience is mostly adult rehabilitation, frame the transferable skills clearly: family-centred practice, functional assessment, equipment prescription, and coordinating care across several services.
When you apply, ask about the age range, the mix of NDIS and private clients, report-writing templates, and the supervision structure. Our paediatric page is refreshed as new roles are approved, and job alerts can send matching vacancies to your inbox the day they go live.