A national, clinically focussed event designed for occupational therapists working with children and families across disbaility and neurodiversity.
Thursday 19 November 2026
to
Friday 20 November 2026
Why This Conference Exists
Too often, conferences feel either highly academic or disconnected from the realities of day to day paediatric work. Slides full of theory with little translation to practice. Overseas models that do not quite fit the Australian funding landscape. Conversations that don’t acknowledge what it actually means to work within NDIS, to run a private practice, to support complex families, or to balance multidisciplinary collaboration while protecting our professional identity
This conference was created to change that.
The Paediatric Occupational Therapy Conference Australia exists to showcase the knowledge and expertise already present within our Australian OT community. To highlight clinicians who are doing exceptional, thoughtful, evidence informed work every single day. To provide high quality professional development that translates directly to therapy sessions on Monday morning
It is designed for occupational therapists working in disability and neurodiversity. For those navigating regulation, participation, motor challenges, assistive technology, trauma, caregiver coaching and multidisciplinary systems. For those writing reports, managing caseloads, running clinics or leading teams
It is practical. It is clinically robust. It is grounded in real world application
And most importantly, it is built to bring our community together.
This is not just another conference. It is a deliberate, values led gathering of paediatric occupational therapists who care deeply about the integrity, evolution and sustainability of our profession in Australia.
Our Values
This conference has been built deliberately. Every decision, from speaker selection to room setup to panel topics, has been guided by clear principles.
Clinical Integrity
We believe in thoughtful, evidence informed practice that translates into real outcomes for children and families. Sessions are grounded in lived clinical experience, not theory detached from context. This is a conference for practitioners who want depth, nuance and practical application.
Real World Relevance
Our profession is shaped by the systems we work within. NDIS. Private pay. Schools. Multidisciplinary teams. Complex families. Business realities.
This conference is designed for occupational therapists working in those realities every day. Content is selected for its practical relevance and its ability to transfer directly into practice.
Professional Integrity
Occupational therapy has a unique and powerful lens. We honour the importance of maintaining our professional identity while collaborating effectively with other disciplines.
We value ethical practice, reflective clinicians and robust professional discourse. We encourage respectful conversation, critical thinking and diversity of clinical perspectives within a framework of professionalism.
Community Over Competition
Australian paediatric OTs carry an enormous amount of knowledge and skill. This conference exists to elevate and share that expertise, not gatekeep it.
We believe collaboration strengthens the profession. We believe there is space for multiple voices. We believe our community thrives when we gather.
Accessible, Human Learning
Conferences should not require therapists to override their nervous systems to participate.
This event will include considered break times, varied learning formats, smaller supervision style sessions and quiet spaces. We recognise that occupational therapists are human first.
Excellence Without Ego
We aim for exceptional quality. Well structured sessions. Clear takeaways. Professional delivery.
At the same time, this is not about performance. It is about contribution. It is about meaningful exchange of ideas that push our practice forward.
