Graduate Occupational Therapist Program 2027.
Your first step into OT practice.
At CentreSteps Allied Health, we don't expect you to know everything from day one. Our New Graduate OT Program gives you the support, supervision and real-world experience to build your confidence, gradually grow your independence and discover what kind of OT you want to become.
Applications for our 2027 Graduate Program are now open!
Our graduate program follows the same philosophy that sits at the heart of CentreSteps:
FOCUS: Build your foundations.
Your first few weeks are about finding your feet.
You'll get to know the CentreSteps team, our systems and the way we work while developing the practical skills that turn university knowledge into everyday OT practice.
Your early weeks may include:
A structured induction into CentreSteps
Shadowing experienced Occupational Therapists
Joint sessions and assessments
Learning clinical documentation and report writing
Developing your clinical reasoning
Learning about different funding streams and service requirements
Regular case discussions
Beginning with a small, supported caseload
Plenty of opportunities to ask questions
No full caseload on day one. No expectation that you already know everything.
We'll start where you're at and build from there.
STEP: Build confidence and take the next step.
As your confidence grows, so will your independence.
You'll gradually take on more of your own clients while continuing to have access to supervision, support and guidance from the team.
This stage is about putting your skills into practice.
You may begin to:
Manage a growing caseload
Complete sessions more independently
Develop intervention plans
Complete assessments with support
Build confidence with clinical recommendations
Develop your report-writing skills
Participate in case discussions and clinical problem-solving
Work across different environments and client groups
Explore the areas of Occupational Therapy that interest you
Your caseload and expectations will increase gradually, based on your development, confidence and competency.
FLOURISH: Grow into the OT you want to become.
By this stage, you'll have built strong foundations and gained meaningful experience as an Occupational Therapist.
You'll continue developing your own clinical style, building independence and identifying areas of practice you'd like to explore further.
The end of your graduate program isn't the end of your journey with CentreSteps.
Our goal is for you to transition naturally into an ongoing OT role where you can continue to learn, contribute and flourish.
You don't have to choose your specialty straight out of university.
Work across different ages, environments and areas of community Occupational Therapy while discovering what you enjoy.
Your experience may include:
NDIS
Aged Care
DVA
Functional Assessments
Assistive Technology
Home Assessments
ADLs & Independent Living
Community OT
You don't need to arrive knowing exactly where you want your OT career to take you.
That's part of the journey.
Experience More Than One Side of OT.
Your first year is for learning.
Regular Supervision
Dedicated time to discuss your caseload, clinical reasoning and professional development.
Shadow & Learn
Work alongside experienced OTs before taking on unfamiliar work independently.
Supported Assessments
Guidance with your first assessments, reports and clinical recommendations.
Gradual Caseload
Your caseload and expectations grow with your confidence and capability.
And support isn't limited to scheduled supervision.
Support When You Actually Need It.
A great OT career shouldn't come at the expense of everything outside of it.
We take a flexible and practical approach to work, with a mix of clinic, community and administrative time, opportunities to work from home where suitable, and protected time for documentation and reports.
We want our clinicians to have a workload that is realistic, flexible and sustainable.
Flexible Working
Protected Admin Time
Work-Life Balance
Because building a career you love is important, but so is having a life outside of it.
Work That Fits Into Your Life.
Ready to Take Your First Step?
You spent years learning how to become an Occupational Therapist.
You shouldn't be expected to figure out your first year alone.
We'll give you the support to Focus on strong foundations, the confidence to take the next Step, and the opportunity to Flourish into the Occupational Therapist you want to become.
Start your OT career with CentreSteps.
Frequently Asked Questions
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No. Your caseload will build gradually as your confidence and skills develop.
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That's okay. We'll support you through unfamiliar assessments with supervision, clinical discussion, shadowing and joint work where appropriate.
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No. We'll help you develop your understanding of the NDIS and other relevant funding streams.
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Our caseload is varied, with opportunities to work with children, adults and older adults across community settings and funding streams including NDIS, Aged Care and DVA.
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That's completely okay. Your graduate year is an opportunity to experience different areas of practice and discover what you enjoy.
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Yes. We aim to provide flexibility around how your week is structured, including a mix of client-facing and administrative time and opportunities to complete suitable work from home.