Adult Occupational Therapy
Practical OT for adults 16 and over — daily living and self-care, return-to-work support, home modifications and strategies for memory, planning and organisation.
Occupational therapy for adults is about the ordinary, everyday things — getting through a morning routine without running out of steam, cooking a meal safely, staying on top of appointments and paperwork, getting back to work after an injury, or making a home easier to move around in. Our occupational therapists work with adults 16 and over across Kogarah and the St George region on exactly those goals.
We start with what you want to be able to do, not with a diagnosis. From there we look at the task, the environment and how you're managing right now, then build practical strategies, routines, equipment recommendations and environmental changes that fit your life rather than an ideal version of it.
Sessions can run in our Kogarah clinic, at home or in your workplace. If you're looking for support for a child instead, our paediatric occupational therapy service covers children from infancy through adolescence.
How adult OT can help
- Daily living and self-care — cooking, showering, dressing, household routines
- Return-to-work planning and workplace functional assessments
- Home modifications and assistive technology recommendations
- Cognitive strategies for memory, planning and organisation
- Fatigue, routine and energy management across the week
- Community participation — transport, shopping, appointments
- Support for adults with autism or ADHD in work, study and home life
- Rebuilding function after stroke, injury or with progressive conditions
How it works
Getting to know you
We start with what's actually hard right now — the tasks you're avoiding, the parts of the day that take too long, and the goals that matter to you.
Functional assessment
We look at how you manage everyday activities through conversation, observation and standardised tools — in clinic, at home or in your workplace, whichever gives the truest picture.
A practical plan
Strategies you can use straight away, changes to your environment, equipment where it helps, and a realistic schedule of sessions to build the skill or routine.
Review and adjust
We check what's working, adjust the plan as your circumstances change, and coordinate with your GP, support coordinator or other clinicians where that's useful.
What your first appointment looks like
- A 60-minute initial appointment, usually in our Kogarah rooms — home or workplace visits can be arranged instead.
- A conversation about your goals, your health history and how you manage a typical day and week.
- Some practical observation — we may ask you to show us a task such as making a meal, using stairs, or working at your desk.
- Time to talk through funding, whether that's NDIS, Medicare CDM, private health or private pay.
- A clear plan of what we'd suggest next, including how many sessions we expect and what you can start trying at home.
There's nothing you need to prepare, though it helps to bring any recent reports, your NDIS plan if you have one, and a list of the tasks you're finding hardest. If you'd rather talk it through first, you can request a free call back or book an appointment online.
Who we work with
- Adults 16 and over living with disability, injury or a long-term health condition
- Adult NDIS participants (self and plan-managed) working on daily living goals
- Adults with autism or ADHD managing work, study, home and routines
- People returning to work after injury, illness or an extended break
- Adults recovering from stroke or injury, or living with a progressive condition
- Older adults wanting to stay safe and independent at home
- Family members and carers supporting an adult relative
Funding & next steps
We accept NDIS (self & plan-managed), Medicare CDM where eligible, private health insurance with HICAPS on the spot, and private pay. If you're not sure how your funding works, our plain-English guide to NDIS funding walks through what's covered and how to use a plan with us.
The best place to start is a free 15-minute call — we'll talk through your goals and confirm how we can help.
Request a free call backNeed a Functional Capacity Assessment instead?
Some adults come to us for an assessment and report rather than ongoing therapy — usually to support an NDIS access request, a plan review or a change of circumstances. We complete adult Functional Capacity Assessments, and everything about the process, tools, timeframes and report turnaround lives on its own page.
Read about Functional Capacity AssessmentsFrequently asked questions
What age do you see adults from?
From 16 years and over. Clients aged 16 to 18 are often transitioning out of paediatric services into work, further study or independent living, and adult OT is usually the better fit for those goals.
Do I need a referral to see an adult OT?
No referral is needed for private clients, and NDIS participants who are self or plan-managed can contact us directly. If you'd like to claim through Medicare CDM you'll need a care plan and referral from your GP.
Can you see me at home or at my workplace?
Yes. We see adults in our Kogarah clinic, at home and at work across the St George region. Home visits are often the most useful for daily living, safety and home modification goals, and a workplace visit is usually essential for return-to-work planning.
What happens in a workplace or functional assessment?
We look at the demands of your role — physical tasks, workstation set-up, hours, cognitive load and the environment — and compare them with how you're currently functioning. You'll receive practical recommendations such as task modifications, equipment, a graded return-to-work schedule or changes to your workspace.
How long does a return-to-work program run?
It depends on your role and recovery, but most programs run over a series of sessions across several weeks while hours and duties are gradually built up. We review progress along the way and adjust the plan with you and, where appropriate, your employer.
How long is an adult OT session?
Standard sessions run for 45–60 minutes, with longer initial assessments where needed. Home and workplace visits are scheduled with travel time included.
What funding do you accept for adult OT?
NDIS (self and plan-managed), Medicare CDM where eligible, private health insurance with HICAPS on the spot, and private pay.
Ready to Start Your Therapy Journey?
Speak directly with our director — no obligation, just a friendly chat about how we can help.