Telehealth occupational therapy (often called online OT, tele-OT, or telepractice) is occupational therapy delivered using technology—usually secure video calls—when the therapist and client are in different locations.
It’s no longer a “backup option.” For many people—especially in regional areas, families juggling school and work, people with disability, and anyone needing faster access—telehealth OT can be the difference between waiting months and starting therapy this week.
Australian regulators are clear: the expectations for safe, effective care are the same whether therapy is delivered face-to-face or via telehealth.
Still waiting months for OT?
Top End Allied Health delivers structured, outcome-focused Telehealth Occupational Therapy across Australia, no travel, no long waitlists, just real support that starts sooner.
Learn how their telehealth OT service works and whether it’s right for you
This guide explains:
What telehealth OT is (and what it isn’t)
Who it works best for (and when in-person is better)
What OT sessions look like online
Assessments you can do via telehealth (including functional assessments)
NDIS realities: service agreements, common line-items, and practical billing tips
Best-practice safety, privacy, and quality standards
A step-by-step checklist to get started today
What is telehealth occupational therapy?
Telehealth OT is OT delivered using communication technology such as video, phone, and secure online platforms. The goal is the same as in-person OT: helping people participate in everyday activities (self-care, school, work, community life, home routines) by improving skills, adapting environments, and prescribing supports.
A widely used definition (endorsed in international OT telehealth work) describes telehealth as using ICT to deliver services when client and clinician are in different physical locations.
In Australia, AHPRA’s virtual care guidance reinforces that telehealth must be clinically appropriate, delivered by practitioners who are competent, and suitable for the patient, matching expectations of in-person care.
Telehealth OT vs “online resources”: the critical difference
Telehealth OT is a clinical service:
assessment + clinical reasoning
tailored intervention
documented outcomes
risk screening
informed consent
privacy protections
A YouTube video or generic program is not telehealth OT.
Why telehealth OT has become mainstream in Australia
Telehealth grew rapidly during COVID, but what kept it in routine practice was simple:
Access (regional/rural; waitlists; travel barriers)
Convenience (school hours, work schedules, reduced disruption)
Carryover (therapy happens in the real environment—home, classroom routines, daily life)
Team collaboration (easier to bring in a parent, teacher, support coordinator, or carer)
WFOT’s position resources also support telehealth as a legitimate model when used appropriately and safely.
Who telehealth occupational therapy works best for
Telehealth OT can be highly effective when goals are behaviour-, routine-, skill-, or environment-focused.
Great fits for telehealth OT
Children & families
parent coaching (routines, regulation, sleep, mealtimes)
school participation strategies (attention, transitions, sensory supports)
handwriting supports (screen share worksheets, guided practice)
executive functioning and independence routines
Adults
return-to-work coaching and worksite planning (with photos/videos)
fatigue management, pacing, daily routines
cognitive strategy training (memory, planning, task sequencing)
assistive technology coaching (set-up and training)
NDIS participants
goal planning and capacity building
functional coaching at home
support team training (carers, SIL/SDA staff, support workers)
When face-to-face OT is usually better
Telehealth is not “better” in every case. It’s a delivery method, and sometimes the safest or most effective choice is in-person (or a blended model).
In-person may be preferable when:
a hands-on physical assessment is required
complex manual handling risks need close supervision
severe behavioural risk requires in-room safety planning
technology barriers cannot be solved (privacy, device access, internet reliability)
the client cannot engage meaningfully via screen without a capable support person
Research in this area is mixed depending on the population and intervention—some reviews show strong feasibility and effectiveness in many contexts, but not universal superiority to in-person.
Best practice for most providers in 2026: a hybrid model (telehealth + targeted in-person visits).
What happens in a telehealth OT session?
A typical telehealth OT appointment looks like this:
Set-up + consent (privacy check, who’s in the room, emergency contact if needed)
Goal check-in (what matters most this week; barriers since last session)
Observation in the real environment (kitchen, desk, bathroom set-up, school routine, workplace tasks)
Intervention (coaching, skill practice, environmental changes, AT training, routines)
Action plan (simple homework that fits the client’s week)
Documentation (what was done, outcomes, next steps—same standards as in-person)
Australian guidance emphasises that the same expectations apply to safe and effective telehealth services as in-person delivery.
Can OT assessments be done via telehealth?
Often, yes—with the right safeguards.
Common assessments that can work well via telehealth
occupational performance interviews (COPM-style approaches)
functional observation in the home (task analysis)
home environment screening (photos/video walkthrough)
assistive technology trials (client demonstrates; therapist coaches)
caregiver capacity and routine mapping
basic risk screening and safety planning (within scope)
There is also emerging research looking at telehealth delivery of OT home visiting models and functional assessment approaches as non-inferior alternatives in some contexts.
When telehealth assessment may be limited
highly complex home modifications requiring measurements, building compliance checks, or physical verification
cases where accurate measurement is impossible without in-person tools
clients who cannot follow instructions and lack a support person to assist
Still waiting months for OT?
Top End Allied Health delivers structured, outcome-focused Telehealth Occupational Therapy across Australia — no travel, no long waitlists, just real support that starts sooner.
Learn how their telehealth OT service works and whether it’s right for you
Is telehealth OT allowed under the NDIS?
In practice, NDIS participants commonly use telehealth where it meets their goals and is clinically appropriate. Many providers deliver capacity building supports and non-face-to-face work (reports, liaison, planning) as part of standard service delivery.
NDIA pricing rules and price limits sit within the NDIS Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits and are updated regularly.
Important NDIS note (keep this wording)
NDIS billing depends on:
the participant’s plan management type (NDIA-managed, plan-managed, self-managed)
the service agreement
whether the support is reasonable, necessary, and linked to goals
correct claiming in line with current pricing arrangements and rules
Telehealth OT: what you can do online
1) Daily living skills (kids, teens, adults)
morning and bedtime routines
showering, dressing sequencing
cooking routines and safe kitchen set-ups
community access plans (shopping, transport practice planning)
2) Sensory regulation + emotional regulation coaching
identify triggers and early warning signs
create a “regulation menu”
set up sensory supports at home/school
parent coaching scripts for transitions
3) School participation
handwriting / typing supports
classroom environmental adjustments
visual schedules and task boards
homework systems and executive functioning coaching
4) Assistive technology set-up and training
device coaching (apps, reminders, visual timers)
low-cost AT selection and training
trials using screen share and live demonstration
NDIA’s general AT information explains the way AT is considered and categorised (low, mid, high cost).
5) Carer/support worker training
Telehealth is often excellent for:
consistent staff training
visuals and scripts
real-time feedback during routines
reducing travel costs and delays
Safety, privacy, and quality: the non-negotiables
A) Clinical appropriateness and competence
Ahpra guidance emphasises telehealth should be used when the practitioner is appropriately skilled and it is safe and clinically appropriate.
B) Informed consent
Document:
the modality (video/phone)
limitations (e.g., inability to physically assess)
who is present
what to do if connection fails
C) Privacy and data protection
Use:
secure platforms
private spaces
headphones when needed
no recording without explicit consent
D) Emergency and risk planning
If there’s a foreseeable safety risk:
confirm location at session start
confirm emergency contact
ensure a support person is present if required
E) Same professional standards as in-person care
Telehealth occupational therapy is held to the same professional, ethical, and clinical standards as face-to-face care. Therapists must deliver services that are safe, evidence-based, goal-directed, and within their scope of practice. This includes informed consent, accurate documentation, confidentiality, risk management, and appropriate clinical reasoning. The only difference is the delivery method, not the quality of care. If telehealth is not clinically suitable, a responsible therapist will recommend an alternative approach, including in-person or hybrid care.
Telehealth OT checklist
Before your first session
✅ Device with camera + stable internet
✅ Quiet private space
✅ Charger + headphones
✅ Any equipment you already use (chair, cushions, utensils, AT)
✅ Short list of goals: “what do you want to be easier in daily life?”
✅ Photos/videos of problem areas (optional but powerful)
During the session
✅ Confirm who is present + consent
✅ Walkthrough of the environment if relevant
✅ Agree on 1–3 actions for the week
After the session
✅ Practice the plan in real routines
✅ Send short updates (if included in your service agreement)
✅ Book follow-up (telehealth or in-person as clinically needed)
How to choose a telehealth occupational therapist (and what to ask)
Choosing the right telehealth occupational therapist is about more than availability—it’s about clinical fit, experience, and how well they understand your goals. Look for an OT who has experience with your specific needs (paediatrics, adult rehab, psychosocial disability, assistive technology, functional assessments, etc.) and who can clearly explain how telehealth will work for your situation.
Ask practical questions such as:
Do you offer telehealth only, or a hybrid option if in-person becomes necessary?
How do you measure progress and outcomes?
What platform do you use, and how do you protect privacy?
How do you structure reports (especially for NDIS participants)?
What happens if telehealth isn’t clinically appropriate?
A good telehealth OT should provide clear communication, structured plans, and transparent expectations—so you feel confident that care delivered online meets the same professional standards as in-person therapy.
Telehealth OT FAQs (written for featured snippets)
Is telehealth occupational therapy effective?
It can be highly effective for coaching, routines, skills training, school participation strategies, and assistive technology training, especially when therapy is delivered in the client’s real environment and supported by consistent practice between sessions. Evidence summaries across recent telehealth OT literature report effectiveness across multiple populations, though results vary by intervention and context.
Can an OT do a functional assessment via telehealth?
Often yes; particularly for task analysis and functional observation in the home environment using live video walkthroughs and structured interviews. In some cases, a hybrid approach (telehealth + a short in-person visit) may be needed for measurements or complex risks.
Is telehealth allowed for NDIS occupational therapy?
Telehealth is commonly used in practice where it is clinically appropriate and aligns with participant goals and the service agreement. Providers must follow current NDIS pricing rules and claiming requirements.
What do I need for a telehealth OT appointment?
A phone/tablet/computer with camera, stable internet, a private space, and any relevant items (equipment, utensils, seating, school materials). Photos or videos of problem areas can help.
What if the internet drops out?
Clinics typically have a backup plan (phone call, rebooking, or switching platforms). Agree on a backup method at the start of care.
Can’t Get an OT Appointment? This Is Why Families Are Switching to Telehealth.
If you’re stuck on a waitlist…
If your child is falling behind…
If you’re tired of rearranging work just to attend appointments…
You don’t need to wait months for support.
No travel. No disruption. No “we’ll see you in 12 weeks.”
Their experienced OTs work with:
Children needing practical strategies now
Adults building independence
NDIS participants requiring clear assessments and outcome-focused plans
This isn’t generic Zoom therapy.
It’s real clinical OT — tailored, documented, and built around your actual daily routines.
If telehealth is clinically appropriate for you, they’ll get started fast.
If it’s not, they’ll tell you honestly.
References:
Ahpra. (n.d.). Information for practitioners who provide virtual care. Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency.
American Occupational Therapy Association. (2024). Occupational therapy telehealth interventions: A systematic review. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 79(4).
Cason, J., Behl, D., Ringwalt, S., & Wackerman, J. (2020). Overview of telehealth in occupational therapy. International Journal of Telerehabilitation, 12(2), 3–14.
National Disability Insurance Scheme. (n.d.). Assistive technology explained.
National Disability Insurance Scheme. (n.d.). Pricing arrangements and price limits.
World Federation of Occupational Therapists. (n.d.). Occupational therapy and telehealth.
