Occupational Therapist/Therapy Assistant

Calling Occupational Therapist's & OT Students!

The Speech Express is entering an exciting new chapter!

We're relocating from Chirnside Park to our brand-new, purpose-built therapy home in Lilydale in September 2026, and we're looking for both qualified Occupational Therapists AND Occupational Therapy students to join us for the journey.

Whether you're an experienced OT looking for something different, an early career OT ready to find your therapy home, or an OT student wanting to build real-world paediatric experience while you study, we'd love to hear from you.

Our new Lilydale clinic has been designed from the ground up with our clients and clinicians in mind, including a brand-spanking-new OT gym, beautiful therapy spaces, fantastic resources and plenty of room for movement, sensory regulation, play and child-centred therapy.

And, of course, our much-loved therapy animals are making the move with us!

A Little About Us

The Speech Express is a paediatric Speech Pathology and Occupational Therapy clinic incorporating animal-assisted interventions into everyday practice.

Our team currently includes 12 incredible Speech Pathologists, 2 wonderful Occupational Therapists, 4 Therapy Assistants, 3 admin superstars and the real stars of the show: 6 therapy dogs, 2 guinea pigs, 2 fish and 1 bearded dragon.

We combine evidence-based practice with creative, engaging therapy and have even published research in the area of animal-assisted therapy.

Now we're growing our OT team and there are two ways to come on board.

Are You a Qualified Occupational Therapist?

We're looking for a compassionate, adaptable and creative OT who loves working with children and wants the freedom to make therapy engaging and meaningful.

You'll work alongside 2 other OT's who can provide supervision and mentoring and can collaborate closely with our Speech Pathology team to support children across motor, sensory, emotional regulation, communication and everyday functional skills.

What You'll Love

• A brand-new, purpose-built therapy home in Lilydale
• A brand-spanking-new OT gym designed specifically for our paediatric clients
• Flexibility to choose your own client blocks and caseload
• High demand for OT services with the opportunity for full-time hours in the future
• Extremely competitive remuneration
• Subcontracting opportunity with openness to discussing an employee position if preferred
• Supervision and mentoring available
• In-house professional development
• Support and supervision in animal-assisted therapy
• A genuinely collaborative multidisciplinary team
• Full admin support, including scheduling, billing and client management through Cliniko
• Excellent therapy resources and equipment
• Regular team social catch-ups and professional learning opportunities

You may already have experience with therapy animals, or you may simply be curious about incorporating animals into your practice. No previous animal-assisted therapy experience is required.

Still Studying Occupational Therapy? Come Join Us as a Therapy Assistant!

If you're currently studying Occupational Therapy, you don't need to wait until graduation to become part of The Speech Express.

Our Therapy Express Service gives OT students the opportunity to work as Therapy Assistants alongside our experienced clinicians, building practical skills and confidence while completing their degree.

As a Therapy Assistant, you'll:

• Work collaboratively with our Occupational Therapists and Speech Pathologists to support paediatric clients
• Deliver therapy programs developed and overseen by the treating Occupational Therapist
• Support clients in their home, educational setting and other community environments
• Gain valuable hands-on experience working with children and families
• Consolidate what you're learning at university in a supported, real-world clinical environment
• Receive guidance and ongoing support from our Occupational Therapists and wider multidisciplinary team
• Develop your understanding of areas such as sensory regulation, fine and gross motor skills, play, emotional regulation and everyday functional skills
• Enjoy flexible hours around your university timetable, with the ability to arrange client visits around your studies
• Gain exposure to a unique multidisciplinary and animal-assisted therapy environment

And Where Could It Lead?

We love the idea of growing our future clinicians from within.

For the right OT student, there may be opportunities to stay with The Speech Express after graduation and transition into an early career Occupational Therapist position, already knowing our clients, team, systems and approach.

You might even find yourself working alongside your own therapy dog one day!

What We're Looking For

Qualified Occupational Therapists

You'll need:

• Bachelor's Degree in Occupational Therapy or equivalent
• Current registration with AHPRA
• Experience working with children, with neurodiversity experience highly regarded
• Working with Children Check
• Police Check
• Valid driver's licence
• Professional Indemnity and Public Liability Insurance where applicable

Occupational Therapy Students

We'd love to hear from you if you:

• Are currently studying a recognised Occupational Therapy degree
• Have an interest in working with children and families
• Are enthusiastic, reliable and willing to learn
• Have strong communication and interpersonal skills
• Are comfortable working independently in community settings with appropriate clinical support
• Hold or are willing to obtain a Working with Children Check and Police Check
• Hold a valid driver's licence and have access to reliable transport

Come Along for the Journey

Whether you're already an OT or you're studying to become one, this is an opportunity to join The Speech Express at an exciting time in our story.

We're relocating from Chirnside Park into our brand-new Lilydale therapy home, growing our OT services and creating a space designed specifically for the children and families we support.

Qualified OT? Come make our new OT gym your therapy home.

OT student? Come learn with us now and potentially grow into one of our future OTs.

If this sounds like the right fit for you, we'd love to hear from you.

Please send your resume and cover letter to Katrina at [email protected] or apply via SEEK.

Flexible start dates are available for the right candidates.