Occupational Therapy

As a registered NDIS provider with a long history of supporting people with disability, we understand the confidence and opportunities that come from having the right skills, strategies, and support systems in place.

Our occupational therapists bring specialised expertise to help you:

Look at support options for daily activities at home, work, and in the community
Develop skills that suit your life and how you want to live it
Access the right equipment and modifications to make your environment work for you
Build confidence in tackling new challenges and opportunities.

Our occupational therapists can work with you to assess and support you in a range of areas such as:

Daily living skills: Personal routines, household management, cooking and meal preparation
Home and environment: Home modifications and accessibility assessments, assistive technology recommendations, equipment trials and training, and safety assessments and solutions.
Community: Travel and public transport skills, social skills development, workplace assessments, recreation and leisure planning.
Health and wellbeing; Fatigue management strategies, pain management techniques, sensory processing support and mental health and coping strategies.

Our day programs focus on building up skills, capacity and achieving goals.
We focus on meaningful, engaging and worthwhile activities for everyone we support.

At Melba we have a strong alignment with the NDIS principles as our occupational therapy is strengths-based, rights-focused, and aims to increase choice and control:

Occupational therapy supports at Melba reflect the following principles:

Person centred – your goals, choices, and values are at the heart of all support.
Participation – we focus on enabling you to take part in daily activities, work, learning, play, and community life.
Personal care needs, such as bathing or dressing
Strengths based – we focus and build on what you can do, not what you can’t.
Independence and empowerment – it's finding ways for you to do as much as possible, with the right tools and strategies.
Wraparound approach – we consider all of you and your lifestyle, including physical, social, emotional, and environmental factors.
Collaboration – working alongside families, carers, and other professionals to achieve the best outcomes.

Frequently asked questions about occupational therapy

What is occupational therapy?

Occupational therapy helps people do everyday activities that matter most to them. For people with disability, illness, or injury, occupational therapists focus on building skills, making environments easier to use, and finding supports that promote independence. By working in these areas, we support people to live the life they want and do the things that are important to them.

Who do occupational therapists support?

Occupational therapists support people of all ages and abilities who experience challenges in daily life due to disability, injury, illness, or developmental differences. They work with anyone who needs support to do the everyday things that matter to them whether at home, work, school, or in the community.

At Melba this includes:

Children and young people with developmental delays, autism, sensory processing needs, or learning challenges.
Adults and older people with disability who want to build independence, manage daily routines, or access work and community life.
People with complex health needs who require support with mobility, equipment, or home modifications.
Families and carers. We provide strategies, training and resources to support your loved ones.

How can occupational therapy services be funded under your NDIS plan?

Capacity building – developing your skills and independence.

Assistive technology – equipment and modifications.
Core supports – support with daily activities.
OT supports link to Participant Goals and NDIS Funding. Examples of these goals may be “I want to live more independently” or “I want to join community activities”.
OT interventions are designed to directly support these goals through practical strategies, skill building, and environmental changes.

For example:

Goal: “I want to cook meals for myself.” → OT can provide cooking skills training, adaptive utensils, and kitchen modifications.
Goal: “I want to use public transport.” → OT can practice travel training, problem-solving, and safety strategies.

Why choose Melba's occupational therapy?

We’re glad you asked! Here’s what makes Melba’s occupational therapy special:

Your goals, your way – everything we do is person centred.
NDIS know how – we make sure your plan works best for you.
Teamwork that fits your life – we work with your existing supports.
Flexible delivery – at home or out in the community.

Got more questions?

Want to explore how OT could work for you? Reach out anytime – there is no obligation. Our OT service can give you the tools, skills, and confidence to live the life you want. Contact us today on 1300 696 352 or fill out the Get Support form on this website and let’s talk about what Melba’s OT can do for you!

Occupational therapy