Graduate Paediatric Occupational Therapist

Happy Dots Occupational Therapy for Children – Newcastle NSW

Your first year as an Occupational Therapist matters. It shapes your confidence, your clinical reasoning, and the kind of therapist you become.

At Happy Dots Therapy Services for Children, we’ve designed a structured 12-month Graduate Program to help you transition from university into paediatric practice with the right balance of support, challenge and real-world experience.

This is not a graduate role where you’re left to "figure it out".

It’s a first year designed to help you grow into a confident, capable paediatric OT with experienced mentors, a gradual caseload, regular supervision, and a team that genuinely wants you to succeed.

Who are we?

For almost 15 years, Happy Dots Therapy Services for Children has supported children and families across the Newcastle region through evidence-based Occupational Therapy and Speech Pathology services.

Based in our purpose-built Cardiff clinic, we work with children of all ages and abilities across the clinic, schools and community, delivering fun, engaging and goal-focused therapy that makes a meaningful difference in everyday life.

We’re proud of the culture we’ve built: one where collaboration comes naturally, learning is part of everyday practice, and people feel supported both professionally and personally.

About the 2027 Graduate Program

Our 12-month Graduate Program has been designed specifically for early-career Occupational Therapists who want a strong start in paediatrics. From your first day, you will be supported by experienced clinicians who understand what it feels like to be a new graduate and know how to help you build confidence without overwhelm.

We believe great therapists are built through structured support, reflection and experience - not by being thrown in the deep end.

In your first year, you will receive:

- A dedicated 12-month Graduate Program including:
- Weekly individual supervision with a Senior Paediatric Occupational Therapist
- Weekly Clinical Foundations learning sessions including built in time for additional e-learning and reflective practice
- Weekly Peer Supervision sessions
- Fortnightly access to in-house learning, mentoring and team-based clinical discussions




- Monthly trauma-informed reflective supervision facilitated by a Psychologist
- Scheduled shadowing and co-treatment opportunities as part of your 90 day onboarding plan
- Structured feedback and milestone reviews across the year
- A gradual, supported caseload built to matched your developing confidence and independence
- Protected administration time of minimum 5 hours per week
- Paid professional development leave and a professional development allowance

By the end of your graduate year, our goal is for you to feel more confident working with children and families, more capable in your clinical decision-making, and well-supported in the next stage of your career.

What you'll be doing

- Deliver fun, engaging and evidence-based therapy to children and families
- Work across a mix of clinic, school and community settings
- Build meaningful relationships with children, families, educators and other supports
- Collaborate with a multidisciplinary team including Occupational Therapists and Speech Pathologists
- Develop your clinical reasoning through regular supervision, mentoring and reflective practice
- Contribute to creative, functional and goal-directed therapy planning
- Create and facilitate school holiday therapy groups based on your interests and strengths

No two days are ever the same, that's one of the things our team loves most about paediatrics.

Why graduates choose Happy Dots

A graduate program that is genuinely structured

Graduate support is not something we "fit in when we can". It is built into the role. You will have planned supervision, mentoring, learning sessions, feedback points and a caseload that grows with your readiness.

Support that goes beyond clinical supervision

In addition to OT-specific mentoring, you will also receive monthly trauma-informed reflective supervision with a Psychologist - a valuable layer of support that helps you build confidence,



process complexity and develop sustainable clinical practice.

Variety across clinic and community

You will develop broad paediatric experience across our clinic, schools and community settings, giving you the chance to build a well-rounded skill set early in your career.

A purpose-built environment with the right tools

You will be equipped with the resources you need from day one, including a laptop, therapy resources, standardised assessments and AI powered tools to help you do your job well.

A team culture that feels real

We're a team that values collaboration, kindness, open communication and shared learning. We celebrate team wins, birthdays, work anniversaries, our mid-year celebration and end-of-year function - because a great workplace matters.

Professional growth that continues beyond university

We invest in your development through structured mentoring, in-house education, professional development funding and regular opportunities to expand your skills and interests.

Flexibility where possible

We understand that life outside work matters too. We value open communication and offer flexibility where possible around scheduling, start dates and work planning.

About you

We're looking for someone who is early in their career and excited to grow into paediatric practice. You might be a great fit if you are someone who:

- Is graduating with an Occupational Therapy degree in 2026 (ready to commence in January 2027).
- Is passionate about working with children and families
- Is eager to learn and open to feedback
- Brings warmth, curiosity and compassion to your work
- Enjoys being part of a team
- Wants to build a career where they can make a genuine difference

You’ll also hold, or be eligible to obtain:

- AHPRA Registration
- NSW Working With Children Check
- NDIS Worker Screening Check
- Current First Aid Certificate
- Current Australian Driver Licence

Ready to launch your career?

If you're looking for a workplace where you'll be supported, encouraged and genuinely valued from day one, we'd love to hear from you.

Applications close: 8th August 2026

Versatile start dates are available, with the opportunity to begin working as an Allied Health Assistant prior to your AHPRA registration being finalised.

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📌 Graduate Paediatric Occupational Therapist (New South Wales)
🏢 Happy Dots Occupational Therapy for Children
📍 New South Wales