An experienced paediatric OT, paid well and trusted properly, who wants a real say in a small practice rather than a slot in a large one.
Firm Foundation OT is a small, mobile occupational therapy practice serving Frankston and the Mornington Peninsula. We see people of all ages and all abilities, and match the right therapist to the right person. This role is our paediatric caseload.
We are a team of two occupational therapists with administrative support, and we hold 5.0 stars across more than 59 Google reviews. Families and referrers consistently name the same things: genuine connection, clear communication, and reports that are thorough and on time. Demand for paediatric work is why this role exists.
This is not a role where the path is already drawn for you. You would have real influence over our culture, our reputation in this community and where we go next, with the accountability that comes with it.
The work
Predominantly face to face therapy with neurodivergent children and young people aged 0 to 18, with most of the caseload in the early years. Mainly autism and ADHD, alongside some intellectual disability and global developmental delay.
You will work where children actually live and learn: family homes, kinders, schools and the community, with some telehealth. Funding is mainly NDIS, with some private clients.
Sessions are one to one, with some parent only sessions. The work spans play and social participation, emotional regulation, self care and independence, school readiness and handwriting, and gross and fine motor skills.
You have full say over who you take on and how complex your work is. Complex clients are available if you want them, including children with significant behaviours of concern, non speaking children and AAC users, and families involved with child protection and care teams. Equally, you can build a caseload that sits where you are most effective. That choice is real, not a formality.
How the week works
Our on target caseload is four clients a day, at around 65% utilisation. There is space within the day for the non billable realities of the work: travel between clients, clinical supervision, professional development, administration and notes. New team members ramp at 40 to 50% for the first three to six months while building a caseload.
Beyond direct therapy you will attend Student Support Group meetings, NDIS planning meetings and care team meetings, and carry out classroom observations. This role is predominantly ongoing therapeutic intervention, with some assessment and report writing in the mix. If report writing is not yet your strength,



we will train you in our method.
You would not be starting from scratch. There is an existing waitlist, clients transitioning across from the principal's caseload, and a steady flow of recent referrals.
What we are looking for
You are an established clinician, not necessarily senior, but settled in yourself and in your practice. You think for yourself, solve problems on your feet, and can walk into an unfamiliar home or classroom and make the session work. Community work is unpredictable and largely solo, so you need to be someone who manages themselves well on the road.
At least two years' experience as an occupational therapist, concentrated in paediatrics
Demonstrated experience with neurodivergent children: autism, ADHD and developmental differences
Genuinely neuro affirming practice, and robust play, rapport and social skill development skills
Confident communication with parents, teachers, early childhood educators, other health professionals and, at times, child protection and care teams
Self management: strong organisation, task management and work ethic, without needing day to day oversight
Experience with assessments such as the Sensory Profile 2, COPM, BOT-2 and Beery VMI, and confidence taking a thorough clinical history
Working knowledge of approaches such as DIR/Floortime, sensory integration, play based therapy, Occupational Performance Coaching, Zones of Regulation and the Alert Program, and developmental milestones
AHPRA registration, and your own professional indemnity and public liability insurance
A current driver's licence and your own car
Well regarded:
Report writing and assessment experience, and parent or caregiver coaching
Some leadership experience, and an appetite to grow in leadership as the team grows
What this role is not.
Our practice serves all ages and abilities, but this position is paediatrics. Adult work, SIL and ILO assessments, home modifications, complex assistive technology and support worker training all sit outside it. You would not be supervising anyone.
Pay, explained plainly
Two components: a competitive guaranteed base,



and an uncapped bonus so that strong clinicians share directly in what they generate. The structure is identical whether you work three, four or five days. It simply pro rates, so part time is genuinely equivalent rather than a discount.
Base salary of $90,000 full time equivalent, pro rated by days worked
Superannuation at 12%, paid on your base and on your bonus
Bonus of 20% of your personal billings above the threshold, uncapped and paid quarterly. It starts paying from around 2.9 clients a day
Base hourly rate of $*****, identical across three, four and five days
At the on target caseload of four clients a day, total package including super comes to approximately $115,400 full time, $92,400 at four days, or $69,300 at three days. The bonus is uncapped, so a clinician working at five clients a day would earn materially more again.
What we provide
External clinical supervision with an experienced paediatric supervisor, funded by us
$2,000 a year of professional development plus paid PD days
Laptop, work phone, therapy resources and assessment kits
A dedicated practice manager who handles billing, invoicing, scheduling, bookings and referral administration
Travel reimbursed at $0.99 per kilometre
Four weeks' annual leave and ten days' personal leave, pro rated
You carry your own AHPRA registration, and your own professional indemnity and public liability insurance.
Why you might love this
You are known, not a number. You are trusted like an adult and measured on outcomes rather than hours. You choose your own caseload. The work is meaningful and hands on, with families you stay with over time rather than process. You will grow as a clinician, in caregiver communication, and in leadership, and your remuneration grows in direct proportion to the value you bring.
Who this will not suit
Because the practice runs on autonomy, trust and relationship, it will not suit everyone. It is probably not right for you if you need constant direction or clinical hand holding, if you would rather a large organisation where everything is already decided, if you want a fixed office rather than being out in the community, or if you are after quick, transactional work rather than long term relationships with children, families and referrers.
What happens next
Application review, then a short phone conversation, then a brief written case study of about 45 to 60 minutes which we discuss together at an in person interview, followed by reference calls. From application to offer typically takes three to four weeks. We respond to every applicant.
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📌 Occupational Therapist (Melbourne)
🏢 Firm Foundation OT
📍 Melbourne