New Graduate Occupational Therapist – Paediatrics
Centre for Developing Children – Bankstown NSW
Start Your OT Career Somewhere That Invests in You
Your first year as an Occupational Therapist matters.
At
Centre for Developing Children (CFDC)
, we don't expect current graduates to walk in on Day 1 with all the answers, carry a full caseload and simply figure it out as they go.
We believe great clinicians are developed through robust mentoring, supported clinical experience, reflective practice and gradual exposure to complexity.
That's why we've developed a structured
New Graduate OT Pathway
designed to support your transition from university into confident paediatric practice.
If you're graduating in **** or have recently started your OT career and know that paediatrics is where you want to be, we'd love to meet you.
About CFDC
At Centre for Developing Children,
we do occupational therapy differently.
We are a growing paediatric occupational therapy practice supporting children and young people aged 0–25 years through evidence-based, child-led and strengths-based intervention.
Our therapists work collaboratively with children, families, educators and other professionals to create meaningful outcomes that translate beyond the therapy room into everyday life.
Our clinical practice includes:
Ayres Sensory Integration® (ASI)
Sensory processing and regulation
Motor coordination, postural control and praxis
Emotional regulation and participation
Self-care and functional independence
School readiness and participation
Developmental and relationship-based approaches
Parent, educator and capacity-building supports
Individual and group-based intervention
You'll have access to purpose-built therapy spaces and sensory integration equipment, alongside opportunities to work with children across clinic, education and community environments.
The CFDC New Graduate Pathway
We know the transition from student to clinician can feel enormous.
You won't be expected to know everything.
You
will
be expected to be curious, reflective, open to feedback and committed to becoming an excellent clinician.
We'll support you to get there.
Your development pathway will include:
Structured onboarding
Your first weeks are about
learning
, not filling a diary.
You'll be introduced progressively to CFDC's clinical frameworks, systems, documentation standards, assessment processes, intervention approaches and ways of working with families.
Gradual caseload progression
We don't believe in handing a new graduate a full caseload in Week 1.
Your caseload will build progressively as your confidence,



clinical reasoning and independence develop.
Regular clinical supervision
You'll receive ongoing supervision with experienced paediatric Occupational Therapists, with opportunities to discuss clients, clinical reasoning, assessments, intervention planning and professional development.
Mentoring beyond supervision
Sometimes you don't need a formal supervision session — you need someone available to help you think through what just happened in a session.
You'll work within a team where
asking questions is expected and learning is part of the job
.
Shadowing and supported practice
Your early development may include opportunities to observe experienced clinicians, participate in joint sessions and receive practical support as you develop your own therapeutic style.
Assessment development
You'll progressively build experience across paediatric assessment, clinical observation, goal setting, interpretation and report writing — with support rather than being expected to figure it out alone.
Clinical reasoning
We don't want to teach you a collection of activities.
We want you to understand
why
you're doing what you're doing.
You'll be supported to develop strong clinical reasoning and connect assessment findings, sensory‐motor development, participation, relationships and functional outcomes to intervention.
Professional development
You'll have opportunities to develop your knowledge across areas relevant to CFDC's clinical practice, including sensory integration‐informed intervention, regulation, motor development, functional participation and developmental approaches.
Our goal is simple:
By the end of your graduate year, we want you to look back and recognise how much you have grown — not just in confidence, but in the depth of your clinical reasoning.
What You'll Do
As your caseload develops, you will:
Provide occupational therapy to children and young people aged 0–25 years
Support sensory processing, regulation, motor development, praxis, self‐care, independence and participation
Complete assessments and contribute to comprehensive clinical recommendations
Develop meaningful, participation‐focused goals with children and families




Deliver individual and group‐based intervention
Work across clinic, school, early childhood, home and community environments
Collaborate with parents, educators and other professionals
Develop your skills in clinical documentation and report writing
Participate in team meetings, supervision, professional development and reflective practice
Contribute ideas to a growing and evolving paediatric practice
Who We're Looking For
We're less interested in how many paediatric courses you've already completed and more interested in
how you think, learn and connect with people.
You may be a great fit if you:
Are graduating in **** or are an early‐career Occupational Therapist
Know that working with children and families is where you want to build your career
Are curious and genuinely interested in understanding the why behind intervention
Are reflective and receptive to feedback
Value evidence‐based, strengths‐based and child‐led practice
Build genuine relationships with children and families
Are comfortable asking questions when you don't know something
Want mentorship rather than simply a workplace that gives you a caseload
Are excited by the opportunity to grow alongside a developing organisation
Essential Requirements
Bachelor's or Master's degree in Occupational Therapy
Eligibility for or current AHPRA registration
Working With Children Check
National Police Check
NDIS Worker Screening Check, or willingness to obtain
Driver's licence and access to a vehicle
Students completing their final OT placement or awaiting AHPRA registration are encouraged to apply.
Why Start Your Career at CFDC?
Because your first job should give you more than a caseload.
At CFDC, you'll have access to:
A structured New Graduate OT development pathway
Regular supervision and clinical mentoring
Gradual caseload progression
Shadowing and supported clinical learning
Purpose‐built paediatric therapy spaces
Sensory integration equipment and clinical exposure
Assessment and report‐writing development
Individual and group intervention opportunities
Work across clinic and education/community environments
A collaborative team where clinical discussion is encouraged
Professional development opportunities
Exposure to experienced paediatric clinicians
Opportunities to grow as CFDC continues to develop
Most importantly, you'll be joining a workplace that
expects you to still be learning
.
We aren't looking for a finished clinician.
We're looking for someone with the right foundations who wants to become an exceptional one.
#J-*****-Ljbffr

📌 New Graduate Occupational Therapist – Paediatrics (Sydney)
🏢 Centre for Developing Children
📍 Sydney