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About the Australian Orthotic Prosthetic Association
The Australian Orthotic Prosthetic Association (AOPA) is the peak professional body for orthotist/prosthetists in Australia. AOPA self‐regulates the
profession through the establishment of standards, codes and guidelines, which are upheld by AOPA certified practitioners. Our certified practitioners
are qualified orthotist/prosthetists employed throughout the public and private sectors. They provide the full range of orthotic and prosthetic clinical
care to support mobility, quality of life, rehabilitation, and participation goals of their clients. AOPA’s mission is to provide a robust self‐regulatory
environment for the profession and thereby ensure the delivery of safe and effective orthotic and prosthetic care for the Australian consumer. AOPA
also has a role in member representation and the delivery of member benefits, which contributes to the growth of the profession, the shaping of
clinical services and maintaining a profession of excellence.
For more information about the Australian Orthotic Prosthetic Association, visit www.aopa.org.au
© The Australian Orthotic Prosthetic Association 2016
Disclaimer: The Australian Orthotic Prosthetic Association has taken care to ensure that at the date of publication, information within this document is
accurate, up‐to‐date and free from errors, however it may not cover all relevant aspects of the Migration Skills Assessment process dependent upon
how the information is being utilised. The AOPA therefore does not make any warranty about the accuracy, reliability, currency or completeness of the
material contained within the document. The AOPA and any individual or organisation associated with the preparation of this document disclaim any
and all liability associated with any loss the user of this document may suffer as a result of reliance on the document. Individuals should exercise their
own independent skill and judgment before relying on this document.
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Contents
1. Introduction 4
1.1 Orthotists/prosthetists in Australia 4
1.2 The Skilled Occupations List 5
1.3 The Australian Orthotic Prosthetic Association 5
2. Applying for Skills Assessment 5
3. Skills Assessment process 6
4. Skills assessment outcome 6
5. Fees for Skills Assessment 7
6. Applicant Support 7
7. Essential reading 7
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1. Introduction
This Guide explains the process to apply for a Skills Assessment for the purpose of Skilled Migration as an
Orthotist/Prosthetist (251912). This document outlines the skills assessment process only. It does not outline
the standards and criteria for a skills assessment through AOPA.
The standards and criteria details are outlined in the following document:
• AOPA Assessment of Competence Pathway: Applicant’s Guide.
You must read both these documents carefully prior to submitting your application. All documents are
available on the AOPA website at www.aopa.org.au
1.1 Orthotists/prosthetists in Australia
The role of the orthotist/prosthetist is to promote quality of life through a client centred approach to the
provision of orthotic and prosthetic treatment. Orthotist/prosthetists assess the physical and functional
limitations of people resulting from illnesses and disabilities, including limb amputations, and provide
orthoses and prostheses to restore function or compensate for muscular and skeletal disabilities.
Prosthetist/orthotists perform tasks of the occupation which include:
• assessing clients' emotional, psychological, developmental and physical capabilities using clinical
observations, evidence based assessment techniques and outcome measures
• designing, prescribing and fitting orthoses and prostheses with the client to meet their personal and
treatment goals
• undertaking and/or co-ordinating the safe manufacture of orthoses and prostheses
• evaluating the fit, function, quality and safety of orthoses/prostheses and modifying them as
required to ensure a client’s personal and functional outcomes in relation to established treatment
goals
• working with other health professionals to enhance collaborative practice to improve client access
to care via coordinated team reports, care plans and service improvement activities
• working with external bodies to provide specialist advice to specific client groups such as those
requiring third-party compensation and medico-legal representation
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• recording clients' progress and maintaining professional relationships in accordance with relevant
legislative requirements and ethical guidelines
• maintaining and extending professional competence to ensure new techniques, technology and
evidence are integrated into practice
1.2 The Skilled Occupations List
The profession of Orthotist/Prosthetist was added to the Skilled Occupations list in July 2016. This means that
you can nominate the occupation of Orthotist/Prosthetist for temporary or permanent skilled migration
under a range of migration programs. Further details regarding the range of work visa options is available at:
https://www.border.gov.au/Trav/Work/Work
1.3 The Australian Orthotic Prosthetic Association
The Australian Orthotic Prosthetic Association (AOPA) is the peak body for orthotist/prosthetists in Australia
and self-regulates the profession. The role that AOPA plays in self-regulation ensures that
orthotists/prosthetists are competent and provide quality services through setting standards which the
membership are required to uphold including but not limited to: Ethical Code and Professional Conduct,
Competency Standards, and mandatory Continuing Professional Development.
AOPA has been appointed by the Australian Government Department of Immigration and Border Protection
as the Skills Assessing Authority for the profession of Orthotist/Prosthetist (251912). AOPA is responsible for
undertaking skills assessments for migration purposes and is not an employment agency. AOPA will not reply
to requests for job placement and cannot provide advice on the likely success of your visa application or
ability to secure employment in Australia.
2. Applying for Skills Assessment
To apply for a Skills Assessment the Application Form for Skilled Migration (Orthotist/Prosthetist) must be
completed and the associated fee paid. Supporting documentation as outlined on the form must be
submitted.
AOPA will assess the application form to determine whether your application is appropriate for a Skills
Assessment to be conducted by AOPA. If your application is appropriate, you will be invited to submit a full
application for a skills assessment. For example, if you do not hold an Orthotic/Prosthetic qualification your
application will not proceed to the skills assessment stage.
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3. Skills Assessment process
The AOPA skills assessment process has 2 stages and is often referred to as the Competency Assessment
Pathway. This pathway is the same as the AOPA membership pathway for practitioners with a non-accredited
qualification, such as, qualifications obtained from institutions outside of Australia or non-accredited
qualifications. The 2 stages are known as:
• Stage 1: Desk-top Review
• Stage 2: Portfolio of Evidence
Both stages must be successfully completed to receive a positive skills assessment. You will be invited to
apply for stage one initially. After successfully completing stage one, you will be invited to apply for stage
two.
Stage one focusses on an assessment of externally assessed attributes, such as your qualification level and
English language skills. Stage two focusses on the assessment of your competencies in relation to orthotic
and prosthetic clinical practice. AOPA’s skills assessment process does not require you to be in Australia or to
sit an exam. It does however require you to submit an extensive number of support and evidence
documents. Therefore, you should be familiar with the skills assessment standards, assessment criteria and
application process to ensure your application is strong and you understand the process.
Full details of the requirements of each stage are outlined in the AOPA Assessment of Competence Pathway:
Applicant’s Guide. This is available on the AOPA website and can be emailed on request.
4. Skills assessment outcome
An application for skills assessment has two possible outcomes.
1. Successful: A positive skills assessment outcome means that your application has passed the two
stage of the competency assessment and you therefore meet the requirements to practice in
Australia. If you receive a positive skills assessment outcome you are also eligible for AOPA
membership (certification) which will be offered to you at no additional application change. Annual
membership fees will apply.
2. Unsuccessful: If your application outcome is not positive it means that you do not currently meet the
entry level requirements to practice as an Orthotist/Prosthetist. You will not be eligible to apply for
AOPA membership (certification).
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5. Fees for Skills Assessment
AOPA has a three stage fee process for the complete skills assessment for Orthotist/Prosthetist. Each stage is
paid individually. The first fee is for the initial application, the second is for the first stage of assessment, and
the third for the final stage. The fee schedule is available on the AOPA website: www.aopa.org.au
6. Applicant Support
AOPA can provide support to potential applicant’s regarding the skills assessment process. This support can
be provided by email or phone. Support is only available in relation to the application process for skills
assessment. AOPA is unable to provide support or advice relating to visa applications or employment or the
likelihood of a positive skills assessment. Please email any questions you may have to [email protected]
7. Essential reading
• AOPA Constitution
• AOPA By-laws:
o By Law 1 Membership Criteria
o By Law 2 Recency of Practice
o By Law 3 Assessment of Membership applications
• Assessment of Competence Pathway: Applicant’s Guide
• AOPA Entry Level Competency Standards for Orthotist/Prosthetists in Australia (2014)
• AOPA Application Form for Skills Migration (Orthotist/Prosthetist)
• AOPA Fee Structure: Assessment of Competence Pathway