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Skilled Migration: Orthotist/Prosthetist (251912)

Applicant’s Guide

July 2017

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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 admin@aopa.org.au

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