Occupational therapy (OT) helps children build the everyday skills they need to play, learn and grow — from fine motor and sensory processing to daily-living tasks like dressing and mealtimes. This guide explains what paediatric OT involves, how to know if it might help your child, and how to choose a Gold Coast provider. The providers featured on this page span suburbs including Varsity Lakes, Southport, Ashmore, Robina and Burleigh Heads.
Gold Coast (Burleigh Heads) paediatric therapy centre offering occupational therapy, physiotherapy, exercise physiology, and intensive therapy programs for children with diverse conditions including cerebral palsy, autism, ADHD, and genetic disorders, focusing on motor, sensory, and functional skill development.
Hiya Health Labrador offers occupational therapy (including paediatric OT), physiotherapy (including paediatric physio), and telehealth dietetics, alongside exercise physiology and hydrotherapy. Services include NDIS access support, home visits, and telehealth. Immediate availability noted for OT, physio, and exercise physiology on afternoons and weekends.
Hiya Health Burleigh Heads offers physiotherapy (incl. paediatric physio), occupational therapy, exercise physiology, and dietetics. Services children, adults and seniors across the southern Gold Coast to Tweed. Home visits and telehealth available; GAP-free initial appointments on select services.
My Therapy Space offers Speech Pathology, Occupational Therapy, Dietitian services, and Therapy Assistant programs at Burleigh Waters and Hope Island, including individual, pairs, group, and intensive therapy, plus workshops for families.
Mobile paediatric allied health provider servicing Gold Coast and Tweed Coast (Pottsville to Ormeau), offering occupational therapy, speech pathology, and physiotherapy in homes, schools, and daycares with a play-based, family-centred approach.
OTFC provides occupational therapy for children aged 0-18 using play-based, sensory-focused approaches, including assessments, groups, camps, in-community therapy, and NDIS support. Multiple Australian locations including Gold Coast (Burleigh Heads). Offers free meet-and-greet consultations.
My Therapy Space offers Speech Pathology, Occupational Therapy, Dietitian services, and Therapy Assistant programs, including individual, pairs, group, and intensive therapy formats, plus workshops for families.
Mudgeeraba-based paediatric occupational therapy clinic seeing children aged 2–17 across the Gold Coast and Northern NSW, offering play-based, neurodiversity-affirming OT in clinic, home or community; independent speech pathology and psychology clinicians also share the space.
Occupational therapy for kids focuses on the "occupations" of childhood — playing, learning, self-care and connecting with others. A paediatric OT looks at how your child moves, processes information from their senses, and manages daily routines, then works on the underlying skills that make these activities easier.
Common areas of support include:
Sessions are usually play-based and tailored to your child's goals, with practical strategies you can carry over at home and at school.
Every child develops at their own pace, but you might consider an OT assessment if your child:
An OT can also support children with diagnoses such as autism, ADHD, developmental delay, or coordination difficulties. If you have any medical concerns, speak with your GP or paediatrician first.
Paediatric OT can help from the early years right through to the teenage years. Early intervention (roughly ages 0–6) is often emphasised because young children's skills are developing rapidly, but many practices also support school-aged children and adolescents with handwriting, organisation, independence and self-care goals.
The first session is usually an assessment and a chance for the therapist to get to know your child and family. Expect the OT to:
Bring any relevant reports (paediatrician letters, school observations, previous assessments) and think ahead about the specific goals that matter most to your family. It's completely fine to ask questions and take notes.
As a general guide, private OT sessions in Australia commonly range from around $180 to $220+ per hour, and assessments or reports may be charged separately. The NDIS publishes price caps in its Pricing Arrangements each year, which registered providers must follow — these caps set the maximum, and actual fees vary between practices. Always confirm current pricing directly with the provider, as figures change over time.
Under the NDIS, occupational therapy usually sits within the Capacity Building — Improved Daily Living budget. If your child has this funding in their plan, it can generally be used for OT assessment, therapy sessions and reports. Some families access OT privately, through Medicare (if eligible under a GP Chronic Disease Management or mental health plan — usually with a rebate on a limited number of visits), or via private health extras.
When comparing OT clinics on the Gold Coast, check the following:
Taking the time to ask these questions helps you find a provider that fits your child, your funding and your family's routine.
Or read the full occupational therapy guide, or browse all Gold Coast providers.
For private OT you generally don't need a referral. However, a referral may be needed to access Medicare rebates, and your GP or paediatrician can be a helpful starting point if you have medical concerns or want reports for the NDIS.
Yes, OT typically falls under the Capacity Building — Improved Daily Living budget. Whether you can choose any provider depends on how your plan is managed: agency-managed plans usually require NDIS-registered providers, while plan-managed and self-managed families have more flexibility. Confirm details with your provider or plan manager.
As a general guide, sessions often range from around $180 to $220+ per hour, with assessments and reports sometimes charged separately. NDIS price caps set the maximum registered providers can charge. Prices vary and change over time, so always confirm current fees directly with the clinic.
Waitlists vary widely between clinics and suburbs, and can change throughout the year. It's best to phone a few providers to compare current wait times, and ask whether they offer telehealth or cancellation lists that might get your child started sooner.
Every occupational therapist must be registered with AHPRA. Membership of Occupational Therapy Australia and specific experience working with children of your child's age and needs are also worth checking before you book.