Specialist Occupational Therapy Education for Assistance-Animal Practice

The Assistance Animal Occupational Therapist (AAOT) credential is an advanced professional education programme developed by the Working Animals Federation of Australia (WAFA) specifically for qualified occupational therapists.

Assistance animals can play an important role in supporting people with disability to participate in everyday activities, increase independence and achieve meaningful occupational goals. However, determining whether an assistance animal is appropriate requires specialist knowledge extending beyond conventional occupational therapy education.

AAOT addresses this gap by integrating occupational therapy assessment and clinical reasoning with disability rights, assistance-animal legislation, animal behaviour and training, animal health and welfare, public access, risk management and interdisciplinary collaboration.

The programme prepares occupational therapists to critically evaluate assistance-animal interventions, consider alternative and complementary supports, assess the needs and capabilities of both the person and animal, and develop evidence-informed recommendations that promote safe, ethical and sustainable partnerships.

AAOT does not train occupational therapists to become animal trainers or veterinary professionals. Instead, it develops the specialist knowledge needed to work effectively alongside these professionals while maintaining occupational therapy's established scope of practice.

Designed at a level intended to reflect postgraduate academic complexity, AAOT combines ten specialist learning units, foundational education, applied assessments, professional feedback, a five-part Capstone and Professional Reflection.

Graduates may maintain their professional credential through continuing education, supervision, professional participation and practice currency, with optional advanced Tier 4 endorsements available for further specialisation.

Designed for Occupational Therapists Seeking Specialist Expertise in Assistance-Animal Practice

The Assistance Animal Occupational Therapist (AAOT) credential is designed for qualified, registered occupational therapists who wish to develop advanced professional competence in assessing, recommending and supporting assistance-animal interventions.

The programme is particularly relevant to occupational therapists working in disability services, rehabilitation, mental health, paediatrics, autism and neurodivergence, aged care, community health, assistive technology, functional capacity assessment and National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) services.

AAOT is suitable for occupational therapists who currently work with assistance-animal handlers, those who are increasingly being asked to prepare assistance-animal assessments or funding recommendations, and practitioners seeking to develop a specialist area of professional practice.

Entry Requirements

Applicants will ordinarily be expected to demonstrate:

• A recognised occupational therapy qualification and current registration with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA).

• Approximately five years of equivalent full-time professional occupational therapy experience, with consideration of alternative experience and exceptional entry applications.

• Appropriate professional standing, insurance, identification and relevant safeguarding clearances.

• Completion of required nationally recognised training prerequisites, including human and animal first aid, mental-health crisis response and domestic and family violence awareness, with approved alternatives where applicable.

• Completion of specified WAFA Tier 1 foundation education.

• Willingness to undertake interdisciplinary learning, practical assessments, professional reflection and ongoing professional development.

Flexible Learning for Practising Occupational Therapists

AAOT is delivered online and is designed to be completed over approximately 18 months to two years, with flexible progression and reasonable extensions where needed.

There is no fixed minimum number of workplace practice hours. Students are expected to maintain at least casual engagement in occupational therapy practice throughout their studies. Where additional practical exposure is needed to demonstrate particular competencies, students may arrange appropriate observation, professional shadowing or other approved learning opportunities.

Students receive access to specialist learning resources, the AAOT companion textbook, assessment guidance, professional feedback and a dedicated student learning community where they can engage with fellow students, WAFA educators and assessors.

Expressions of Interest — Developmental Pilot

WAFA is currently seeking expressions of interest from registered occupational therapists interested in participating in the AAOT developmental pilot.

Selected participants will undertake the full programme at a substantially reduced enrolment fee and contribute feedback to inform curriculum refinement before wider enrolment opens.

Interested in developing specialist assistance-animal expertise?

Contact admin@workinganimals.com.au to enquire about eligibility or register your interest in the pilot.

Ten Specialist Units. One Comprehensive Professional Credential.

The Assistance Animal Occupational Therapist (AAOT) programme integrates occupational therapy, disability practice, animal science, legislation, welfare and interdisciplinary professional knowledge into a structured learning pathway.

The curriculum comprises nationally recognised training prerequisites, additional foundation learning and ten specialist units, followed by an integrated professional portfolio, five-part Capstone and Professional Reflection.

Each unit connects specialist knowledge to occupational therapy assessment, clinical reasoning, ethical decision-making and practical application.

The Ten Specialist Learning Units

Unit 1 — Work Health and Safety in the Assistance Animal Industry

Workplace safety, hazard identification, risk assessment, emergency preparedness, equipment safety and the responsibilities of professionals working with assistance animals, handlers and members of the public.

Unit 2 — Environmental Sustainability in the Assistance Animal Industry

Sustainable animal-related interventions, equipment lifecycle, environmental impacts, responsible resource management, financial sustainability and the application of One Health and One Welfare principles.

Unit 3 — Infection Prevention, Biosecurity and One Health

Zoonotic diseases, infection prevention, hygiene, biosecurity, disease transmission, risk management and safe assistance-animal participation in healthcare, education, employment and community environments.

Unit 4 — Applied Canine Behaviour, Communication and Problem Solving

Canine development, cognition, communication, body language, behavioural assessment, problem-solving, animal history and recognising when veterinary or specialist behavioural referral is required.

Unit 5 — Assistance Animal Industry, Law, Ethics and Governance

Australian assistance-animal legislation, disability discrimination, public access rights, professional responsibilities, ethical decision-making, safeguarding, complaints, regulatory frameworks and organisational governance.

Unit 6 — Animal Behaviour, Welfare and Learning

Animal learning theory, training methodologies, reinforcement and punishment, welfare assessment, the Five Domains Model, animal agency, cooperative care, enrichment and ethical working-animal practice.

Unit 7 — Animal Health, Veterinary Care and First Aid

Animal anatomy and physiology, preventive healthcare, nutrition, conditioning, mobility, pain, fatigue, veterinary collaboration, first aid and the health considerations affecting sustainable assistance-animal work.

Unit 8 — Assistance Animal Selection, Training and Placement

Candidate suitability, ethical sourcing, person–animal matching, disability-related task analysis, training and task validation, public access assessment, equipment, placement and ongoing support.

Unit 9 — Occupational Therapy Assessment for Assistance Animals

Occupational profiles, functional assessment, participation goals, environmental analysis, alternative interventions, benefit–burden evaluation, funding recommendations, outcome measurement, succession planning and retirement.

Unit 10 — The Assistance Animal Profession

Interdisciplinary collaboration, professional boundaries, supervision, case management, documentation, research literacy, quality assurance, professional accountability and continuous improvement.

Learning Beyond the Ten Units

Nationally Recognised Training Prerequisites

Students complete or provide evidence of specified external training in human and animal first aid, mental-health crisis response, and domestic and family violence awareness, subject to approved equivalencies and currency requirements.

Additional Foundation Learning

Preparatory learning covers disability rights, occupational justice, safeguarding, cultural safety, neurodivergent-affirming practice, trauma-informed care, supported decision-making, academic integrity and interdisciplinary professional practice.

Applied Assessments and Professional Portfolio

Each unit includes assessments submitted for feedback and, where required, revision. Students subsequently bring their completed work together into a professional portfolio demonstrating progressive learning, applied competence and professional development.

Five-Part Capstone

The Capstone integrates interdisciplinary scholarship, evidence translation, professional engagement, practical contribution and complex occupational therapy case reasoning.

Professional Reflection

A separate reflective assessment enables students to examine how their knowledge, professional reasoning, ethical understanding and interdisciplinary competence have developed throughout the programme.

Learning Resources and Professional Support

Students receive access to the dedicated AAOT companion textbook, specialist educational resources, unit workbooks, assessment guidance, WAFA-developed professional frameworks and a dedicated Facebook learning group for enrolled students.

The programme also provides access to WAFA's interdisciplinary Community of Practice, supporting professional discussion, knowledge sharing and continuing development during enrolment and beyond graduation.

Develop the knowledge to assess the whole partnership — the person, the animal, the tasks, the environment and their changing needs over time.

AAOT combines self-paced online learning, applied assessments, professional feedback and interdisciplinary collaboration. Students are supported to develop and demonstrate competence progressively, rather than simply completing coursework.

Your Learning and Assessment Journey

1. Complete Your Foundation Learning

Students begin by confirming their eligibility, completing any outstanding nationally recognised training prerequisites and undertaking the required foundation learning.

2. Work Through the Ten Specialist Units

Each unit includes guided learning, research, practical activities and an applied assessment connecting specialist knowledge to occupational therapy practice.

3. Submit Assessments and Receive Feedback

Students submit each unit assessment for review by appropriately qualified assessors. Feedback identifies demonstrated competence, areas for improvement and opportunities to strengthen professional reasoning.

4. Revise and Resubmit

Where additional evidence or improvement is required, students receive guidance and may revise and resubmit their work. Completed assessments are subsequently incorporated into their professional portfolio.

5. Apply Learning in Professional Practice

Students maintain engagement in occupational therapy practice, at least casually, throughout enrolment. There is no fixed minimum number of workplace practice hours.

Where additional experience is needed for particular assessments, students may arrange professional observation, shadowing or other approved learning opportunities. WAFA intends to expand structured workplace-learning opportunities as the graduate network develops.

6. Complete the Five-Part Capstone

The Capstone integrates interdisciplinary scholarship, evidence translation, professional engagement, professional contribution and complex assistance-animal case reasoning.

7. Complete Your Professional Reflection

A separate Professional Reflection examines how the student's knowledge, clinical reasoning, ethical judgement and interdisciplinary competence have developed throughout the programme.

8. Submit Your Final Professional Portfolio

The final portfolio brings together the ten unit assessments, revisions informed by feedback, supporting evidence, five-part Capstone and Professional Reflection.

9. Graduate and Maintain Your Credential

Students who successfully demonstrate the required competencies receive their AAOT graduation certificate. Graduates who maintain active credential status may use the AAOT postnominal and approved professional logo. Graduates also have the opportunity to participate in advanced training in areas such as mobility & orientation (dog guides), non-traditional species (cats, miniature horses, parrots) and other endorsements.

AAOT recognises that occupational therapists bring diverse professional experiences, cultural backgrounds, learning preferences, communication needs and personal circumstances to postgraduate-level professional education.

The programme has been designed with an emphasis on accessibility, Universal Design for Learning, neurodivergent-affirming practice, trauma-informed education, cultural responsiveness, inclusion and reasonable adjustment.

WAFA recognises that professional education should maintain rigorous competency standards while avoiding unnecessary barriers to participation.

Flexible and Self-Paced Learning

AAOT is delivered online and is designed to be completed over approximately 18 months to two years.

Students may progress through the curriculum at a pace appropriate to their professional responsibilities, employment, disability, health, family commitments, caring responsibilities and other circumstances.

Reasonable extensions may be approved where additional time is required.

The programme does not require students to attend regular in-person classes or complete a prescribed number of workplace practice hours. Students are expected to remain engaged in occupational therapy practice, at least casually, throughout enrolment.

Where additional professional exposure is needed to complete particular assessments, students may arrange appropriate observation, shadowing, interdisciplinary consultation or other approved learning opportunities.

Accessible Learning Materials and Communication

AAOT aims to provide educational materials in formats that support a range of learning and accessibility needs.

Students may use appropriate assistive technologies, including screen readers, speech-to-text software, text-to-speech tools and other approved learning supports.

Written communication, accessible documents, flexible learning arrangements and alternative communication methods may be accommodated where appropriate.

Students are encouraged to discuss their accessibility requirements with WAFA so that suitable arrangements can be considered throughout their enrolment.

Reasonable Adjustments to Assessment

AAOT assessments are designed to evaluate professional competence rather than a student's ability to demonstrate knowledge through one prescribed communication or presentation method.

Reasonable adjustments may be available to assessment formats, submission arrangements, communication methods, timeframes or evidence presentation.

Depending on the competencies being assessed, adjustments may include additional time, alternative written or recorded formats, assistive technology, modified presentation arrangements or other suitable approaches.

Reasonable adjustments may change how competence is demonstrated, but do not remove essential professional, safety, ethical or animal-welfare requirements.

All students must demonstrate the core competencies required for graduation.

Neurodivergent-Affirming and Trauma-Informed Education

AAOT recognises neurodivergence, disability and lived experience as valuable perspectives within professional education and interdisciplinary practice.

The programme aims to avoid unnecessary assumptions about communication styles, learning preferences, executive functioning, sensory needs or the ways in which professional competence must be demonstrated.

Trauma-informed educational principles guide the programme's approach to communication, feedback, professional boundaries, choice, predictability and learner autonomy.

Students are encouraged to engage critically with professional material in ways that respect their individual circumstances and support meaningful participation.

Culturally Responsive and Inclusive Practice

AAOT incorporates disability rights, cultural safety, supported decision-making, occupational justice and inclusive professional practice throughout the curriculum.

Students are encouraged to consider how culture, geography, language, disability, socioeconomic circumstances, service access and other contextual factors influence assistance-animal assessment and occupational participation.

This includes consideration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and communities, rural and remote service delivery, culturally and linguistically diverse populations, and people experiencing barriers to conventional professional or disability services.

Individualised Professional Interests

Students may select assessment topics, research questions and Capstone activities that align with their professional interests and intended areas of specialisation.

Areas of focus may include particular disabilities, animal species, assistance-animal functions, client populations, practice environments, geographical contexts or emerging professional issues.

This flexibility allows students to develop knowledge relevant to their existing or intended practice while contributing diverse perspectives and educational resources to the wider AAOT professional community.

All individualised learning remains subject to the common learning outcomes and competency requirements of the credential.

Accessible Professional Participation

AAOT's student and graduate learning community and WAFA's broader Community of Practice operate primarily through asynchronous discussion, allowing participants to engage at times that suit their professional and personal circumstances.

Where Facebook participation is unsuitable, inaccessible or otherwise inappropriate, approved alternative professional learning activities may be used to meet relevant participation requirements.

Professional participation may include journal clubs, mentoring, research, professional consultation, educational contributions, case discussions or other approved activities.

Support Throughout Enrolment

Students have access to WAFA educational personnel, assessment feedback, learning resources and professional communities throughout the programme.

Where a student experiences difficulty meeting an assessment requirement, WAFA aims to provide appropriate feedback, clarification and opportunities for further learning or resubmission.

AAOT is committed to maintaining advanced professional education standards while recognising that accessibility, flexibility and inclusion are essential components of equitable learning.

AAOT uses an interdisciplinary assessment model designed to ensure that competence is evaluated across occupational therapy, education and assistance-animal practice.

AAOT's assessment framework provides for review by a minimum of two appropriately qualified assessors, with specialist input and moderation according to the competencies being assessed.

The assessment team includes professionals with relevant postgraduate qualifications and expertise in education, occupational therapy, animal behaviour, animal training, animal welfare and related disciplines. Specialist veterinary, legal, disability, mental-health or other professional input may be sought where required.

Individualised Learning and Areas of Professional Interest

AAOT assessments and Capstone components are deliberately designed to provide flexibility, allowing occupational therapists to explore areas of assistance-animal practice that align with their professional interests, existing experience, client populations and intended specialisations.

Where appropriate, students may choose assessment topics, case scenarios and research questions relating to particular disabilities, animal species, assistance-animal functions, age groups, practice environments or geographical contexts. Examples include autism, psychosocial disability, mobility or sensory impairment; canine, feline, miniature horse or avian assistance animals; guide, hearing, medical-response or mobility assistance; paediatric or aged-care practice; rural and remote service delivery; Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and culturally responsive practice; and emerging issues involving legislation, funding, public access or animal welfare.

This flexibility enables students to develop expertise relevant to their professional goals while contributing diverse perspectives, research and educational resources to the wider AAOT learning community.

All students must demonstrate the core competencies required for the AAOT credential, regardless of their chosen areas of interest. Individualised assessment topics do not remove essential learning outcomes or professional standards.

Assessment Quality Assurance and Feedback

All assessments are evaluated against defined marking criteria and supported by individualised professional feedback, moderation, opportunities for revision and resubmission, and conflict-of-interest safeguards.

Students are encouraged to use assessor feedback to strengthen their work, demonstrate professional growth and incorporate improved assessments into their final Professional Portfolio, alongside the five-part Capstone and separate Professional Reflection.

The developmental pilot will also inform ongoing refinement of assessment criteria, assessor calibration, marking consistency and moderation arrangements before wider programme delivery.

Dedicated AAOT Student and Graduate Community of Practice

Students and graduates have access to a private Facebook-based learning community restricted to current AAOT students, graduates and authorised WAFA educators, assessors and programme personnel.

The group supports course-related questions, professional discussion, peer learning, research sharing, mentoring and ongoing professional connections.

Wider WAFA Community of Practice

AAOT students and graduates also have access to WAFA's broader interdisciplinary Community of Practice, which welcomes occupational therapists and assistance-animal professionals.

Once AAOT is operational, facilitated professional discussion prompts will be introduced fortnightly. Members may also initiate discussions and share relevant resources at any time.

Professional participation continues beyond graduation as part of maintaining an active AAOT credential, with approved alternatives available where Facebook participation is unsuitable or inaccessible.

Professional Recognition Supported by Ongoing Learning, Supervision and Accountability

The Assistance Animal Occupational Therapist (AAOT) credential is designed to recognise not only the successful completion of specialist professional education, but also a continuing commitment to safe, ethical and evidence-informed assistance-animal occupational therapy practice.

Following graduation, credential holders are required to maintain their professional standing, undertake continuing professional development, participate in relevant professional supervision and demonstrate ongoing competence within their area of practice.

These requirements are designed to complement, rather than unnecessarily duplicate, existing obligations under the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) and the Occupational Therapy Board of Australia.

Continuing Professional Development (CPD)

AAOT graduates must maintain compliance with the continuing professional development requirements applicable to their occupational therapy registration.

An identifiable component of their professional development must remain relevant to assistance-animal practice. This may include animal behaviour and learning, animal welfare, veterinary and animal-health literacy, disability rights, assistance-animal legislation, public access, professional assessment, research or interdisciplinary practice.

Where an activity meets both AHPRA and WAFA requirements, it may be recognised under both frameworks without requiring duplicate learning or documentation.

Professional Supervision

Ongoing professional supervision is a requirement for maintaining an active AAOT credential.

Supervision should support reflective practice, professional reasoning, ethical decision-making, interdisciplinary collaboration and the management of complex assistance-animal cases.

Existing workplace, private-practice or professional supervision may satisfy AAOT requirements where it meaningfully addresses relevant specialist competencies.

WAFA also intends to develop a network of appropriately qualified AAOT professional supervisors who can provide individual and group supervision, including through the optional Tier 4 AAOT Professional Supervisor endorsement.

Professional Participation and Community of Practice

AAOT graduates are expected to remain actively engaged in professional learning and knowledge exchange.

Participation may include WAFA's Communities of Practice, professional case discussions, journal clubs, mentoring, research, conferences, educational activities, resource development or other approved professional contributions.

The dedicated AAOT Community of Practice provides an ongoing learning environment for current students and graduates, while WAFA's broader interdisciplinary Community of Practice supports collaboration with other occupational therapy and assistance-animal professionals.

Professional participation is designed to be accessible and flexible, with approved alternatives available where social media participation or synchronous activities are unsuitable.

Professional Practice and Currency

Maintaining an AAOT credential requires evidence of continuing professional competence relevant to the practitioner's actual scope.

Currency may be demonstrated through clinical practice, assistance-animal assessments, professional consultation, supervision, teaching, research, policy development, quality improvement or other substantive professional activities.

WAFA recognises that professional expertise may be maintained through different forms of practice and does not intend to restrict currency exclusively to a prescribed number of paid client cases.

Practitioners returning after an extended period away from specialist practice may be required to undertake additional professional development, supervision or competency review appropriate to their circumstances.

Registration, First Aid and Professional Requirements

Graduates must maintain current AHPRA occupational therapy registration, appropriate professional standing and relevant professional indemnity and public liability insurance.

They must also maintain applicable human first aid and CPR, animal first aid, mental-health crisis-response qualifications and other required training, subject to the currency periods and approved equivalencies specified by WAFA.

Relevant Working with Children Checks, NDIS Worker Screening Checks, police clearances and other safeguarding requirements must remain current where applicable to the practitioner's role and credential conditions.

Credential holders must continue to comply with professional conduct, confidentiality, disability rights, safeguarding, animal welfare and interdisciplinary scope-of-practice standards.

Annual Declaration and Credential Renewal

Graduates maintaining active AAOT status are required to complete an annual professional standing declaration confirming compliance with the applicable registration, continuing competence, supervision, professional participation, practice-currency and safeguarding requirements.

An annual credential-maintenance fee applies following graduation. This supports ongoing professional credential administration, continuing-competence processes and active credential verification.

Graduates who complete additional WAFA credentials or optional Tier 4 endorsements may access combined annual membership arrangements covering their highest completed tier and relevant lower-tier credentials.

Credential Status, Leave and Reinstatement

Successful completion of AAOT remains part of a graduate's professional history, even where their active credential status is subsequently paused or lapses.

Active status, including authorised use of the AAOT postnominal and professional logo, depends on meeting the applicable annual requirements.

Reasonable arrangements may be available for parental leave, disability, illness, injury, caring responsibilities, career interruptions or other legitimate circumstances.

Where a credential has become inactive, reinstatement requirements will be proportionate to the period of absence, professional circumstances and intended scope of practice.

Professional Standards and Continuing Competence Framework

WAFA's AAOT Professional Standards and Continuing Competence Framework establishes the requirements for professional standing, CPD, supervision, participation, practice currency, credential renewal, declarations and professional accountability.

The framework is designed to recognise existing occupational therapy obligations while ensuring that AAOT graduates continue to maintain the additional interdisciplinary knowledge required for specialist assistance-animal practice.

Final numerical requirements for specialist CPD, supervision, participation and practice currency will be confirmed following developmental review.

The complete AAOT Professional Standards and Continuing Competence Framework, including detailed annual requirements, renewal procedures and supporting policies, will be made available on the Working Animals Federation of Australia website in the coming weeks.

Successful completion of the Assistance Animal Occupational Therapist (AAOT) programme establishes a WAFA Tier 3 professional credential. Graduates may subsequently choose to undertake additional Tier 4 endorsements recognising advanced competence in specialist practice, professional education, assessment, supervision, mentoring and leadership.

Tier 4 is entirely optional for all AAOT graduates. Practitioners may maintain their Tier 3 credential throughout their careers without pursuing further endorsements.

AAOT Educator (AAOTe) — Train the Trainer

The AAOT Educator endorsement prepares appropriately qualified graduates to deliver approved AAOT education to other occupational therapists.

This pathway focuses on advanced teaching, curriculum delivery, professional education, learning facilitation and the translation of specialist assistance-animal knowledge into practical occupational therapy education.

Endorsed educators may contribute to professional workshops, continuing professional development, community education, interdisciplinary training and approved AAOT educational activities.

AAOT Assessor (AAOTt) — Train to Assess

The AAOT Assessor endorsement prepares eligible graduates to assess the work of occupational therapists undertaking the AAOT credential.

Training includes competency-based assessment, evidence evaluation, professional feedback, assessment moderation, consistency of marking, reasonable adjustments and professional accountability.

Endorsed assessors may contribute to the review of student assessments, Capstone components and professional portfolios, working alongside appropriately qualified education and assistance-animal professionals.

AAOT Professional Supervisor (AAOTs)

The AAOT Professional Supervisor endorsement prepares experienced graduates to provide specialist professional supervision to other occupational therapists working in assistance-animal practice.

Supervision may be delivered individually or in groups and can address complex case reasoning, professional boundaries, ethical decision-making, animal welfare, interdisciplinary collaboration, professional development and reflective practice.

This pathway is intended to help address the limited availability of assistance-animal-specific professional supervision, particularly for occupational therapists whose existing supervisors do not have specialist experience in this area.

Peer Leader

The Peer Leader endorsement develops skills in facilitating professional learning, group discussions, knowledge exchange and collaborative professional development.

Endorsed Peer Leaders may facilitate Community of Practice discussions, journal clubs, case-based learning activities, research discussions and other approved professional education initiatives.

This pathway supports a collaborative professional community in which graduates contribute to the continuing development of assistance-animal occupational therapy practice.

Peer Mentor

The Peer Mentor endorsement prepares experienced practitioners to support newer AAOT graduates through structured mentoring, professional guidance and workplace learning.

Endorsed mentors may assist with professional development planning, reflective practice, case discussion, observation, shadowing and approved workplace-learning opportunities.

As the AAOT graduate network develops, WAFA intends to establish additional opportunities for students and early-career AAOT practitioners to learn from appropriately qualified and experienced professionals.

Species-Specific Endorsements

Species-specific endorsements will allow eligible AAOT graduates to develop advanced knowledge relating to particular assistance-animal species.

Planned areas include canine, feline, miniature horse and avian assistance-animal practice.

These pathways may address species-specific behaviour, communication, welfare, health, husbandry, task suitability, environmental requirements and the implications for occupational therapy assessment and professional recommendations.

Function-Specific Endorsements

Function-specific endorsements will allow graduates to pursue advanced competence relating to particular assistance-animal tasks, disability-related needs and working functions.

Potential areas include guide and navigation assistance, hearing assistance, mobility support, medical alert and response, autism assistance, psychosocial disability support and complex disability-related functions.

These endorsements will focus on the occupational therapy implications of specialist assistance-animal functions, including assessment, task analysis, environmental fit, interdisciplinary collaboration, safety, welfare and outcome evaluation.

Flexible Professional Progression

Tier 4 endorsements are designed to support individual professional interests and career pathways.

Graduates may undertake one or multiple endorsements, subject to the relevant eligibility, experience, assessment and continuing-competence requirements.

Each endorsement builds upon the Tier 3 AAOT foundation and does not confer professional authority outside the practitioner's existing qualifications, registration or scope of practice.

Tier 4 programmes will operate through WAFA's professional education and membership framework, with a one-off enrolment fee for each programme and applicable reduced fees for additional programmes at the same tier.

Following completion, a combined annual membership fee will apply at the highest completed tier, incorporating relevant lower-tier credentials and continuing professional requirements.

Tier 4 endorsements are currently in development and will be introduced progressively. Detailed eligibility criteria, learning outcomes, assessment requirements and enrolment information will be published on the WAFA website as programmes become available.

Seven Years of Research, Professional Expertise and Interdisciplinary Collaboration

The Assistance Animal Occupational Therapist (AAOT) credential was developed by the Working Animals Federation of Australia (WAFA) through approximately seven years of research, curriculum development, professional consultation and continuous improvement.

The programme draws on expertise spanning occupational therapy, disability and inclusion, postgraduate education, curriculum design, animal behaviour and training, veterinary science, animal welfare, healthcare, law, professional assessment and human–animal interactions.

Its development has been informed by peer-reviewed research, Australian and international educational frameworks, professional standards, government legislation and policy, and consultation with professionals and people with lived experience.

Educational and Professional Expertise

The curriculum has benefited from contributions by professionals holding postgraduate qualifications in education, leadership, disability, mental health, animal sciences, law and related disciplines, alongside vocational qualifications and professional certifications in animal training, veterinary nursing, curriculum development and competency assessment.

Contributors bring experience in university and vocational education, Registered Training Organisation management, occupational therapy, assistance- and therapy-animal training, Public Access Test assessment, animal welfare, disability support and professional governance.

Importantly, the development process has incorporated the perspectives of assistance-animal handlers, therapy-animal handlers and people with lived experience of disability.

Broad Professional and Stakeholder Consultation

WAFA has sought input from occupational therapists, allied health and medical professionals, psychologists, psychiatrists, nurses, veterinarians, veterinary nurses, animal trainers, behaviour specialists, educators, lawyers, disability advocates, assistance-animal handlers, professional associations, government departments, regulators and international assistance-animal organisations.

Consultation has also considered public-access environments, including accommodation, real estate, hospitality, tourism, transport, healthcare, education and community services.

The nature and extent of engagement have varied. Contact with an individual or organisation does not necessarily indicate direct participation, approval or endorsement.

Evidence-Informed and Continuously Improving

AAOT is supported by a dedicated companion textbook, specialist educational resources, professional standards and WAFA-developed frameworks, some of which are undergoing separate scholarly peer review.

The curriculum continues to evolve in response to emerging research, changes in legislation and government policy, professional feedback and educational evaluation.

A developmental pilot involving five registered occupational therapists is being prepared to evaluate the complete learning experience and inform further refinement before wider enrolment.

Developed through interdisciplinary expertise, professional collaboration and lived experience, AAOT aims to advance safe, ethical, evidence-informed and sustainable assistance-animal occupational therapy practice.

Transparent Standards, Professional Accountability and Continuous Improvement

The Assistance Animal Occupational Therapist (AAOT) credential is developed and governed by the Working Animals Federation of Australia (WAFA) as a voluntary specialist professional credential for registered occupational therapists.

AAOT is supported by a comprehensive framework of professional standards, educational policies, assessment procedures and continuing-competence requirements designed to promote safe, ethical, evidence-informed and accountable assistance-animal occupational therapy practice.

The programme has been developed through approximately seven years of research, professional consultation, curriculum design and continuous improvement, drawing on occupational therapy, disability, animal behaviour and welfare, veterinary science, education, law and interdisciplinary professional practice.

Professional Standards and Continuing Competence

WAFA's AAOT Professional Standards and Continuing Competence Framework establishes expectations for professional conduct, ethical practice, disability rights, animal welfare, interdisciplinary collaboration, professional boundaries and ongoing competence.

Graduates are required to maintain appropriate professional registration, continuing professional development, supervision, professional participation, practice currency and other relevant professional requirements to retain active credential status.

These requirements are designed to complement, rather than unnecessarily duplicate, obligations established by AHPRA and the Occupational Therapy Board of Australia. Relevant professional learning and supervision may contribute to both frameworks where the applicable requirements are met.

Educational Quality Assurance and Assessment

AAOT uses an interdisciplinary assessment approach designed to evaluate both advanced occupational therapy reasoning and the specialist knowledge required for assistance-animal practice.

The proposed assessment framework provides for a minimum of two appropriately qualified assessors, drawing on postgraduate educational expertise and relevant occupational therapy, animal behaviour, training, welfare and other professional knowledge.

Assessments are evaluated against defined criteria and supported by individualised feedback, opportunities for revision and resubmission, moderation and conflict-of-interest safeguards.

Students progressively develop a Professional Portfolio incorporating their completed unit assessments, evidence of improvement, five-part Capstone and separate Professional Reflection.

The developmental pilot will help refine assessment procedures, assessor calibration, marking consistency and educational quality-assurance arrangements before wider programme delivery.

Professional Governance, Complaints and Appeals

WAFA is developing formal policies addressing programme entry, assessment, moderation, reasonable adjustments, academic integrity, professional conduct, complaints, appeals, credential maintenance and professional accountability.

These policies will provide transparent procedures for reviewing assessment decisions, managing conflicts of interest, responding to concerns and ensuring procedural fairness.

WAFA's professional credentialling responsibilities remain separate from the statutory functions of AHPRA, the Occupational Therapy Board of Australia and other relevant regulatory authorities.

Professional Credential Verification

WAFA intends to maintain a professional credential registry enabling employers, government agencies, professional organisations and members of the public to verify relevant AAOT credential information.

The proposed verification system will distinguish between historical completion of the credential and current active professional standing.

Active credential status will depend on compliance with applicable continuing-competence, professional standing and annual renewal requirements.

Publicly accessible information will be limited to appropriate credential details and managed in accordance with relevant privacy requirements.

Continuous Improvement and External Review

AAOT has been developed through an iterative process of reviewing emerging research, changes in legislation and government policy, professional standards, stakeholder feedback and developments in occupational therapy and assistance-animal practice.

This approach recognises that professional education must evolve alongside the evidence, regulatory environment and practical needs of the communities it serves.

WAFA intends to maintain ongoing curriculum review through learner and graduate feedback, assessor observations, interdisciplinary consultation, professional research, emerging evidence and changes in relevant policy and legislation.

A developmental pilot involving five registered occupational therapists is being prepared to evaluate the complete learning experience, including curriculum relevance, accessibility, assessment quality, workload, professional support and practical feasibility.

The pilot findings and their implications for curriculum refinement are intended to be reported in a separate future scholarly publication.

Several WAFA-developed professional frameworks are also undergoing independent scholarly peer review. These frameworks contribute to the programme's educational resources while remaining subject to ongoing evaluation and refinement.

Designed with Reference to AQF Level 9

AAOT has been deliberately designed with reference to the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) Level 9 expectations associated with master's-level education.

The curriculum incorporates advanced interdisciplinary knowledge, critical analysis, independent professional judgement, research literacy, evidence-informed practice and complex occupational therapy reasoning.

Its educational architecture includes nationally recognised training prerequisites, additional foundation learning, ten specialist units, applied assessments, a five-part Capstone, Professional Reflection and an integrated Professional Portfolio.

The intention is to provide an academically rigorous professional education pathway that prepares occupational therapists for complex assistance-animal practice while establishing a foundation for possible future formal postgraduate recognition.

Long-Term Goal: A TEQSA-Accredited Postgraduate Qualification

WAFA's long-term objective is to pursue the development of AAOT into a formally accredited AQF Level 9 postgraduate qualification, potentially through a partnership with an existing TEQSA-registered higher-education provider or another appropriate higher-education accreditation pathway.

The curriculum has been developed with this longer-term objective in mind.

Any future accredited postgraduate programme would be subject to the applicable Higher Education Standards Framework, academic governance requirements, external academic scrutiny, independent review, assessment quality assurance and formal approval processes.

AAOT is not currently an AQF qualification, university degree or TEQSA-accredited course. Its design with reference to AQF Level 9 does not itself confer formal accreditation, university credit or automatic recognition towards a future qualification.

Any future accreditation, recognition of prior learning or transition arrangements would depend on the requirements and decisions of the relevant registered higher-education provider and regulatory authorities.

Publication of Professional Standards and Policies

WAFA is preparing a publicly accessible collection of AAOT professional and educational documents, including the Professional Standards and Continuing Competence Framework, curriculum and assessment handbook, entry and enrolment requirements, assessment and appeals procedures, accessibility and reasonable-adjustment policies, privacy provisions, fee and refund arrangements, and credential verification information.

These documents are expected to become available on the Working Animals Federation of Australia website over the coming weeks, with links also provided through aaotcredential.com.au as individual documents are finalised.

This will allow prospective students, graduates, employers, government agencies, universities and other professional stakeholders to review the credential's educational requirements, governance arrangements and continuing professional expectations.

For further information, contact admin@workinganimals.com.au.

AAOT is a voluntary WAFA professional credential designed to support advanced specialist occupational therapy practice. Its current professional credential status is separate from its longer-term objective of pursuing formal postgraduate accreditation.

WAFA is currently inviting expressions of interest from five registered occupational therapists interested in participating in the AAOT developmental pilot.

The developmental pilot offers additional opportunities for feedback, collaborative curriculum refinement and flexible support, while retaining the same essential competency and graduation requirements.

Benefits of participating include:

• Substantially discounted enrolment: A reduced one-off programme fee in recognition of participation in curriculum evaluation.

• Full graduation recognition: Successful participants receive the same AAOT professional credential and graduation certificate as future graduates.

• Professional postnominal and logo: Active graduates may use the AAOT postnominal and approved logo in accordance with WAFA requirements.

• Continuing professional membership: Access to annual credential maintenance, specialist professional learning, CPD, supervision and professional participation opportunities.

• Optional Tier 4 progression: Eligibility to apply for advanced endorsements in education, assessment, supervision, mentoring, professional leadership or specialist practice.

• Ongoing access to resources: Continued access to applicable WAFA learning materials, professional frameworks, educational resources and Communities of Practice.

• Research and publication opportunities: Opportunities to contribute to the pilot evaluation and potentially a future journal publication, subject to voluntary participation and appropriate authorship requirements.

• Influence future programme development: Direct input into the refinement of curriculum content, assessment processes and professional support arrangements.

The pilot maintains the same essential competency and graduation standards as the full programme. Its developmental nature allows greater flexibility, feedback and collaborative improvement.

One Programme Fee. Ongoing Professional Development.

AAOT operates on a single enrolment-fee model covering the programme and approved completion arrangements.

Following graduation, an annual credential-maintenance fee applies to retain active AAOT status, professional registry recognition and use of the AAOT postnominal and logo.

Graduates maintain their credential through appropriate continuing professional development, supervision, professional participation, practice currency, current professional registration, applicable safeguarding requirements and annual declarations.

These requirements are designed to complement rather than unnecessarily duplicate existing AHPRA and Occupational Therapy Board obligations. Relevant activities may satisfy both systems where the applicable requirements are met.

Graduates who pursue optional Tier 4 endorsements may access WAFA's combined annual membership arrangements, covering their highest completed tier and relevant lower-tier credentials.

Register Your Interest

Help shape the future of assistance-animal occupational therapy education.

WAFA welcomes enquiries from registered occupational therapists interested in joining the developmental pilot or learning more about the AAOT credential.

Email: admin@workinganimals.com.au

Website: aaotcredential.com.au

AAOT is a voluntary professional credential developed by the Working Animals Federation of Australia (WAFA). It is not currently an AQF qualification or TEQSA-accredited higher-education course.