Mental Health Occupational Therapist jobs in Cairns, QLD

Mental Health Occupational Therapist work in Cairns, QLD

Mental Health Occupational Therapist roles in Cairns, QLD sit within significant and ongoing workforce shortages across all disciplines. Cultural competency is essential. Rural outreach, remote community, and ATSI-specific roles are particularly active. Incentives including accommodation assistance are commonly offered. mental health occupational therapist positions are found across public health services, community organisations, and private practice in the region.

Occupational Therapists (OTs) working in mental health focus on enabling people to participate in meaningful everyday activities — work, self-care, social connection — that are disrupted by mental illness. They conduct functional assessments, develop rehabilitation plans, and work alongside people in their home and community environments.

Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service (CHHHS) delivers public mental health services across Far North Queensland, including inpatient care at Cairns Hospital, community mental health teams, and specialist services. The CHHHS catchment extends to remote communities across Cape York, the Torres Strait, and the Gulf Country, with significant outreach and fly-in fly-out service delivery roles.

Qualifications typically required

• Bachelor or Masters of Occupational Therapy (AHPRA-accredited)
• AHPRA registration as an Occupational Therapist
• Mental health clinical placement or experience
• NDIS Worker Screening Check for community roles

Key employers in Cairns, QLD

• Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service
• Cairns Hospital
• headspace Cairns
• North Queensland PHN
• Lives Lived Well
• UnitingCare Queensland
• Queensland Health
• Apunipima Cape York Health Council