Diversional Therapist Career and Immigration options for Australia

Profile Title: Diversional Therapist Career and Immigration options for Australia

Alternative Title:Recreational Therapist

ANZSCO Code: 411311 | Unit Code: 4113

Skill Level: Level 3 | Work Experience: 1 Years

Assessing Bodies: Vocational Education and Training Assessment Services (VETASSESS)

Skill Occupation List (SOL): STSOL

Specialization: Activities Coordinator Activities Officer

Profile Description: Plans, designs, coordinates and implements recreation and leisure-based activity programs to support, challenge and enhance the psychological, spiritual, social, emotional and physical wellbeing of individuals. Registration or licensing may be required.

Job Duties:

• planning and implementing leisure activity programs for individuals in health care and in the community to assist in their social development, and promote their sense of wellbeing
• identifying individual needs through task analysis
• evaluating and assessing clients levels of abilities, interests, needs, strengths and weaknesses, and their ability to carry out a range of tasks and interact with others
• maintaining a knowledge of resources available within a facility and within the community
• organising leisure and recreational events
• assisting with training and supervising volunteers and staff
• providing information on available support resources within the local community
• encouraging and supporting clients to take part in activities suited to their particular needs and interests
• adapting programs to suit individual clients needs, interests, skills and abilities

Skill Level Description: Most occupations in this unit group have a level of skill commensurate with the qualifications and experience outlined below. In Australia: AQF Certificate III including at least two years of on-the-job training, or AQF Certificate IV (ANZSCO Skill Level 3) In New Zealand: NZ Register Level 4 qualification (ANZSCO Skill Level 3) At least three years of relevant experience may substitute for the formal qualifications listed above. In some instances relevant experience and/or on-the-job training may be required in addition to the formal qualification. Registration or licensing may be required.

Available Visa Options (As on February 2024):

• 190 - Skilled Nominated (subclass 190)
• 407 - Training visa (subclass 407)
• 489 - Skilled Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 489) - State or Territory nominated
• 482 - Temporary Skill Shortage visa (subclass 482) - Short Term Stream
• 187 - Regional Sponsor Migration Scheme (subclass 187)
• 494 - Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (provisional) (subclass 494) - Employer sponsored stream
• 491 - Skilled Work Regional (provisional) visa (subclass 491) State or Territory nominated

Registration or Licensing: may be required

Industries: Diversional Therapists are nearly all employed in Health Care and Social Assistance

Education Profile: The most common level of educational attainment for Diversional Therapists is Certificate III/IV (60.9 per cent).

Job Opening: Over the five years to November 2019, the number of job openings for Diversional Therapists is expected to be low (equal to or less than 5,000). Job openings count both employment growth and turnover (defined as workers leaving their occupation for other employment or leaving the workforce).

Age Group: The main age group is 45-54 years (33.3 per cent) and the median age is 55 years (compared to 40 years for all occupations).

Gender: The female share of Diversional Therapists is 95.2 per cent and 49.2 per cent of Diversional Therapists work full time. Average weekly hours for full time workers are 33.8 (compared to 40.2 for all occupations).

Earning: In August 2014 (latest available data) weekly earnings full-time before tax (and not including employer superannuation) were $982 (compared to earnings for all occupations of $1,200).

Employment: Employment for this occupation rose very strongly (in percentage terms) in the past five years and rose very strongly in the long-term (ten years). Looking forward, employment for Diversional Therapists to November 2020 is expected to grow strongly.