Occupational Therapy Graduate Program
Start your OT career in Melbourne with real caseloads, mixed scope across NDIS, paediatrics and AT, and a team that’s been exactly where you are.
Allied health graduate program - designed for learning and growth
Starting your career as a new graduate occupational therapist is exciting, and a little bit terrifying. You’ve spent years learning how to be a clinician, and now it’s time to actually be one. That gap between university and your first OT job is real, and it matters who you do it with.
At Ignite, we built our OT graduate program because we’ve been exactly where you are. Our leadership team is made up of clinicians. Decisions are made close to the work, not in a boardroom. There’s no big corporate layer, just people who understand what it takes to do this work well, and who want to make it easier for you to do the same.
Everyone’s path looks a little different. Some new grad OTs know from day one the area they want to specialise in. Others are more focused on exploring, trying different things, and seeing what fits. And many are still figuring it out – which is completely okay. We’ve built our program around that reality.
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What to expect from your caseload
In your graduate year, your caseload is deliberately varied. This isn’t accidental; it’s how you figure out what kind of OT you want to become. You don’t need to have it sorted from day one. We’ll help you get there.
NDIS & community
The majority of our OT work sits in the NDIS community space.
You’ll work with participants across a broad range of disabilities and ages, helping people reach their goals; in their homes, community settings, and our hubs.
If you’ve ever wondered what community OT really looks like in practice, this is where you find out.
Paediatrics
Paediatric OT is a significant and deeply rewarding part of what we do. You’ll support children with developmental delays, sensory processing differences, autism, and complex needs; in homes, schools, and our hubs.
If paediatric OT is where you see your career heading, this is the right place to build that foundation.
And if you’re not sure yet, spending time in paeds will help you figure it out.
Assistive technology and home modifications
Assistive technology (AT) and home modifications (HM) are some of the most in demand OT skills across NDIS and Support at Home, and one most new grads don’t get much exposure to.
At Ignite you’ll gain hands-on experience with equipment prescription, and home modification assessments. It’s one of the areas where you can genuinely stand out when they’re a few years into their careers.
Healthy ageing
You’ll support older adults living at home through Support at Home – the Australian Government’s community aged care program, which replaces the former Home Care Package and Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP).
The work spans home modification assessments, equipment prescription, functional capacity evaluations, and capacity building to help people stay safe, independent, and connected to the things that matter to them.
What you'll need to apply
- A completed Bachelor or Masters of Occupational Therapy
- Current or pending AHPRA registration
- NDIS Worker Screening Check (or willingness to obtain prior to starting)
- A valid Australian driver's licence and access to a reliable vehicle
- Working with Children Check (or willingness to obtain prior to starting)
- Police Check (or willingness to obtain prior to starting)
- A genuine interest in community-based, person-centred care with NDIS participants
Meet some of the people around the hub
As one of our Grad Program alumni, Samuel knows exactly what it’s like to be in your shoes.
He loves all things physiotherapy, and he’s just as happy talking anime, sport, or whatever random topic pops up in the hub. He’s got that easy-going vibe that makes people feel comfortable straight away, and he’s genuinely excited about helping people.
Emma joined Ignite as a student on placement and has been with us ever since. Ticking over three years as an Igniter, she’s become a steady, trusted part of the team.
She’s the epitome of cool, calm, and collected, with an air of quiet confidence, kind energy, and genuinely lovely to work with.
Are you ready to apply?
We’re currently taking applications for our 2026 cohort. Spots are limited, if this sounds like the right start to your career, we’d love to hear from you.
Call Nikita on 0450 306 496 for a confidential chat, or fill in the application form below.
Frequently asked questions
Yes, you’ll need to have applied for and received your registration from AHPRA before your start date. We can help you understand what’s required and time your application to align with your start.
Our graduate program runs across Melbourne. You can apply via the general ‘Melbourne’ role and we’ll match you to your most suitable hub in either Melbourne’s North, Southeast, or West.
The first year is deliberately broad; exposure across settings helps you make an informed decision about where to go. By the end of your graduate year you’ll have a clearer sense of your interests, and we’ll support you to grow in that direction.
Absolutely. We accept applications on a rolling basis. If you’re graduating in the coming year, and interested in joining our team, get in touch and we’ll talk through timing.