Diversional Therapists plan, design, coordinate and implement recreation and leisure-based activity programs to support, challenge and enhance the psychological, spiritual, social, emotional and physical wellbeing of individuals.
Occupation description
Diversional Therapists plan, design, coordinate and implement recreation and leisure-based activity programs to support, challenge and enhance the psychological, spiritual, social, emotional and physical wellbeing of individuals.
Occupations considered suitable under this ANZSCO code:
- Recreational Therapist
Specialisations:
- Activities Coordinator
- Activities Officer
Occupations not considered under this ANZSCO code:
- Aged or Disabled Carer
- Personal Carer
- Personal Care Worker
These occupations are classified elsewhere in ANZSCO.
Diversional Therapist is a VETASSESS Group D occupation.
This occupation requires a qualification assessed as comparable to the educational level of an Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) Certificate III or higher. Applicants can fulfil the assessment criteria for this occupation in four different ways.
Description of Pathways
The information below describes the available pathways for a Skills Assessment under Group D. Please note that in order to achieve a successful Skills Assessment Outcome, a suitable assessment for both qualifications and employment is required.
Pathway 1
This pathway requires a qualification assessed as comparable to the education level of an Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) Certificate IV or higher and in a field highly relevant to the nominated occupation.
Certificate IV or higher includes AQF Diploma, Advanced Diploma, Associate Degree, Bachelor Degree, Graduate Diploma, Master Degree or Doctoral Degree.
In addition, it is essential for applicants to meet the following employment criteria:
- at least one year of post-qualification employment at an appropriate skill level, undertaken in the last five years,
- working 20 hours or more per week, and
- highly relevant to the nominated occupation.
Please note: The qualification level requirement AQF Certificate IV or higher can be satisfied by one qualification, while the requirement for a highly relevant major can be met by a separate qualification at a minimum of AQF Certificate III level.
Pathway 2
This pathway requires a qualification assessed as comparable to the education level of an Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) Certificate IV or higher and in a field not highly relevant to the nominated occupation.
Certificate IV or higher includes AQF Diploma, Advanced Diploma, Associate Degree, Bachelor Degree, Graduate Diploma, Master Degree or Doctoral Degree.
In addition, it is essential for applicants to meet the following employment criteria:
- at least two year of post-qualification employment at an appropriate skill level, undertaken in the last five years,
- working 20 hours or more per week, and
- highly relevant to the nominated occupation.
Please note - This pathway applies where a qualification is assessed at AQF Certificate IV level or higher and is not highly relevant to the nominated occupation, or where no other relevant qualification at AQF Certificate III level is available for consideration.
Pathway 3
This pathway requires a qualification assessed as comparable to the education level of an Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) Certificate III in a field highly relevant to the nominated occupation.
In addition, it is essential for applicants to meet the following employment criteria:
- at least three years of post-qualification employment at an appropriate skill level, undertaken in the last five years,
- working 20 hours or more per week, and
- highly relevant to the nominated occupation.
Pathway 4
This pathway requires a qualification assessed as comparable to the education level of an Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) Certificate IV or higher with or without a highly relevant major field of study to the nominated occupation.
Certificate IV or higher includes AQF Diploma, Advanced Diploma, Associate Degree, Bachelor Degree, Graduate Diploma, Master Degree or Doctoral Degree.
In addition, it is essential for applicants to meet the following employment criteria:
- at least four years of employment at an appropriate skill level that includes at least one year of highly relevant employment within the last five years before applying,
- working 20 hours or more per week, and
- highly relevant to the nominated occupation.
Qualification and Employment Criteria
AQF Certificate IV or higher qualification*
This occupation requires a qualification in Diversional Therapy, including studies in Leisure and Health or Therapeutic Recreation.
*This includes qualifications assessed at AQF Certificate IV, Diploma, Associate Degree, Bachelor, Graduate Diploma, Master and Doctoral level.
Employment
Highly relevant tasks include:
- 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.
*If employment is prior to the completion of the qualification at the required level, an applicant must have at least one year of highly relevant employment at an appropriate skill level within the last five years. The remaining three years of pre-qualifying period may be within the last ten years. A positive assessment of both qualification level and employment duration is required for a positive Skills Assessment Outcome.
Employment information
Diversional Therapists usually work with people in aged care, who have physical or intellectual disabilities, or mental illness, as well as people undergoing medical treatment or rehabilitation from injury or surgery. They liaise with other health care professionals about the needs of their clients and discuss their clients’ interests and help them to find activities that appeal to them. They organise outings and activities for their clients, coordinate these activities and assist their clients in managing their lifestyle choices.
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