How to become a Diversional Therapist
Diversional therapists provide recreational and leisure services for individuals in healthcare centres and in the community to encourage them to take part in activities, assist in their social development and promote a sense of wellbeing.
Personal requirements for a Diversional Therapist
- Enjoy helping and interacting with people
- Interested in leisure and recreation as a way of promoting wellbeing
- Sensitive to the needs of a wide range of individuals
- Able to work as part of a team
- Able to coordinate and lead group activities
Education & Training for a Diversional Therapist
To become a diversional therapist you usually have to complete a degree in health science at university with a major in leisure and health or therapeutic recreation. To get into these courses you usually need to gain your Senior Secondary Certificate of Education with English. A number of universities in Australia offer degrees in these areas. Universities have different prerequisites and some have flexible entry requirements or offer external study. Contact the institutions you are interested in for more information.
Additional information
Before undertaking clinical placements required by courses, students will need to obtain a National Police Certificate, a Provide First Aid Certificate and immunisations, and undergo a Working with Children Check. Contact the institutions you are interested in for more information. Graduates of the degree courses may be eligible for membership of Diversional Therapy Australia.
Duties & Tasks of a Diversional Therapist
Diversional therapists:
- Help clients to identify their preferred recreational activities
- Encourage and support clients to take part in activities suited to their particular needs and interests
- Provide information on resources available within the local community and from associated agencies
- Perform administrative duties
- Arrange for the purchase of leisure and recreational supplies and equipment
- Organise leisure and recreational events
- Train and supervise volunteers
- Encourage interaction between clients and the community.
Tasks
- Adapting programs to suit individual clients' needs, interests, skills and abilities
- 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
- 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
- Identifying individual needs through task analysis
- 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
- 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
Working conditions for a Diversional Therapist
Diversional therapists work with a wide range of clients whose needs arise from ageing, physical or intellectual disabilities, mental illness or undergoing medical treatment. They work alongside other health and community workers to help clients reach their full potential.
Employment Opportunities for a Diversional Therapist
Diversional therapists work with individuals and groups in a range of settings, including aged-care facilities, respite care, community health centres and retirement villages. Diversional therapy programs are also offered in the geriatric, psychiatric and rehabilitation departments of public and private hospitals, as well as in correctional institutions, often in association with occupational therapy services. Diversional therapists may also work in agencies and institutions that provide special services for clients with visual, hearing and speech disabilities. These include Vision Australia, MS Australia and the Australian Red Cross. They may also work in private practices or consultancies. Job opportunities depend on the number of people living in agedcare facilities and residential care institutions, the number of aged citizens and funding for institutions and programs.
Specializations
Diversional Therapist
Diversional therapists provide recreational and leisure services for individuals in healthcare centres and in the community to encourage them to take part in activities, assist in their social development and promote a sense of wellbeing.
Average age
53
Future Growth
Positive
Gender Share
91% female
Average full-time
40 hours
Weekly Pay
$1,130
Skill level rating
Medium skill
Unemployment
Lower unemployment
Full-Time Share
40%
Employment Size
6,200
Employment by state
ACT: 1.2%
NSW: 37.5%
NT: 0.2%
QLD: 20.0%
SA: 8.4%
TAS: 3.0%
VIC: 25.8%
WA: 3.9%
Age brackets
15-19: 0.5%
20-24: 3.2%
25-34: 10.1%
35-44: 15.3%
45-54: 31.1%
55-59: 18.9%
60-64: 13.8%
65 and Over: 7.2%
Education level
Advanced Diploma/Diploma: 25.9%
Bachelor degree: 14.1%
Below Year 10: 0%
Certificate III/IV: 40.6%
Post Graduate/Graduate Diploma or Graduate Certificate: 3.6%
Year 10 and below: 7.5%
Year 11: 2.2%
Year 12: 6.1%
Years 11 & 10: 0%
