Is Occupational Therapy legally regulated in Austria?

Legally regulated health profession (MTD Act). Listed in the health professions register (GBR).

Does Occupational Therapy treat illnesses?

Yes, on medical prescription. In prevention also without prescription.

What is Occupational Therapy allowed to do?

Foster everyday functioning after illness, injury or with disability. Support daily structure, activation and independence in mental illness. Work with all age groups, including children. Recommend aids and adaptations.

Where are the limits of Occupational Therapy?

No diagnosis of mental illness. No medication. A medical prescription is required for the insurance benefit.

How do I recognise good quality in Occupational Therapy?

Listed in the health professions register. Works on concrete everyday goals, not just symptoms. Involves the environment, e.g. family, school or work.

Occupational Therapy · drüber reden

What is Occupational Therapy?

What is Occupational Therapy for?: Restoring the ability to act and everyday independence
Is Occupational Therapy legally regulated?: Legally regulated health profession (MTD Act). Listed in the health professions register (GBR).
Does Occupational Therapy treat illnesses?: Yes, on medical prescription. In prevention also without prescription.

Occupational therapy helps people manage their everyday life independently again when illness, accident, disability or psychological strain makes that difficult. “Ergo” comes from the Greek word for action: it is about what you want to be able to do in daily life.

This ranges from restoring mobility and hand function, to training concentration, memory and daily structure, to adapting aids and the home environment. In mental illness, occupational therapy supports building daily structure, activation, resilience and the return to work and everyday life.

It complements medical and psychotherapeutic treatment but does not replace it.

What is allowed

Foster everyday functioning after illness, injury or with disability
Support daily structure, activation and independence in mental illness
Work with all age groups, including children
Recommend aids and adaptations

Where are the limits?

No diagnosis of mental illness
No medication
A medical prescription is required for the insurance benefit

How to recognise quality

Listed in the health professions register
Works on concrete everyday goals, not just symptoms
Involves the environment, e.g. family, school or work

How it works

Prescriptionfrom GP or specialist
First session and assessmentset goals together
Therapypractical training anchored in everyday life, home visits possible
Reviewcheck goal attainment, plan next steps

Costs & insurance

Contracted therapy (with prescription)free of charge, possibly a small co-payment

Private therapypartial reimbursement, usually around two thirds of the tariff

ApprovalÖGK and BVAEB without, SVS and KFA with prior approval

Prevention without prescriptionprivate service, no insurance cover

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