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Australian Recreational Therapy Association

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Australian Recreational Therapy Association

This is the official page of Australian Recreational Therapy Association (ARTA)

Diversional Therapy Australia is the peak professional body representing the interests of Diversional Therapists across Australia.

08/04/2026

Recreational Therapy within Allied Health — Understanding the Difference and the Connection

Recreational Therapy (RT) plays a distinct and vital role within the allied health landscape.

While Occupational Therapy (OT) focuses on daily living skills and functional independence, and Physiotherapy (PT) focuses on movement, strength, and physical rehabilitation — Recreational Therapy centres on using meaningful recreational and leisure experiences to improve physical, cognitive, emotional, spiritual and social wellbeing.

There is strong crossover between professions.
We share common goals:
✔ Improving functional skills
✔ Enhancing quality of life
✔ Increasing independence

However, Recreational Therapy uniquely focuses on:
• Therapeutic recreation interventions
• Leisure education and social participation
• Community integration and engagement
• Strengths-based, person-centred wellbeing approaches

RT complements OT and Physiotherapy by addressing participation, motivation, identity, and quality of life outcomes.

Together, allied health professionals work collaboratively to support holistic health across the lifespan.

Let’s continue raising awareness of the distinct and valuable contribution Recreational Therapists bring to multidisciplinary teams.

04/04/2026

Wishing everyone a safe and happy Easter 🐣

On behalf of the Australian Recreational Therapy Board, Office and Members, we hope this season brings rest, connection and moments of joy with those who matter most.

Thank you to our community for the incredible work you do in enhancing wellbeing across Australia.

thankyou

25/03/2026

⛳ Recreational Therapy in Action

Another great example of Recreational Therapy making a meaningful difference.

A Recreational Therapist introduced mini‑golf to a gentleman in his mid‑sixties as a new leisure activity. What started as a trial quickly became something he genuinely enjoyed.

✅ He now attends mini‑golf 2–3 mornings each week
✅ The activity supports physical movement, balance, and agility
✅ Participation in morning activities has helped reduce previous patterns of morning alcohol use
✅ Engagement in purposeful recreation is creating a positive routine and structure

Most importantly, this experience demonstrates how client‑centred, strengths‑based recreational therapy can support healthier lifestyle choices, increase motivation, and promote overall well-being.

Further positive changes are anticipated as participation continues.

11/03/2026

🌟 New Organisational Partnerships Now Available! 🌟
Supporting teams. Strengthening practice. Growing our profession.

ARTA is excited to introduce group partnership options designed specifically for organisations with multiple leisure and lifestyle staff. Our new Organisational Partnerships give your team access to ARTA’s full suite of member benefits—each through their own individual account.

✨ What’s included for staff
✔ Individual ARTA membership access
✔ All member benefits and resources
✔ Tailored education (staff upload qualifications so we meet individual learning needs)
✔ Commitment to 20 hours of CPD per year, aligned with best‑practice standards

🏢 What’s included for the organisation
✔ Annual subscription for continuous professional development
✔ Unlimited job postings across:
• Recreational Therapy
• Leisure Therapy
• Diversional Therapy
• Lifestyle & Wellbeing
• Allied Health Assistants (relevant to the field)
✔ A 2‑hour real‑time virtual education session on a topic of your choice, once per year

💼 Four tiers available to suit your organisation’s size:
🔹 Tier 1 – (up to 5 lifestyle staff)
🔹 Tier 2 – (up to 10 lifestyle staff)
🔹 Tier 3 – (up to 20 lifestyle staff)
🔹 Tier 4 – (up to 30 lifestyle staff)

Invest in your team. Strengthen your service. Join a community dedicated to excellence in leisure, lifestyle, and therapeutic practice.

❓ Want to know more 👇👇👇👇👇👇👇👇👇

👉 Get in touch today to partner with ARTA! 📬 enquiries@recreationaltherapy.au

09/03/2026

🌟 Save the Date & Call for Abstracts coming soon 🌟

ARTA National Conference (Hybrid) — September 17–18, 2026

📅 Theme:

From Foundation to Influence: Advancing Our Professional Voice

📢 Exciting conversations are underway with Western Sydney University as we finalise plans for our 2026 National Conference. We are delighted to confirm that this year’s event will be delivered in a hybrid format, offering participants the opportunity to join either in person at Westmead or online.

This will be the first time ARTA has offered a fully hybrid conference — expanding access, connection and shared learning across our community.

Our in‑person venue at WSU’s Westmead campus will provide a vibrant and accessible setting for meaningful engagement, networking, and professional growth.

📣 Call for Abstracts:
Opening Soon!

We warmly encourage practitioners, educators, students and researchers to consider submitting. Whether you wish to share practice innovations, research findings, case studies, or service development initiatives, your contribution strengthens our collective knowledge and elevates our professional voice.

Stay tuned for further details — we can’t wait to see your work and connect with you in September!

02/03/2026

📢We want your input!

The Australian Recreational Therapy Association is reviewing our website to ensure it better reflects the organisations, partnerships, and resources supporting Recreational Therapy across Australia and the world 🌎

📝As the profession continues to grow, your feedback will help shape the next stage of development.

💭We’d love your thoughts on:
• Recognising industry partners and organisations
• Improving resources and updates
• What you would like to see more of on the website

Please if you could complete the short survey: 👇🏼👇🏼👇🏼👇🏼👇🏼👇🏼
🔗https://forms.gle/BP6QwHW3YmMXR6dGA

Thank you for contributing to the continued growth and visibility of Recreational Therapy in Australia.
www.recreationaltherapy.au

02/03/2026

As RT Month wraps up, we want to thank all the organisations and members who shared stories highlighting the impact of Recreational Therapy across Australia.

Your posts helped showcase the diverse and valuable role Recreational Therapists play in supporting wellbeing, connection, and quality of life for people of all ages and abilities.

Together we continue to strengthen recognition of the profession and its contribution within allied health.

Thank you for being part of the movement.

17/02/2026

🌍 Bringing the World of Art to Our Residents

Another Recreational Therapist and professional advocate, , introduced a unique program designed to spark joy and cultural connection among residents. Inspired by Lara, a former academic from Russia, the session focused on iconic paintings from famous galleries around the world.

Residents explored art history magazines featuring masterpieces, shared personal travel memories, and engaged in lively discussions. For Lara, this was a moment of pure delight—her response was simply: “Culture!!”

The activity not only encouraged conversation but also celebrated diverse backgrounds and interests. It was so successful that we followed up with sessions on Australian and Aboriginal art, and even incorporated art appreciation into creative classes and online lessons for other aged care facilities.

✅ Why it matters: Art connects us to our past, inspires creativity, and fosters meaningful engagement—especially for those who may feel culturally isolated.

09/02/2026

🎉 Important Recognition for Recreational Therapists in Aged Care 🎉

We’re excited to share that Recreational Therapists are now listed as allied health professionals within the Australian Government’s New Regulatory Model – Guidance for Allied Health Professionals under the new Aged Care Act.

This is a significant step forward in recognising the vital role Recreational Therapy plays in supporting older Australians to maintain wellbeing, participation, and quality of life.

As a professional association, we are proud to see this recognition and will continue to:
✅ Advocate for the role of Recreational Therapists
✅ Work closely with members and the aged care sector
✅ Support clear guidance on the scope and value of Recreational Therapy in aged care

We look forward to continuing to define, strengthen, and promote best practice Recreational Therapy services across aged care under the new regulatory framework.

🔗 Read the guidance here:
https://www.health.gov.au/resources/publications/new-regulatory-model-guidance-for-allied-health-professionals

And would like to welcome thoughts and ideas to enquiries@recreationaltherapy.au or via our social media platforms.

09/02/2026

🌟 RT Month | The Reach of Recreational Therapy 🌟

This RT Month, we recognise and raise the profile of Recreational Therapy as an essential allied health profession supporting wellbeing, participation, recovery and quality of life.

As this infographic shows, Recreational Therapists work across an incredible range of settings — including aged care, mental health, rehabilitation, palliative care, community, youth services, homelessness, justice health, education, TAFE, consultancy and more.

Recreational Therapy is not just about activities. It is about:

✔ Meaningful participation
✔ Identity and purpose
✔ Connection and belonging
✔ Recovery-oriented practice
✔ Person-centred, strengths-based care

Recreational Therapists support people of all ages and abilities to live meaningful, connected and fulfilling lives — even in the most complex circumstances.

This RT Month is an opportunity to celebrate, advocate and educate — helping ensure the full value and scope of Recreational Therapy is recognised across allied health, health, disability and community sectors.

👏 Thank you to all Recreational Therapists for the impact you make every day.

03/02/2026

🎙️ ARTA Town Hall – February 2026

Join us as we discuss the implications of the new government guidelines for allied health professionals at our first Town Hall meetings of the year.

🔗 https://www.health.gov.au/resources/publications/new-regulatory-model-guidance-for-allied-health-professionals

To make it easy for everyone to attend, we’re hosting two sessions — one in the evening and one at lunchtime.

🗓️ MONDAY, 9 FEBRUARY — 7:00 PM AEDT

Register:
🔗 https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/Y38UFzapTjaqO9Y-egsUmw
You’ll receive a confirmation email with joining details after registering.

🗓️ TUESDAY, 10 FEBRUARY — 2:00 PM AEDT
Register:
🔗 https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/USaJl5A7S6m9xHrUJCjs4A

You’ll receive a confirmation email with joining details after registering.

💬 What to expect:
✨ Meet members of the ARTA Board
✨ Hear updates from the industry and the association
✨ Ask questions and share your perspective
✨ Learn what the new guidelines mean for Recreational Therapy practice

We encourage all Recreational Therapists, students, and supporters to join the conversation and stay informed.

03/02/2026

🎵 The Power of Rec. Therapy and Music in Dementia Care 🎵

Today’s moment is a beautiful reminder of why music is such a powerful tool in dementia care — and why Recreational Therapy matters.

A resident was being gently redirected to her room, agitated and unable to engage. Then she quietly said one word: “semibreve.”
That single musical term changed everything.

The Rec Therapist leaned in:
“Do you know musical terms?”
“Did you play an instrument?”

A doorway opened. The resident began recalling learning piano as a young woman.
Using an iPad keyboard app, the therapist played a few notes. With patient prompting, the resident repeated the first line of Hot Cross Buns. Her mood softened. Her focus returned. A meaningful connection formed.

She went on to:
🎹 Play the first line of Hot Cross Buns
🎼 Enjoy favourites like Für Elise and Chopin on YouTube
💬 Reminisce about playing piano, her mum, and memories of tennis

All from one small word — and a therapist trained to notice it.
This moment brought calm, joy, and purpose. Agitation decreased. Escalation was avoided. A person was truly seen and heard.

So when others think Rec Therapists are “just chatting” or “just playing,” they may not realise we are:
✨ Enabling meaningful connections
✨ Facilitating reminiscence
✨ Providing emotional support
✨ Reducing agitation
✨ Potentially minimising falls or chemical restraint

This is the magic of Recreational Therapy.
This is our purpose.
This is why RT is an allied health profession.

🎶 Sometimes one small word can unlock a lifetime of memories.

Thank you, Kim (RT), ARTA Member and past Board Member, for this case study.

Address

PO Box 83
North Ryde
1670

Opening Hours

Tuesday	9am - 5pm
Wednesday	9am - 5pm
Thursday	9am - 5pm

Website

https://www.recreationaltherapy.au/

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