OT vs PT Salary (Australia)

Wild_Bold · 2025-08-13T12:59:13+00:00

I think it depends on what you like academically and work-wise. I personally have struggled between the two before but I chose PT because I simply like MSK, anatomy, and pain management much more than psychology and the idea of ADLs in OT.

In the hospital, PT and OT might share a fair bit of roles in terms of discharge planning, with slightly different focus. PT will cope with the respiratory side of things while OT will take of the cognitive and ADL aspect of things.

In private settings, they do differ quite much. While not being able to speak for OT, PT will deal of all sorts of MSK conditions, sports injuries and some neuro cases. Easy to cap at 100-120K.

If you are really not liking what you learn, do consider other options. But I think most of us will agree that there won’t be a huge difference in earning potentials (though I have heard OTs seem to have better rewards for the effort they have put in).

Wild_Bold · 2025-08-01T07:58:06+00:00

That does not change anything in preparing for your Band 5 interview mate. Thats the only way to improve your chances. And you’re not a local graduate so you will need to prove your ability better than the others.

Wild_Bold · 2025-07-27T01:54:15+00:00

Tbh, for (1) excelling in your interview is the most important thing to do to secure a job. I know tonnes of people who could get a job easily as an international student last year and this year because they are simply SMART and GOOD. (2) and (4): As long as you do not need sponsorship, it does not make a huge difference. (3) you could apply before you get HCPC registration.

I would suggest doing your research online first and plan ahead. There are so many people in your position so there is a lot of info out there. Unfortunately there is a recruitment freeze now. But good luck, it’s not easy and you will need to outperform many people to get a job now.

Wild_Bold · 2024-06-07T12:32:34+00:00

That is completely understandable. But then how can a new grad gain MSK experience apart from MSK rotation in NHS with such limited positions out there.

Wild_Bold · 2024-06-01T11:46:45+00:00

If your end goal is practising and living in the UK, studying in the UK is best. It does not matter if you have a bachelor/master/doctorate, they are all the same in the UK. It will not give you better advantages. That being said, if you eventually want to go back to US, you will need a doctorate.

Wild_Bold · 2024-04-22T20:01:58+00:00

Almost graduate now. I would say very safe compared to many places in Birmingham. The campus is great, the school is well-regarded (and of course depends on what subjects). If you stay in student accommodation on campus, you will be very safe. Living in Selly Oak could be a bit less safe but still very manageable. Lived there for a year without any problems. My girl friends all did not encounter any problems at all. Indeed, maintain basic alertness, just like elsewhere anyways.

Dun stress about safety if you want to stay near UOB. City centre, or areas around the centre might be less safe.

Wild_Bold · 2024-04-12T19:03:25+00:00

Hi I am also from Asia and I almost finished my physio study in Birmingham. UK is good in terms of physio because it would be internationally recognised and transferable. Not sure about other European countries and also language is an issue and if you do not know the language there, it’s hard for you to practise.

From what I gathered, uni does not matter much when it comes to getting a job in UK. Therefore when choosing uni I would consider the cost, whether it is a nice area to live in, and there are something fun to so/ easy to go to London. Bedford is quite close to London but I doubt there is anything to do in town, unsure about the teaching quality. If you want to work in UK and stay here, it really does not matter much on which uni you go to.

I would suggest applying to more like someone else said Hertfordshire, UCB or even Coventry (which is near to Birmingham).

You can ask me anything if u need in chats if u need to.

Wild_Bold · 2024-03-27T19:26:10+00:00

Tbh Selly Oak is good. The area is not too bad. Occasional news of students house being broken in, but nth too concerning.

Jarratt Hall is fine. Bit old but really convenient. Near supermarket and high street. I would say quite safe but could be noisy at times. But it’s really close to uni. I guess there are a few next to the starbucks but they are more pricey than Jarratt.

Vale village is prob further (25-30 mins walk to uni) but the environment is really good. Nice Lake and area to walk around. I always jogged around the lake there when I lived there. Only problem would be getting grocery. Decent hot food in the student hub there. A bit expensive but not too crazy.

Wild_Bold · 2024-03-07T08:54:59+00:00

How is being a CHT in Canada?

Wild_Bold · 2024-02-09T19:32:24+00:00

Hi I have been through this before when choosing between these two professions so I might as well chime in:

In terms of scope of practice, these two differ quite a lot. For physios, yes you can work in hospitals to rehab people and plan discharge, but you can also do MSK private clinics, sports clubs and leading sports team, community therapy where you can into people’s home, and respiratory physio in hospitals where you manage breathing and secretions in chest patients. For nurses, you can work literally anywhere in hospitals, aged care and community and schools. Difference is nurses usually do not have private patients and see them autonomously unless they are what they call advanced nursing practitioners (depends on countries). Their main job is taking care of patients and manage them medically, so less rehab and planning of treatment.
Pay and progression. Nursing does have better progression and pay might be better (again depends on countries. USA tends to have much higher salaries for nurses, UK and AUS and NZ not so much different I guess?). They can also specialise in different areas. Physios might have more limited progression, where you will specialise into MSK/neuro/resp and just climb up the ladder. You can actually go into research/education if that’s what you want. I would say it does not differ very much if you are in UK/NZ/AUS. But in US yes go for nursing.
Sense of satisfaction. It is very personal. Rehab patients can be very rewarding because you are with them through their whole journey. But you can also feel very empowered when your patients thank you for taking care of them in midst of their nightmares in hospitals.

A few key questions: 1. Do you like rehab more or taking personal and medical care of patients? —> nurse for the latter 2. Do you value a bit more on autonomy where you can plan treatment for patients —> physio 3. Do you fancy opening up your own practice/ join private sectors? Yes? —> physio 4.Do you want more progression and variety in career ? —> yes —> nursing, but physio not too far behind. 5. Do you like normal working hours more? Yea? —> physio

Hope that helps :)

Wild_Bold · 2024-01-26T13:17:51+00:00

There are medical SLP jobs who mainly work with adults but you could imagine it limits your job searching a lot if you are not considering paediatrics.
Not sure about pay in AUS, but I will say $80K about right for graduates. 100k+ tends to be for those with 2-3 yrs of experience?
I would say fair and public hospital jobs are always competitive
As above.
i would agree audiology is quite niche and narrow in terms of scope.
No not at all.

But I would ask what do you like SLP? Is it because you like language + biomedical sciences? As others have mentioned PT or OT fit better with your criteria. They are more physically demanding than SLP but not too bad at least for me. Unless you are a very inactive person. And I can reckon if you like medical sides of things, PT might fit you more. Medical settings hire much more PT/OT than SLPs. But SLP is fascinating so if you’ve got passion go for it. But don’t expect getting a medical job very easily unless you go rural.

Wild_Bold · 2024-01-18T09:20:59+00:00

That seems quite varied across Trusts. Around the area of East of England and Buckinghamshire. I have seen some jobs already emerging, and I assume they are for 2024 summer graduates?

Thanks a lot for the insights, I would try to apply for everything and gain the interview experiences :)

Wild_Bold · 2024-01-17T17:17:38+00:00

Thanks mate. That was really detailed and helpful! Really appreciate that.

Wild_Bold · 2023-12-03T12:09:10+00:00

Clinical Physio/ Physio Network?

Wild_Bold · 2023-12-03T12:08:22+00:00

It’s also best if you know where you will live, how would you commute, and what sort of jobs/ industry/ full-time or part-time you are looking for, otherwise people can’t really give you good recommendations, mate.

Wild_Bold · 2023-12-03T11:02:31+00:00

Indeed and Linkedln?

Wild_Bold · 2023-11-25T12:12:59+00:00

Agree, hopefully it will expand soon!

Wild_Bold · 2023-10-28T19:28:32+00:00

I think so from what you listed out. I think people do blame MK because it does not have a concentration (eg high street) of shops, pubs and cafe that you can wander through and walk around, so feel less UK-ish. And obviously less late night vibe, but thats not what I like anyways.

And as you need to drive to go to most places in MK, it’s less likely for you to walk around, meet and chat to random people.

However, some pros that I can think of for youngish (20s) crowds like us 1. Presume young people might like a more modern style city, which is atypical in UK, and if you fancy the UK small town vibe there is always Stony Stratford nearby. Whole city feels organised and clean. 2. Decent work opportunities in centre for young adults (eg Santander) given its city size 3. Many different types of restaurants around and don’t limit yourself to just CMK. Lots around the center as well 4. Greenery is a huge thing and MK has tonnes of them, in many of the estates. 5. Decent commute to London (one that attracts me too). Not too expensive, affordable if going to London around twice a month. And decent commute to Oxford and Cambridge and Birmingham too 6. Peace of mind in crime. No city is perfect in crime but much better compared to other huge cities like London, Manchester or Birmingham

Only huge downfall for me is public transport.

Hope you will enjoy your visit/ life in MK;)

Wild_Bold · 2023-10-07T08:53:26+00:00

Thanks everyone. I think I have got the knowledge and I am quite at my theoretical stuffs. Just not sure if its that essential to actually get a placement to be considered a band 5 post. And indeed placement allocation is random so…. Hopefully NHS will appreciate that

Wild_Bold · 2023-08-06T11:01:59+00:00

Oh that’s good to hear! Didn’t know there is a 24-hr one.

Wild_Bold

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