S.TRUEMAN PhD THESIS 2016

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incorporated into multi-disciplinary mental health teams in metropolitan areas, though not currently in remote Australia. The AIHW (2013) reported that in 2012, 7,231 occupational therapists were registered in Australia. The supply of occupational therapists in Australia was highest in major cities, both in whole numbers and in FTE (per 100,000 population), and correspondingly lowest in remote and very remote areas (see Table 1.10). Of the total occupational therapist workforce, only 0.47% work remotely and very remotely. Accordingly, occupational therapists do not feature in remote nurses’ social world in delivering mental healthcare. Table 1.10 Number of Occupational Therapists by Remoteness Classification and FTE per 100,000 population, 2012 (Source: Health Workforce Australia, Allied Health Practitioners, AIHW, 2013)

Major Cities

Inner Regional Outer Regional

Remote/ Very Remote

Number

5,537

1,345

313 27.0

34

FTE per 100,000 population

48.4

40.1

16.7

1.6.9.5 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Practitioners Since July 2012, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health workers have been able to register under a national registration scheme as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Practitioners, through the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA). Previously, there was no national registration or specific career pathway for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health workers. Since national