Australian woman reveals $180,000 job that calls for more workers

A woman who earns $180,000 a year as an occupational therapist has revealed there is currently a labor shortage and the industry needs more staff.

The healthcare professional, who was interviewed on app Getahead, said she was inspired by going to university at the age of 30 before opening her own business after a divorce.

“My son is autistic, he was seeing an occupational therapist when he was a kid and I was like ‘that looks easy, I can do that,’” she said.

The job involves helping people living with disabilities or mental health problems to participate in daily activities such as work or school.

The woman said that in her specific role, she works with incarcerated people.

“I specialize in mental health and forensics,” she said.

“I go to prisons… I work with a lot of schizophrenics (and) murderers…”

She added that right now, “we can’t have enough occupational therapists. If you want to help people, don’t be a nurse, don’t be a physical therapist, be an occupational therapist.”

The interview sparked a flood of interest in the profession on social media.

“Be an occupational therapist!” best career ever,” one person wrote.

“I started my occupational therapy degree this year at 30! a second wrote.

“I can see my future!” I’m 30 and going back to college next year to study occupational therapy,” added a third.

But some who work in the industry have questioned the woman’s exorbitant salary.

“I am an occupational therapist. Nothing about this job is easy and a salary of $180,000 is unheard of…most jobs will offer a starting salary of $70,000-80,000 and (a) a high of around $120,000-130 $000,” one person wrote.

Another said: “Is this Australia? I’m a senior occupational therapist (and) as far as I know, occupational therapists make between $80,000 and $120,000.

“As an occupational therapist, this is a very different career trajectory than what is typical. I’m at a higher level and will never get close to $180,000 in my life,” added a third.