Australian Orthotic Prosthetic Association (Aopa)

The Australian Orthotic Prosthetic Association Ltd. (AOPA) is the peak professional body representing orthotist/prosthetists within Australia. AOPA members are qualified orthotist/prosthetists employed throughout public and private sectors within Australia. AOPA currently has 398 members and those practicing represent 75% of the profession nationally. Orthotist/prosthetists are tertiary qualified allied health professionals who interact regularly with members of the multidisciplinary healthcare team. Orthotist/prosthetists assess the physical and functional limitations of people resulting from illnesses and disabilities, including limb amputations. From this assessment an orthotist/prosthetist provides orthoses and prostheses to restore function or compensate for muscular and skeletal deficiencies and/or deformities AOPA’s mission is to promote the training, education and professional status of orthotist/prosthetists throughout Australia. In order to achieve its mission, AOPA seeks to attain results in the following areas: - professional development - advocacy, lobbying and representation - professional recognition both domestic and internationally - enhance the Association’s self regulation mechanism In the absence of government registration, AOPA self regulates the profession, setting standards which the membership are required to uphold. These standards ensure that orthotist/prosthetists work to a high level of professionalism and provide a quality service that inspires client confidence. Through the Association's advocacy work, the Australian profession has gained widespread recognition for professional excellence. AOPA aims to strengthen alliances with the federal and state government, industry stakeholders, employers and the public and continue to represent our membership and consumers on a wide range of issues including qualifications, professional standards and funding matters.