Life as a rural Occupational Therapist in Australia - Supporting Farming Communities
One of the things I’ve valued most through our work with Ability Agriculture Foundation is the chance to meet and learn from rural practitioners across Australia. Their insight, practical problem‑solving and genuine care for farming communities continues to shape the way we understand support in agriculture.
In many conversations — especially around ageing farmers and safety — it’s clear that support doesn’t always come from within the agriculture industry. Sometimes the most helpful response isn’t “that’s not our role” or “they shouldn’t be doing that,” but instead, “here’s where you can get support or information.”
Through our community consultation, we’ve heard that many people don’t access support for a range of reasons: uncertainty about eligibility, isolation, stigma, or simply not knowing where to start. At the same time, others in our community already work with allied health professionals, including occupational therapists, and understand the meaningful difference it can make.
This awareness piece is about bridging that gap. Hearing directly from a rural practitioner — their role, their experience, and how to access support — helps build trust and understanding.
As part of this series, Cassandra shares a practical case study supporting a farmer with Parkinson’s, working together to find safer, more sustainable ways to continue meaningful work on the farm. It’s a grounded example of what rural OT can look like in real agricultural settings.
A huge thank you to Cassandra, a rural occupational therapist from Mount Isa, for sharing her time, expertise and insights. Her work reflects the dignity, trust and practical support that rural practitioners bring to farming communities every day.
Listen to Cassandra insights through her full audiovisual story on our youtube.
