Are Recreational Therapists Considered Allied Health Professionals in Australia?

 

A 2026 Update for Aged Care Providers

 

The Short Answer

Yes — but only if they are certified members of the Australian Recreational Therapy Association (ARTA), which now requires a Bachelor-level qualification (AQF Level 7 or higher).

Under the Aged Care Rules 2025 (23 September 2025), a recreational therapist is formally recognised as an allied health professional — provided they are ARTA certified.

 

New Regulatory Clarification: Who Can Deliver Recreational Therapy?

Recent sector discussion has raised an important distinction:

While recreational and diversional therapy remains highly relevant to aged care delivery, not everyone working in lifestyle or activities roles qualifies as an allied health professional under the new Act.

Here is what providers need to know.

 

What the Aged Care Rules 2025 Say

The Rules define:

Allied health professional means a person who is any of the following:
a recreational therapist.

They further define:

Recreational therapist means a person who is a certified member of the Australian Recreational Therapy Association.

This means recognition is directly tied to ARTA certification.

 

Qualification Update: Bachelor Degree Now Required

The Australian Recreational Therapy Association has updated its certification standards.

As of recent changes:

• • New certified recreational therapists must hold a Bachelor degree (AQF Level 7 or higher)

• • Certificate IV and Diploma qualifications are no longer eligible pathways for new ARTA certified membership

• • Degree programs must include substantial recreational therapy-specific competencies

 

Why This Matters

Because the Aged Care Rules link allied health recognition to ARTA certification, this effectively means:

Only degree-qualified recreational therapists who are ARTA certified are recognised as allied health professionals under the new Aged Care Act framework.

 

What About Certificate IV or Diploma Holders?

This is where confusion often arises.

Many professionals working in:

• • Lifestyle coordination

• • Activities roles

• • Diversional therapy support

may hold:

• • Certificate IV in Leisure & Health

• • Diploma of Leisure & Health

• • Other vocational qualifications

These roles remain valuable and essential in aged care.

However:

These qualifications do not meet the current ARTA certification benchmark for allied health recognition under the Aged Care Rules 2025.

This does not invalidate their work, but it clarifies regulatory classification.

 

Diversional Therapy vs Recreational Therapy: What’s the Difference?

Historically, the terms have been used interchangeably in practice.

Under the new regulatory model:

• • Recreational Therapist (ARTA Certified, Bachelor-qualified) = Allied Health Professional

• • Diversional / Lifestyle Officer (Certificate/Diploma) = Support workforce, not classified as allied health under the Act

This distinction is now important for:

• • Compliance

• • Staffing models

• • Scope of practice

• • Care plan documentation

• Accreditation audits

Why This Is Important for Aged Care Providers

The new Aged Care Act emphasises:

• • Active, self-determined, meaningful lives

• • Evidence-based practice

• • Structured therapeutic interventions

• • Assessment → Planning → Implementation → Evaluation

With recreational therapists now recognised as allied health professionals, providers must consider:

• • Who is delivering therapeutic recreational services?

• • Are they ARTA certified?

• • Do qualifications meet Bachelor-level standards?

• • How are programs being documented and evaluated?

This is no longer just a workforce question — it is a regulatory one.

 

What Providers Should Do Now

1. 1. Review staff qualifications.
   2. Confirm ARTA certification status where applicable.
   3. Clarify scope of practice between allied health and support roles.
   4. Ensure recreational therapy programs follow structured therapeutic frameworks.
   5. Strengthen documentation and measurable outcomes.

 

Final Takeaway

Recreational therapists are recognised as allied health professionals in Australia — but only if they are ARTA-certified and Bachelor-qualified.

This clarification strengthens professional standards and elevates recreational therapy as a structured, evidence-based discipline under the new Aged Care Act.

For providers, the message is clear:

Recreational engagement is no longer simply an activity program.
It is a regulated, professional, and increasingly scrutinised component of quality aged care.

 

Sources: