How to become an Orthotist or Prosthetist

Official title: Orthotist / Prosthetist

Prescribes, designs and fits orthoses and prostheses to improve function impacted by illness, disability or amputation.

Main tasks

• Assesses clients' emotional, psychological, developmental and physical capabilities using clinical observations and standardised tests
• Administers muscle, nerve, joint and functional ability tests
• Assesses clients' functional potential in their home, leisure, work and school environments, and recommends appropriate assistive technologies to maximise their performance
• Develops individual orthotic/prosthetic service plans, considering relevant material science, biomechanics and anatomical factors
• Prescribes, designs and fits orthoses and prostheses to meet clients' needs, including their functional, emotional, psychological and developmental goals
• Provides gait training, education and continual monitoring, assessment and evaluation of orthoses and prostheses and treatments
• Collaborates with other Health Professionals in overall case management, including team consultation as required, about clients' challenges, needs and progress
• Adjusts and modifies orthoses and prostheses to accommodate minor changes to clients' neuromuscular and skeletal systems
• Maintains accurate records of client assessments, device specifications and adjustments

Ways in

• University: Health & Public Health degrees, Offered by 39 universities in Australia
• TAFE and VET: Diploma of Orthopaedic Technology (HLT57821)
• Licence or registration: Registration or licensing may be required.

Pay · Outlook · AI and this job

• Typical full-time pay: $105,248 a year
• About 10,400 people work in this job group now, and about 13,300 are projected by 2035. (+27%)
• AI is more likely to help with parts of this job than to do it. Jobs and Skills Australia rates its automation exposure as low.

Related jobs

• Osteopath
• Chiropractor
• Exercise Physiologist
• Exercise and Sports Scientist
• Occupational Therapist
• Physiotherapist

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Questions people ask

How do I become an Orthotist or Prosthetist?

Ways in include: Health & Public Health degrees; Diploma of Orthopaedic Technology.

How much does an Orthotist or Prosthetist earn in Australia?

Median full-time pay is $105,248 a year (Jobs and Skills Australia).

Is an Orthotist or Prosthetist a growing career in Australia?

Yes. Employment is projected to grow 27% by 2035, from about 10,400 to about 13,300 people (Jobs and Skills Australia).

Do you need a degree to become an Orthotist or Prosthetist?

Usually. 83% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Will AI change the work of an Orthotist or Prosthetist?

AI is more likely to help with parts of this job than to do it. Jobs and Skills Australia rates its automation exposure as low.

Sources

• Jobs and Skills Australia: Occupation data (ANZSCO), from ABS Labour Force and Census (February 2026), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
• Jobs and Skills Australia: Generative AI Capacity Study, interactive table data (September 2025), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
• Jobs and Skills Australia: Employment Projections (Victoria University) (May 2025 to May 2035), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
• Australian Taxation Office: Taxation Statistics, Individuals Table 15A (2023-24), CC BY 2.5 AU, retrieved 2026-10-04

Updated 2026-10-04