Orthotics and prosthetics

  • ​Prostheses and orthoses are externally applied devices worn on the body to either replace a body segment (prosthesis) or support a body segment (orthosis). The prosthetist/orthotist is a highly skilled and specialised professional who is involved in the assessment, prescription, manufacture, fitting and maintenance of these devices. They are an integral part of the multi-disciplinary healthcare team and play a vital role in helping to prevent or correct deformity, prevent injury and keeping the patient as mobile as possible to ensure they can live life to their fullest potential.

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    Workforce characteristics for NSW Health orthotics and prosthetics workforce in 2040

    73
    Headcount

    27.6
    Work hours per week

    36.1
    Years average age

    3.4%
    Aboriginal workforce target

    Demand is expected to grow 1.5% (low demand scenario) to 1.7% (high demand scenario).


    Significant career opportunities

    Workforce modelling indicates the need to grow the NSW orthotics and prosthetics workforce by around 6 new professionals per annum to meet community need in 2040 across both demand scenarios.


    Projected FTE growth for NSW Health orthotics and prosthetics workforce to 2040

    2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 2030 2031 2032 2033 2034 2035 2036 2037 2038 2039 2040
    High Demand3939404041
    		424343444546464748495050515253
    Status Quo3939404040393939393939393939393939393939
    Low Demand39
    		39404041424243434445454647484849505051

    Workforce characteristics for NSW Health orthotics and prosthetics workforce in 2021

    43
    Headcount

    27.3
    Work hours per week

    40
    Years average age

    46.5%
    Female

    9.6%
    Aged 60+

    0%
    Aboriginal

    Metropolitan Sydney

    38
    Headcount

    24.2
    Work hours per week

    41.7
    Years average age

    7.7%
    Aged 60+

    Non-Metropolitan Sydney

    0
    Headcount

    0
    Work hours per week

    0
    Years average age

    0%
    Aged 60+

    Orthotics and prosthetics junior entrant positions into NSW Health

    Year
    		20172018201920202021
    Graduates
    		26453

    Workforce distribution for NSW Health orthotics and prosthetics workforce in 2021

    The geographic distribution of the public workforce by local health district/network, by facility and per 100,000 population.

Legends

Per local health district

0 1-25 26-50 51-75 76-100 100+

Per 100,000 population

0 1-5 6-10 11-15 16-20 20+

Per facility

0 1-25 26-50 51-75 76-100 100+

Other networks

  • Sydney Children's Hospitals: 1 to 25 | 1 per 100,000
  • Health Share NSW: 1 to 25 | 1 per 100,000

  • Workforce considerations

    • LHD/SHN sessional arrangements exists in the orthotics and prosthetics workforce and data relating to these arrangements are not factored into the workforce model and does not include unmet need.
    • Cross boarder arrangements may not truly reflect supply or demand for orthotics and prosthetics workforce in some rural and remote settings.
    • Population demographics and increasing incidence of acute trauma and complex and chronic disease may increase demand for orthotics and prosthetics services.
    • Technology advancements, virtual care and a hypothesised centralised manufacturing may influence the practice, role, distribution and function of the orthotics and prosthetics workforce in future years.
    • Orthotics and prosthetic services do not operate within all districts, which has the potential to impact on access and equity of services.

    Notes

    • Health Share NSW provide services in regional and rural areas (i.e. Newcastle and Albury)
    • Data included is limited to the workforce employed under the relevant health professional award.
    • Specialty health networks are not displayed geographically in the workforce distribution maps.
    • LHD/SHN may engage in sessional arrangements in selected circumstances.
    • Workforce that cannot be aligned to a physical location have been attributed to a pre-determined facility within each LHD/N. This may impact on Headcount shown at these facilities within the distribution map.
    • NSW Health does not make any representations or warranties whether expressed or implied with respect to the accuracy and completeness of the information contained in the fact sheet.

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Current as at: Thursday 4 July 2024
Contact page owner: Workforce Planning and Talent Development