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Annual Report 2017/18 | AOPA 1

Annual Report 2017-18

Orthotics and Prosthetics in Australia

Orthotist/prosthetists assess the physical and functional limitations of people resulting from disease, illness, trauma and disability, including limb amputation, diabetes, arthritis and neuromuscular conditions, such as stroke. Orthotic and prosthetic services may involve the provision of orthoses and prostheses to restore function, prevent deterioration, and improve quality of life. Orthotist/prosthetists are commonly employed in Australian hospitals, private clinics, research institutions as well as rural and remote regions, working independently and as part of multidisciplinary healthcare teams to support the Australian community.

Orthotist/prosthetists are tertiary qualified allied health professionals. An Australian Qualification Framework level 7 is required to practice as an orthotist/prosthetist in Australia, consistent with education standards for other allied health professions. Orthotic/prosthetic students complete training alongside physiotherapy, podiatry and occupational therapy students.

The Australian Orthotic Prosthetic Association (AOPA) is the peak professional body for orthotist/prosthetists in Australia, with certified practitioners comprising 80% of the practicing profession. AOPA is responsible for regulating the profession and is a founding member of the National Alliance of Self Regulating Health Professions (NASRHP) in partnership with other professional organisations, including Speech Pathology Australia, the Australian Association of Social Workers and Exercise and Sports Science Australia. AOPA is recognised by the Commonwealth Government as the assessing authority responsible for conducting migration skill assessments for orthotist/prosthetists.

Contact

The Australian Orthotic Prosthetic Association P.O. Box 1132 Hartwell, Victoria 3124 (03) 9816 4620 | www.aopa.org.au

Leigh Clarke – Executive Officer [email protected]


Contents

Chair’s Report 4

Executive Officer’s Report 6

2017-18 Year in Review 8

Our Partners 10

AOPA at a Glance 11

Committees List 12

Governance – Director’s report 14

Attendance record 17

Objectives of the Australian Orthotic Prosthetic Association 18

Director’s Report 20

Review Report 22

4 AOPA | Annual Report 2017/18

Chair’s Report

Dear Colleagues,

I’m delighted to table my first report for the AOPA Annual Report, which documents our outstanding progress as an organisation and as a profession. I was honoured to be appointed Chair in November 2017 and have already thoroughly enjoyed the role alongside our highly competent and supportive Board.

I take the opportunity to reiterate, on behalf of the Membership, my thanks to Harvey Blackney for his leadership of the Association since 2012. During that time our Full Member numbers have increased by 50%, from around 240 to over 360, our annual Congress has doubled in size and most significantly, our staffing levels have almost tripled. The impact these metrics have on the output and profile of the Association is immeasurable and I trust that the membership appreciate the increasing value this has delivered each year.

As a result of this growth, the Board determined in 2017 that the time had come to upgrade our facilities for the office team. The contemporary offices in Camberwell reflect the growing significance and influence of the Association and undoubtedly enhance the experience for our valued staff. The new environment has already been described as a game-changer and opens up new opportunities to engage with stakeholders, consumer groups and our allied health colleagues. Members are warmly invited to meet with staff at our new HQ.

The 2017/18 year saw AOPA award its first Full Course Accreditation for the Bachelor of Applied Science, Master of Clinical Prosthetics and Orthotics at La Trobe University. We now also have a steady flow of applications for Skills Assessment for Migration. These exciting milestones follow a series of important projects stretching as far back as 2012 when the Competency Standards project was designed. Achievements such as this demonstrate the outcomes which can come as a result of collaborative efforts, strategic vision and dedicated resources. In particular, these successes represent the direct contributions of:

• no less than five AOPA staff, past and present;

• external consultants;

• the Panel of Assessors;

• the Accreditation Committee; and

• our volunteer members who assisted in the development of Competency Standards.

In this case, we see greater protection of the public through a robust and evidence-based certification process, development of new skill sets within our profession and a revenue stream which helps to support AOPA in providing self-regulation of the profession in Australia. I encourage

members to continue to engage in areas of interest, contribute to committees and reference groups and seek opportunities to be involved in the rewarding process of furthering our profession.

This year has also seen the development of a formal relationship between AOPA and the New Zealand Orthotics & Prosthetics Association (NZOPA). Through our efficient online Webinar and CPD platforms, AOPA has been contracted to provide delivery of CPD content and administration of

CPD logs for NZOPA members. As professional groups that are relatively small in our own contexts, we see value in collaborating in this way to share the cost and administrative burden of delivering high quality CPD management, between like-minded organisations.

Engagement with our many stakeholders has continued to strengthen throughout 2017/18. We continue to recognise the importance of maintaining a dialogue with the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) as it works to improve the delivery of services and assistive technology to participants in the NDIS. We are in the middle of the rollout of the NDIS and therefore find ourselves in a constant state of change as administrative processes and funding models shift away from previous state-based schemes. As the volume of participants increases exponentially, there is clearly a challenge to deliver timely services that are

“I encourage members to continue to engage in areas of interest, contribute to committees and reference groups and seek opportunities to be involved in the rewarding process of furthering our profession”

adequately funded and appropriately evaluated. AOPA continues to liaise with key decision makers to offer support in the development of guidelines which will help to achieve the outcomes which benefit participants and ensure the NDIS is sustainable.

During the last 12 months, our three external directors reached the end of their first two-year term. I was enthusiastic to re-nominate all three for a further two-year term and delighted to report that all have accepted. Tricia Malowney OAM continues work on our board policies and procedures as well as chairing our People and Culture committee, Ngaire Elwood has brought her expertise in credentialing and standards to the Accreditation Committee and Melanie Dooley has completed much of the work of formally establishing our Finance, Risk and Audit Committee, of which she is Chair. AOPA is indebted for the contribution of our external directors and the feedback we have from them is that it is a joy to contribute to our Association which, at its heart, is working towards greater access to quality and safe orthotic and prosthetic services for the Australian public. We have worked more closely than ever with AOPA staff to achieve our strategic goals and during our planning day in April, we received direct updates from all staff as well as our Congress convener Jess Grant. This was a great opportunity to gain a deeper insight into the issues and projects that our staff are working on and added significant value to our discussion.

I commend this Annual Report to you and thank our membership, corporate partners and sponsors for your ongoing support of the Australian Orthotic Prosthetic Association Ltd.

Yours sincerely,

Paul Sprague c-OP AOPA AOPA Chair

The AOPA Review / Volume 2 - Issue 2 / December 2017 / 11

AOPA AnnOuncement

AOPA Board of Directors: Introducing our new chairWe are pleased to announce that the AOPA Board has elected Paul Sprague as its new Chair. Paul succeeds our previous Chair, Harvey Blackney. Harvey will continue to serve on the Board as a General Director and we extend our thanks to Harvey for his outstanding leadership and valuable contributions as Chair over the past few years. We welcome our new Chair, Paul, and wish him every success in helping to shape AOPA’s future.

Tell us about your clinical and professional background.

I have worked solely in Orthotics since graduating in 2008. My experience spans all areas of Orthotic service provision, and I have been fortunate to have some excellent clinical and professional mentors throughout my career. I spent 8 years in Western Australia, working at Orthotic Prosthetic Solutions and Princess Margaret Hospital, before establishing Interface Orthotics there in 2013. I relocated with my family to Melbourne in mid-2016, but remain Director of Interface Orthotics, and have now joined the NeuroMuscular Orthotics team.

When did you first become involved with AOPA?

In 2009, I was nominated for a committee position by Barry Smith, who was President of what was then known as the WA State Section of AOPA Inc. It was my responsibility to coordinate CPD and social events for the state section.

What key roles have you held within AOPA over the years?

In mid-2010, I joined the National Council as the representative for WA, but was then elected as a general National Council member and appointed Vice-President in 2012. Through the transition in governance and company structure of AOPA, I have remained in that position. My key roles have been in practitioner advocacy - investigating options with DVA and the Medicare Services Advisory Committee, recruitment, interview and nomination of external directors, and recently on the Finance Risk and Audit committee. Over the years I’ve become a regular reviewer of documents for Leigh and the AOPA Office team – submissions, policy, articles, letters and publications. I’ve seen first-hand the vast majority of the work to come out of the AOPA Office over the last 7 years, and this helps my perspective for the future.

What motivated you to take on the role of Chair?

In all areas of my work and personal life I am a collaborator and love to work constructively with exceptional people to achieve. I enjoy building and facilitating teams, and I appreciate those moments when the individual talents within a diverse group combine to achieve more than the sum of its parts.

What do you see as your main duties and responsibilities as the Chair of AOPA?

The first role of the Chair is one I share with all directors – to supervise the performance of AOPA in its business

and compliance. Within that, I see the key duties of Chair being:

• to facilitate the contributions of all directors;• to be a first point of contact between the Board and

the Executive Officer; • to liaise with external stakeholders on occasion; and,• to report directly to the membership the various

positions, directions and activities of the Board.

What do you see as the key strategic areas that AOPA will be working in over the next two years?

I can point straight to our strategic plan which is still hot off the press, but to put it into my own words: The Australian community is desperate for accessible, high quality and economically sustainable orthotic and prosthetic services. To achieve that, we need a capable and professional workforce, adequate and timely funding models, and the physical infrastructure which is required for the community to do business with our members.

We have great potential to see progress with the NDIA and Private Healthcare Australia in the next two years, and I expect that if we can see development of robust and equitable models through those groups, then the benefits would flow through to achieving many other objectives.

What are your aspirations for AOPA and the orthotic/prosthetic profession both now and in the future?

We were asked a similar question on our strategic planning day in March, which was facilitated by futurist Gretchen Young. I aspire for Orthotist/Prosthetists to be recognised as being passionate and excellent within the Allied Health team, capable of using whatever competencies they have acquired to enable mobility and participation. Change in our field is relentless. The development of manufacturing techniques, neuroscience, materials technology and mechatronics will make our current day jobs unrecognisable in decades to come. I aspire for Orthotist/Prosthetists and AOPA to remain central to the implementation of those changes both now and in the future – it’s the only way we can ensure that service provision in this space remains safe and effective.



Executive Officer’s Report

Dear Members and colleagues,

It is with pleasure that I report on the activities, outcomes and achievements for our Association for the 2017-18 financial year. The Association has undergone substantial change during this financial year, both operationally and strategically.

Operational growth

In early 2018 we were pleased to relocate the AOPA Office to a new, modern and accessible office space in Camberwell. The Office team was located in Balwyn for more than 7 years and during this time grew from 2 part time staff to 6 staff, with a total of 3.5FTE. This recent move completes a substantial growth period for the Association, with the new space now appropriate for our size and activities.

During this year we have also had some staff changes with both Ella Nicolson and Emily Ridgewell taking extended leave. We welcomed Peter Kneebone to the team in an Events and Communication role and adjusted other team members hours.

Governance improvement

In our 2017 planning day, the Board spent considerable time reviewing the Association’s committees, particularly our Board committees. A restructuring of the Board committees was conducted to more closely align with the governance requirements of the National Alliance of Self Regulating Health Professions (NASRHP) and reflect a best practice structure. Members will note the introduction of the Re-certification Committee, which is responsible for all re-certification requirements for practitioners and separates this function from the Accreditation Committee.

Implementation of certification activities

The restructure of Board committees was also prompted

by an increase in workload for the Accreditation Committee due to Course accreditation applications and the introduction of CPD Audit as a re-certification assurance process. We were pleased to complete full accreditation processes for the La Trobe University O&P program and Interim Accreditation for the University of the Sunshine Coast O&P program. We are grateful to our Assessing team and Accreditation Committee members for their commitment to this important certification process. This accreditation process ensures all entry level graduates are assessed against the same standards, irrespective of their qualification or country of origin, with the Entry Level Competency Standards now underpinning

both practitioner certification and course accreditation processes.

Advocacy progress

In 2017-18 the Association has made its largest time and financial investment in important advocacy activities on behalf of the profession. We dedicated a 3-day a week staffing position to our advocacy work given a desire for greater policy change for the profession. For the majority

of the year we have been extensively engaging with Private Healthcare Australia (PHA) and the Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) to improve the recognition of clinical services for orthotist/prosthetists and the introduction of formalised coding arrangements. Further to this, developments and changes for the delivery of Assistive Technology with the NDIS continues and we have been pleased to be consulted extensively by the Agency and provided with representation opportunities at all consultations. Finally, we re-invigorated our campaign for inclusion of an orthotic health service item under Medicare. The announcement of the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) Review and establishment of a Review Taskforce by the Health Minister provided an opportunity to again establish our advocacy and lobbying in this area.

“For the majority of the year we have been extensively engaging with Private Healthcare Australia (PHA) and the Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) to improve the recognition of clinical services for orthotist/prosthetists”

Orthotic Services & Medicare | AOPA 7

Positive financial position

Finally, I am pleased to report that we have concluded the 2017-18 year with our most successful financial outcome to date. We have successfully increased our advocacy and representation activities, launched new member services, strengthened our certification and accreditation processes, and modernised the Office, whilst delivering a net profit back to the Association.

AOPA continues to grow and expand in capacity due to the ongoing commitment of our practitioners and stakeholders who are passionate about maintaining their certification. Your AOPA certification status is becoming increasingly important due to the work we have completed on the standards that underpin the title of Certified Orthotist/Prosthetist, and we encourage you to display and promote your certification status wherever possible.

I wish to extend thanks for the continued support the Board provides to the Office team, the support of our Corporate Partners and the ongoing commitment from you, our members, to your profession and your certification status.

Leigh Clarke c-OP AOPA, M.PH, B.PO (Hons)

AOPA Executive Officer

Dear Members and colleagues,

It is with pleasure that I report on the activities, outcomes and achievements for our Association as we conclude another highly successful financial year.

Firstly, let’s look at our biggest wins which saw AOPA’s hard work and advocacy activities result in major Government policy change for the profession. On July 1st 2016, the Department of Immigration and Citizenship amended the Skilled Occupations List, adding the profession of Orthotist/Prosthetist (251912) to the list of eligible professions for the purpose of skilled migration. This means that the migration rules for the profession have changed, allowing an international practitioner who meets the skills requirements to migrate to Australia under a Skilled Visa. This is one component of the necessary changes required to address workforce shortage in Australia and was heavily based on AOPA’s workforce demographic publication (Ridgewell et al., 2016) and advocacy work.

The positive progress with Government policy changes didn’t stop there. We ended the 2016-17 financial year with the Department of Education and Training completing a review of AOPA’s certification processes and deciding to appoint AOPA as the Skills Assessing Authority for the purpose of skilled migration. This change occurred due to AOPA’s strong and robust Competency Standards and Assessment of Competence applicant pathway. With immigration assessment and AOPA’s certification requirements now perfectly aligned, we have control over the migration pathway for the profession and are able to ensure that international practitioners entering Australia under a Skilled Visa meet AOPA’s entry-level requirements to practice.

In my time as Executive Officer of the Association, there has not been a more rewarding and significant outcome than these large Government policy changes and the recognition of our hard work and standards by the relevant Minister’s. These changes result from the culmination of our workforce research, Competency Standards, Course Accreditation, Assessment of Competence and practitioner certification development work. I would like to extend congratulations and thanks to Jackie O’Connor, Emily Ridgewell, Shane Grant and all our volunteer members who contributed to these projects over the past five years. In particular, I would like to acknowledge the hard work of Louise Puli in implementing the work and communicating with and advocating to the relevant Government officials to effect the change.

AOPA’s advocacy work extended beyond recognition of our certification processes and also included substantial engagement with state and federal funding agencies. Last year we welcomed Luke Rycken to the AOPA Office team. In his role as Policy and Advocacy Officer, Luke has supported conversations with Private Healthcare Australia, the Department of Veterans Affairs, NDIS and state equipment schemes. It has been a highly successful advocacy year with developments in a number of areas, including the establishment of fee and item schedules for the profession. Whilst these changes take time to roll out in to practice, we are pleased to report positive conversations and a general appetite to recognise the essential clinical role provided by the profession, independent of the provision of orthoses and prostheses.

Over the last 12 months we have significantly increased the range of education services provided to members and delivered our largest national education calendar to date. The 2016 Congress increased to a three day event and broke previous records with our highest number of attendees and increased engagement from external stakeholders and exhibitors. In addition, we also delivered the NDIS Operational Workshop and a highly informative range of webinars and face to face events for members. I would like to thank the National Education Delivery Committee for their commitment to delivering diverse and exciting education activities to the membership.

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AOPA ANNUAL REPORT 2016/17 76 AOPA ANNUAL REPORT 2016/17

The AOPA Review / Volume 2 - Issue 2 / December 2017 / 5

ThoughTs from The NaTioNal office

Welcome to your December edition of the Review. It has been another fast year and I hope it has been successful for you. This year has been highly successful for AOPA and the profession, and I would like to take this opportunity to reflect on these successes and the hard work of our AOPA staff and committee volunteers.

In July 2017, AOPA was appointed as the Skills Assessing Authority for the purpose of migration as an Orthotist/Prosthetist. This is one of the most significant and rewarding policy changes for our profession. This outcome could not have been achieved without the Association’s tireless advocacy work and strengthened self-regulation standards. Since this time, we have seen an influx of work arise for the AOPA Accreditation Committee, capably led by Bruce Poole and supported by AOPA staff member, Louise Puli. We have received a large volume of immigration assessments and applications for membership from international practitioners which are currently being reviewed.

The Accreditation Committee is also responsible for the oversight of AOPA’s Course Accreditation process which was introduced in July 2016. We are pleased to report that we have almost completed the processing of Course Accreditation applications from both La Trobe University and the University of the Sunshine Coast. We extend our thanks to both education providers and their leaders for their collaborative approach to this process; which will ensure an ongoing connection between O&P education, workforce and community needs. The outcomes of these assessments will be made public as soon as practical.

Following our Symposium at the ISPO World Congress in Cape Town, I am pleased to have been appointed to the ISPO International Standards Committee. It is a pleasure to support ISPO in the finalisation and launch of new international accreditation standards. AOPA will work closely with ISPO with the aim to align national and international standards and streamline processing.

Additional AOPA committees that continue to produce amazing member benefits are our CPD Accreditation and Education Delivery Committees. Capably led by Hannah Furlong and Daniel Moore, these committees oversee the accreditation of member events and the planning and implementation of our national education calendar. I trust that members continue to find our regular and varied education events of value, and I would like to thank the Chairs and members of these committees for their hard work throughout 2017.

The highlight of our national education calendar is our annual AOPA Congress. I would like to thank and congratulate our 2017 Convenor, Sarah Anderson, on the delivery of a second successful Congress and wish her well on her deserved break from the convening role. Sarah was well supported by the Congress Committee and AOPA staff member, Luke Rycken. Thank you to our

Leigh Clarke Executive Officer, AOPA

members who have reached out with kind words of thanks for Sarah, Luke and the Congress Committee following our largest and most complex event in October. It is so pleasing that the event was well enjoyed and valuable for everyone. More highlights of this year’s event are presented over the page.

Looking forward, we have a lot to be excited about for 2018. We will be relocating the AOPA Office to a slightly larger premises early in the New Year. AOPA has been in an independent office space since February 2011. At that time, the Office team consisted of two part-time staff totaling 0.8 Full Time Equivalent (FTE). Now with six staff, at approximately 3.5 FTE, we have outgrown our existing space. It is a wonderful sign of the Office team’s stability and the growth and professionalism of the Association. I thank the Board for their vision and support which has enabled AOPA’s steady growth and look forward to the move to our new office premises.

We will also be searching for a new Office staff member for 2018. Ella Nicolson has an invaluable role at AOPA, in which she communicates all of our activities directly to you through email, the website and social media. Ella also manages the production of the Review magazine, coordinating the Editorial Committee and works closely with the Congress Committee. We are going to miss Ella during 2018, but wish her an enjoyable period of leave from AOPA. We therefore have an exciting part-time Membership/Communication and Event position available for next year. This position would allow someone to develop valuable communication and project management skills as part of a small and exciting team, and we would love to hear from anyone who may be interested in this role.

Thank you for your ongoing support of the Association, the direction taken by our National Board and the activities of the Office team. I wish you all the best for a safe and enjoyable holiday season and look forward to continued work with our members and partners in 2018.



2017-18 Year in Review

Learn

AOPA continued to extend the learning and growth opportunities to members in the 2017–18 year. We added an additional event type, with online, module-based learning and increased the number of member-only webinars.

• 8 national webinars delivered with an average attendance of 73 at each webinar representing approximately 20% of the practicing membership

• 2 face-to-face state level events at each of the 7 state and territory sites. There was a reduction in face-to face events in the 2017–18 year where previously 3 had been held. There were challenges delivering events in some states. The number of events reduced from 21 in 2016–17 to 9 in 2017–18. Attendance remained high, averaging 84 across the 7 sites for each event

• 55 education activities were accredited for CPD point allocation in the Accredited Activity category, a 17% increase from the previous financial year

• In total, 68 education opportunities were advertised to the AOPA membership, including accredited, national and international multidisciplinary events

• 499 individual registrations at the 2017 congress events, including a day record of 405 delegates, 70 student event attendees, and 24 attendees at the inaugural technician forum. Total congress registrations were a 10% increase on the 2016 record breaking year.

Support

AOPA provides wide ranging support services to members, from direct one-to-one member support to broader advocacy and representation on national committees. The Association aims to achieve O&P representation at every level of Government, participating in disability, health and primary care conversations

• Committee representation

• Allied Health Professions Australia (AHPA), Member Organisation and Board member

• National Alliance of Self Regulating Health Professions (NASRHP), Founding member organisation and Board member

• AHPA NDIS working group

• La Trobe University Course Advisory Committee

• University of Sunshine Coast O&P Advisory Committee

• Standards Australia Committee (HE-028)

• DVA stakeholder engagement committee

• DVA Health Consultative Forum

• Contribution to conversations through submissions and consultations, including more than 12 Government submissions and representation at more than 24 meetings and consultations with key stakeholders, such as:

• Federal Pre-budget submission

• COAG Independent Review of Accreditation Systems with NRAS

• DVA Allied Health Arrangements Review

• NDIS Assistive Technology Redesign Workshops

• NDIS Productivity Commission Cost-Price Inquiry

• NDIS Price Review

• NDIS Quality and Safeguards Framework consultation

• HCC Complaints Handling Standards consultation

• EnableNSW Draft Footwear and Orthoses Clinical Criteria

• Tasmanian Artificial Limb Scheme Review

• TGA Personalised and 3D Printed Medical Devices consultation


• Key stakeholder meetings, including

• Private Healthcare Australia provider representation meetings

• DVA provider representation meetings

• NDIA Assistive Technology Team meetings

• NDIA Technical Advisory Team meetings

• SWEP/AOPA working meetings

• Resources and services:

• Private Practice Business Course Modules

• NDIS fact sheets and provider resources

• Clinical specialty promotional resources

• Grants awarded for 2018/19 had a total value of $3,322.46

• 1 congress Guild Insurance Best Presentation Award to the value of $1095

• 1 Professional Enhancement Grant (PEG) awarded to the value of $727.46

• 1 Bill Reed Memorial grant awarded to the value of $1,165

• 2 National Centre for Prosthetics and Orthotics student prizes awarded, being the Robert Gardner Memorial Prize and the AOPA Victorian Section prize valued at $335

Share

In 2017-18 AOPA continued to extend communication to a wider audience, including key stakeholders and members of the public, through a range of education and promotional activities.

• Exhibitor at the Rehabilitation Medicine Society of Australia and New Zealand, with support from Ottobock and Ossur

• Leading with important conversations:

• Louise Puli, Professional Standards Officer, interviewed in the Drawing Room on RN Drive regarding prosthetic services and education in Australia and developing countries

• Position statements and news releases to support accurate information in the public domain, including response to media reports on 3D printed upper limb prostheses

• Wide-reaching public consultation on the draft Code of Conduct for Orthotist/Prosthetists

• Staged release of a further seven clinical specialty fact sheets

• Orthoses for mobility and support for people with a history of Polio

• Prosthetic rehabilitation after amputation

• Acute spinal injury management

• Sports injury rehabilitation

• Exoskeletons for mobility and rehabilitation

• Burns rehabilitation

• Management of diabetes-related foot disease

• 79 employment opportunities advertised, being the leading site for O&P employment adverts

• Continued use of multiple methods of communication and building our O&P community

• AOPA’s LinkedIn member only group has remained stable with 147 members

• LinkedIn company page has a strong following, growing by 33% to 485 followers

• AOPA’s Facebook page is a primary method of community communication, allowing members and facilities to cross promote the work of the profession with 690 followers

• AOPA uses Twitter to connect with our international peers, our allied colleagues in Australia and communicate with key stakeholders. Our presence continues to grow, increasing by 26% to 698 followers. AOPA uses the Twitter handle @AOPA_News and #AOPA18 and #OandP for our conversations

PARTNERED PRINCIPLED EVIDENCED COLLABORATIVE


Our Partners

AOPA works passionately to improve orthotic and prosthetic services in Australia and recognises the value of working collaboratively with all stakeholders to achieve this. AOPA is a not-for-profit member-based organisation that does not receive Government funding to carry out its work. In 2013 AOPA established the Benefactor Program, allowing for philanthropic donations from the industry to increase the capacity of the organisation. In 2017, we formalised these arrangements with a commitment to return value where possible to those that chose to support us.

Working with our Corporate Partners allows AOPA to complete projects of significance, prioritise key advocacy activities and increase the profession’s presence in the Allied Health space. More specifically, by establishing partnerships, AOPA can increase its capacity to:

• Support AOPA certified practitioners to work within existing funding schemes and the NDIS,

• Advocate for improved funding arrangements for orthotic and prosthetic services, including policies, procedures and guidelines, and

• Promote AOPA certified practitioners as leaders in orthotic and prosthetic service provision, to the public, other allied health and medical professions, policy makers and other key stakeholders.

The activities of the Association and our partnerships are transparent, independent and are always linked to the Association’s core objects, as outlined in the constitution and directed by the Strategic Plan.

We would like to thank and acknowledge our Corporate Partners for 2018 for their generous support, both financial and through the provision of expertise.


AOPA at a Glance

The membership

For 2017-18 the AOPA membership growth slowed for the first time in a number of years. The growth of the total membership was 1.8%, with the majority growth category being Leave of Absence and a small decline in student membership and education subscribers.

2018

● Certified practitioners 375

● LOA 33

● Life 8

● Retired 4

● Student member 66

● Education subscriber 11

Total 497

Your association’s staff activity

During 2017-18, 2 staff responsible for communications and research support took extended leave, which impacted on the team’s ability to complete key projects. In contrast to previous years, we had an unprecedented increase in time-critical advocacy activity, further impacting on the delivery of planned projects. Overall, however the spread of the office work areas is more balanced, with decreased operations and management activity.

● Operations/management

● Advocacy/representation

● Member services

● Regulation/Certification

● Congress

● Projects

● Communication

What is the Board Composition?

● AOPA member – management

● AOPA member – management/prosthetist

● AOPA member – management/orthotist

● AOPA member – prosthetist

● External director

The finances: income

Over the last 5 years AOPA has worked hard to diversify our revenue streams. For 2017-18 there was a substantial increase in the proportion of revenue attributed to the congress and advertising activities, which in turn decreases AOPA’s reliance on membership fees for sustainability.

● Advertising

● Congress

● Membership fees

● Benefactor program

● Referral fees (Guild)

● Accreditation

● Other

The finances: expenses

As activities shift towards greater advocacy and improved member services, AOPA’s expenses will proportionately shift towards staffing. AOPA’s salaries and wages expenses as a proportion of total expenses (50%) is higher than typical associations with a member service focus (40%), but reflective of a small Association that is relatively lean.

● Office

● The Review

● Staffing

● Meeting

● Promotion activities

● Education delivery

● Accreditation/membership processing

● Other


Committees List

The AOPA Board of Directors has responsibility for the control and direction of the affairs of the Association. In 2017-18 the AOPA Board undertook to restructure the Board and Operational Committee to ensure greater alignment with the activities and key purpose of the Association.

The Board is supported in its governance function by the following Board Committees:

• Accreditation Committee

• Re-certification Committee

• Finance, Risk and Audit Committee

• People and Culture Committee Including the Ethics Committee and Ethics

Appeals Committee

The National Office is supported in its operational functions by the direction of the Board and the advisory function of a number of member committees. The following committees and members have provided invaluable assistance to the AOPA Office and led large and important projects for the benefit of members.

National Education Delivery Committee

Daniel Moore (Chair)

Kelsey Holbrook

Kate Perlstein

Charles Wheeler

Rhiannon Assetta

Alexandra Rimington

Asumi Dailey

Hannah Graham

CPD Management Committee

Hannah Furlong

Bridie Harris

Hannah Keane

Mitch Farrar

Magazine Editorial Committee

Ella Nicolson

Peter Kneebone

Claire Skewes

Jess Grant

Asumi Dailey

Lainie Plummer


Congress Committee

2017Sarah Anderson (Chair)

Luke Rycken

Jess Grant

Meleita Finnigan

Gabriella Salemme

Claire Skewes

Student Engagement Committee

Louise Puli

Heather Stewart

Jake Eadie

Lewis Meeny

Andrew MacDonald

Thomas Clingin

Katherine Regos

Private Practice Reference Group

Leigh Clarke

Emily Ridgewell

Anita Chia-Crawshaw

Tamra Enbom

Richard Ziegeler

Kate Perlstein

Denise Nathan

NDIS Reference Group

Leigh Clarke

Luke Rycken

Tamra Enbom

Prem Anandam

Phil Francis

Diana Poole

Michael Storey

Barry Smith

Melissa Noonan

Tricia Malowney

2018Jess Grant (Chair)

Sarah Anderson

Hannah Graham

Shanelle Fogarty

Simon Yap


Governance – Director’s reportThe directors present their report on the Australian Orthotic Prosthetic Association for the financial year ended the 30 June 2018. The names of directors in office, their relevant qualifications, experience and special responsibilities for the period ending are as follows.

Paul Sprague, AOPA Chair Bachelor of Prosthetics and Orthotics

Paul holds a clinical position at NeuroMuscular Orthotics in Melbourne, specialising in Orthotic management of individuals with neurological impairment. He is also Director of Interface Orthotics which he established in Perth in 2014. He has worked solely in Orthotics, but his experience spans both public and private contexts, and he has had a particular interest in adapting new technologies for use in the paediatric population.

Paul joined National Council in July 2010 as the West Australian representative. He was elected Vice President in 2012 and continued as Vice-Chair following the restructure in 2014. In November 2017, the Board appointed Paul as Chair where he helps to oversee the implementation of the AOPA 2017-2022 Strategic Plan.

Paul has worked on a number of significant AOPA projects and in 2017/18 has taken a role on the People and Culture Committee.

Special responsibilities: People and Culture Committee

Brendan Cahill, AOPA Vice-chair Bachelor of Prosthetics and Orthotics

Brendan first joined the National Council of AOPA in 2012 as the WA State Representative and served until 2015, with the last year as a Director on the newly formed National Board. He has been involved in many key projects during that time including the redevelopment of the AOPA website and the formation of the AOPA Benefactor (Corporate Partnership) program. Brendan stepped back on to the National Board in 2016 and has been involved with

the course accreditation of La Trobe University and the new University of the Sunshine Coast, amongst other projects. Over the last year, he has filled the position of Vice Chair on the National Board.

Special responsibilities: People and Culture Committee, Accreditation Committee

Hannah Furlong Bachelor of Prosthetics and Orthotics, Graduate Certificate of Health Services Management, Graduate Certificate in Wound Management.

Hannah’s current work role is Senior Clinician, Orthotist/Prosthetist. Hannah has been working primarily in Amputee and Neurological Rehabilitation at the Royal Melbourne hospital since 2002. Her role also encompasses the co-ordination of the Royal Melbourne Hospital, Amputee clinic and Victorian Artificial Limb Program. Hannah’s clinical and management roles are focused around amputee rehabilitation, program and service development at Royal Melbourne Hospital and Western Hospital Footscray. Hannah has a special clinical interest in management of wounds in the Prosthetics field.

Hannah has held the role of Secretary, AOPA National Councillor and Board Member since 2012. Over the past 6 years in these roles Hannah has drafted policy and procedures and led processes relating to CPD, Recency and Resumption of Practice and Ethics/complaints processes. Hannah was also instrumental in the Association restructure process that occurred in late 2014.

Hannah is the current chair of the AOPA Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Management Committee and Re-Certification Committee and performs the Secretarial duties of the National Board.

Special responsibilities: Chair CPD Management Committee; Chair Re-certification Committee, National Secretary


Harvey Blackney Diploma of Applied Science (P&O), LTU

From 1984 to 1988 Harvey worked as a DVA clinical prosthetist. Harvey then joined Ottobock for 10 years from 1988 to and held multiple roles spanning from clinical educator through to clinical and technical director. In 1998 Harvey joined APC Prosthetics as a managing partner until 2010. During this time (2005) Harvey joined Ossur Asia-Pacific as the Regional Director, which is his current position.

Harvey joined the AOPA National Council in 2007 beginning with role of NSW state representative. He progressed to the position of President/Chair in 2011 and has been instrumental in the Associations governance shift to a Company Limited by Guarantee. Harvey has extensive skills and experience in strategy development, planning and budgeting and has lead Board and Office in these areas. Harvey’s main clinical passion however is socket design.

Special responsibilities: Finance, Risk and Audit Committee

Bruce Poole Bachelor of Prosthetics and Orthotics (Hons), Diploma of Business (Frontline Management).

Bruce has worked in a number of large public facilities, primarily in prosthetics, including the Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne, Caulfield General Medical Centre and St Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne. He is currently the Manager of the P&O unit at Latrobe Regional Hospital (LRH) which is predominately focussed on delivering prosthetic services to the Gippsland region but also orthotics for acute and subacute wards at LRH.

Bruce joined the AOPA board in September 2013 as the Registrar. Prior to this he had participated in the CPD sub committee and the Certification Committee for assessing overseas applicants. He was also a key contributor to the 2003 AOPA Competency Standards and recently participated on the expert panel for the 2014 Competency Standards revision. Bruce is currently the Chair of the Accreditation Committee which oversees the processing of membership applications and course accreditation.

Special responsibilities: Chair Accreditation Committee

Michael Storey Bachelor of Prosthetics and Orthotics, Bachelor of Biomedical Science

Michael graduated in 2009 and initially worked at The Children’s Hospital at Westmead as an Orthotist predominately seeing clients with neuro-muscular conditions. Michael joined APC Prosthetics in Sydney at the start of 2010 before transferring to APC Prosthetics (Hunter) in April 2013. Since joining APC Prosthetics he has specialised in lower limb prostheses for both interim and definitive clients.

Michael was the NSW CPD Co-ordinator for 2 years after which he joined the AOPA board in 2012. He held the combined role of NSW President and National Councillor. Michael has a passion for assisting in the development of sustainable funding systems for the P&O industry and in particular have an interest in the NDIS and funding systems within NSW.

Special responsibilities: Finance, Risk and Audit Committee


Monique van den Boom Bachelor of Prosthetics and Orthotics (Hons)

Monique has varied clinical experience in both the public and private sector in Australia and also Internationally. Monique is a Director and Senior Prosthetist at ProMotion Prosthetics, Melbourne. Monique’s clinical experience is diverse however her specialty is in upper limb myo-electric prostheses, lower-limb microprocessor prostheses, recreational and sporting prostheses.

Monique was elected to the AOPA Board at the 2015 Annual General Meeting. Monique has been extremely impressed with the developments led by the Association and what AOPA has achieved in recent years. Monique is excited to help continue this work in order to benefit members. Monique is particularly passionate about working to improve the profile of our profession amongst other Allied Health associations. She believes as a profession we have progressed in leaps and bounds in recent years and would like to contribute in a way that compliments this.

Special responsibilities: Re-certification committee

Ngaire Elwood Bachelor of Science (Hon), University of Melbourne; Doctor of Philosophy, University of Melbourne.

Ngaire was appointed to the AOPA Board as an External Director in 2015. Ngaire is the Director of the BMDI Cord Blood Bank, a public cord blood bank that collects and stores unrelated cord blood for patients around the world requiring a bone marrow transplant for treatment of leukaemia and other blood disorders. Through this role Ngaire has significant experience in regulatory compliance and the development of accreditation standards, skills that can be utilised within the AOPA framework of competency standards and course accreditation for the O&P profession in Australia. As an above-knee amputee since 1980, Ngaire also brings a consumer and advocate voice to her role on the Board and the strategic direction of AOPA.

Special responsibilities: Accreditation Committee

Patricia Malowney OAM Bachelor of Arts, La Trobe University

Tricia was appointed to the AOPA Board as an External Director in 2015 and is a consumer who is a long-term user of orthoses. Tricia contracted polio at four months of age and is currently using a stance control KAFO. Tricia is passionate about the NDIS, having campaigned for its introduction, and now works as a Consultant with traditional service providers as they transform into modern businesses with people with disabilities as the customer. Tricia sees the introduction of the NDIS as a great opportunity for AOPA Members.

Special responsibilities: People and Culture Committee

Melanie Dooley

Melanie was appointed as an External Director to the AOPA Board in the second half of 2016. Melanie is currently employed as the Manager; Members and Corporate Services at Allied Health Professions Australia (AHPA) and brings to the Board a background in Corporate Finance and Treasury Operations, and more recent experience in small business and Not for Profit Administration and Finance. In addition to Finance, Melanie has a strong interest in Governance that stems from her corporate background and voluntary roles in community organisations and Boards. She maintains her CPD with the Governance Institute of Australia.

Since 2013, Melanie has worked with Allied Health Professions Australia, of which the AOPA is a member organisation. Through this role she has gained a broad understanding of advocacy issues for the allied health sector.

Special responsibilities: Chair Finance, Risk and Audit Committee


Attendance record

Name Position Meetings attended

Meetings total

Paul Sprague Chair 7 7

Brendan Cahill Vice-chair 5 7

Melanie Dooley General Director 6 7

Harvey Blackney General Director 6 7

Bruce Poole General Director 5 7

Michael Storey General Director 6 7

Hannah Furlong General Director 7 7

Monique van den Boom General Director 5 7

Ngaire Elwood General Director 7 7

Patricia Malowney General Director 5 7


The Australian Orthotic Prosthetic Association is a not-for-profit company limited by guarantee. Subject to the Corporations Act, the AOPA operates under a Constitution which was adopted in October 2014. The AOPA Constitution is available at www.aopa.org.au

Section 5 of the AOPA Constitution outlines the objectives of the Association. The objectives are broad and permit the Association to engage in a wide range of activities focussed on members, member services, advocacy, education and enhancing the profession and services.

Strategic plan

The Strategic Plan presents targeted activity in three pillars of importance – our community, our practitioners and our profession. AOPA’s activities across the three pillars are underpinned by four guiding principles being; partnered, principled, evidenced, and collaborative. We encourage members to adopt these principles across the important functions of their clinical service provision and professional activities, as a collaborative effort towards growth and advancement of the profession and its’ services.

The strategic plan for 2017-22 is not a static document, but a shifting and developing plan that drives all Association activities. It provides a point of guidance, reflection and a measure of outcomes. The strategic plan underpins the operational plan for the national office and the annual budget process, and as such is an important, living document for the next 5 years.

During this 5-year strategic cycle, AOPA seeks to reframe the story of orthotics and prosthetics in Australia. AOPA will not be apologetic in its aggressive push to achieve our vision, through raising the profile of the profession and reducing barriers for consumers to access appropriate services. We seek to re-frame the orthotic/prosthetic story in Australia and urge members and industry colleagues to support AOPA in these endeavours, creating a new orthotic/prosthetic story for 2022.

Measurement of performance

For the 2017/18 year the Board has measured performance through the following means:

• Total membership: increase by 1.8% from previous financial year

• Practicing membership: remained stable compared to previous financial year

• Student membership: decreased by 6% from previous financial year

• Congress attendance: increase of 9% from previous year, and highest congress attendance

• National webinar attendance: average attendance of 73 members per event

• Achieve profit to increase cash reserves: $23,350 profit, resulting in 15% increase in cash reserves, reflecting 10 months operating expenses in reserves

• Staffing levels: maintained FTE for 2017/18

Objectives of the Australian Orthotic Prosthetic Association

Community need

Capability of practitioners

Capacity of profession

PARTNEREDPartner with consumer

representatives to identify service needs

Promote service improvement and clinical

competency

Create consumer awareness of the scope of

clinical services

PRINCIPLEDSupport quality,

transparent and ethical services

Strengthen practitioner certification and practice

standards

Promote an ethical, open and competitive market

EVIDENCED Promote evidence based treatments and services

Advocate for recognition of entry level and advanced

clinical competencies

Advocate for evidenced service guidelines and

policies

COLLABORATIVEPromote collaborative

services within extended teams

Support effective practitioner engagement and advocacy activities

Collaborate with external stakeholders to address

workforce capacity issues

Outcomes for 2017/18

Preparation work undertaken for submission to NASRHP for interim membership against the Standards

Development of enhanced evidence based education for members – “Virtual Journal Club” for launch win 2018/19

Ongoing development of the National Service Improvement Program (NSIP)

Implementation of CPD Audit

AOPA appointed the NASRHP Secretariat role

Revision of declaration requirements for certification and re-certification

One to one practitioner support through increased staff availability

Continued launch of clinical specialties and associated communication

Launch of Business Practice education modules for certified O&P

Advocacy and policy activities relating to recognition of orthotists and development of service schedules

Representation via submissions and attendance at consultations

International collaboration on standards for O&P practitioners and delivery of education and CPD


Goal and Objectives

Community need

Capability of practitioners

Capacity of profession

PARTNEREDPartner with consumer

representatives to identify service needs

Promote service improvement and clinical

competency

Create consumer awareness of the scope of

clinical services

PRINCIPLEDSupport quality,

transparent and ethical services

Strengthen practitioner certification and practice

standards

Promote an ethical, open and competitive market

EVIDENCED Promote evidence based treatments and services

Advocate for recognition of entry level and advanced

clinical competencies

Advocate for evidenced service guidelines and

policies

COLLABORATIVEPromote collaborative

services within extended teams

Support effective practitioner engagement and advocacy activities

Collaborate with external stakeholders to address

workforce capacity issues

Outcomes for 2017/18

Preparation work undertaken for submission to NASRHP for interim membership against the Standards

Development of enhanced evidence based education for members – “Virtual Journal Club” for launch win 2018/19

Ongoing development of the National Service Improvement Program (NSIP)

Implementation of CPD Audit

AOPA appointed the NASRHP Secretariat role

Revision of declaration requirements for certification and re-certification

One to one practitioner support through increased staff availability

Continued launch of clinical specialties and associated communication

Launch of Business Practice education modules for certified O&P

Advocacy and policy activities relating to recognition of orthotists and development of service schedules

Representation via submissions and attendance at consultations

International collaboration on standards for O&P practitioners and delivery of education and CPD


Director’s Report

The Australian Orthotic Prosthetic Association Limited

ABN: 56 161 735 584

Directors' ReportFor the Year Ended 30 June 2018

The directors present their report on The Australian Orthotic Prosthetic Association Limited for the financial year ended 30 June2018.

(a) General information

Information on directors

The names of each person who has been a director during the year and to the date of this report are:

Harvey Blackney

Paul Sprague

Hannah Furlong

Bruce Poole

Michael Storey

Monique Van Den Boon

Ngaire Elwood

Melanie Dooley

Patricia Malowney

Brendan Cahill

Directors have been in office since the start of the financial year to the date of this report unless otherwise stated.

Principal activities

The principal activity of The Australian Orthotic Prosthetic Association Limited during the financial year were the provision ofmember services and representation activities in line with the objects of the company.

No significant changes in the nature of the Company's activity occurred during the financial year.

Review of Operations

A review of the operations of the company during the financial year and the results of those operations are as follows:

The Australian Orthotic Prosthetic Association provided leadership and unified representation of the orthotics and prostheticsprofession. The company's governance development enhanced and streamlined operational activities. The company continued todeliver member services and enhancing the profile and reputation of the profession during this period of change.

The activities of 2017/18 were in line with the company's strategic plan and demonstrate a commitment to positioning itself as theprimary voice for orthotics and prosthetics in Australia, contributing to development of the profession and access to the services ofmembers and the enhancement of the member experience.

Members' guarantee

The Australian Orthotic Prosthetic Association Limited is a company limited by guarantee. In the event of, and for the purpose ofwinding up of the company, the amount capable of being called up from each member is limited to $ 10 each towards meeting anyoutstanding obligations of the company.

1



ABN: 56 161 735 584


The directors present their report on The Australian Orthotic Prosthetic Association Limited for the financial year ended 30 June2018.

(a) General information

Information on directors

The names of each person who has been a director during the year and to the date of this report are:

Harvey Blackney

Paul Sprague

Hannah Furlong

Bruce Poole

Michael Storey

Monique Van Den Boon

Ngaire Elwood

Melanie Dooley

Patricia Malowney

Brendan Cahill

Directors have been in office since the start of the financial year to the date of this report unless otherwise stated.

Principal activities

The principal activity of The Australian Orthotic Prosthetic Association Limited during the financial year were the provision ofmember services and representation activities in line with the objects of the company.

No significant changes in the nature of the Company's activity occurred during the financial year.

Review of Operations

A review of the operations of the company during the financial year and the results of those operations are as follows:

The Australian Orthotic Prosthetic Association provided leadership and unified representation of the orthotics and prostheticsprofession. The company's governance development enhanced and streamlined operational activities. The company continued todeliver member services and enhancing the profile and reputation of the profession during this period of change.

The activities of 2017/18 were in line with the company's strategic plan and demonstrate a commitment to positioning itself as theprimary voice for orthotics and prosthetics in Australia, contributing to development of the profession and access to the services ofmembers and the enhancement of the member experience.

Members' guarantee

The Australian Orthotic Prosthetic Association Limited is a company limited by guarantee. In the event of, and for the purpose ofwinding up of the company, the amount capable of being called up from each member is limited to $ 10 each towards meeting anyoutstanding obligations of the company.

1


ABN: 56 161 735 584


(b) Other items

Reviewer's independence declaration

The reviewer's independence declaration in accordance with section 307C of the Corporations Act 2001, for the year ended 30June 2018 has been received and can be found on page 3 of the financial report.

Signed in accordance with a resolution of the Board of Directors:

Director: ................................................................................................................................................

Harvey Blackney

Director: ................................................................................................................................................

Paul Sprague

Dated

2


ABN: 56 161 735 584


(b) Other items

Reviewer's independence declaration

The reviewer's independence declaration in accordance with section 307C of the Corporations Act 2001, for the year ended 30June 2018 has been received and can be found on page 3 of the financial report.

Signed in accordance with a resolution of the Board of Directors:

Director: ................................................................................................................................................

Harvey Blackney

Director: ................................................................................................................................................

Paul Sprague

Dated

2

Director: …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… Paul Sprague, Chair of the Board

Director: …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… Melanie Dooley, Chair of the Finance, Risk and Audit Committee

Date: 12 September 2018


Review Report


ABN: 56 161 735 584

Review Report to the members of The Australian Orthotic Prosthetic Association Limited

Report on the Financial Report

We have reviewed the accompanying financial report being a special purpose financial report of The Australian Orthotic ProstheticAssociation Limited, which comprises the statement of financial position as at 30 June 2018, the statement of profit or loss and othercomprehensive income, statement of changes in equity and statement of cash flows for the year ended on that date, notes comprising asummary of significant accounting policies and other explanatory information, and the directors' declaration.

Directors' Responsibility for the Financial Report

The directors' of the company are responsible for the preparation of the financial report and have determined that the accounting policiesdescribed in Note 2 to the financial statements, which form part of the financial report, are appropriate to meet the requirements of theCorporations Act 2001, and are appropriate to meet the needs of the members. The directors' responsibility also includes such internalcontrol as the directors' determine is necessary to enable the preparation of the financial report that is free from material misstatement,whether due to fraud or error.

Auditor’s Responsibility

Our responsibility is to express a conclusion on the financial report based on our review. We conducted our review in accordance withAuditing Standard on Review Engagements ASRE 2415 Review of a Financial Report: Company Limited by Guarantee or an EntityReporting under the ACNC Act or Other Applicable Legislation or Regulation, in order to state whether, on the basis of the proceduresdescribed, we have become aware of any matter that makes us believe that the financial report is not in accordance with theCorporations Act 2001 including: giving a true and fair view of the company's financial position as at 30 June 2018 and its performancefor the year ended on that date; and complying with the Australian Accounting Standards and Corporations Regulations 2001. ASRE2415 requires that we comply with the ethical requirements relevant to the review of the financial report.

A review of a financial report consists of making enquiries, primarily of persons responsible for financial and accounting matters, andapplying analytical and other review procedures. A review is substantially less in scope than an audit conducted in accordance withAustralian Auditing Standards and consequently does not enable us to obtain assurance that we would become aware of all significantmatters that might be identified in an audit. Accordingly, we do not express an audit opinion.

Independence

In conducting our review, we have complied with the independence requirements of the Corporations Act 2001.

17



ABN: 56 161 735 584


Conclusion

Based on our review, which is not an audit, we have not become aware of any matter that makes us believe that the financial report ofThe Australian Orthotic Prosthetic Association Limited is not in accordance with the Corporations Act 2001 including:

a) giving a true and fair view of the company's financial position as at 30 June 2018 and of its performance for the year ended on thatdate; and

(b) complying with Australian Accounting Standards to the extent described in Note 2 to the financial report and the CorporationsRegulations 2001.

Basis of Accounting

Without modifying our opinion, we draw attention to Note 1 to the financial statements which describes the basis of accounting. Thefinancial report is prepared to assist The Australian Orthotic Prosthetic Association Limited to comply with the finanical reportingprovisions of the Corporations Act 2001. As a result, the financial report may not be suitable for another purpose.

Saward Dawson

Jeffrey Tulk

Partner

BlackburnDated

18


ABN: 56 161 735 584


Conclusion




Basis of Accounting


Saward Dawson

Jeffrey Tulk

Partner

BlackburnDated

18


ABN: 56 161 735 584


Conclusion




Basis of Accounting


Saward Dawson

Jeffrey Tulk

Partner

BlackburnDated

18


The Australian Orthotic Prosthetic Association

P.O. Box 1132 Hartwell, Victoria 3124 (03) 9816 4620 | www.aopa.org.au

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