Frequently Asked Questions
What is MTARA?
The Multidisciplinary Therapies Australia Regulation Association (MTARA) is a national professional association and self-regulatory body establishing professional standards, registration requirements, competency expectations and scopes of practice for practitioners working across Functional Capacity Practice and Clinical Functional Rehabilitation.
MTARA’s professional practice framework is specifically established for Disability, Ageing and Mental Health across the lifespan.
MTARA maintains two distinct professional registration streams:
Registered MDT Specialist
Functional Capacity Practice
Registered Rehabilitation Consultant (RRC(MTARA))
Clinical Functional Rehabilitation
Together, these professional streams support a continuum from the assessment and determination of functional capacity through to direct clinical rehabilitation and functional outcome measurement.
Why is it called Multidisciplinary Therapies Australia?
The name Multidisciplinary Therapies Australia reflects the way MTARA understands human functioning and rehabilitation.
Human function is rarely explained by one discipline or one area of impairment alone. A person’s everyday functioning may be influenced by interacting physical, neurological, developmental, cognitive, psychological, psychosocial, behavioural, communication, environmental and participation factors. The term Multidisciplinary reflects the breadth of professional knowledge that informs MTARA practice. Functional Capacity Practice and Clinical Functional Rehabilitation draw upon multiple fields of knowledge to understand how different aspects of a person’s presentation interact in everyday life.
The term Therapies reflects the practical application of this multidisciplinary knowledge to functional assessment, rehabilitation, capacity development and everyday participation. MTARA therefore does not represent one isolated discipline. Its professional framework brings together multidisciplinary knowledge around a common professional focus: human functioning.
That framework is expressed through two distinct practice streams:
Functional Capacity Practice, through Registered MDT Specialists; andnClinical Functional Rehabilitation, through Registered Rehabilitation Consultants.
Together, these streams support a functional continuum of:
UNDERSTAND FUNCTION → ASSESS FUNCTION → FORMULATE NEED → REHABILITATE FUNCTION → MEASURE OUTCOMES
What is MTARA’s professional practice framework?
MTARA’s professional practice framework is centred on human functioning in everyday life.
It recognises that diagnosis alone does not explain how a person functions. Functional performance may be shaped by the interaction between impairment, environment, activity demands, participation, personal circumstances and available supports.
The framework therefore considers the whole functional presentation rather than examining individual domains in isolation.
MTARA recognises two professional fields:
Functional Capacity Practice — assessment, interpretation and formulation of human functioning.
Clinical Functional Rehabilitation — direct rehabilitation intervention designed to develop, restore, maintain, optimise or compensate for human functioning.
Together, these form the professional continuum:
ASSESS → FORMULATE → REHABILITATE → MEASURE
Why is MTARA specific to Disability, Ageing and Mental Health?
MTARA’s framework is specifically designed around populations where functional capacity, functional decline, disability, rehabilitation and support needs are central to everyday life.
The three core practice areas are:
Disability
Ageing
Mental Health
These areas often involve complex and interacting functional presentations that cannot be understood through diagnosis alone.
MTARA practitioners therefore focus on how a person actually functions within the context of everyday life, including independence, self-management, routines, personal and domestic activities, functional cognition, participation, environmental interaction, safety and support requirements.
What does “across the lifespan” mean?
MTARA’s professional framework supports practice with children, adolescents, adults and older people. Functional capacity and rehabilitation needs change throughout life.
A child may be developing functional abilities for the first time. An adolescent may require increasing independence and participation.
An adult may be living with lifelong or acquired disability. A person experiencing mental health-related functional impairment may require support to rebuild routines, self-management and participation. An older person may require rehabilitation to restore function, maintain capacity or compensate for functional decline. The professional focus remains consistent throughout the lifespan: understanding and addressing human functioning in everyday life.
What is a Registered MDT Specialist?
A Registered MDT Specialist is an advanced Functional Capacity Practice professional specialising in the assessment, analysis and multidisciplinary formulation of human functioning, MDT Specialists examine how disability, health conditions, developmental differences, mental health, environmental circumstances and support arrangements interact to affect everyday functional capacity.
Their professional role centres on
:
Functional Capacity Assessment
multidisciplinary evidence integration
functional analysis
functional formulation
support-needs determination and professional reporting
What is Functional Capacity Practice?
Functional Capacity Practice is the comprehensive assessment, interpretation and formulation of a person’s ability to function in everyday life.
It considers:
what the person can do;
where functional incapacity occurs;
how impairments interact;
the assistance or support required;
activity limitations;
participation restrictions;
environmental influences upon performance;
functional risk and the sustainability of everyday functioning.
Functional Capacity Practice provides a whole-of-function understanding of the person rather than examining one isolated domain.
What does a Registered MDT Specialist do?
Registered MDT Specialist practice may include:
Functional Capacity Assessment
Comprehensive Functional Capacity Assessment
Multidisciplinary Functional Capacity Assessment (MDTFCA)
Multidisciplinary Care Team Coordination
Functional observation
Functional baseline and review assessment
Multidisciplinary evidence integration and triangulation
Cumulative functional impact analysis
Functional formulation
Activities of Daily Living and Instrumental Activities of Daily Living analysis
Functional cognition and executive-function analysis
Communication function
Psychosocial functioning and participation
Behavioural impact upon functional performance
Sensory factors affecting everyday function
Mobility and physical function at a functional level
Environmental and contextual analysis
Support-needs assessment
Home and Living functional assessment
Functional risk and safeguarding assessment
Functional recommendations
Functional outcome and change analysis
Professional Functional Capacity reporting
What is a Multidisciplinary Functional Capacity Assessment?
A Multidisciplinary Functional Capacity Assessment (MDTFCA) is a comprehensive assessment of functioning undertaken through a multidisciplinary functional lens. An MDTFCA may integrate physical, neurological, developmental, cognitive, psychological, psychosocial, behavioural, communication, environmental and participation evidence relevant to the person’s presentation. Information from assessment, observation, collateral sources, existing professional evidence and functional measures is brought together into a coherent functional formulation.
The purpose is to establish how the person’s overall presentation affects:
capacity
independence
participation
safety
sustainability
and support requirements.
Do Registered MDT Specialists provide ongoing rehabilitation?
The Registered MDT Specialist scope is centred on Functional Capacity Practice. MDT Specialists assess, analyse and formulate functioning and may identify rehabilitation needs and make functional recommendations arising from assessment. Direct ongoing Clinical Functional Rehabilitation sits within the separate Registered Rehabilitation Consultant scope.
Can Registered MDT Specialists make recommendations?
Yes, Registered MDT Specialists may make professional recommendations arising from their functional assessment and formulation.
Recommendations may address:
support requirements;
rehabilitation needs;
Home and Living requirements;
environmental considerations;
safeguarding;
further assessment;
service requirements; and referral pathways.
Recommendations should be logically connected to the functional evidence identified through assessment.
What is a Registered Rehabilitation Consultant?
A Registered Rehabilitation Consultant (RRC(MTARA)) is a clinical rehabilitation practitioner specialising in Clinical Functional Rehabilitation across Disability, Ageing and Mental Health. RRC practice is intervention-focused.
Registered Rehabilitation Consultants work directly with people to:
develop function
restore function
maintain function
optimise function
compensate for functional loss
increase independence
increase participation
and reduce avoidable functional deterioration.
What is Clinical Functional Rehabilitation?
Clinical Functional Rehabilitation is the direct application of rehabilitation intervention to human functioning in everyday life.
It translates identified functional needs into practical rehabilitation strategies and interventions designed to produce meaningful functional outcomes.
Clinical Functional Rehabilitation may address areas including:
everyday activities;
routines;
functional cognition;
initiation;
sequencing;
organisation;
self-management;
independence;
participation;
environmental interaction; and sustainable engagement in everyday life.
The rehabilitation approach is determined by the person’s functional presentation, goals, existing capacity and environment.
Do RRCs provide direct clinical intervention?
Yes, Direct rehabilitation intervention is a central component of Registered Rehabilitation Consultant practice.
RRCs may:
assess rehabilitation needs;
establish functional rehabilitation goals;
develop rehabilitation plans;
provide direct intervention;
monitor response;
modify rehabilitation strategies;and measure functional outcomes.
RRC practice is therefore clinical and intervention-focused rather than primarily report-focused.
Is RRC practice hands-on?
Yes, RRC is MTARA’s direct clinical rehabilitation practice stream.
Depending upon the person’s needs and the practice environment, an RRC may work directly with the person during functional tasks, everyday activities, routines and participation to develop and practise rehabilitation strategies. The role is not limited to identifying functional difficulty. It involves actively working with the person to address functional difficulty through rehabilitation.
What interventions can an RRC provide?
Clinical Functional Rehabilitation may include:
Functional Capacity Intervention
Direct rehabilitation addressing identified limitations in everyday functioning.
Functional Skill Rehabilitation
Development, restoration and practice of practical functional abilities required for everyday life.
Functional Cognition Rehabilitation
Intervention addressing the functional impact of difficulties involving initiation, sequencing, planning, organisation, attention, problem-solving and task completion.
Routine and Activity Rehabilitation
Development, restoration or restructuring of sustainable everyday routines and patterns of activity.
Independence and Capacity Development
Rehabilitation directed toward increasing functional independence and reducing avoidable reliance upon assistance.
Compensatory Rehabilitation
Development of alternative strategies and approaches where functional impairment cannot be completely restored.
Adaptive Functional Strategies
Modification of how an activity is approached or completed to improve functional effectiveness and sustainability.
Participation Rehabilitation
Intervention directed toward increasing meaningful participation in home, community, social and everyday environments.
Psychosocial Functional Rehabilitation
Functional rehabilitation addressing the everyday consequences of psychosocial disability and mental health-related functional impairment.
Maintenance Rehabilitation
Intervention designed to maintain existing functional capacity where deterioration is foreseeable.
Functional Deterioration Prevention
Rehabilitation directed toward modifiable functional factors contributing to avoidable decline.
Environmental Functional Intervention
Strategies addressing the interaction between the person, activity and environment.
Transition Rehabilitation
Rehabilitation supporting transitions between hospital, residential care, supported accommodation, family home and community environments.
Community Reintegration
Rehabilitation supporting the transfer of functional capacity into meaningful community participation.
Rehabilitation Coaching and Education
Structured education and coaching supporting the implementation of functional rehabilitation strategies.
Functional Outcome Measurement
Measurement and review of functional change arising from rehabilitation intervention.
Can an RRC undertake assessment?
Yes. Assessment forms part of clinical rehabilitation practice.
An RRC may assess:
baseline function;
rehabilitation needs;
functional barriers;
rehabilitation potential;
intervention priorities; and functional outcomes.
The purpose of RRC assessment is to determine how function should be addressed through rehabilitation, establish appropriate goals and evaluate response to intervention.
What does an RRC rehabilitation program look like?
An RRC rehabilitation program usually begins with establishing the person’s current functional baseline and identifying areas of function that can be developed, restored, maintained, optimised or compensated for. Functional rehabilitation goals are established and appropriate intervention strategies are selected. The RRC then works directly with the person to implement those strategies.
Progress is monitored against functional goals, rehabilitation approaches are adjusted where required and outcomes are measured over time.
The emphasis is on producing observable and meaningful change in everyday functioning.
What is Functional Cognition Rehabilitation?
Functional Cognition Rehabilitation focuses on the way cognitive processes affect performance during everyday activities.
Intervention may address difficulties involving:
initiation
sequencing
planning
organisation
attention
problem-solving
task persistence
task completion and management of everyday cognitive demands.
The emphasis is on the person’s ability to apply cognitive skills during real-world functioning.
What is compensatory rehabilitation?
Compensatory rehabilitation is used where function cannot be completely restored.
It involves developing alternative strategies, methods or approaches that enable a person to function more effectively despite an ongoing impairment.
The objective is to reduce the practical impact of functional loss and support greater independence, sustainability and participation.
What is maintenance rehabilitation?
Maintenance rehabilitation aims to preserve existing functional capacity. It may be particularly relevant for people living with permanent disability, progressive functional impairment, complex disability, deconditioning or age-related functional change. Maintaining function and reducing avoidable deterioration can represent important rehabilitation outcomes even where substantial improvement is not expected.
What is psychosocial functional rehabilitation?
Psychosocial Functional Rehabilitation addresses the everyday functional consequences of mental health conditions and psychosocial disability.
Intervention may focus on:
routines;
initiation;
organisation;
self-management;
functional cognition;
interpersonal functioning;
domestic activity;
community participation; and meaningful everyday roles.
Registered Rehabilitation Consultants may practise across a range of settings according to their education, competence and the requirements of the practice environment.
These may include:
community rehabilitation
residential aged care
community ageing services
supported disability accommodation
SIL and residential disability services
psychosocial rehabilitation
residential mental health services
private rehabilitation facilities
transitional rehabilitation
community health services
outpatient rehabilitation
day rehabilitation programs and other disability, ageing, mental health and rehabilitation environments.
What does MTARA practice look like in Disability?
Disability practice may involve developmental, neurological, physical, cognitive, psychosocial and complex disability.
Functional Capacity Practice may determine the person’s abilities, limitations, support requirements, risks and environmental needs.
Clinical Functional Rehabilitation may address:
functional skill development;
independence;
functional cognition;
routines;
self-management;
compensatory strategies;
participation; and maintenance of capacity.
What does MTARA practice look like in Ageing?
Ageing practice considers the functional consequences of ageing, illness, injury, disability, cognitive change, deconditioning and changing support needs.
Functional Capacity Practice may determine current capacity, support requirements, functional risk and change over time.
Clinical Functional Rehabilitation may focus on:
restoring function following decline;
maintaining existing abilities;
increasing independence;
developing compensatory strategies;
supporting participation; and reducing avoidable functional deterioration.
What does MTARA practice look like in Mental Health?
Mental Health practice focuses on the functional consequences of mental health conditions and psychosocial disability.
Functional Capacity Practice may examine the impact upon:
routines;
self-care;
initiation;
organisation;
self-management;
functional cognition;
interpersonal functioning;
domestic activity;
community participation;
and other areas of everyday life.
Clinical Functional Rehabilitation may then directly address those functional difficulties through structured psychosocial and functional rehabilitation.
What is the difference between a Registered MDT Specialist and an RRC?
The simplest distinction is:
Registered MDT Specialist
ASSESS + FORMULATE
Determines and explains functional capacity, functional incapacity, support requirements and functional needs.
Registered Rehabilitation Consultant
REHABILITATE + MEASURE
Provides direct Clinical Functional Rehabilitation and evaluates functional outcomes.
Together:
ASSESS → FORMULATE → REHABILITATE → MEASURE
Can someone be registered as both?
Yes.
Practitioners who independently satisfy MTARA’s requirements for both professional registrations may hold dual registration.
A dual-registered practitioner may practise across both Functional Capacity Practice and Clinical Functional Rehabilitation within their approved professional scope and demonstrated competence.
This enables continuity from comprehensive functional assessment and formulation through to rehabilitation intervention and subsequent functional outcome measurement.
Do the two professions have to work together?
No.
Each is a distinct MTARA professional registration and may be practised independently.
They may also work together where appropriate.
A Registered MDT Specialist may identify rehabilitation needs through Functional Capacity Assessment and refer for Clinical Functional Rehabilitation.
An RRC may identify that a person requires comprehensive Functional Capacity Assessment and refer for MDT Specialist assessment.
What educational standard is required for MTARA registration?
MTARA professional registration requires a recognised tertiary qualification at Australian Qualifications Framework Level 9 (AQF 9), or an assessed equivalent, relevant to the multidisciplinary fields informing Functional Capacity Practice.
AQF Level 9 represents Masters-level tertiary education.
MTARA’s educational model reflects the multidisciplinary nature of human functioning and therefore recognises relevant postgraduate education across a range of professional and interdisciplinary fields.
What Masters-level fields may be relevant?
Relevant AQF Level 9 education may include fields such as:
Allied Health
Rehabilitation
Rehabilitation Science
Rehabilitation Counselling
Health Science
Disability Studies
Disability and Inclusion
Autism and Neurodevelopment
Special Education
Developmental Disability
Mental Health
Psychology
Social Work
Occupational Therapy
Physiotherapy
Speech Pathology
Exercise Physiology
Nursing
Gerontology and Ageing
Dementia
Neuroscience
Cognitive Science
Behavioural Science
Applied Behaviour Analysis
Counselling
Human Services
Public Health
Interdisciplinary Studies and other Masters-level qualifications with sufficient relevance to Functional Capacity Practice.
Qualification title alone does not determine registration eligibility. MTARA considers the content and relevance of the applicant’s tertiary education, together with professional experience and demonstrated competency.
Why does MTARA require multidisciplinary tertiary education?
MTARA’s professions are built around complex human functioning.
Functional capacity may be affected simultaneously by physical health, neurological function, cognition, communication, behaviour, psychosocial factors, development, environment, support systems and participation.
A multidisciplinary educational foundation enables practitioners to understand how these domains interact rather than interpreting functioning through a single professional lens. This reflects the principle embodied in the Association’s name: Multidisciplinary Therapies Australia.
Does holding an AQF 9 qualification automatically make someone eligible?
No.
The educational standard establishes the advanced academic foundation expected for MTARA professional registration.
Applicants must also demonstrate the professional experience and competencies required for the registration being sought.
Registered MDT Specialist applicants must demonstrate advanced competence in Functional Capacity Assessment, multidisciplinary evidence integration and functional formulation.
RRC applicants must demonstrate competence in Clinical Functional Rehabilitation, rehabilitation reasoning, intervention planning and delivery, capacity development and functional outcome evaluation.
Is MTARA registration intended for new graduates?
MTARA registration represents advanced professional practice.
Applicants are expected to demonstrate relevant professional experience and competence in addition to meeting the required tertiary educational standard.
What professional requirements must registrants maintain?
MTARA registrants are required to maintain the requirements applicable to their professional registration, including:
continuing professional development
recency of practice
professional competence
professional indemnity and public liability insurance
appropriate professional records
privacy and confidentiality
professional and ethical conduct
accurate representation of registration and qualifications
and practice within the registrant’s approved professional scope and demonstrated competence.
Does MTARA require continuing professional development?
Yes.
Registered practitioners are expected to maintain and develop competence relevant to their professional registration and current area of practice.
Continuing professional development should support contemporary, evidence-informed and safe professional practice.
Does MTARA have professional practice standards?
Yes.
MTARA establishes professional standards governing the conduct and practice of its registered practitioners.
These include requirements relating to:
professional competence;
scope of practice;
ethical conduct;
professional independence;
consent;
confidentiality;
record keeping;
continuing professional development;
professional insurance; and accurate professional representation.
What happens if there are concerns about an MTARA practitioner?
MTARA maintains a formal complaints and professional conduct process.
Concerns may relate to professional conduct, competence, scope of practice, professional representation or compliance with MTARA standards.
MTARA may review relevant information, seek a response from the practitioner and determine whether professional action is required.
Depending upon the circumstances, outcomes may include:
professional guidance;
education or remediation;
conditions upon registration;
suspension; or removal of MTARA registration.
Who can make a complaint?
Complaints may be made by participants, clients, families, representatives, professionals, organisations or members of the public.
How can registration be verified?
MTARA maintains a public Practitioner Register. The register allows organisations, referrers and members of the public to verify a practitioner’s current MTARA registration and professional registration category..
Why engage a Registered MDT Specialist?
A Registered MDT Specialist may be appropriate where comprehensive professional evidence is required to understand a person’s:
functional capacity
functional incapacity
support requirements
functional risk and overall functional presentation
This may include complex disability, Home and Living, psychosocial disability, ageing, safeguarding, multidisciplinary functional presentations and other circumstances requiring comprehensive Functional Capacity Assessment.
Why engage a Registered Rehabilitation Consultant?
A Registered Rehabilitation Consultant may be appropriate where a person requires direct and ongoing rehabilitation addressing everyday functioning.
RRC services may address:
functional skill development;
independence;
routines;
functional cognition;
self-management;
compensatory strategies;
participation;
maintenance of capacity;
transition; and prevention of avoidable functional decline.
RRC practice may be particularly valuable within residential care, disability accommodation, community rehabilitation, ageing services, psychosocial rehabilitation and other settings where people require ongoing Functional Rehabilitation rather than assessment alone.
Can organisations engage RRCs as part of their clinical or rehabilitation workforce?
Yes.
Registered Rehabilitation Consultants may provide Clinical Functional Rehabilitation through appropriate employment, consultancy or contracted service arrangements. The service model will depend upon the organisation, population, rehabilitation program and practice environment.
Can MTARA practitioners work within multidisciplinary teams?
Yes.
Multidisciplinary practice is central to MTARA’s professional framework. Registered MDT Specialists and Registered Rehabilitation Consultants may work alongside other health, rehabilitation, disability, ageing, mental health, education and community-service professionals.
The purpose of multidisciplinary practice is to combine relevant professional perspectives while each practitioner remains accountable for their own professional contribution and competence.
Which registration should I apply for?
Apply for Registered MDT Specialist if your professional practice is primarily concerned with:
Functional Capacity Assessment → Evidence Integration → Functional Formulation → Professional Reporting
Apply for Registered Rehabilitation Consultant (RRC) (MTARA) if your professional practice is primarily concerned with:
Clinical Functional Rehabilitation → Direct Intervention → Capacity Development → Functional Outcomes
Practitioners who satisfy the requirements for both may apply for dual registration.