Let’s cut through the fluff.

If you’re not getting a proper pay rise, you’re not standing still — you’re sliding backwards. And it’s not just happening in one country. It’s global. OTs in the UK, US, and Australia among others are all feeling the sting.

Inflation is chewing through your income like moths through wool.
And if no one’s said this out loud yet — let me be the one who does:

You’re working harder than ever… for less.

And what’s more, it doesn’t have to be that way.

UK: The Great Pay Freeze

Let’s start at home.

Between 2010 and 2023, NHS pay failed to keep up with inflation.
In fact, after adjusting for inflation, NHS workers’ wages fell by over 10%.
(Institute for Fiscal Studies, 2023)

So when you see a 2% pay rise in your email…
While inflation is at 7% or more…

That’s not a reward. That’s a real-terms pay cut, dressed up to look like progress.

Meanwhile, rent, energy, fuel, and food costs have all skyrocketed.
Yet the people holding the system together — like you — are still expected to just absorb it.

US: The Illusion of More

In America, OT salaries have technically gone up — about 3.6% annually in recent years.

But don’t be fooled. The cost of living has far outpaced that.

Between 2020 and 2023, inflation hit a 40-year high.
(US Bureau of Labor Statistics)

Fuel, childcare, health insurance, rent — all rising closer to 8% or more in some regions.

This is on top of the crippling costs of studying in the first place.

So even though your payslip looks fatter… your wallet feels thinner.

Australia: NDIS Pressure Cooker

Australia used to seem like a sweet spot.

But now? Not so much.

Inflation in 2022–23 hit over 7%, and average OT wage increases sat around 2.4%. (Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics)

And then there’s the NDIS.

The 2025 pricing and compliance overhaul has added another layer of strain.

With a stronger focus on “value for money” and tighter audit processes, private OTs are expected to justify every move — while rates stay flat or drop.

You’re now doing more work, under more scrutiny, for shrinking returns.

The Hidden Costs of “Freedom” in Private Practice

Let’s be honest about independent work.

Yes, it’s a route to more freedom, more choice, and potentially more income.

But it’s so easy to set up a business model that will lead to burnout, especially if you don’t factor in the invisible costs.

Here’s what you don’t see on the pay per hour model:

• Unpaid admin (emails, clinical notes, contracts, chasing invoices)
• Professional insurance and registrations
• Marketing (websites, branding, ads, social media)
• Sick days = unpaid
• No pension unless you set it up
• Time off = stress
• Clients cancelling = income loss
• CPD = paid from your own pocket

Billing per hour never covers the true costs.

So What’s the Answer?

We don’t get taught this stuff in uni. But if you want to get ahead — or even just stop falling behind — you need to see your career through a new lens.

Here’s where to start:

1. Break Free From Traditional Systems

Yep, ok I said it. If you don’t like the broken system, just don’t use it. Yes that will mean creating something different, something new. If you want a radical change, consider a radical alternative!

2. Go Digital, and Create High Ticket Offers

Private sessions cap your income and burn your hours.
Think digital offers. Online products. Group work. Courses. Programmes.

You have the skills the world has been waiting for. So what are you waiting for?

3. Raise Your Rates With Confidence

Because you’re not just delivering a service. You’re delivering transformation.
Charge accordingly.

4. Build Systems That Scale

That means automation, delegation, and clear business models — not more hustle.

It means thinking outside the box and changing how we deliver services.

It’s a radical change, but we have seen over and over how effective and life-changing it can be for clients.

Final Word

This message is certainly not for everyone. There may be many who are offended by it. They want to keep traditional service set ups. They want to deliver services that are free for a client.

That’s fine — this is not for you. We do need people to stay in these positions, so thank you for your service and dedication. We need people to stay in the trenches and fight. We need people who are willing to do this work.

I am only speaking to those who are desperate to get out. I am speaking to those OTs who have reached the end of their personal tolerance. Their health and mental health has been affected.

Their family life is struggling.

You didn’t become an OT to burn out.

Right now you are choosing to stay.

There is not one option in life. There are many of us who have broken the chains, who have escaped.

We went rogue. And loved every second of it.

You didn’t train for years to watch your income quietly shrink.

And you definitely didn’t come this far to settle for “just enough”.

If you’re ready to take back control — to build a business that grows with you instead of draining you — that’s exactly what we help OTs do.

We’ve been running events for years to show OTs the vast potential of their skillset in non-traditional methods. We’ve helped hundreds of OTs to pivot, and design their own freedom based business. This means working ONLINE, and I am NOT talking about telehealth here.

The potential is vast — to double your income or more, and yet work less.

There is no reason to be accepting these conditions — if you do not wish to.

If you are brand new to business, we have an event called the OTs Rising you can watch to learn about the potential.

If you are a current business owner, then the Take the Busy out of Business event is for you.

Let’s stop the slow bleed.
Let’s build something sustainable, profitable, and actually freeing.

If you are serious about taking the next step, and creating your life of freedom. Book in a call and speak to me here.