Lauren Hart is an Occupational Therapist, business leader, and educator dedicated to raising the standard of practice in occupational therapy. As the Founder and Director of Optimal Living Therapy, she has built a team of like-minded professionals who share a commitment to high-quality, client-centred care. Lauren’s leadership extends beyond clinical work, she is deeply invested in mentoring OTs, fostering a strong professional culture, and advocating for sustainable, innovative practices within the industry.
With a Diploma in Access Consulting and accreditation as an SDA assessor, Lauren is a trusted advisor in complex home modifications and Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA). She collaborates with builders, architects, and support teams to create environments that enhance independence and accessibility.
Recognising the need for high-quality, accessible professional education, Lauren co-founded Otuition, an online learning platform designed to equip occupational therapists with practical, real-world knowledge. Her experience leading teams, scaling businesses, and navigating the ever-changing NDIS landscape has positioned her as a thought leader in the field.
Lauren is passionate about challenging the status quo, building high-performing teams, and ensuring that OTs have the skills, confidence, and support to thrive in their careers.
Lauren’s qualifications:
- Bachelor of Science (Occupational Therapy)
- AHPRA registered Occupational Therapist
- Diploma of Access Consulting
- Registered Livable Housing Australia Design Guideline Assessor
- Accredited SDA Assessor – SDA00010
- Complex Home Modifications Assessor
- FIM Accredited
Get to know Lauren
Why did you start Optimal Living Therapy?
I’ve always loved meeting and working with new people, whether they were colleagues or clients , and not long into my career as an OT I knew the best way I could support the clients I worked with was from a company that I wholeheartedly knew, put clients first. I also wanted to work as an OT in residential and community building space, to be able to influence better design for people with significant access needs, so the environment wasn’t a constraint to them living their life. At the time there weren’t really any options for me to work in that space, so I started working for myself. Since our inception we’ve continued to engage likeminded OTs, who love working with clients in the community, love being OT’s and who are fierce advocates for the work we do.
What is your day-to-day role in the company?
As the Director of OLT I wear a few hats, my primary role is to provide the foundation and environment our team needs to provide excellent therapy supports to our clients, a big part of this is keeping on top of the ever-evolving nature of the NDIS and ensuring our team have the access they need to clinical support. Clinically, I primarily provide support in complex home modifications, SDA eligibility assessments and consultation regarding Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA). SDA is an area I’m passionate about supporting clients in and educating industry peers on – this is why we launched an online platform called Otuition that aims to empower OTs with well-researched education and helpful frameworks to raise the quality of outcomes for clients.
What is the best part of your job?
As an OT, I enjoy being able to engage with a diverse range of people and companies – all of whom are working together to serve the same purpose and achieve the same goals. As a leader the best part of my job is building a team that can sustainably provide OT services in an adaptable, agile and responsive way to what the market is demanding of us, and being in control of how we do that. Working in the NDIS hasn’t been an easy ride and it isn’t for the faint hearted, but at its core it’s a world first/world class scheme that can support people with disability to live their version of their life, not the life someone else has decided for them
What do you consider your specialty area?
Clinically, Specialist Disability Accommodation is my area of expertise and passion, but I have a love for everything to do with function and access in building and design. I am a consultant for disability accommodation projects, both predating SDA and since SDA emerged. I believe that as OTs working with the clients who will ultimately live in these homes, we are well placed to provide input on functional design, layout, and technological inclusions that enhance independence. Bridging the gap between what participants want and need in SDA and supporting providers to build fit-for-purpose homes is a truly rewarding mission.
Beyond clinical work, I am deeply invested in sustainable business leadership within the ever-evolving NDIS landscape. Running a values-driven, financially viable practice in a scheme where pricing constraints and policy shifts create constant challenges requires strategic thinking, adaptability, and a strong team culture. I believe that balancing business sustainability with high-quality, person-centred care is key to ensuring OTs can continue delivering meaningful, impactful services for the long term.
