Occupational Consulting Group
Stella Richards
Director | Occupational Therapist
B.Occ.Thy, J.D., GDLP
Stella Richards is a registered Occupational Therapist and Lawyer with more than eight years of experience across occupational rehabilitation, disability, mental health, medicolegal consulting and legal practice.
She has worked extensively across the WorkSafe, TAC, DVA and NDIS schemes, supporting individuals with physical, cognitive, psychosocial and complex mental health conditions. Stella also has experience in forensic mental health and is recognised for her calm, practical and professional approach.
Her background includes occupational rehabilitation roles within WorkSafe and the banking and finance sector, as well as legal practice with leading Australian law firms Russell Kennedy and DLA Piper. During her legal career, she acted for both plaintiffs and defendants in personal injury matters, providing a unique understanding of compensation, insurance and litigation environments. Alongside her clinical and legal work, Stella lectures Occupational Therapy students at Australian Catholic University, contributing to the development of future allied health professionals.
Through OCG, Stella combines clinical expertise with legal insight to deliver independent, high-quality assessments that are thorough, defensible and tailored to each referral. She believes the most valuable assessments combine evidence-based practice with genuine human understanding, resulting in clear recommendations and meaningful outcomes for every client.
Cultural & linguistic background
Stella is of Syriac Aramean heritage and speaks German and Aramaic, enabling her to communicate with and support clients from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds.
Credentials
Experience
8+ years of occupational therapy, rehabilitation and legal practice
Schemes
WorkSafe · TAC · DVA · NDIS
Specialities
- Complex & forensic presentations
- Brain injury
- Psychosocial injuries, including institutional abuse
- Autism
- Intellectual disability
"Calm. Professional. Practical. Known for her approach with clients presenting complex needs."
Clinically rigorous
Every assessment is thorough, evidence-based, and written to the standard required by the relevant scheme or proceeding.
Legally sound
Dual qualifications mean reports are structured for legal context — defensible, clearly reasoned, and fit for proceedings.
Human-centred
A calm, respectful approach ensures clients — particularly those with complex presentations — are heard and properly assessed.
Ready to make a referral?
All assessments by appointment.