Following study at the Imperial School of Art in Munich, Otto Bettmann migrated to Australia in 1890. Along with other German-born craftsmen working in Melbourne at this time, such as Robert Prenzel, Frances Striezel and Otto Waschatz, Bettman made an impact on local architecture and interior design in the late nineteenth century.
He is listed in Melbourne directories of the 1890s and early twentieth century as a carver and turner of ivory, wood, pearl, amber and emu eggs. In 1906 Bettmann became a registered teacher in German language, at which time it appears he abandoned his career as a carver.