Students help people overcome limitations caused by injury or illness, psychological or emotional difficulties, developmental delay or the effects of ageing.
They take courses in occupational therapy, biological and social sciences and public health. Advanced courses include human development, functional anatomy and enabling occupation. Students gain clinical experience and meet requirements for professional accreditation with fieldwork placements available each year in rural and urban settings. Students can opt to undertake an embedded honours pathway (dependent on GPA) that provides research training experience.
- Only a full-time option is available to international students on a Student visa. Online programs are not available to Student visa holders.
- * Estimated tuition fees are based on 2025 rates. Refer to international fees for more information.
- Not all majors/minors and elective options are available at every campus. You should refer to the What Can I Study tab, and the proposed study sequence for your chosen campus and intake for further information.
They take courses in occupational therapy, biological and social sciences and public health. Advanced courses include human development, functional anatomy and enabling occupation. Students gain clinical experience and meet requirements for professional accreditation with fieldwork placements available each year in rural and urban settings. Students can opt to undertake an embedded honours pathway (dependent on GPA) that provides research training experience.
Post-admission requirements
Before undertaking clinical placements, students must obtain a Suitability Card, complete a criminal history check (from second year), hepatitis B immunisation and first aid and CPR training and purchase an occupational therapy student uniform — refer to Program requirements. Students may be required to undertake some clinical placements outside the Sunshine Coast region in metropolitan and regional/rural centres. Expenses for these and other placement requirements are to be incurred by the student. Placements in third and fourth years are undertaken on a full-time basis.
Career opportunities
Hospitals, community health and mental health, vocational rehabilitation, child and adolescent services, aged care, private practice.
Membership
Occupational Therapy Australia Limited.
Registration
Registration is a requirement to work as an occupational therapist in Australia. Occupational therapist apply for registration through the Occupational Therapists Board of Australia through the Australian Health Practitioner Registration Agency (AHPRA).
Accreditation
This program is fully accredited with Occupational Therapy Australia Limited.
Program structure
For students commencing Semester 1, 2014. All other students please refer to previous handbooks.
Program requirements
In order to graduate you must:
- Complete all courses as listed below.
In order to commence fieldwork placement you must:
- Hold a valid Suitability Card (Blue Card - Working with Children Check - QLD). This is required by Week 8 of Semester 1, first Year and is issued by the Commission for Children and Young People and Child Guardian (CCYPCG).
- Provide evidence of immunity to Hepatitis B (blood titre level after approved vaccination schedule).
- Hold current Senior First Aid and CPR certificates (currency of certification is to be maintained throughout the program).
- Purchase the required OT uniform.
- You may also be required to complete a Criminal History Check for particular placements, cost of which is to be borne by the student.
Program notes
- Completing this program within the specified (full-time) duration is based on studying 48 unit points per semester (normally 4 courses).
- Courses within this program are assessed using a variety of assessment methods including essays, seminar presentations, reports, in-class tests and examinations. Not all courses will necessarily include all methods.
- As part of your USC program, you may apply to participate in the Global Opportunities (GO) Program to undertake courses with an overseas higher education provider. It is advisable to contact your Program Advisor to discuss timing and course issues.
- Only a full-time study option is available to international students on a Student Visa. Please refer to the English language requirements.
- When enrolling, please refer to the Study Plan.
Program structure
Introductory courses (9)
COR109 Communication and Thought
LFS103 Introductory Bioscience
LFS112 Human Physiology
LFS122 Human Anatomy
OCC101 Concepts in Human Occupation
OCC102 Participation in Occupation
SCI110 Science Research Methods
PSY100 Introduction to Psychology A
PSY101 Introduction to Psychology B
Advanced courses (13)
OCC201 Occupational Therapy Theory
OCC202 Occupational Therapy Skills
OCC212 Evaluation of Occupational Performance
OCC222 Causes of Occupational Dysfunction
OCC232 Foundations of Practice: Identifying the Occupational Therapist Role in Practice
OCC301 Enabling Occupation: The Child and Adolescent
OCC311 Enabling Occupation: The Adult
OCC312 Enabling Occupation: The Older Person
OCC321 Psychosocial Aspects of Occupational Therapy
OCC322 Integrating Theory and Skills into Practice: Doing, Being, Becoming an OT I
OCC331 Foundations of Practice: Identifying Occupational Therapist Skills in Practice
PSY203 Introduction to Human Development
SPX201 Functional Anatomy
Plus one (1) of the following pathways:
Pass-Level Pathway (6) courses
OCC302 Therapeutic Reasoning: Process, Means and Methods
OCC401 Integrating Theory and Skills into Practice: Doing, Being and Becoming an OT II and III
OCC402 Professional Issues in Occupational Therapy
OCC412 OT (Occupational Therapy) as a Complex Process
PUB112 Public Health Foundations
SCS286 Disability: Culture, Community and Change
Honours Pathway (5) courses
OCC332 Occupational Therapy Research & Evaluation
OCC401 Integrating Theory and Skills into Practice: Doing, Being and Becoming an OT II and III
OCC402 Professional Issues in Occupational Therapy
OCC412 OT (Occupational Therapy) as a Complex Process
OCC422 Occupational Therapy Thesis