Help people live everyday life and overcome day-to-day barriers.
Occupational Therapists help people overcome limitations caused by injury or illness, psychological or emotional difficulties, developmental delay or the effects of ageing. In this program, you’ll learn occupational therapy, biological and social sciences, public health, and functional anatomy.
- 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.
Occupational Therapists help people overcome limitations caused by injury or illness, psychological or emotional difficulties, developmental delay or the effects of ageing. In this program, you’ll learn occupational therapy, biological and social sciences, public health, and functional anatomy.
Right from first year through to your final year, you’ll complete 1000 hours of fieldwork designed to give you professional skills and clinical experience in a wide range of settings and age groups. USC offers specialised facilities including a simulated independent living unit and allied health clinics to allow you to convert your knowledge into real life scenarios.
Gain research training experience and opt to undertake a research pathway (dependent on GPA). Our degree is fully accredited by the World Federation of Occupational Therapists, and as you graduate you’ll be eligible for registration with the Occupational Therapy Board of Australia supported by the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA).
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 2016. All other students please refer to previous handbooks.
Introductory courses (10)
COR109 Current Directions in Psychology
LFS103 Research Methods in Psychology A
LFS112 Research Methods in Psychology B
LFS122 Physiological Psychology
OCC101 Introduction to Human Development
OCC102 Social Psychology
SCI110 Motivation and Emotion
PSY100 Advanced Methods in Psychology
PSY101 Cognitive and Perceptual Psychology
PUB112 Intercultural and Indigenous Psychologies
Advanced courses (13)
OCC201 Personality and Assessment
OCC202 Human Associative Learning
OCC212 Abnormal Psychology
OCC222 Psychology of Health and Wellbeing
OCC232 Adult Development and Ageing
OCC301 Communication and Thought
OCC311 Introductory Bioscience
OCC312 Human Physiology
OCC321 Human Anatomy
OCC322 Concepts in Human Occupation
OCC331 Participation in Occupation
PSY203 Science Research Methods
SPX201 Introduction to Psychology A
Plus one (1) of the following pathways:
Project Pathway (4) courses (96 units)
OCC401 Introduction to Psychology B
OCC402 Public Health Foundations
OCC432 Occupational Therapy Theory
OCC442 Occupational Therapy Skills
Research Pathway (4) courses (96 units)
OCC401 Evaluation of Occupational Performance
OCC402 Neurological Causes of Occupational Dysfunction
OCC422 Foundations of Practice: Identifying the Occupational Therapist Role in Practice
OCC452 Enabling Occupation: The Child and Adolescent
Note: Not all USC courses are available on every USC campus.
Total units: 384
Recommended study sequences
Program requirements and notes
Program requirements
In order to graduate you must:
- Complete all courses as listed.
In order to commence fieldwork placement you must:
- Hold a valid Blue Card from the Public Safety Business Agency (PSBA), throughout the duration of your program. You should allow 12 weeks for PSBA to issue the card. This is required by Week 8 of Semester 1, first Year.
- 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.
For more information on mandatory requirements refer to Occupational Therapy - Placements.
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.
- The Study Overseas Program is not currently available to occupational therapy students.
- 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.