Help people reach their potential
Occupational therapists help people overcome limitations caused by injury or illness, psychological or emotional difficulties, developmental delay or the effects of ageing.
- 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 holistic program, you’ll learn the philosophy and skills that underpin occupational therapy, and get the hands-on experience you need to enter the profession and help people break down everyday barriers.
In this program you will:
- Study occupational therapy for children, adolescents, adults and older people
- Build foundational knowledge in physiology, functional anatomy, psychology and wellbeing, and public health
- Complete 1000 hours of fieldwork to build your professional skills and clinical experience in a wide range of settings and age groups
Post-admission requirements
In first year, all students must obtain (or show proof of):
- a Working with Children Check (‘blue card’)
- First Aid and CPR training
- immunisations (hepatitis B, MMR, DTPA, varicella)
At the start of second year, students must complete a criminal history check. These checks and certificates must remain current for the duration of the program.
Students must purchase an occupational therapy student uniform.
This program includes supervised work placements. Placements are normally undertaken in a full-time capacity over 4-10 weeks. Where required, reasonable accommodations can be made to allow for part-time or flexible placement options.
This degree is fully accredited by the World Federation of Occupational Therapists and the Occupational Therapy Council (Australia & New Zealand) Limited.
As a graduate, you’ll be eligible for registration with the Occupational Therapy Board of Australia, supported by the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA).
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 therapists apply for registration through the Occupational Therapists Board of Australia through the Australian Health Practitioner Registration Agency (AHPRA). Students should familiarise themselves with the registration standards of the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (common and discipline specific).
Accreditation
This program is fully accredited with Occupational Therapy Council (Australia & New Zealand) Limited.
Program structure
Introductory courses (9) 108 units
COR109 Communication and Thought
LFS103 Introduction to Psychology B
LFS112 Introduction to Psychology A
LFS122 Communication and Thought
OCC101 Introductory Bioscience
OCC102 Human Physiology
PSY100 Human Anatomy
PSY101 Concepts in Human Occupation
PUB112 Participation in Occupation
Developing and Graduate courses (14) 180 units
HLT205 Introduction to Psychology A
OCC201 Introduction to Psychology B
OCC202 Public Health Foundations
OCC212 Health Research and Evidence
OCC222 Neurological Causes of Occupational Dysfunction
OCC232 Foundational Placement Competencies in Allied Health
OCC301 Enabling Occupation: The Child and Adolescent
OCC311 Enabling Occupation: The Adult
OCC312 Enabling Occupation: The Older Person
OCC321 Occupational Therapy in Mental Health
OCC322 Consolidation of Occupational Therapy Practice Competencies 1(24 units)
OCC331 Foundational Placement Competencies in Occupational Therapy
PSY203 Introduction to Human Development
SPX201 Functional Anatomy
PLUS one of the following pathways:
Project Pathway courses (4) 96 units
OCC401 Consolidation of Occupational Therapy Practice Competencies 2(48 units)
OCC402 Professional Issues in Occupational Therapy
OCC432 Workplace research and innovation(24 units)
OCC442 Occupational Therapy Reasoning, Research & Evaluation (Project Pathway)
Research Pathway courses (4) 96 units
OCC401 Consolidation of Occupational Therapy Practice Competencies 2(48 units)
OCC402 Professional Issues in Occupational Therapy
OCC422 Occupational Therapy Thesis(24 units)
OCC452 Occupational Therapy Reasoning, Research & Evaluation (Research Pathway)
Note: Program structures are subject to change. Not all USC courses are available on every USC campus.
Total units: 384
Program requirements and notes
Program requirements
In order to graduate you must:
- Successfully complete 384 units as outlined in the Program Structure
- Complete requirement as listed below
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
- For Sippy Downs students some courses in this program will be taught at the Sunshine Coast Health Institute
- Completing this program within the specified (full-time) duration is based on studying 48 unit points per semester (normally 4 courses) and following the recommended study sequence
- The unit value of all courses is 12 units unless otherwise specified
- It is each students responsibility to enrol correctly according to your course requisites, program rules and requirements and be aware of the academic calendar dates
- 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
- Refer to the Managing your progression page for help in understanding your program structure, reviewing your progress and planning remaining courses.