Bachelor of Occupational Therapy

This four-year bachelor's degree prepares you for a career as an occupational therapist. Occupational therapists help people of all ages do the everyday things that matter to them — getting dressed, cooking, returning to work, or joining in at school — after injury, illness, disability or the changes that come with ageing. The course sits at the intersection of health science, rehabilitation and human occupation, so you study anatomy and physiology, psychology, human development, and the theory of how people engage in daily activities. You also learn how to assess clients, design interventions, adapt environments and work with families, carers and other health professionals.

How the degree is structured

Australian bachelor degrees are normally three years full-time, but this one runs four because it includes extensive professional practice. You study in semesters, with each unit worth a set number of credit points. Over the degree you accumulate the credit points needed to graduate, usually 24 to 32 units depending on the institution. The early years build your foundation in bioscience, psychology and occupational therapy theory. Later years focus on clinical reasoning, evidence-based practice and specialist areas such as paediatrics, mental health, aged care, or hand therapy. A capstone unit or research project in the final year lets you dig into a question that interests you and present your findings.

Work-integrated learning and placement

Placement is central to occupational therapy training. You complete supervised practice education in settings such as hospitals, community health centres, schools, aged care facilities, private clinics and rehabilitation services. These placements are where you apply what you have learned, build professional judgement and get a feel for the pace and reality of practice. Because occupational therapy is a regulated profession in Australia, the degree must meet accreditation standards set by the Occupational Therapy Council of Australia and approved by the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA). Graduates who complete an accredited course are eligible to register with AHPRA and practise as occupational therapists.

Who this course suits

If you want a health career that is practical, person-centred and varied, this could be a good fit. You will be working with people who are facing real challenges, so patience, empathy and good communication matter. You also need to be comfortable with science subjects and able to think on your feet. The degree suits school leavers, mature-age students and people changing careers from fields like education, allied health assistance or community services. Southern Cross University has campuses in regional New South Wales and Queensland, and the course is available to international students. English proficiency is required: IELTS Academic 6.0–6.5 overall is the common undergraduate standard, though some health courses ask for higher. TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic, Cambridge C1 Advanced and the university's own English programmes are accepted as equivalents. The Department of Home Affairs sets a separate English threshold for the Student visa. While studying, you can work up to 48 hours per fortnight. After graduating, the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) post-study work stream may allow you to stay and work in Australia, depending on your circumstances. Tuition fees are published on the CRICOS register, and you should confirm all details on the official course page.

• Occupational therapist in public and private hospitals
• Community health centres and not-for-profit organisations
• Aged care and residential facilities
• Schools and early intervention services
• Mental health services
• Private practice and rehabilitation clinics
• Workplace rehabilitation and injury management providers
• Disability services under the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS)