Break down the barriers that people face every day.
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 2023 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).
Placements are normally undertaken in a full-time capacity over 4-10 weeks but where required reasonable accommodations can be made to allow for part-time or flexible placement options. It is important to note that in order to practice as an Occupational Therapist in Australia graduates must be eligible to register with the Occupational Therapy Board of Australia through the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency. Students should familiarise themselves with both the program specific inherent academic requirements and the registration standards of the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (common and discipline specific).
Post-admission requirements
In the first year of the program, all students must obtain, or show proof of: a ‘Working with Children Check’ (‘blue card’), First Aid and CPR training, and immunisations (hepatitis B, MMR, DTPA, varicella); plus purchase an occupational therapy student uniform — refer to Program requirements. A Criminal History check is to be completed at the start of second year. Currency of each is to be maintained throughout the program.
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 Council (Australia & New Zealand) Limited.
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
PSY100 Introduction to Psychology A
PSY101 Introduction to Psychology B
PUB112 Public Health Foundations
Advanced courses (14)
HLT205 Health Research and Evidence
OCC201 Occupational Therapy Theory
OCC202 Therapeutic Skills
OCC212 Evaluation of Occupational Performance
OCC222 Neurological Causes of Occupational Dysfunction
OCC232 Foundations of Practice 1: Exploring Core Concepts of Professional Practice
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 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 of the following pathways:
Project Pathway courses (4) (96 units)
OCC401 Integrating Theory and Skills into Practice: Doing, Being and Becoming an OT II and III
OCC402 Professional Issues in Occupational Therapy
OCC432 Occupational Therapy Innovation
OCC442 Occupational Therapy Reasoning, Research & Evaluation (Project Pathway)
Research Pathway courses (4) (96 units)
OCC401 Integrating Theory and Skills into Practice: Doing, Being and Becoming an OT II and III
OCC402 Professional Issues in Occupational Therapy
OCC422 Occupational Therapy Thesis
OCC452 Occupational Therapy 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 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
- For Sippy Downs students some courses in this program will be taught at the Sunshine Coast Heath Institute
- 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
- Refer to the Planning your study page to manage your progression