Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (Honours) | UniSC | University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia

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Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (Honours)

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.

Study location
  • Sunshine Coast
Refer to the program footnotes
CRICOS code
077418D
Commence
Semester 1 only
Program length (full-time)
4 years
Annual tuition fee 2021
A$27,400
Estimated total tuition fee *
A$109,600
Footnotes
  • 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.
Study location QTAC code
  • Sunshine Coast 013421
Minimum selection threshold
ATAR - 78.00 OP - - Rank - 78
UniSC program code
SC440
Commence
Semester 1 only
Duration
4 years full time or equivalent part time
Applications close
Applications for 2021 are now closed. Applications for 2022 will open in August.
Study mode
Blended Learning
Prerequisites
English (Units 3 and 4, C); plus one of Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Health or Physical Education (Units 3 and 4, C)
Other requirements
Applicants from a non-English speaking background refer to English language requirements.
Fee type 2021
  • Commonwealth supported places
Total courses
27
Total units
384

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 1-10 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 (8) 96 units

HLT140 Sport and Event Marketing
LFS103 Tourism, Leisure and Special Interests
LFS112 Business Events
LFS122 Think Health
OCC101 Introductory Bioscience
OCC102 Human Physiology
PSY100 Human Anatomy
PSY101 Concepts in Human Occupation

Developing and Graduate courses (15) 192 units

HLT205 Participation in Occupation
HLT242 Introduction to Psychology A
OCC201 Introduction to Psychology B
OCC202 Health Research and Evidence
OCC212 Indigenous Wellbeing Practice
OCC222 Occupational Therapy Theory
OCC232 Therapeutic Skills
OCC301 Evaluation of Occupational Performance
OCC311 Neurological Causes of Occupational Dysfunction
OCC312 Foundations of Practice 1: Exploring Core Concepts of Professional Practice in Allied Health
OCC321 Enabling Occupation: The Child and Adolescent
OCC322 Enabling Occupation: The Adult(24 units)
OCC331 Enabling Occupation: The Older Person
PSY203 Occupational Therapy in Mental Health
SPX201 Integrating Theory and Skills into Practice I: Doing, Being, Becoming an OT I

PLUS one of the following pathways:

Project Pathway courses (4)  96 units

OCC401 Foundations of Practice II: Identifying Occupational Therapist Skills in Practice(48 units)
OCC402 Introduction to Human Development
OCC432 Functional Anatomy(24 units)
OCC442 Integrating Theory and Skills into Practice: Doing, Being and Becoming an OT II

Research Pathway courses (4) 96 units

OCC401 Professional Issues in Occupational Therapy(48 units)
OCC402 Occupational Therapy Innovation
OCC422 Occupational Therapy Reasoning, Research & Evaluation (Project Pathway)(24 units)
OCC452 Integrating Theory and Skills into Practice: Doing, Being and Becoming an OT II

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
  • Preparing for study at SCHI
  • 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.