Course summary
Do you want a health career that could transform the lives of others by helping them achieve tangible results?
Occupational therapists deliver life-changing outcomes by assisting people to do the things they want and need to do. Helping people to develop, recover, improve and maintain the skills and functions needed for daily life is at the heart of this rewarding career.
You will develop a range of clinical skills in the University’s state-of-the-art facilities and during your professional placement, preparing you for work in diverse health care environments.
As an occupational therapist you could for example develop inclusive playground experiences and environments for children of all abilities; you could recommend workplace changes that would assist an injured worker to return to work; or you could design home modifications or public transport changes that would ensure access for a person using a power wheelchair. Occupational therapy has been identified as a high job growth area by the Australian Government’s Job Outlook.
Optional major: Indigenous Health.
This major can be studied at Gold Coast and Coffs Harbour campuses and offers students the opportunity to build theoretical and practical capabilities in cultural protocols and Indigenous ways of knowing and being. Embedded placement opportunities equip graduates with the professional skills required to contribute to the improvement of health and social outcomes in Australian communities.
In order to meet the Australian occupational therapy competency standards this course is structured in accordance with professional body recommendations. All students complete studies in the following areas:
Professional Areas: occupational therapy theory and practice; occupational therapy assessments and interventions related to biomechanical, sensorimotor, psychosocial and cognitive performance, activities, engagement and participation at home, at school, at work and in the community; occupational transitions across the lifespan; evaluation of occupational therapy programs; health promotion; and professional experience/fieldwork.
Social Sciences: psychology and sociology for health sciences, Australian health care system, Indigenous studies, research methods, nutrition in health, and small business and entrepreneurship.
Biological Sciences: anatomy, physiology, kinesiology, and neuroscience.
| Graduate Attribute | Course Learning Outcome |
|---|---|
| Intellectual rigour | Demonstrate a commitment to excellence in all scholarly, intellectual and professional activities, including critical analysis, sound judgement and the use of research/evidence to inform clinical/professional practice. Systematically apply knowledge creation strategies and practices to identify, create, represent, distribute, and enable adoption of practice based research. |
| Creativity | Analyse and respond innovatively to the systemic, interpersonal and personal factors influencing health and disability across diverse communities Utilize a sustainable and entrepreneurial approach to professional practice Demonstrate an occupation focused and client-centred orientation to professional practice |
| Ethical practice | Address legislative requirements, guidelines and standards affecting professional practice Understand, articulate and defend the values base of occupational practice and occupational justice |
| Knowledge of a discipline | Be grounded in an occupational view of health and disability across the lifespan. Utilise appropriate evidence based occupational therapy assessment and treatment modalities to identify and address the occupational needs of a diverse community. Develop, evaluate and document occupational intervention strategies for individuals, groups &/or communities. |
| Lifelong learning | Using reflection to guide continuing professional development. Contributing to the development of various communities of practice through collaborative lifelong learning initiatives. Sophisticated use of information technology to ensure communities of practice are inclusive of rural/regional practice settings. |
| Communication and social skills | Work collaboratively to address occupational needs in a range of health, education and community teams and with an understanding of conventional and complementary therapies. Provide leadership in identifying, assessing and addressing the occupational needs of individuals, groups and communities. |
| Cultural competence | Demonstrate cultural safety in professional practice and proactive responses to Indigenous perspectives on health (worldwide). |
Professional placements of about 1,000 hours build clinical and practical skills in settings that may include aged care, hospitals, community health, disability and mental health services, primary schools, industrial environments and private practice.
This course is accredited by Occupational Therapy Australia and the Occupational Therapy Council, and is approved by the World Federation of Occupational Therapists. Graduates of accredited occupational therapy programs are eligible for national registration.
Graduates are also eligible for membership of Occupational Therapy Australia. Please note: In order to register to practise, the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency standards for English language must be met.
Course overview
Course code
3007224
Course abbreviation
BOccThy
Credit points
384
Equivalent units
32
Domestic duration
4 years full-time; 8 years part-time
International duration
4 years full-time
Availability details
Domestic
| Location | Session | UAC code | QTAC code |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coffs Harbour | 1 | N/A | N/A |
| Gold Coast | 1 | N/A | N/A |
Domestic fees
International
| Location | Session | Annual Fees | CRICOS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coffs Harbour | 1 | $27,600 ($3,450 per unit) | 082680C |
| Gold Coast | 1 | $27,600 ($3,450 per unit) | 082680C |
Course requirements
See the University’s Rules Relating to Awards, in conjunction with the Specific Award Rules listed below.
To be eligible to receive the Bachelor of Occupational Therapy, students must complete the equivalent of 32 units (384 credit points), comprising:
- 22 core units (288 credit points); and
- 1 major (96 credit points).
Exit Awards
Students may be eligible to exit with an Associate Degree of Health and Human Sciences after completing the equivalent of 16 units (192 credit points), comprising any 16 core or major units.
Students may be eligible to exit with a Diploma of Health and Human Sciences after completing the equivalent of 8 units (96 credit points), comprising any 8 core or major units.
Professional Experience Learning
This course includes professional experience learning. Pre-requisites to meet national and state-based regulatory requirements, as detailed on School of Health and Human Sciences Professional Experience page must be met prior to attending professional experience placement. All professional experience learning hours must be completed and professional behaviour and conduct must be demonstrated.
Progression
Students are not permitted to have an extended period of more than 24 months between study of any two (2) units with professional experience learning.
Students are not permitted to have an extended period of more than 24 months between study of a theory unit that relates specifically to a particular unit with professional experience learning.
Students who have an interrupted study sequence of more than 24 months will be assessed on a case-by-case basis and may be required to undertake a specified supported professional experience placement to ensure professional experience currency prior to continuation of the course.
Inherent Requirements
Inherent Requirements apply to this course as defined on the Student Access & Inclusion website. Students who have a disability or health condition which may impact on their ability to meet these requirements are encouraged to visit the Student Access & Inclusion website for further information and contact details.
Schedule of units
Course progressions
Students should use course progression information to select units specific to their course and enrol in these units using My Enrolment
| Title | Level of learning | Note | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1, Session 1 | |||
| Part-time students should complete the first 2 units in Session 1, Year 1, and the remaining 2 units in Session 1, Year 2 | |||
| BIO01302 - Human Anatomy | Introductory | ||
| HLT10582 - Introduction to Occupational Therapy and Human Occupations | Introductory | ||
| BHS10581 - Psychology and Sociology for Health Sciences | Introductory | ||
| CUL00408 - Health and Indigenous Australian Peoples | Intermediate | ||
| Year 1, Session 2 | |||
| Part-time students should complete the first 2 units in Session 2, Year 1, and the remaining 2 units in Session 2, Year 2 | |||
| BIO71002 - Human Physiology I | Introductory | ||
| HLT10584 - Mobility and Personal Care Occupations | Introductory | ||
| CMM10580 - The Australian Health Care System | Introductory | ||
| MAT71004 - Introduction to Evidence for Health Science Practitioners | Introductory | ||
| Year 2, Session 1 | |||
| Part-time students should complete the first 2 units in Session 1, Year 3, and the remaining 2 units in Session 1, Year 4 | |||
| HLT10589 - Lifespan Development and Occupational Transitions | Intermediate | ||
| HLT10586 - Learning and Applying Knowledge for Individuals and Groups | Intermediate | ||
| BIO10587 - Functional Kinesiology of the Upper Limbs and Trunk | Intermediate | ||
| HLT10585 - Sensory Motor Assessments and Interventions | Intermediate | ||
| Year 2, Session 2 | |||
| Part-time students should complete the first 2 units in Session 2, Year 3, and the remaining 2 units in Session 2, Year 4 | |||
| HLT10588 - Musculoskeletal and Reduced Energy Assessments and Interventions | Intermediate | ||
| HLT10590 - Home and Community Occupations | Intermediate | ||
| HLT72001 - Clinical Reasoning in Professional Experience Learning | Intermediate | ||
| NUT00214 - Food and Nutrition in Health | Introductory | ||
| Year 3, Session 1 | |||
| Part-time students should complete the first 2 units in Session 1, Year 5, and the remaining 2 units in Session 1, Year 6 | |||
| HLT10593 - Mental Function (Cognition) Assessments and Interventions | Advanced | ||
| HLT10597 - Mental Function (Psychosocial) Assessments and Interventions | Advanced | ||
| HLT10591 - Regional Rural Remote Fieldwork | Intermediate | ||
| HLT10595 - Education, Leisure and Play Occupations | Advanced | ||
| Year 3, Session 2 | |||
| Part-time students should complete the first 2 units in Session 2, Year 5, and the remaining 2 units in Session 2, Year 6 | |||
| HLT10592 - Occupational Therapy Theory and Practice | Advanced | ||
| MNG00306 - Small Business and Entrepreneurship for Allied Health, Fitness and Sport | Introductory | ||
| HLT10594 - Evaluation of Occupational Therapy Programs | Advanced | ||
| HLT10596 - Work and Employment Occupations | Advanced | ||
| Year 4, Session 1 | |||
| Part-time students should complete the first double-weighted unit in Session 1, Year 7, and the remaining 2 units in Session 1, Year 8 | |||
| HLT83007 - Health Promotion and Primary Health Care | Advanced Note 1 | Note 1 | |
| Gnibi College Elective | |||
| University-wide Elective | |||
| Year 4, Session 2 | |||
| Part-time students should complete the first triple-weighted unit in Session 2, Year 7, and the remaining unit in Session 2, Year 8 | |||
| HLT10600 - Advanced Fieldwork | Advanced Note 2 | Note 2 | |
| HLT10601 - Transition to Professional Practice | Advanced | ||
| Title | Level of learning | Note | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1, Session 1 | |||
| Part-time students should complete the first 2 units in Session 1, Year 1, and the remaining 2 units in Session 1, Year 2 | |||
| BIO01302 - Human Anatomy | Introductory | ||
| HLT10582 - Introduction to Occupational Therapy and Human Occupations | Introductory | ||
| BHS10581 - Psychology and Sociology for Health Sciences | Introductory | ||
| CUL00408 - Health and Indigenous Australian Peoples | Intermediate | ||
| Year 1, Session 2 | |||
| Part-time students should complete the first 2 units in Session 2, Year 1, and the remaining 2 units in Session 2, Year 2 | |||
| BIO71002 - Human Physiology I | Introductory | ||
| HLT10584 - Mobility and Personal Care Occupations | Introductory | ||
| CMM10580 - The Australian Health Care System | Introductory | ||
| MAT71004 - Introduction to Evidence for Health Science Practitioners | Introductory | ||
| Year 2, Session 1 | |||
| Part-time students should complete the first 2 units in Session 1, Year 3, and the remaining 2 units in Session 1, Year 4 | |||
| HLT10589 - Lifespan Development and Occupational Transitions | Intermediate | ||
| HLT10586 - Learning and Applying Knowledge for Individuals and Groups | Intermediate | ||
| BIO10587 - Functional Kinesiology of the Upper Limbs and Trunk | Intermediate | ||
| HLT10585 - Sensory Motor Assessments and Interventions | Intermediate | ||
| Year 2, Session 2 | |||
| Part-time students should complete the first 2 units in Session 2, Year 3, and the remaining 2 units in Session 2, Year 4 | |||
| HLT10588 - Musculoskeletal and Reduced Energy Assessments and Interventions | Intermediate | ||
| HLT10590 - Home and Community Occupations | Intermediate | ||
| HLT72001 - Clinical Reasoning in Professional Experience Learning | Intermediate | ||
| HUM72012 - Working with Aboriginal Communities I (Professional Engagement) | Intermediate | ||
| Year 3, Session 1 | |||
| Part-time students should complete the first 2 units in Session 1, Year 5, and the remaining 2 units in Session 1, Year 6 | |||
| HLT10593 - Mental Function (Cognition) Assessments and Interventions | Advanced | ||
| HLT10597 - Mental Function (Psychosocial) Assessments and Interventions | Advanced | ||
| HLT10591 - Regional Rural Remote Fieldwork | Intermediate | ||
| HLT10595 - Education, Leisure and Play Occupations | Advanced | ||
| Year 3, Session 2 | |||
| Part-time students should complete the first 2 units in Session 2, Year 5, and the remaining 2 units in Session 2, Year 6 | |||
| HLT10592 - Occupational Therapy Theory and Practice | Advanced | ||
| SOC72001 - Aboriginal Social Realities | Intermediate | ||
| HLT10594 - Evaluation of Occupational Therapy Programs | Advanced | ||
| HLT10596 - Work and Employment Occupations | Advanced | ||
| Year 4, Session 1 | |||
| Part-time students should complete the first double-weighted unit in Session 1, Year 7, and the remaining 2 units in Session 1, Year 8 | |||
| IHE73004 - The Therapeutic Community | Advanced | ||
| CSL71001 - Trauma and Resilience I | Introductory | ||
| HLT83007 - Health Promotion and Primary Health Care | Advanced Note 1 | Note 1 | |
| Year 4, Session 2 | |||
| Part-time students should complete the first triple-weighted unit in Session 2, Year 7, and the remaining unit in Session 2, Year 8 | |||
| HLT10600 - Advanced Fieldwork | Advanced Note 2 | Note 2 | |
| HLT10601 - Transition to Professional Practice | Advanced | ||
| Title | Level of learning | Note | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1, Session 2 | |||
| BIO71002 - Human Physiology I | Introductory | ||
| CUL00408 - Health and Indigenous Australian Peoples | Intermediate | ||
| Year 1, Session 3 | |||
| CMM10580 - The Australian Health Care System | Introductory | ||
| Year 2, Session 1 | |||
| BHS10581 - Psychology and Sociology for Health Sciences | Introductory | ||
| BIO01302 - Human Anatomy | Introductory | ||
| HLT10582 - Introduction to Occupational Therapy and Human Occupations | Introductory | ||
| Year 2, Session 2 | |||
| NUT00214 - Food and Nutrition in Health | Introductory | ||
| HLT10584 - Mobility and Personal Care Occupations | Introductory | ||
| MAT71004 - Introduction to Evidence for Health Science Practitioners | Introductory | ||
| Year 3, Session 1 | |||
| From Year 3, following the Session 1 Course Progression from Year 2 excluding any completed unit/s. | |||
| Title | Level of learning | Note | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1, Session 2 | |||
| BIO71002 - Human Physiology I | Introductory | ||
| CUL00408 - Health and Indigenous Australian Peoples | Intermediate | ||
| Year 1, Session 3 | |||
| CMM10580 - The Australian Health Care System | Introductory | ||
| Year 2, Session 1 | |||
| BHS10581 - Psychology and Sociology for Health Sciences | Introductory | ||
| BIO01302 - Human Anatomy | Introductory | ||
| HLT10582 - Introduction to Occupational Therapy and Human Occupations | Introductory | ||
| Year 2, Session 2 | |||
| HUM72012 - Working with Aboriginal Communities I (Professional Engagement) | Intermediate | ||
| HLT10584 - Mobility and Personal Care Occupations | Introductory | ||
| MAT71004 - Introduction to Evidence for Health Science Practitioners | Introductory | ||
| Year 3, Session 1 | |||
| From Year 3, following the Session 1 Course Progression - Indigenous Health Major from Year 2 excluding any completed unit/s. | |||
| Title | Level of learning | Note | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Complete one or more of the units under Session 3 below and then follow the Course Progression for Session 1 Commencement excluding any completed unit/s. | |||
| Session 3 | |||
| BIO01302 - Human Anatomy | Introductory | ||
| CMM10580 - The Australian Health Care System | Introductory | ||
| NUT00214 - Food and Nutrition in Health | Introductory | ||
| Title | Level of learning | Note | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Complete one or more of the units under Session 3 below and then follow the Course Progression- Indigenous Health Major for Session 1 Commencement excluding any completed unit/s. | |||
| Session 3 | |||
| BIO01302 - Human Anatomy | Introductory | ||
| CMM10580 - The Australian Health Care System | Introductory | ||
Notes
| Note 1: | Double-weighted Unit |
| Note 2: | Triple-weighted Unit |