Course summary

Do you want a health career that could transform the lives of others by helping them achieve tangible results?

Occupational therapists’ work is diverse. They adapt environments, activities or equipment to enhance participation in everyday tasks, assisting people of all ages and abilities to do what they need and want to do at home, work, school and in the community.

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.

Do you want a health career that could transform the lives of others by helping them achieve tangible results?

Occupational therapists’ work is diverse. They adapt environments, activities or equipment to enhance participation in everyday tasks, assisting people of all ages and abilities to do what they need and want to do at home, work, school and in the community.

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.

Course Learning Outcome

Effectively implement critical thinking, problem solving, professional reasoning and self-reflection to occupational therapy service provision and evaluation.

Analyse the systemic, interpersonal and personal factors influencing health and disability across diverse communities living in metropolitan, regional and rural areas and create innovative and effective occupational therapy practice.

Demonstrate an occupation-centred, evidence-based and client-centred approach to occupational therapy practice for individuals, groups and communities.

Understand and comply with various legislative requirements, guidelines and standards influencing professional practice to ensure ethical application of professional knowledge and skills.

Contribute to collaborative, respectful and ethical interprofessional practice which collectively implements effective client-centred practice.

Demonstrate theoretical and practical knowledge of the person-environment-occupation relationship and the link between occupation and health and wellbeing.

Commit to, and engage in, critical reflection and lifelong learning initiatives to ensure effective contributions to contemporary and future occupational therapy practice.

Communicate professionally and respectfully with professional partners including clients, carers and colleagues using appropriate levels of written and verbal language.

Demonstrate cultural safety and inclusive collaborative professional practice that is respectful to all people, nationally and globally, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Professional placements build clinical and practical skills in settings that may include aged care, hospitals, community health, disability and mental health services, primary schools, work environments and private practice. Students complete over 1,000 hours in practice education during the course.

Pre-requisites to meet national and state-based regulatory requirements, as detailed on the Faculty of Health 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. Students will likely have to travel away from their local area and placements may be located anywhere in Australia. Students are required to support themselves financially (including accommodation, travel and living expenses) during placements. 

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.

As an occupational therapy student it is important to be aware of the registration standards required by the Occupational Therapy Board (OTB). See the details on the OTB website.

Students enrolled in the Bachelor of Occupational Therapy will be registered by Southern Cross University with the Occupational Therapy Board as an enrolled student and will remain registered for the duration of study.  Please see the AHPRA website for more details.

The Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) is responsible for the registration and accreditation of various health professions in Australia. If you are enrolled in a course to enter one of these professions, we will provide AHPRA with your details for student registration. 
 
You do not need to apply or pay for your student registration. We will provide all the required information to AHPRA directly. You can find more information about AHPRA student registration and what we are required to report to AHPRA on their website.
 
Please be aware that as part of the registration process, AHPRA will collect your personal information (including your USI). AHPRA’s Privacy Policy explains how you may access and seek correction of your personal information held by AHPRA; complain to AHPRA about a breach of your privacy; and how a complaint will be dealt with. AHPRA’s Privacy Policy can be accessed on AHPRA’s Privacy webpage.

Course overview

Course code

3007224

Course abbreviation

BOccThy

Credit points

384

Equivalent units

32

Duration

4 years full-time; 8 years part-time

Duration

4 years full-time

Availability details

Domestic

Location Teaching period UAC code QTAC code
Coffs Harbour Term 1 N/A N/A
Gold Coast Term 1 N/A N/A

Fee information

Commonwealth supported


International

Location Teaching period Annual Fees CRICOS
Coffs Harbour Term 1 $29,360 ($3,670 per unit) 082680C
Gold Coast Term 1 $29,360 ($3,670 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).

Professional Experience Learning

This course includes professional experience learning. Pre-requisites to meet national and state-based regulatory requirements, as detailed on Faculty of Health 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. Students will likely have to travel away from their local area and placements may be located anywhere in Australia. Students are required to support themselves financially (including accommodation, travel and living expenses) during placements.

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 Equity and 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 Equity and Inclusion website for further information and contact details.


Schedule of units

Title Note
Core Units
OCCU1001 - Introduction to Occupational Therapy and Human Occupations
HLTH1005 - Understanding Wellbeing and Mental Health
HLTH1006 - Foundations of Interprofessional Health Practice
HBIO1009 - Introductory Anatomy and Physiology
OCCU1002 - Personal Care Occupations
HBIO1010 - Integrated Anatomy and Physiology
STAT2001 - Foundations of Evidence for Health Science Practitioners
OCCU2013 - Occupational Therapy Theory and Practice
OCCU2005 - Lifespan Development and Occupational Transitions
OCCU2004 - Musculoskeletal and Reduced Energy Assessments and Interventions
OCCU2006 - Home and Community Occupations
OCCU2002 - Sensory Motor Assessments and Interventions
OCCU2003 - Learning and Applying Knowledge for Individuals and Groups
OCCU2014 - Work Integrated Learning in Occupational Therapy I
OCCU2008 - Cognition Assessments and Interventions
OCCU2009 - Education, Leisure and Play Occupations
OCCU2010 - Work and Employment Occupations
OCCU2011 - Psychosocial Assessments and Interventions
OCCU3003 - Work Integrated Learning in Occupational Therapy III Note 2
OCCU3002 - Evaluation of Occupational Therapy Programs
HLTH3004 - Transition to Practice
PBHL2002 - Health Promotion
Majors

Course progressions

Your course progression is in the recommended order you should complete your course in. It is important that you follow this to ensure you meet the course requirements. For further assistance see How to Enrol in Units using My Enrolment.

Students should use course progression information to select units specific to their course and enrol in these units using My Enrolment

Browse uni-wide elective units by selecting Uni-wide elective in the advanced filter of the Unit search.

Browse shared majors and their units at Shared majors

Title Note

Complete units in the following order to satisfy the Requirements of the Award

First Year

OCCU1001 - Introduction to Occupational Therapy and Human Occupations
HLTH1005 - Understanding Wellbeing and Mental Health
HLTH1006 - Foundations of Interprofessional Health Practice
HBIO1009 - Introductory Anatomy and Physiology
OCCU2005 - Lifespan Development and Occupational Transitions
HBIO1010 - Integrated Anatomy and Physiology
INDG2001 - Health and Indigenous Australian Peoples
STAT2001 - Foundations of Evidence for Health Science Practitioners

Second Year

OCCU2013 - Occupational Therapy Theory and Practice
OCCU1002 - Personal Care Occupations
OCCU2004 - Musculoskeletal and Reduced Energy Assessments and Interventions
HBIO2003 - Functional Kinesiology of the Upper Limbs and Trunk
OCCU2006 - Home and Community Occupations
OCCU2002 - Sensory Motor Assessments and Interventions
OCCU2003 - Learning and Applying Knowledge for Individuals and Groups
OCCU2014 - Work Integrated Learning in Occupational Therapy I

Third Year

Gnibi Elective Unit
OCCU2009 - Education, Leisure and Play Occupations
OCCU2008 - Cognition Assessments and Interventions
OCCU2011 - Psychosocial Assessments and Interventions
OCCU2010 - Work and Employment Occupations
HLTH1003 - Small Business and Entrepreneurship for Allied Health, Fitness and Sport
OCCU2015 - Work Integrated Learning in Occupational Therapy II Note 1

Fourth Year

OCCU3002 - Evaluation of Occupational Therapy Programs
HLTH3004 - Transition to Practice
OCCU3003 - Work Integrated Learning in Occupational Therapy III Note 2
PBHL2002 - Health Promotion
HLTH3005 - Interprofessional Health Practice
PBHL3001 - Health Promotion Project

Title Note

Complete units in the following order to satisfy the Requirements of the Award

First Year

OCCU1001 - Introduction to Occupational Therapy and Human Occupations
HLTH1005 - Understanding Wellbeing and Mental Health
HLTH1006 - Foundations of Interprofessional Health Practice
HBIO1009 - Introductory Anatomy and Physiology
OCCU2005 - Lifespan Development and Occupational Transitions
HBIO1010 - Integrated Anatomy and Physiology
INDG2001 - Health and Indigenous Australian Peoples
STAT2001 - Foundations of Evidence for Health Science Practitioners

Second Year

OCCU2013 - Occupational Therapy Theory and Practice
OCCU1002 - Personal Care Occupations
OCCU2004 - Musculoskeletal and Reduced Energy Assessments and Interventions
INDG2005 - Working with Aboriginal Communities I (Professional Engagement)
OCCU2006 - Home and Community Occupations
OCCU2002 - Sensory Motor Assessments and Interventions
OCCU2003 - Learning and Applying Knowledge for Individuals and Groups
OCCU2014 - Work Integrated Learning in Occupational Therapy I

Third Year

INDG1010 - Trauma and Resilience I
OCCU2009 - Education, Leisure and Play Occupations
OCCU2008 - Cognition Assessments and Interventions
OCCU2011 - Psychosocial Assessments and Interventions
OCCU2010 - Work and Employment Occupations
INDG2011 - Aboriginal Social Realities
OCCU2015 - Work Integrated Learning in Occupational Therapy II Note 1

Fourth Year

OCCU3002 - Evaluation of Occupational Therapy Programs
HLTH3004 - Transition to Practice
OCCU3003 - Work Integrated Learning in Occupational Therapy III Note 2
PBHL2002 - Health Promotion
INDG3001 - Caring for Country OR INDG2008 - Racism and Eugenics
PBHL3001 - Health Promotion Project

Notes

Note 1: Double-weighted Unit
Note 2: Triple-weighted Unit