Bachelor of Occupational Therapy

Bachelors Degree

Domestic snapshot

Start Date

View in availability
Duration

4 years full-time; 8 years part-time
4.5 years minimum for students commencing Session 2
Location

View in availability
Placements

NA

ATAR

84 / 8
Inherent Requirements

NA
Entry Requirements

View full entry requirements

Course abbreviation

BOccThy
Course code

3007224
Credit points

384
Equivalent units

32
Indicative Fee

Commonwealth supported

Overview

The Bachelor of Occupational Therapy develops an understanding of the theoretical and practical components of occupational therapy, with a focus on general and specialist knowledge and skills. A combination of coursework and clinical experiences prepares graduates for employment in the health and human services sectors.

The course is taught by dedicated professionals, both academic and clinical, who have extensive work experience in the field.

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).

Students gain clinical experience in all four years of the course in settings that may include aged care, hospitals, community health, mental health services, primary schools, industrial environments, private practice and a variety of health, education, and disability centres and services.

In order to meet the Australian Competency Standards for Entry-Level Occupational Therapists 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 related to body structure and function; occupational therapy related to activities and participation; lifespan development and occupational transitions; 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, and complementary medicine.

Biological Sciences: anatomy, physiology, kinesiology, and neuroscience.

Location	Teaching period	UAC code	QTAC code
Gold Coast	Session 1, Session 2	335168	055961

Career Outcomes

The Bachelor of Occupational Therapy has received full accreditation from 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.

Requirements

We encourage you to apply for the courses you most want to study. If you are not eligible to enter your chosen course right now, our team will work with you to find the best pathway option.

Before applying, make sure you double check all entry requirements, gather required documentation and review the University’s Rules Relating to Awards, noting any specifics listed below.

Entry requirements

Applicants for admission to candidature shall normally have satisfied the requirements prescribed in Rule 2 Section 2 of the Rules Relating to Awards and have attained a level of achievement acceptable to the School Board; and

have an assessable level of English language proficiency to the standard required for registration as an Occupational Therapist as set out by the Occupational Therapy Board of Australia, from time to time; or
have achieved a minimum score of 7.0 in an International English Language Test System (IELTS) on each of the individual bands of reading, writing, speaking and listening, or equivalent.

An applicant who has completed a Certificate III qualification will not be admitted solely on the basis of this qualification.

Course requirements

To be eligible for the award of Bachelor of Occupational Therapy a candidate shall successfully complete the equivalent of thirty two (32) units:

all units listed in Part A of the Schedule of Units attached to these Rules; plus,
one (1) unit from Part B; and
one (1) elective unit selected from Part C of the Schedule of Units.

Exclusion

A student can be excluded under Rule 2 Section 10 of the Rules Relating to Awards.
A candidate who has twice received a fail grade in one of the following fieldwork placement units: (HLT10582 Introduction to Occupational Therapy and Human Occupations; HLT10583 Communication Skills for Health Sciences; HLT10590 Home and Community Occupations; HLT10591 Regional Rural Remote Fieldwork; HLT10599 Health Promotion and Primary Health Care; HLT10600 - Advanced Fieldwork) shall be excluded for 12 months and may be readmitted at the discretion of the Head of School.

Course structure

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.

Unit Code	Level of learning	Notes
Session 1, Year 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
CMM10580 - The Australian Health Care System	Introductory
Session 2, Year 1
Part-time students should complete the first 2 units in Session 2, Year 1, and the remaining 2 units in Session 2, Year 2
BIO00307 - Human Physiology	Introductory
MAT00330 - Research and Analysis in Health	Introductory
HLT10583 - Communication Skills for Health Sciences	Introductory
HLT10584 - Mobility and Personal Care Occupations	Introductory
Session 1, Year 2
Part-time students should complete the first 2 units in Session 1, Year 3, and the remaining 2 units in Session 1, Year 4
CUL00408 - Health and Indigenous Australian Peoples	Intermediate
HLT10586 - Learning and Applying Knowledge for Individuals and Groups	Intermediate
BIO10493 - Motor Control	Intermediate
HLT10585 - Sensory Motor Assessments and Interventions	Intermediate
Session 2, Year 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
BIO10587 - Functional Kinesiology of the Upper Limbs and Trunk	Intermediate
HLT10588 - Musculoskeletal and Reduced Energy Assessments and Interventions	Intermediate
HLT10589 - Lifespan Development and Occupational Transitions	Intermediate
HLT10590 - Home and Community Occupations	Intermediate
Session 1, Year 3
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
HLT10594 - Evaluation of Occupational Therapy Programs	Advanced
Session 2, Year 3
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
HLT10595 - Education, Leisure and Play Occupations	Advanced
HLT10596 - Work and Employment Occupations	Advanced
Part C Elective (University-wide elective)
Session 1, Year 4
Part-time students should complete the first 2 units in Session 1, Year 7, and the remaining 1 double-weighted unit in Session 1, Year 8
HLT10598 - Introduction to Complementary Medicine	Introductory
Part B Elective: select 1 unit from CUL00409 - The Mental Health of Australian Indigenous Peoples OR HEA10200 - Trans- and Intergenerational Trauma	Introductory
HLT10599 - Health Promotion and Primary Health Care	Advanced	Note 1
Session 2, Year 4
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
HLT10601 - Transition to Professional Practice	Advanced

Unit Code	Level of learning	Notes
Session 2, Year 1
BIO00307 - Human Physiology	Introductory
CUL00408 - Health and Indigenous Australian Peoples	Intermediate
MAT00330 - Research and Analysis in Health	Introductory
Session 1, Year 2
CMM10580 - The Australian Health Care System	Introductory
BHS10581 - Psychology and Sociology for Health Sciences	Introductory
BIO01302 - Human Anatomy	Introductory
HLT10582 - Introduction to Occupational Therapy and Human Occupations	Introductory
Session 2, Year 2
HLT10583 - Communication Skills for Health Sciences	Introductory
HLT10584 - Mobility and Personal Care Occupations	Introductory
Part C Elective (University-wide elective)
Session 1, Year 3
BIO10493 - Motor Control	Intermediate
HLT10585 - Sensory Motor Assessments and Interventions	Intermediate
HLT10586 - Learning and Applying Knowledge for Individuals and Groups	Intermediate
Session 2, Year 3
BIO10587 - Functional Kinesiology of the Upper Limbs and Trunk	Intermediate
HLT10588 - Musculoskeletal and Reduced Energy Assessments and Interventions	Intermediate
HLT10589 - Lifespan Development and Occupational Transitions	Intermediate
HLT10590 - Home and Community Occupations	Intermediate
Session 1, Year 4
HLT10591 - Regional Rural Remote Fieldwork	Intermediate
HLT10594 - Evaluation of Occupational Therapy Programs	Advanced
HLT10593 - Mental Function (Cognition) Assessments and Interventions	Advanced
HLT10597 - Mental Function (Psychosocial) Assessments and Interventions	Advanced
Session 2, Year 4
HLT10595 - Education, Leisure and Play Occupations	Advanced
HLT10596 - Work and Employment Occupations	Advanced
HLT10592 - Occupational Therapy Theory and Practice	Advanced
Session 1, Year 5
HLT10599 - Health Promotion and Primary Health Care	Advanced	Note 1
HLT10598 - Introduction to Complementary Medicine	Introductory
Part B Elective: select 1 unit from CUL00409 - The Mental Health of Australian Indigenous Peoples OR HEA10200 - Trans- and Intergenerational Trauma	Introductory
Session 2, Year 5
HLT10600 - Advanced Fieldwork	Advanced	Note 2
HLT10601 - Transition to Professional Practice	Advanced