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Bachelor of Occupational Therapy

Bachelors Degree

Course snapshot

Domestic snapshot

  • Course abbreviation

    BOccThy

  • Course code

    3007224

  • Credit points

    384

  • Equivalent units

    32

  • Indicative Fee

    Commonwealth supported

Overview

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.

Course Learning Outcome

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.

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

Address legislative requirements, guidelines and standards affecting professional practice

Understand, articulate and defend the values base of occupational practice and occupational justice

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Location Teaching period UAC code QTAC code
Coffs Harbour Session 1, Session 2, Session 3 N/A N/A
Gold Coast Session 1, Session 2, Session 3 N/A N/A

Career Outcomes

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.

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 must have achieved:

  1. satisfactory completion of at least six years of primary and secondary education taught and assessed in English in one of the Recognised Countries (see below), including at least two years between years 7 and 12; or
  2. completed at least two years (full time equivalent combined secondary and/or tertiary and/or vocational education taught and assessed solely in English, in one of the Recognised Countries; or
  3. the IELTS (academic module) with a minimum overall score of 7 and a minimum score of 7 in each of the four components: or
  4. the OET with a minimum score of B in each of the four components; or
  5. the PTE Academic with a minimum overall score of 65 and a minimum score of 65 in each of the four communicative skills;
  6. the TOEFL iBT with a minimum total score of 94 and the following minimum score in each section of the test: 24 listening, 24 reading, 27 writing, and 23 speaking; or
  7. successful completion of the English for Academic Purposes 3 program at SCU College. Applicants who enrol via this pathway will need to separately meet the English language requirements of registration to practice.

Recognised Countries means the following countries: Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Republic of Ireland, South Africa, UK and USA.

Please note, Rule 2 Schedule B test scores equivalencies do not apply to this course.

In order to register to practice, the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency [AHPRA]’s  standards for English language must be met. See  https://www.ahpra.gov.au/Registration/Registration-Standards/English-language-skills.aspx for further information.

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 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.

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 Unit Title Available Credit points Level of learning Notes
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
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
HLT10601 -  Transition to Professional Practice Advanced

Unit Code Unit Title Available Credit points Level of learning Notes
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
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
HLT10601 -  Transition to Professional Practice Advanced

Unit Code Unit Title Available Credit points Level of learning Notes
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.

Unit Code Unit Title Available Credit points Level of learning Notes
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.

Unit Code Unit Title Available Credit points Level of learning Notes
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

Unit Code Unit Title Available Credit points Level of learning Notes
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

Note 1:

Double-weighted Unit

Note 2:

Triple-weighted Unit

Unit Code Unit Title Level of learning Notes
Core Units
BHS10581 Psychology and Sociology for Health Sciences Introductory
BIO71002 Human Physiology I Introductory
BIO01302 Human Anatomy Introductory
BIO10587 Functional Kinesiology of the Upper Limbs and Trunk Intermediate
CMM10580 The Australian Health Care System Introductory
HLT10582 Introduction to Occupational Therapy and Human Occupations Introductory
HLT10584 Mobility and Personal Care Occupations Introductory
HLT10585 Sensory Motor Assessments and Interventions Intermediate
HLT10586 Learning and Applying Knowledge for Individuals and Groups Intermediate
HLT10588 Musculoskeletal and Reduced Energy Assessments and Interventions Intermediate
HLT72001 Clinical Reasoning in Professional Experience Learning Intermediate
HLT10589 Lifespan Development and Occupational Transitions Intermediate
HLT10590 Home and Community Occupations Intermediate
HLT10592 Occupational Therapy Theory and Practice Advanced
HLT10593 Mental Function (Cognition) Assessments and Interventions Advanced
HLT10594 Evaluation of Occupational Therapy Programs Advanced
HLT10595 Education, Leisure and Play Occupations Advanced
HLT10596 Work and Employment Occupations Advanced
HLT10597 Mental Function (Psychosocial) Assessments and Interventions Advanced
HLT10600 Advanced Fieldwork Advanced Note 2
HLT10601 Transition to Professional Practice Advanced
MAT71004 Introduction to Evidence for Health Science Practitioners Introductory
Majors

Unit Code Unit Title Level of learning Notes
CUL00408 Health and Indigenous Australian Peoples Intermediate
NUT00214 Food and Nutrition in Health Introductory
MNG00306 Small Business and Entrepreneurship for Allied Health, Fitness and Sport Introductory
HLT10591 Regional Rural Remote Fieldwork Intermediate
HLT83007 Health Promotion and Primary Health Care Advanced Note 1
Elective unit from Gnibi College of Indigenous Australian Peoples
Elective unit from undergraduate university-wide electives

Unit Code Unit Title Level of learning Notes
CUL00408 Health and Indigenous Australian Peoples Intermediate
HUM72012 Working with Aboriginal Communities I (Professional Engagement) Intermediate
SOC72001 Aboriginal Social Realities Intermediate
CSL71001 Trauma and Resilience I Introductory
HLT10591 Regional Rural Remote Fieldwork Intermediate
HLT83007 Health Promotion and Primary Health Care Advanced Note 1
IHE73004 The Therapeutic Community Advanced