Occupational Therapy (OT) is a health profession focused on enabling people of all ages to participate in the everyday activities — or 'occupations' — that give their lives meaning and purpose. In Australia, accredited occupational therapy programs are offered at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels, typically taking four to five years to complete. Students gain a deep understanding of human anatomy, psychology, behavioural sciences, and the social and environmental factors that affect a person's ability to engage in daily life. Courses are accredited by the Occupational Therapy Council of Australia (OTC) and approved by the World Federation of Occupational Therapists (WFOT), ensuring graduates meet national and international competency standards. Upon graduation, students are eligible to register with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) and become members of Occupational Therapy Australia (OTA).

Occupational therapists work across a remarkable breadth of settings — including hospitals, rehabilitation centres, schools, aged care facilities, community health centres, private practices, and clients' own homes. They assist people living with disability, chronic illness, mental health conditions, developmental delays, age-related decline, or workplace injuries to overcome barriers and lead more independent, fulfilling lives. Graduates are in demand across public health systems (state and federal), the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), My Aged Care, Department of Veterans' Affairs (DVA), private health providers, and non-government organisations. The profession sits at the intersection of medicine, psychology, and social care, making it one of the most versatile and impactful careers in the Australian healthcare sector.

The course curriculum covers foundational sciences such as anatomy, physiology, and neuroscience alongside applied clinical reasoning, therapeutic interventions, assistive technology prescription, environmental modification, and professional ethics. A defining feature of all accredited Australian programs is the requirement for students to complete a minimum of 1,000 hours of supervised professional practice — ensuring graduates are work-ready across diverse community and healthcare environments from the moment they register.

For undergraduate entry, applicants typically need to have completed Year 12 with an ATAR ranging from 70 to the mid-90s, depending on the institution and campus location. Most programs require at least one Year 12 science subject — such as Biology, Chemistry, or Physics — as a prerequisite. Applicants who do not meet the ATAR threshold directly from high school may be eligible to transfer into an occupational therapy program after completing one year of a related degree (such as Health Science or Science) with a competitive grade point average. Some institutions also consider mature-age applicants, those with vocational qualifications, and candidates with relevant community or healthcare work experience through special admissions pathways.

For postgraduate (Master of Occupational Therapy) entry, applicants must hold a completed undergraduate degree — often in a health, science, or related discipline — with some programs specifying prerequisite subjects such as human anatomy and human physiology. Postgraduate programs are available at more than ten Australian universities and provide an alternative entry route for career changers or those who did not study OT as undergraduates. International applicants and non-native English speakers must meet English language proficiency standards as required by AHPRA for registration — typically an IELTS overall band score of 7.0 or equivalent.

Before commencing clinical placements, all students — regardless of pathway — must meet a range of non-academic requirements mandated by state health authorities and placement providers. These typically include a current Working with Children Check, a National Police Check, up-to-date vaccination records (including influenza and COVID-19), first aid certification, and completion of relevant health and safety inductions. These requirements must generally be satisfied in the first year of study, regardless of when the student's first placement is scheduled.