Bachelor of Occupational Therapy

Deakin University (Deakin)

Deakin University (Deakin)

CRICOS Institution Code 00113B

Duration
208 weeks
Study Load
Full-time or part-time equivalent
Intakes
March (Trimester 1)
Bachelor of Occupational Therapy

Course Overview

About This Course

Deakin's accredited Bachelor of Occupational Therapy gives you a cutting-edge, practical education; preparing you to identify people's strengths and limitations, environmental and social supports and barriers, and the role these play in people's ability to participate in occupations meaningful to them. You will gain the expertise needed to develop personalised, evidence-based intervention plans with people whose health and wellbeing is affected by issues including injury, illness, disability or environmental barriers. You will learn from our expert occupational therapy staff who are leaders in a diverse range of occupational therapy practice areas. You will also learn from experts and colleagues from other disciplines, preparing you to become an active member of interdisciplinary teams. 1000 hours of practical experience ensures you graduate job-ready, with the skills to make a difference in people's lives, and your mark, in the rapidly growing health sector.

  • Passionate about promoting good health and wellbeing and improving people's quality of life? Occupation is more than jobs or paid employment. Occupation refers to all meaningful activities that people engage in throughout their life. As a qualified occupational therapist, you will be able to work collaboratively with people of all ages to enable them to successfully engage in the occupations that they need and want to do. The knowledge and skills you develop throughout your study will enable you to enhance people's quality of life at home, work and in the community. You will be qualified to work with people of all ages who are having difficulties completing their daily activities; this might be due to physical or mental illness, disability, injury, or environmental barriers. This course will prepare you to work as an occupational therapist across a range of areas such as: paediatrics and childhood development adult and aged care mental health neurology environmental design and home modification community health disability support. Starting in your first year, you will complete a placement experience in each year of the course, totalling over 1000 hours across diverse occupational therapy practice areas. This invaluable real-world experience, combined with practical learning in Deakin's state-of-the-art facilities, ensures that you graduate confident and career ready. It is this strong emphasis on hands-on learning and industry connections that contributes to our #1 ranking for graduate employment in Victoria. Additionally, you have the option to further enrich your studies with an overseas study tour to countries like Denmark and India. This opportunity allows you to gain a global perspective on occupational therapy, seeing how the profession is practiced in different cultural and healthcare contexts. Are you a current Year 12 student? If you attend a school in a regional or remote area or within the Greater City of Geelong you may be eligible to apply for this course through our Regional and Remote Entry Scheme using our dedicated VTAC code. As an eligible applicant you may also receive up to a 10 aggregate point adjustment towards your entry score. Make the most of your ATAR. Discover our health and community services courses.

  • 2024 Employment Projections - for the ten years to 2034, Australian Government, Jobs and Skills Australia

Where You Can Study

Available Locations

Melbourne

1 Gheringhap St, GEELONG, VIC 3220

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Eligibility

Entry Requirements

General Requirements
  • Lowest selection rank (ATAR) for Waterfront (Geelong): 81.75 (based on 2026 early and first round VTAC offers, including relevant adjustment factors)
  • Lowest selection rank (ATAR) for Warrnambool: 63.2 (based on 2026 early and first round VTAC offers, including relevant adjustment factors)
  • Deakin Guaranteed ATAR for Waterfront (Geelong): 72 (guaranteed admission at a lower ATAR for eligible students)
  • Students attending a school in a regional or remote area or within the Greater City of Geelong may be eligible to apply through the Regional and Remote Entry Scheme and may receive up to a 10 aggregate point adjustment
  • All students are required to undertake a Working with Children Check at the commencement of the course
  • All students are required to undertake a Police Record Check prior to practice education in each calendar year of the course
  • Students are required to declare their immunisation status to satisfy the requirements of health and community organisations where they will be undertaking their practice education
  • All students are required to undertake a NDIS Worker Screening Check at the commencement of the course
  • All prospective applicants should review the Inherent Requirements of the course, which describe the skills, values and behaviours that students need to achieve

Career & Study Pathways

Where this takes you

Career Opportunities

With the health care and social assistance sector continuing to grow, there is a strong industry demand for graduates with specialist skills to work across a range of organisations as part of interdisciplinary teams. Occupational therapists are in particular demand with the Australian government projecting a 17.2% increase in jobs over the next five years.

  • As the #1 Victorian university for graduate employment, Deakin prepares you to meet this demand with confidence. Occupational therapy is a career where you will have a direct impact; helping people of all ages reach their goals and lead a meaningful life, whether it be in paediatrics and childhood development, adult and aged care, mental health, neurology, environmental design and home modification or community health and disability support. Deakin's Bachelor of Occupational Therapy prepares you to work across a diverse range of settings, such as: acute, psychiatric or rehabilitation hospitals community health organisations government departments or agencies mental health services private practices research institutes primary and secondary schools workplace wellbeing, occupational health and safety, and rehabilitation services. Our graduates have found employment with the following organisations, as well as many more: Alfred Health Barwon Health Bellarine Community Health Department of Education genU NDIS private occupational therapy practices primary and secondary schools Western District Health TAC.

  • 2024 Employment Pr

Quality & Recognition

Accreditation & Migration

Academic Regulator

TEQSA

Professional Body

Occupational Therapy Council of Australia (OTC)

Accreditation Status

Accredited

Skills Assessor

OTC

Course Content

Units of Competency

All Units33 units
DAI001

Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin

0 credit point compulsory unit

HBS107

Understanding Health

Level 1 - Trimester 1

HBS109

Introduction to Anatomy and Physiology

Level 1 - Trimester 1

HDS101

Communication and Diversity

Level 1 - Trimester 1

HSO102

Foundations of Occupational Science and Therapy A

Level 1 - Trimester 1

HSE010

Exercise and Sport Laboratory Safety

0 credit point, Level 1 - Trimester 2

HSE102

Functional Human Anatomy

Level 1 - Trimester 2

HSE208

Integrated Human Physiology

Level 1 - Trimester 2

HSO104

Foundations of Occupational Science and Therapy B

Level 1 - Trimester 2

IND101

Introduction to Aboriginal Studies

Level 1 - Trimester 2

HSO202

Impact of Health Conditions On Occupational Performance

Level 2 - Trimester 1

HSO205

Occupations in Childhood Development

Level 2 - Trimester 1

HSO207

Neurological Structure, Function and Plasticity

Level 2 - Trimester 1

HBS108

Health Information and Data

Level 2 - Trimester 2

HSO206

Occupation Across the Lifespan

Level 2 - Trimester 2

HSO218

Occupational Performance Analysis

Level 2 - Trimester 2

HSO209

Practice Education and Cultural Contexts

Level 2 - Trimester 2

HSO309

Practice Education and Interprofessional Collaboration

Level 3 - Trimester 1

HSO302

Evidence-Based Occupational Therapy Practice

Level 3 - Trimester 1

HSO315

Enabling Occupational Participation Through Information Gathering

Level 3 - Trimester 1

HSO307

Psychosocial Influences on Occupational Performance 1

Level 3 - Trimester 1

HSO304

Professional Practice Education A

Level 3 - Trimester 2

HSO306

Occupational Performance: Evaluation and Intervention 2

Level 3 - Trimester 2

HSO308

Psychosocial Influences On Occupational Performance 2

Level 3 - Trimester 2

HSO401

OT Practice Applying Knowledge and Reasoning

Level 4 - Pass stream Trimester 1

HSO403

Promoting Occupational Engagement Through Assistive Technology

Level 4 - Pass stream Trimester 1 / Honours Trimester 1

HSO405

Professional Practice Education B

Level 4 - Pass stream Trimester 1 / Honours Trimester 1

HSO408

Transition to Practice

Level 4 - Pass stream Trimester 2

HSO417

Occupational Therapy Professional Development

Level 4 - Pass stream Trimester 2

HSO418

Innovation and Evaluation in OT Practice

Level 4 - Pass stream Trimester 2

HSO411

OT Honours Proposal Ethics and Literature

Level 4 - Honours Trimester 1

HSO414

OT Honours Analysis and Critique

Level 4 - Honours Trimester 2

HSO416

Honours Research Project

Level 4 - Honours Trimester 2

Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

How many hours of practical placement experience will I complete during this course?

You will complete over 1000 hours of practice education across diverse occupational therapy practice areas. Starting in your first year, you will complete a placement experience in each year of the course. The requirement of completing a minimum of 1000 hours of practice education during the course is essential for the course to meet national and international accreditation standards. Students will also be required to complete a minimum of 1 fieldwork component in a regional area of Victoria or adjacent areas.

What mandatory checks are required before I can start clinical placements?

Prior to commencing professional practice education, all students must complete: a Working with Children Check (approximately $130), an NDIS Worker Screening Check (approximately $130), a National Police Record Check (approximately $100), and declare their Immunisation Status. Students are responsible for all costs associated with completing and maintaining these mandatory checks. Failure to obtain these checks prior to the commencement of practice education will impede progression in the course.

Is there an honours pathway available within this degree?

Yes. Students who meet eligibility requirements may enrol in H455 Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (Honours) for their fourth year of study. Entry into the Occupational Therapy Honours program is by invitation. To receive an invitation, a student must achieve a minimum distinction average upon completion of level 3 studies and successfully complete HSO302 Evidence-Based Occupational Therapy Practice. To be awarded the Honours degree, a student must successfully complete three honours units at level 4 and two trimester 1 level 4 units HSO403 and HSO405.

What campuses is this course available at, and when can I start?

The Bachelor of Occupational Therapy is available at Waterfront (Geelong) and Warrnambool campuses. Both campuses offer a Trimester 1 (March) start. The course is 4 years full-time or part-time equivalent. You may also be able to study available units in the optional third trimester to fast-track your degree.

What areas of occupational therapy practice will I be prepared to work in after graduating?

This course will prepare you to work as an occupational therapist across a range of areas including paediatrics and childhood development, adult and aged care, mental health, neurology, environmental design and home modification, community health, and disability support. You will be qualified to work with people of all ages who are having difficulties completing their daily activities due to physical or mental illness, disability, injury, or environmental barriers.

Application

How to Apply

Three simple steps to get enrolled

Step 01

Enquire

Click "Enquire Now" and tell us a little about yourself. It's free and takes 2 minutes.

Step 02

Submit Documents

Our team will guide you on exactly which documents to prepare and submit.

Step 03

Get Enrolled

Receive your offer letter and confirm your enrolment. Welcome to the course!

Hear From the Students

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Priya Sharma

India

Master of Nursing · Griffith University

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