Course Overview

About This Course

Occupational therapists play an important role in the lives of individuals and communities, enabling participation in occupations of self-care, productivity and leisure. To do this, occupational therapists need to know how humans function and need the skills to practise competently and safely. You will learn how to analyse and assess occupational performance, apply and evaluate interventions to enable occupational performance, and collaborate and communicate effectively with clients, their families and colleagues. This is a four-year course with an embedded honours program: high-achieving students can undertake honours in the third and fourth years if they meet the admission requirements.

The degree totals 320 credit points: 20 credit points of Core Curriculum units, 250 credit points of specified units and 50 credit points of professional practice units. You will undertake 1,000 hours of professional practice education, with supervised placements each semester from Semester 1 of first year - a half-day placement, a two-week full-time block of 80 hours, a 40-hour simulated placement in second year, two five-week blocks in third year, and a nine-week block plus two weeks in fourth year. Placement settings include private hospitals, community health, private practice, non-government and charitable organisations, and the aged care and disability sectors, and students should expect a rural or remote placement.

On a full-time load you can expect about 16 to 20 hours of face-to-face contact a week for 12 weeks of the semester. Students may undertake a community engagement unit or professional practice placement in Vietnam, Vanuatu or Timor Leste, or study an occupational therapy unit at ACU's Rome Campus. Full accreditation has been granted in Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland.

Where You Can Study

Available Locations

Melbourne

1200 Mair St, Ballarat, VIC 3350

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Student Information

Fees & Entry by Student Type

Tuition Fee

AUD $10,898

Duration

4 years full-time or equivalent part-time

Intakes

Semester 1 intake: Beginning March 2027 (Applications open August 2026) | Midyear (Semester 2) intake: Not offered this intake

Study Mode

Full-time or part-time

Eligibility

Entry Requirements

General Requirements

Domestic students

An applicant must also comply with the Admission to Coursework Programs Policy.
To be eligible for admission to the Bachelor of Occupational Therapy, an applicant must have completed the following prerequisites at year 12 level, or equivalent:
- Australian Capital Territory: a study score of at least 133 in English-T (Major) or ESL (Major), and a study score of at least 97 in one of Biology-T, Chemistry-T or Physics-T
- New South Wales: English Standard (Band 4) or English as an Additional Language or Dialect (EALD), plus one of Biology, Chemistry or Physics (Band 2 for all)
- Queensland: any general English (Units 3 & 4, C), plus one of Biology, Chemistry or Physics (Units 3 & 4, C)
- Victoria: Units 3 and 4 - a study score of at least 30 in English as an Additional Language (EAL) or at least 25 in English other than EAL, plus Units 3 and 4 - a study score of at least 25 in one of Biology, Chemistry or Physics
Indicative ATAR: 80.00 (Ballarat), 87.00 (Brisbane), 75.00 (Canberra), 89.00 (Melbourne), 91.00 (North Sydney)
Students need to have completed a Year 12 science subject to be eligible to apply. Some Australian preparatory and bridging studies satisfy this requirement, including satisfactory completion of Biology, Chemistry or Physics in the Certificate IV in Adult Tertiary Preparation, a pass in UNILEARN Biology, Chemistry or Physics, or TAFE Tertiary Preparation Certificates.
Applicants with higher education study must still meet the minimum entry requirements and subject prerequisites. Applicants who have completed at least two units of AQF-recognised study at bachelor level or above are assigned a new selection rank reflecting their study level, duration and grade point average, and prior study or relevant work experience may attract credit or recognition of prior learning.

Disclaimer: The course entry requirements above are for 2027 Admission.

International students

Applicants require the equivalent of an Australian Year 12 Certificate, including studies in science, and a recognised international high school qualification. Applicants must also comply with the Admission to Coursework Programs Policy, including the English Language Proficiency requirements.
IELTS: academic overall score 7.0, with a minimum score of 7.0 in all bands, or an equivalent acceptable test score as outlined in the Admission to Coursework Programs Policy.
The Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (Honours) program is embedded into years 3 and 4 of the pass degree. To apply for admission to the honours program, a student must have completed 160 credit points from years 1 and 2 of the pass degree with a grade point average of at least 5.50.

Disclaimer: The course entry requirements above are for 2027 Admission.

Career & Study Pathways

Where this takes you

Career Opportunities

Graduates will be eligible for registration as practising occupational therapists with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (Ahpra) and for membership of Occupational Therapy Australia (OTA).
• Occupational therapist

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 Units40 units

PHCC102

Being Human

PHCC104

Ethics and the Good Life

PHCC106

Making Sense: Practical Reasoning for Life and Career

THCC100

Revolutionary Values: Christianity in History

THCC101

People Matter: Catholic Social Thought

TPCC100

Life and Meaning: Imagining Ourselves through Art and Cinema

PHCC201

The Origins of the Sciences and Contemporary Challenges

THCC200

Justice in the World: Catholic Social Ethics in Global Perspective

THCC202

Sacred Land: Australian Indigenous Spiritualities and Catholic Thought

TPCC201

Ecology and Justice

TPCC202

Conflict, Violence and Peace-making

ALHT106

Psychology for Allied Health

BIOL121

Human Biological Science 1

OTHY100

Foundations of Occupational Therapy

OTHY101

Health and Occupation

OTHY102

Musculoskeletal Structure and Function for Occupational Therapy

OTHY107

Infants and Children

OTHY108

Evidence-Based Practice and Health Conditions

ALHT210

Neuroscience for Allied Health

ALHT211

Research and Evidence - Informed Practice in Allied Health

OTHY204

Occupational Participation and Disability

OTHY205

Mental Health Recovery in Occupational Therapy 1

OTHY207

Vocational Preparation and Rehabilitation

OTHY210

Physical Rehabilitation 1

OTHY211

Social Determinants of First People's Health and Wellbeing

OTHY212

Therapeutic communication and groupwork in Occupational Therapy

OTHY300

Neurological Rehabilitation 1

OTHY301

Mental Health Recovery in Occupational Therapy 2

OTHY302

Children Youth and Families

OTHY304

Neurological Rehabilitation 2

OTHY310

Physical Rehabilitation 2

OTHY311

Occupational Therapy: Ageing, Participation and Health

OTHY415

Assistive Technology

OTHY402

Allied Health Management and Leadership

OTHY403

Occupational Therapy and Community Centred Practice

ALHT420

Global Perspectives of Community-Centred Practice

OTHY404

Advanced Occupational Therapy Practice

OTHY303

Professional Practice Education 1

OTHY416

Professional Practice Education 3

OTHY411

Professional Practice Education 2

Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does the Bachelor of Occupational Therapy take to complete?

The Bachelor of Occupational Therapy at Australian Catholic University has a duration of 208 weeks (approximately 4 years).

Does the Bachelor of Occupational Therapy include a work placement component?

Yes. ACU states you will undertake 1,000 hours of professional practice education across the degree, with supervised placements every semester from Semester 1 of first year, including a two-week full-time block in first year, a 40-hour simulated placement in second year, two five-week blocks in third year, and a nine-week block plus two further weeks in fourth year.

At which campuses can I study the Bachelor of Occupational Therapy?

The Bachelor of Occupational Therapy is offered at five Australian Catholic University campuses: Canberra (ACT), North Sydney (NSW), Brisbane (QLD), Ballarat (VIC), and Melbourne (VIC).

What is the estimated total cost of the Bachelor of Occupational Therapy for international students?

The estimated total course cost for international students is AU$216,480, based on ACU's indicative first-year fee of AU$54,120 across the four years of the course, with no additional non-tuition fees listed.

Is the Bachelor of Occupational Therapy eligible for Post-Study Work Rights?

The course may be eligible for extended Post-Study Work Rights as it is a Bachelor Degree (Skills Level 1 qualification), has a duration greater than 92 weeks, and falls under the Rehabilitation Therapies field of education. Eligibility is reviewed yearly and requires at least one active enrolment at the time of review.

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!

Course Snapshot

Salary, careers & skills

Typical Salary

Entry-level (0-2 years)AUD $65,000 to $78,000 per year

Early Career (2-5 years)AUD $78,000 to $92,000 per year

Mid-Level (5-10 years)AUD $92,000 to $110,000 per year

Career Paths

Graduate Occupational TherapistNDIS Occupational TherapistCommunity Occupational TherapistPaediatric Occupational TherapistMental Health Occupational Therapist

Key Skills

Clinical assessment and functional capacity evaluationTherapeutic intervention planning and implementationAssistive technology prescription and equipment recommendationHome and environmental modification assessmentPaediatric development assessment and intervention

Full Course Overview

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