Course Overview

About This Course

Our accredited Bachelor of Health Science/Master of Occupational Therapy degree is regulated by the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA). Be equipped with the skills and knowledge to improve the lives of people, families, and communities with which you work. As a graduate of our Health Science/Occupational Therapy degree you will understand the importance of occupation to peoples and communities health and well being. You will develop the skills and knowledge to help achieve optimal health and well-being. Our Health Science/Occupational Therapy degree offers international study opportunities and welcomes both First Nations and international students with dedicated support services on hand to support you through your degree.

Where You Can Study

Available Locations

Casuarina Campus, Charles Darwin University, Ellengowan Drive, Casuarina NT 0810

54-58 Cavenagh Street, DARWIN CITY, NT 0800

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Eligibility

Entry Requirements

General Requirements

Successful completion of the Northern Territory Certificate of Education and Training (or equivalent) and the awarding of an Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank (ATAR) of at least 70 (after any applicable adjustment factors have been applied)
Successful completion of a national qualification at Certificate IV level or higher
Successful completion of at least 0.5 year of full-time study (or equivalent) of a higher education degree/diploma with a GPA of at least 5
Overseas secondary or tertiary qualifications considered equivalent to the above Australian qualifications
Attainment of a STAT Multiple Choice score of 147
Successful completion of the Tertiary Enabling Program or the Preparation for Tertiary Success courses or other recognised tertiary preparation course
International applicants who have completed the CDU Foundation Studies Program and achieved a minimum mark of 65% in the Foundation English units A and B are eligible to apply
Pre-clinical Requirements: Students must provide proof of immunisation requirements, Senior First Aid qualification, annual criminal record checks and/or working with children clearances and/or fitness-to-practice requirements before undertaking units that include clinical placements
Working with Children Check: Required before undertaking practical placements
National Police Check: Must be cleared before undertaking practical placements
Senior First Aid: A current senior first aid certificate is required before undertaking practical placements
Fitness to Practice: A fitness to practice check is required for placements
Immunisation Schedule: A current immunisation schedule is required before undertaking practical placements
English (Domestic): Minimum IELTS Academic overall 6.0 with no band below 6.0; or equivalent as per CDU English Language Proficiency Policy
English (International): Minimum IELTS Academic overall 7.0 with no score below 6.5 in all bands; or PTE Academic minimum overall 65 with no score less than 58; or TOEFL iBT minimum overall 94 with no score less than 22 in any section

Career & Study Pathways

Where this takes you

Career Opportunities

Graduating from this course may lead to career opportunities in areas such as community health centres, public and private hospitals, aged care facilities, paediatric facilities, education facilities, mental health settings, alcohol and drug services, private clinics, non-government organisations, correctional institutions, universities and research facilities, corporate and industrial settings, supported employment and government departments.

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 Units29 units

HSC111

Ethics in Health Care

Core unit

HSC121

Australia's Healthcare System and Policies

Core unit

HSC132

Introduction to Health Promotion

Core unit

HSC133

Perspectives of First Nations Health

Core unit (title change 2026)

PSY150

Introduction to Psychology A

Core unit

SBI161

Anatomy and Physiology 1

Core unit

SBI162

Anatomy and Physiology 2

Core unit

SWK102

Communication Skills

Core unit

HSC204

Chronic Conditions Management

Core unit

HSC220

Society, Culture and Health: A Sociological Introduction

Core unit

HSC233

Epidemiology and Statistics

Core unit

NUR256

Research and Evidence Based Practice

Core unit

HSC318

Rural and Remote Health

Core unit

PHM301

Exploring Public Health

Core unit

SPE112

Exercise Prescription and Delivery

Specialist elective

HSC211

Mental Health and Wellbeing

Specialist elective

MAN204

Project Management

Specialist elective

PSY228

Neurological and Biological bases of Behaviour

Specialist elective

SPE262

Functional Anatomy

Specialist elective

OCC311

Foundations of Occupational Therapy Profession and Practice

Master of OT core unit; includes 24-hour on-campus simulation block

OCC512

Enabling Occupational Abilities and Participation

Master of OT core unit; includes 30-hour on-campus simulation block

OCC513

Humans as Occupational Beings

Master of OT core unit; includes 30-hour on-campus simulation block

HEA527

Research Skills for Health Professionals

Master of OT core unit

OCC524

Occupational Therapy Approaches - Mental Health

Master of OT core unit; includes 30-hour on-campus simulation block

OCC525

Occupational Therapy Approaches - Children and Youth

Master of OT core unit; available from 2027; includes on-campus simulation block

OCC526

Occupational Therapy Approaches - Adults and Older Adults

Master of OT core unit; available from 2027; includes on-campus simulation block

OCC517

Occupational Therapy Practice 1

Master of OT core unit; work integrated learning with clinical placement hours

OCC518

Occupational Therapy Practice 2

Master of OT core unit (20cp); available from 2027; work integrated learning

OCC613

Occupational Therapy Practice 3

Master of OT core unit (30cp); available from 2027; work integrated learning

Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

How many hours of practical placement are required to complete this degree?

Students are required to complete a minimum of 1,000 hours of supervised occupational therapy practice education. This includes a project placement in third year (10 hours per week over 12 weeks in Semester 2), a clinical placement in the final year (30 hours per week over 12 weeks in Semester 1), and a capstone placement (38 hours per week over 12 weeks in Semester 2). Students must self-fund travel and accommodation for placements, which may include regional or remote locations.

Is this degree accredited for occupational therapy registration in Australia?

Yes. The degree is accredited by the Occupational Therapy Council of Australia Ltd (OTC) and approved by the Occupational Therapy Board of Australia (OTBA). Graduates will be eligible to apply for registration as an occupational therapist with the OTBA. The program is also approved by the World Federation of Occupational Therapists, and all students within the program will be registered by the Faculty with AHPRA.

Do online students need to attend on-campus sessions?

Yes. Even for external/online students, on-campus attendance is required for simulated learning experiences in Darwin (NT). In the third year, students must attend ten consecutive days on-campus in Semester 1 and five consecutive days in Semester 2. In the final year, students attend on-campus for five consecutive days each semester (25 days in total). Students are required to self-fund these on-campus attendance costs, including travel and accommodation.

What is the course structure and how many credit points are required?

The Bachelor of Health Science/Master of Occupational Therapy comprises 320 credit points in total: 140 credit points of Bachelor core units (14 units), 50 credit points of Bachelor specialist elective units (5 units selected from a prescribed list), and 130 credit points of Master of Occupational Therapy core units (10 units). The course is designed to be completed in 4 years full-time or 8 years part-time, with intake in Semester 1 only.

What are the annual tuition fees for international students?

The annual tuition fee for full-time international students in 2026 is AUD $35,584.00, which equates to $4,448.00 per 10 credit point unit (0.125 EFTSL). These fees are subject to annual increases effective at the start of each calendar year. The CRICOS code for the Casuarina campus is 118219A. CDU also offers a number of scholarships to international students to assist with the cost of study.

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!

Processing time: Offer letter issued within approximately 1 business days.

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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Master of Occupational Therapy

About This Course

Available Locations

Entry Requirements

Where this takes you

Accreditation & Migration

Units of Competency

Frequently Asked Questions

How to Apply

Hear From the Students