Bachelor of Occupational Therapy courses in Australia

With a burgeoning aging population, Australia is facing shortages of occupational therapists. There is a drive to push the government to recruit more occupational therapists from overseas in order to keep up with demand. This means that if your goal is permanent residency, getting an occupational therapist qualification in Australia will help you on this path.

Due to these skill shortages, there are plenty of opportunities for employment. There is also plenty of scope for specialisation and career growth in the future. Typical salaries start at about AUS$80,000 and can rise to $110,000 as case manager and other senior roles. The average occupational therapist earns around $90,000 annually.

The four year bachelor course will equip you with all the basic skills you need to start working as an occupational therapist. Typically, the qualification covers:

• Human anatomy and physiology

• Health and society

• The interaction of people, environment and their occupations

• Health communication

• Pathophysiology

• Research methods in health

• Neuroanatomy

• Functional anatomy

• Youth and child concerns

• Culture, diversity, and health

• Occupation and aging

• Environment interactions

• Mental health and occupation

• Ergonomics

And also allows for specialities and projects towards the end of the degree.

This degree covers all the basics so that upon completion of the bachelor qualification, you are equipped to start working. It allows students to learn the theory, then work in 1000 hours of professional placements. This teaches students to think critically about their choices and recommendations, and the outcomes from that.

University of La Trobe

The University of La Trobe offers a four year Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (Honours). It costs AU$39,000 per 120 credit points (this represents one year of full-time study). They require a 7.0 on IELTS, with no individual score less than a 7.0.

Their ultimate aim is to improve the quality of life of their patients/ clients, maximising their potential and using their abilities fully.

La Trobe is in the top 1% of universities in the world and is number three for occupational therapy in Australia. Their world-leading research into human movement and sports science, and nutrition and dietetics are well above world standard. This means if you decide to specialise in these areas, you’re at the very frontier of research, learning from the best, and creating amazing outcomes for those in your care.

James Cook University (JCU)

This four year Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (Honours) degree is focussed on developing a broad skill set with hands-on learning in rural, remote, or urban areas. You will grapple with the need for generalist skills to meet needs of people with limited options in their geographical area. There are also critical challenges to address around people living in the tropics.

In the top 2% of universities world-wide, JCU is leading the way in sustainable and healthy education. An education here focuses on providing occupational therapy in remote environments, especially in the tropics.

Fees per annum are AU$37,960. You will need an IELTS score of at least 7.0, with no component less than 6.5.

Charles Sturt University

This four year Bachelor of Occupational Therapy aims to equip their students with the technical knowledge to make choices, but also within organisational, sociocultural, and political contexts. Making ethics and indigenous health a priority, you’ll be equipped to engage with a huge range of different people in a respectful and effective manner.

Fees are around AU$32,400 per annum. You must have a minimum of 6.5 for your IELTS score, with no individual band below 6.5.

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