The Bachelor of Health Sciences/Master of Occupational Therapy requires 5 years of full-time study (or up to eight years part-time).

The course is offered by the Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences.

Admission requirements

The minimum requirements for consideration for entry to all undergraduate courses are specified in detail in the University Entry Requirements.

There will be a specific sub-quota for rural and remote applicants.

A knowledge of SACE Stage 2 Biology is assumed. 

Course aims

Graduates of the double degree program will be able to practice as Occupational Therapists across a range of settings, including rural and remote areas.  Emphasis will be placed on preparing a contemporary health professional able to be client-centred and to work effectively within an interdisciplinary team.  

Learning outcomes

Graduates of the double degree program will be able to:

  • identify and apply theoretical approaches within occupational therapy including the Occupational Therapy Practice Framework
  • understand humans as occupational beings and integrate this information in providing occupational therapy for individuals, organisations and populations including in rural and remote health settings
  • collaborate and communicate with clients to meet their occupational needs in a culturally sensitive manner
  • select interventions relevant to the needs of clients using reflective and evidence-based practice
  • apply occupational therapy skills to enhance a client’s health and participation in life through engagement in occupation
  • collaborate and communicate effectively with other health professionals in providing high quality health care
  • reflect on their practice and plan their ongoing professional development as life-long learners.

Program of study

To qualify for double degree of Bachelor of Health Sciences, Master of Occupational Therapy, a student must complete 180 units with a grade of P or NGP or better in each topic, according to the program of study below.  Students must also achieve a Grade Point Average of 5 or better in the 108 units of the Bachelor of Health Sciences in order to progress to the Master of Occupational Therapy.

Students who have successfully completed the first three year of the program (108 units) may exit with the Bachelor of Health Sciences.

Except with the permission of the Faculty Board, a student may not proceed to higher year core topics unless they have satisfactorily completed the previous year's core topics.

The award of a grade of Fail (F) in the same topic on more than one occasion or failure to complete the course within eight consecutive years may constitute prima facie evidence of unsatisfactory progress for the purposes of the University's Policy on Student Progress.

Bachelor of Health Sciences (Principles of Occupational Therapy)

Core - Year 1 topics

31.5 units comprising:

 HLTH1304  Communication and Interprofessional Practice  (4.5 units)
 HLTH1004  Human Bioscience  (4.5 units)
 HLTH1305  Health Practitioner Practice 1  (4.5 Units)
 HLTH1101  Health Promotion for Health Professionals  (4.5 units)
 HLTH1003  Legal and Ethical Aspects of Health Care (4.5 units)
 HLTH1306  Health Practitioner Practice 2 (4.5 units)
 OCCT1001  Introduction to Occupational Therapy  (4.5 units)

Elective - Year 1 topics 

Plus 4.5 units of first year electives

Core - Year 2 topics

27 units comprising:

 HLTH2101  Critical Social Analysis of Health  (4.5 units)
 HLTH2105  Health: A Psychological Perspective  (4.5 units)
 MMED3932  Body Systems  (4.5 units)
 REHB2001  Neuroscience for Therapists (4.5 units)
 OCCT2001  Introduction to Occupational Science  (4.5 units)
 REHB2002  Rehabilitation Studies 1  (4.5 units)

Elective - Year 2 topics 

Plus 9 units of electives

Core - Year 3 topics

36 units comprising:

 DSRS3222  Counselling  (4.5 units)
 HLTH3102  Qualitative Methods of Social Health Research  (4.5 units)
 HLTH3105  Quantitative Methods of Social Health Research  (4.5 units)
 MMED2931  Human Physiology  (4.5 units)
 MMED3941  Human Musculoskeletal Anatomy  (4.5 units)
 OCCT3002  Understanding Disease and Disability  (4.5 units)
 OCCT3003  Preparation for Occupational Therapy Practice  (4.5 units
 REHB3001  Rehabilitation Studies 2  (4.5 units)

Master of Occupational Therapy

Core - Year 4 topics

36 units comprising:

 OCCT8001  The Occupational Therapy Profession  (9 units) 
 OCCT8002  Occupational Science  (4.5 units)
 OCCT8003  Occupational Therapy Evaluation and Practice  (4.5 units)
 OCCT8010  Information and Technology in Occupational Therapy  (4.5 units)
 OCCT9007  Clinical Practicum 1  (9 units)
 REHB8101  Interprofessional Practice  (4.5 units)

Core - Year 5 topics

36 units comprising: 

 OCCT8004  Occupational Therapy Evaluation and Practice 2 (4.5 units)
 OCCT8005  Occupational therapy Evaluation and Practice 3 (4.5 units)
 OCCT8006  Contemporary Issues in Occupational Therapy Practice (4.5 units)
 OCCT9008  Clinical Practicum 2 (9 units)
 OCCT9009  Clinical Practicum 3 (9 units)
 OCCT9012  Transition to Professional Practice (4.5 units)