Fast Facts
Location
Commencing
- Townsville: February, July
Fees
$9,073.00+
+estimated annual Commonwealth Supported Fee
Plus Student Services and Amenities fee
Fee deferral and scholarships available if eligible
Duration
4 years full-time
6 years part-time
4.5 years full-time for mid-year entry
Entry Requirements
OP 14
English (4,SA); plus one of Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Health Education or Physical Education (4,SA)
ATAR 66.45
English (3/4,C) plus one of: Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Health or Physical Education (3/4,C)
Rank 70
QTAC Codes
- 316101
Course detail
Be equipped with the skills and experience to work as an Occupational Therapist in rural and remote settings. Learn theory, professional practice, and clinical skills that apply to a diverse range of clients and circumstances.
Take part in over 1,000 hours of professional work placements to develop the experience necessary to excel in your career. Benefit from lecturers and tutors who are leading healthcare professionals, and take advantage of the JCU Health Occupational Therapy Clinic on campus in Townsville.
Graduate job-ready. JCU Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (Honours) graduates are prepared for the real world and are in high demand.
Additional information
About JCU's Bachelor of Occupational Therapy
Make a difference working directly with clients and helping them to maximise their ability to participate in the activities that they need, want or are expected to undertake in their daily lives. With the Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (Honours) from JCU, equip yourself with a course of study that will prepare you for a dynamic and fulfilling career.
Study An Occupational Therapy Degree and Forge a Future
Become an expert in contemporary therapeutic approaches and help others to participate meaningfully in all aspects of daily life. Take your Bachelor of Occupational Therapy honours degree into many different workplaces. Choose from a wide array of professional roles in hospitals, rehabilitation units, community health settings, mental health services, aged care facilities, schools, workplaces and more.
As an OT you will have the chance to work with clients across the lifespan including new-born babies, children, adolescents, adults, older persons and people nearing end of life. You will work in partnership with clients, focusing on their strengths and collaborating with them to overcome any barriers they might be experiencing due to physical impairment, psychological difficulties or social and/or contextual factors. In doing so, OTs help enable people to achieve their goals using a holistic and person-focused ethos.
Experience has no substitute
Apply your theoretical knowledge through 1,000+ hours of supervised professional placements, including placement opportunities at the JCU Health Occupational Therapy Clinic. Get outside of the classroom and learn how to apply your skills in a variety of settings as you study occupational therapy in Queensland with JCU.
Throughout your placement, you’ll benefit from JCU’s partnerships with urban rural and remote health practitioners. You will have the opportunity to experience placement locally and/or throughout Australia.
Become valuable to employers using your strong cross-cultural skills developed through both in-class teaching and practice placement opportunities. These skills will equip you to work effectively with a diverse array of clients in rural settings, private clinics and busy urban hospitals.
Be Ready Today for Tomorrow
A degree and a job are important; gain both through JCU’s occupational therapy courses in Queensland. Graduate with confidence with a degree accredited by the Occupational Therapy Council (Australia and New Zealand). Graduates can apply for professional registration with the Occupational Therapy Board of Australia through the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA).
Be in demand by developing strong communication skills and a problem-solving mindset through your occupational therapy degree studies at JCU. Become a critical thinker and learn how to retrieve, evaluate and apply evidence to improve client outcomes. Grow into a leader in the field with your understanding of advanced practice as you master the clinical, professional, legal and ethical dimensions of occupational therapy.
Change the World with a Bachelor of OT
Study alongside high-quality occupational therapy professionals from a range of practice specialities and learn how to practice with a people-focused ethos. Use the skills gained throughout your degree to work in partnership with clients and develop programs that help them live meaningful, engaged lives in their communities.
Become especially equipped to reach out to marginalised people and under-served communities through your work at JCU.
Use your experience in studying occupational therapy in Queensland to make a difference. Your unique understanding of the health and social challenges in rural and remote communities will help you serve people all over the world.
Study Occupational Therapy and Be Part of Positive Change
Graduate from JCU ready to enter the workforce and enjoy a successful career. You will be ready to make a meaningful difference, one client at a time.
Hide additional information
This course is accredited by Occupational Therapy Council (Australia and New Zealand) Ltd (OTC).
Consult the handbook for specific admission requirements and further information.
Honours
An Honours degree is available for high-achieving students. It consists of extra study and the development of a personal research project and thesis. An Honours degree is usually essential for entry to research higher degrees.
Students will be eligible to be offered a position in the research honours major by the Head of Academic Group if they have achieved an average GPA of 5.5 across level one and level two of the program. Students who are not offered a position in the research major, or who are offered a position in the research major but decline this offer, will continue in the professional honours major for levels three and four. A quota on entry into the research major may be applied depending on the availability of supervisors.
Students graduating with the research honours major undertake a research project in an area of specialisation, while students graduating with the professional honours major undertake a professional project.
Note: Depending on where you complete your Professional Experience Placement activities, you will have to comply with the pre-placement requirements of JCU and your host facility.
You must complete all Professional Experience Placement requirements by the set deadlines and ensure all requirements are kept up to date throughout your course enrolment.
Make a meaningful difference in the community with an Occupational Therapy (Honours) degree from JCU. Assist people to maximise meaningful participation in their daily lives and occupations.
JCU Occupational Therapy (Honours) graduates are equipped to have rewarding careers throughout Australia.
Graduates gain employment in public and private hospitals, rehabilitation units, community health centres, aged care facilities, mental health services, schools, independent living centres, vocational rehabilitation settings, and in private practice.
You may also find employment in industry research, education, and training.
Upon graduation, you can register for practice in Australia through the Occupational Therapists Board of Australia Health Professional Registration Agency (AHPRA), and become a member of OT Australia—The Australian Association of Occupational Therapists. Graduates may also register to practice in New Zealand and apply to practice internationally.
Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (Honours) [Embedded]
Handbook year | 2020 |
Course code | 70509 |
Course type | Bachelor Honours Degree (AQF Level 8) |
Professional Accreditation Status | This course is accredited by Occupational Therapy Council (Australia & New Zealand) Ltd (OTC). Students enrolled in this degree will be registered with the Occupational Therapy Board of Australia through the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) for the duration of their program of study or until they are no longer enrolled. Graduates will be eligible to apply for professional registration with the Occupational Therapy Board of Australia through the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA). |
Division | Tropical Health and Medicine |
Award Requirements
Admission Requirements
Course pre-requisites | English; plus one of Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Health Education or Physical Education |
Minimum English language proficiency requirements | Applicants of non-English speaking backgrounds must meet the English language proficiency requirements of Band 3a – Schedule II of the JCU Admissions Policy. Students also need to take note that in accordance with the National Registration Board’s requirement, they must hold a valid IELTS minimum score of 7.0 in all components within 2 years prior to applying for registration upon Graduation as Occupational Therapists in Australia. |
Additional selection requirements | Students will be eligible to be offered a position in the research major by the Head of Academic Group if they have achieved an average GPA of 5.5 across level one and level two. Students that are not offered a position in the research major, or that are offered a position in the research major but decline this offer, will continue in the professional major for levels three and four. |
Special admission requirements | A quota on entry into the research major may be applied depending on the availability of supervisors. |
Course includes mandatory professional placement(s) | Clinical placement/professional practice: This course includes prescribed professional or clinical placements. Students may be required to undertake such placements away from the campus at which they are enrolled, at their own expense (Note: health professional courses generally involve extensive professional or clinical placements). Further information about placements can be found at Coursework Enrolment Policy. |
Post admission requirements | This course may have specific admission requirements such as immunisation, a Suitability to Work with Children Card, a federal police check and/or other conditions that students must comply with. Students must complete all professional experience placement requirements by the prescribed deadlines and maintain currency of these requirements in order to stay admitted in the course. You will find your course requirements here: https://www.jcu.edu.au/professional-experience-placement/preparation-checklists |
Academic Requirements for Course Completion
Credit points | 96 credit points as per course structure |
Course learning outcomes | The James Cook University Bachelors of Occupational Therapy (Hons) degree will prepare graduates for registration as an entry level Occupational Therapist (OT) in Australia and function as a pathway for research and further learning. The course is aligned with the Australian Standards for Occupational Therapy including AHPRA OT code of conduct and OTA Occupational Therapy Competencies. On successful completion of the course, graduates of the program will be able to:
|
Inherent Requirements
Inherent Requirements | Inherent requirements are the fundamental abilities, attributes, skills and behaviours needed to complete the learning outcomes of a course while preserving the academic integrity of the university’s learning, assessment and accreditation processes. Students and prospective students must be able to demonstrate that they have acquired or have the ability to acquire the inherent requirements for their degree. For more information refer to Inherent Requirements page. |
Reasonable adjustments | Reasonable adjustments may be made to assist students manage additional circumstances impacting on their studies provided these do not change the academic integrity of a degree. Reasonable adjustments do not alter the need to be able to demonstrate the inherent requirements of the course. |
Course Structure
CORE SUBJECTS
Level 1
Teaching Period 1
BM1031:03 Anatomy and Physiology for Occupational Therapy 1
OT1011:03 Introduction to Occupation and Occupational Therapy
RH1002:03 Communication Skills for Health Professionals
RH1004:03 Foundations of Allied Health Professional Practice
Teaching Period 2
BM1032:03 Anatomy and Physiology for Occupational Therapy 2
HS1003:03 Lifespan Development for Health A
HS1401:03 Health and Health Care in Australia
OT1012:03 Enabling Occupation through Partnerships
Level 2
Teaching Period 1
HS2402:03 Health Professional Research 1
HS2403:03 Health Promotion for Health Professionals
OT2015:06 Physical and Cognitive-neurological Determinants of Occupation
Teaching Period 2
HS2401:03 Rural and Remote Primary and Public Health Care
OT2013:03 Psycho-emotional Determinants of Occupation
OT2014:03 Contextual Determinants of Occupation
RH2002:03 Clinical Medicine for Therapy
OPTIONS
Select a major from Table A
TABLE A (Majors)
Type of major | Single |
Credit points in major | 48 credit points |
MAJOR | AVAILABLE AT | NOTES |
Townsville | Only available full time | |
Townsville | Only available full time Students must achieve an average GPA of at least 5.5 across levels one and two to be offered a position in the Research Honours major. |
Campus
COURSE AVAILABLE AT | NOTES |
Townsville | Mid-year entry available (Please note students will complete the course in 4.5 years when starting mid-year) |
Candidature
Expected time to complete | 4 years full-time or 6 years part-time (levels one and two may be completed part-time however levels three and four must be completed full-time) |
Maximum time to complete | 7 years |
Maximum leave of absence | 1 year |
Progression
Course progression requisites | Must successfully complete all level one OT subjects before attempting any level two OT subjects. Must successfully complete all of level one and level two before selecting an honours major. |
Course includes mandatory professional placement(s) | Clinical placement/professional practice: This course includes prescribed professional or clinical placements. Students may be required to undertake such placements away from the campus at which they are enrolled, at their own expense (Note: health professional courses generally involve extensive professional or clinical placements). Further information about placements can be found at Coursework Enrolment Policy. |
Special assessment requirements | At the discretion of the College Dean, students may be required to undertake a prescribed English language test to ensure that they have an acceptable level of English language proficiency, including at least at the level required to be admitted to the course, to safely participate in professional experience placements. Refer to Review of a Student’s Suitability to Continue a Course Involving Placement policy. |
Accreditation requirements | Nil |
Maximum allowed Pass Conceded (PC) grade | Nil |
Supplementary exam for final subject | Not applicable |
Credit
Eligibility | Students may apply for a credit transfer for previous tertiary study or informal and non-formal learning in accordance with the Credit Transfer Procedure. |
Maximum allowed | 63 credit points |
Currency | Credit will be granted only for studies completed in the 10 years prior to the commencement of this course. |
Expiry | Credit gained for any subject shall be cancelled 17 years after the date of the examination upon which the credit is based if, by then, the student has not completed this course. |
Other restrictions | A maximum of 18 credit points of credit may be granted at level 3 or 4. |
Award Details
Award title | BACHELOR OF OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY (HONOURS) |
Approved abbreviation | BOccThy(Hons) |
Inclusion of majors on testamur | No |
Exit with lesser award | Students who exit the course prior to completion and have successfully completed 12 credit points of appropriate subjects, may be eligible for the award of Certificate of Higher Education. Students who have completed 24 credit points of their course award requirements, and withdraw from or fail to meet the requirements for progression in the later years, may be eligible for the award of Diploma of Tertiary Studies. |
Course articulation | Not applicable |
Estimated annual Commonwealth Supported fee: $AUD9,073.00
A Student Services and Amenities fee is payable per subject up to a maximum amount per year.
A variety of Scholarships are available to suit different student types.
An OP or ATAR is the score required for entry into most undergraduate courses. If you are not a Year 12 school leaver or do not have an OP or ATAR, you can be assigned an equivalent rank score. Ranks are calculated from previous study that you might have completed, either secondary, tertiary or vocational, or previous paid employment experience.
JCU offers pathway courses to help you move into a degree. Pathway courses provide you with an individualised study plan and specialised support as you transition to university.
Contact us to find about more.
Note the course QTAC code for the location you've chosen. You'll need to enter it as part of your QTAC application.
OP Score/Rank is indicative only. Entry scores will be finalised in the major offer round.
Real stories
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Student
Cheyenne Gamble
Bachelor of Occupational Therapy
Studying here has opened up so many opportunities for me to join associations that I never would have if I wasn’t at JCU. I have made friends and gained connections all over Australia. It has given me knowledge and inspiration on how to help my community and other rural and remote communities
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Student
Mackenzie Mete
Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (Honours)
Studying at JCU has provided me with so many valuable learning experiences that have expanded my knowledge and professional development. I love all that this degree has had to offer including the opportunity to complete my practical placements within rural and remote communities.
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Alumni
Diane Bakon
Bachelor of Occupational Therapy
As a student, I was provided with countless opportunities to develop my skills, knowledge and practices. The lecturers were engaged in my learning and progress and negotiated placements across a range of settings to ensure that I gained experiences relevant to my learning, interests and career goals.
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Lecturer
Daniel Lowrie
Deputy Head of Occupational Therapy
Our emphasis on rural and remote practice, in both our teaching and clinical placement opportunities, equips our students with a wide array of professional skills and knowledge. This results in our graduates being highly employable, not just throughout Australia but also internationally
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Employer
Nicole Brown
Townsville Occupational Therapy
Graduates from Occupational Therapy at JCU are equipped with strong theoretical knowledge and the ability to apply theory to practice. The graduates are passionate, evidence-informed therapists guiding the individuals they work with to help achieve their potential.