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CB84 - Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (Honours)

Overview

Compulsory Residential School

Some units in this course require you to attend a compulsory Residential School or Work Integrated Learning. Please see Course Features in the Getting Started tab for further information.

Course Overview

Occupational therapy is a dynamic person-centred health profession. Practitioners support people of all ages, and their families, to engage in the occupations and activities of daily life, to optimise physical and mental health and wellbeing. Occupational therapists must be registered to practice in Australia, and may work in a range of government, educational, and industry settings, as well as in private enterprise, throughout the world. The aim of this accredited Occupational Therapy Course is to develop highly competent and autonomous occupational therapy graduates, skilled in inter-professional and person-/family-centred occupational therapy practice. To achieve this, the course is informed by contemporary research and occupational therapy theories and models. It is taught by occupational therapists and other suitably qualified professionals who are skilled and experienced in the diverse areas of occupational therapy practice. Although it addresses local, national, and global community needs, a particular emphasis is on training graduates to work in rural and regional communities. The occupational therapy course aligns seamlessly with CQUniversity's focus on social innovation and status as Australia’s first Ashoka U Changemaker Campus.

As a student in this course, you will learn to (a) recognise aspects relevant to the person, the environment, and occupations that represent strengths and barriers to occupational engagement, and (b) address these, to support people to achieve their goals. You will engage in a minimum of 1000 hours of clinical practice, including full-time placements, for which you will need to meet a number of prerequisite requirements (e.g., obtaining a blue card, having a number of immunisations). In your final year, you will further develop your skills by planning and implementing a small community-based research or evaluation project.

Career Information

Occupational therapists are employed in a range of settings such as public and private hospitals, rehabilitation centres, schools, nursing homes, research institutions, special, centres for persons with a social, intellectual or physical disability and private practice. They are also employed as mental health workers and rehabilitation consultants.

Course Details
Duration 4 years full-time
Credit Points that Must be Earned 192
Number of Units Required CQUniversity uses the concept of credits to express the amount of study required for a particular course and individual units. The number of units varies between courses. Units in undergraduate courses normally consist of 6 points of credit or multiples thereof (e.g. 12, 18, 24).
Expected Hours of Study One point of credit is equivalent to an expectation of approximately two hours of student work per week in a term.
Course Type Undergraduate Award
Qualification (post nominal) BOTPrac(Hons)
AQF Level Level 8: Bachelor Honours Degree
Course Fees
Indicative Year - 2025
  • Commonwealth Supported Place – Indicative First Year Fee - $10,272
  • Domestic Full Fee Paying – Indicative First Year Fee - $25,719
  • International Indicative First Term Fee - $19,080
  • International Indicative First Year Fee - $38,940
Indicative Year - 2024
  • Commonwealth Supported Place – Indicative First Year Fee - $9,866
  • Domestic Full Fee Paying – Indicative First Year Fee - $24,702
  • International Indicative First Term Fee - $18,600
  • International Indicative First Year Fee - $37,740
Indicative Year - 2023
  • Commonwealth Supported Place – Indicative First Year Fee - $9,151
  • International Indicative First Term Fee - $17,280
  • International Indicative First Year Fee - $35,280
Indicative Year - 2022
  • Commonwealth Supported Place – Indicative First Year Fee - $8,842
  • International Indicative First Term Fee - $17,280
  • International Indicative First Year Fee - $35,280

Admission Codes

Domestic Students
Tertiary Admission Centre Codes (TAC) Codes
International Students
CRICOS Codes
Where and when can I start?
Units offered internally at the below campuses may be delivered using a combination of face-to-face and video conferencing style teaching.
Units offered via MIX mode are delivered online and require compulsory attendance of site-specific learning activities such as on-campus residential schools, placements and/or work integrated learning. See Course Features tab for further information. Online units are delivered using online resources only.
Please Click Here for more information.
The following tables list the courses availabilities by location and term. Directing your pointer over your preferred location will provide further information if this course is not available for the full duration. Please be sure to also check individual unit availability by location and term prior to enrolling.

Domestic Availability

Term 1 - 2026

Bundaberg
Rockhampton

Term 1 - 2025

Bundaberg
Rockhampton

Term 1 - 2024

Bundaberg
Rockhampton

Term 1 - 2023

Bundaberg
Rockhampton

Term 1 - 2022

Bundaberg
Rockhampton

Term 1 - 2021

Bundaberg
Rockhampton

Term 1 - 2020

Bundaberg
Rockhampton

Term 1 - 2019

Bundaberg
Rockhampton

Term 1 - 2018

Bundaberg
Rockhampton

Term 1 - 2017

Bundaberg
Rockhampton

Term 1 - 2016

Bundaberg
Rockhampton

Term 1 - 2015

Bundaberg
Rockhampton
Show All

International Availability

Term 1 - 2026

Bundaberg
Rockhampton

Term 1 - 2025

Bundaberg
Rockhampton

Term 1 - 2024

Bundaberg
Rockhampton

Term 1 - 2023

Bundaberg
Rockhampton

Term 1 - 2022

Bundaberg
Rockhampton

Term 1 - 2021

Bundaberg
Rockhampton

Term 1 - 2020

Rockhampton

Term 1 - 2019

Rockhampton

Term 1 - 2018

Rockhampton

Term 1 - 2017

Rockhampton

Term 1 - 2016

Rockhampton

Term 1 - 2015

Rockhampton
Show All
For any problems regarding admissions availability for the selected course please contact 13 CQUni (13 27 86) or send us an email at http://contactus.cqu.edu.au/
What do I need to start?
Entry Scores
Rank Threshold SR 70 | ATAR 70
Entry Requirements

English (Units 3 & 4, C) or equivalent; one of Biology, Chemistry or Physics (Units 3 & 4, C) or equivalent

English Language Proficiency Requirements

If you were not born in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, United Kingdom, Ireland, South Africa or United States of America, you are required to meet the English Language Proficiency requirements set by the University.

Applicants are required to provide evidence of completion within the last 5 years or:

  • A secondary qualification (Year 11 and 12, or equivalent), or
  • Bachelor level qualification study for a period of at least 2 years fulltime with a minimum overall GPA of 4.0

completed within Australia, Canada, New Zealand, United Kingdom, South Africa, Ireland, or United states of America, which will meet the English proficiency.

If you do not satisfy any of the above you will need to undertake an English language proficiency test and achieve the following scores:

  • An International English Language Testing System (IELTS Academic) overall band score of at least 7.0 with a minimum 7.0 in each subset; or
  • An Occupational English Test with Grades A or B only in each of the four components.

English test results remain valid for no more than two years between final examination date and the date of commencement of study, and must appear on a single result certificate.

International Students should visit http://www.cqu.edu.au/international for further information.

Each student will be assessed individually.

Assumed Knowledge

N/A

Course Features

Awards and Accreditation

Interim Awards Not applicable
Exit Awards CL13 - Diploma of Health Science
Accreditation
  • Professional Practice: Core
    Occupational Therapy Accreditation Council of Australia (OTACA)

    This course has full accreditation with the Occupational Therapy Board of Australia.

Residential School Requirements

Compulsory Residential School Students who select to study some units via distance education may be required to attend compulsory residential schools.
Click here to view all Residential Schools

Practicum/Work Placement

OCCT13008 - Students are required to complete a minimum of 1000 hours of professional practice. Some of this is integrated within earlier Units of the Course, and there are two additional full-time professional education (WIL) blocks.This Unit is the first of these two full-time WIL blocks.
OCCT14006 - Students are required to complete a minimum of 1000 hours of professional practice. Some of this is integrated within earlier Units of the Course, and there are two additional full-time professional education (WIL) blocks.This Unit is the last of these two full-time WIL blocks.

Previous and Current Enrolments

Year Number of Students
2024 155
2023 148
2022 150
2021 132
2020 109
Inherent Requirements
There are Inherent Requirements (IRs) that you need to be aware of, and fulfil, to achieve the core learning outcomes of the units and course. IRs are the essential capabilities, knowledge, behaviours and skills that are needed to complete a unit or course.

Please note that in some instances there may be similarities between course, entry and inherent requirements.

If you experience difficulties meeting these requirements, reasonable adjustments may be made upon contacting accessibility@cqu.edu.au. Adjustment must not compromise the academic integrity of the degree or course chosen at CQUniversity or the legal requirements of field education.

Ethical Behaviour

Examples are:

  • Complying with academic and non-academic misconduct policies and procedures such as CQUniversity’s Student Charter, Student Misconduct Policy and Student Behavioural Misconduct Procedures and Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework).
  • Demonstrating integrity in academic, professional and clinical experience settings.
  • Identifying when a practice issue is outside one's scope or expertise.
  • Identifying when one's practice may be negatively affected by personal experience and/or reactions.
Behavioural Stability

Examples are:

  • Being reflective on personal behaviour appropriate for professional performance and being receptive to constructive supervisor/lecturer feedback or criticism.
  • Interacting with people from a wide range of backgrounds and cultures in a calm and composed manner in difficult situations.
  • Successfully processing your own emotions and behaviour when dealing with stressful situations that can arise in the clinical environment.
  • Maintaining behavioural stability through successfully distinguishing your own personal behaviours, experiences, and emotions from those of the clients and situations in a professional setting.
Legal Compliance

Examples are:

  • Understanding and complying with all relevant policies and procedures applicable to your health profession.
  • Complying with the policies and practices of organisations in which you may be placed or find employment.
  • Recognising and positively responding to any legal compliance issues that arise and bringing them to the attention of the appropriate stakeholders.
  • Complying with the policies of clinical facilities e.g. vaccination requirements and obtaining a working with children check ("Blue Card").
  • Complying with the requirements for student registration with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA), if appropriate to your health profession.
Communication Skills (Verbal, Non-verbal, Written and Technology)

Examples are:

  • Verbally communicating in the English language with accuracy, appropriateness, and effectiveness.
  • Actively participating in discussion activities related to the course.
  • Using language that is appropriate to the context of the individual or group.
  • Communicating effectively during practice, and responding appropriately to requests from clients, supervisors, and other health professionals, in the clinical setting.
  • Competently and appropriately producing written assessment work in a logical, coherent manner, and with correct grammar and punctuation to the required academic standards.
  • Accurately conveying and documenting information in a written form that meets legal and professional requirements.
  • Competently using a desktop operating system such as Microsoft Windows or Mac OS X, as well as other software such as Microsoft Office relevant to your course of study or workplace.
  • Using sufficient computer knowledge and skills to engage in the on-line learning environment that includes participating in on-line forums, completing relevant on-line assessments and/or responding to emails.
Cognitive Abilities (Knowledge and Cognitive Skills, Literacy and Numeracy)

Examples are:

  • Conceptualising and applying appropriate knowledge in response to academic assessment items.
  • Applying evidence-based practice principles, policies and procedures in professional practice.
  • Producing written text proficiently, in English, using appropriate vocabulary and conventions of speech, in accordance with appropriate academic conventions such as being able to paraphrase, summarise, and reference.
  • Competently reading, writing, and accurately interpreting information to convey messages effectively in professional practice.
  • Producing accurate, concise and clear Health Professions and Human Services documentation which meets legal requirements.
  • Demonstrating competency in applying sufficient mathematics knowledge and skills in prescribing adaptive equipment that correctly meets client measurement requirements e.g. in the provision of assistive technologies.
  • Demonstrating effective use of numeracy skills to record accurate measurements in client notes.
  • Applying numeracy skills to interpret and solve problems in a range of educational and professional settings.
Sensory Abilities (Visual, Auditory, Tactile)

Examples are:

  • Observing and detecting subtle changes in posture and movement, and the ability to perform functional activities during assessment and treatment.
  • Safely operating electronic equipment e.g. splinting equipment - heat guns, mobile ultrasound and mobile stimulator units.
  • Using sufficient auditory capacity to monitor, assess, and manage a client's needs consistently and accurately, including engaging appropriately to a client's responses during an assessment.
  • Sufficiently hearing verbal communication from other students and lecturers during activities related to the course.
  • Detecting changes in circulation e.g. temperature.
  • Detecting anatomical or movement abnormalities e.g. palpating joints, muscles, and soft tissues.
Relational Skills
Examples are:
 
  • Showing sensitivity to individual difference, thus conveying respect and empathy for others.
  • Accurately conveying information that meets legal and professional requirements to a wide variety of clients and stakeholders.
  • Interacting with people from a wide range of backgrounds and cultures in a calm and composed manner in difficult to deal with situations.
  • Using language that is appropriate to the context of the client and/or stakeholder group.
  • Communicating effectively, and responding appropriately, to requests from clients, supervisors and other stakeholders..
Reflective Skills

Examples are:

  • Accurately reflecting on the content taught during the course.
  • Reflecting on feedback from academic staff as well as practice educators during professional practice, and responding constructively.
  • Reflecting on one's self during professional practice.
  • Reflecting on topics taught during the course of study, including on situations that may be difficult or sensitive, yet still require reflective processing, judgement, or action.
Sustainable Performance

Examples are:

  • Appropriately and actively participating in activities related to the course of study and professional experience.
  • Undertaking examinations and on-line quizzes with adequate, sustained levels of physical energy and concentration.
  • Performing the tasks and duties in Health Profession and Human Services practice with the required physical and mental energy and endurance.
Strength and Mobility (Gross Motor Skills and Fine Motor Skills)

Examples are:

  • Maintaining your own and client's balance simultaneously.
  • Providing client support when transferring and mobilising individuals in a safe manner.
  • Evaluating clients who have varying physical capacities e.g. those who are positioned on plinths and hospital beds, on mats on the floor, on chairs and when standing, in a safe and effective manner.
  • Performing assessment techniques e.g. evaluation of hand sensation and joint movement.
  • Performing treatment techniques e.g. fabricating splints, demonstrating use of adaptive equipment, demonstrating fine motor tasks during activities of daily living.
Interpersonal Engagement

Examples are:

  • Being able to communicate competently and appropriately, in a wide variety of contexts, in verbal, non-verbal and written formats.
  • Being mindful of personal space boundaries.
  • Being responsive and professional in all communications with stakeholders.
Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Abilities
Examples are:
 
  • Competently using a desktop operating system such as Microsoft Windows or Mac OS X, as well as other software such as Microsoft Office relevant to your course of study or workplace.
  • Having sufficient computer knowledge and skills to engage in the on-line learning environment that includes participating in on-line forums, completing relevant on-line assessments, and responding to emails.
Compulsory Requirements
Health Requirements

Work-Integrated Learning (WIL) placements apply to this course and as such are subject to compulsory pre-placement conditions referred to as mandatory checks and are outlined in the health, security and other compulsory requirements sections. Mandatory checks are determined by industry, organisations, legislation, regulations, policies, and procedures. To be eligible for a WIL placement, students must first achieve compliance with mandatory checks by each closing date prior to a WIL placement and maintain current evidence for the duration of the course. 

Mandatory health requirements include immunisation and vaccination evidence (and serology where required) to the following diseases: Hepatitis B, Measles, Mumps and Rubella, Varicella, Pertussis, Influenza, and Tuberculosis screening. Additional vaccinations and screening are subject to the site or state health authority. Respirator mask fit testing is also an annual requirement for this course. 

COVID-19 Vaccination Advice

Effective 25 September 2023, updates have been made to the COVID-19 vaccination mandate for Queensland Health sites and the Queensland Ambulance Service. While Queensland Health does not currently mandate evidence of COVID-19 vaccination, it's essential to recognise that other organisations may enforce their own vaccination specific criteria. This situation is similar across other states and territories, with the exception of Australian Capital Territory, New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia, where COVID-19 vaccination is mandatory for all healthcare students.    

Security Requirements

Mandatory security requirements include an Australian Federal Police clearance, working with children check, and NDIS worker screening clearance. 

Other Compulsory Requirements

Other mandatory requirements include a First Aid and CPR certificate, student agreement to privacy and confidentiality, fitness to participate in WIL student declaration, jurisdictional and site-specific compulsory requirements, and other training modules. 

Core Learning Outcomes
  • 1. Explain the complexity of contemporary healthcare systems and the multi-cultural and societal factors underpinning modern occupational therapy practice
  • 2. Demonstrate advanced contemporary occupational therapy skills, including professional written and oral communication, and their application in a complex healthcare environment
  • 3. Use a range of systematic information gathering and analysis skills to plan, implement, and evaluate occupational therapy intervention(s)
  • 4. Apply appropriate standards of ethical, social, and professional behaviour in the context of occupational therapy practice
  • 5. Critically analyse, reflect upon, and apply knowledge, principles, and concepts related to occupational therapy in the completion of a course evaluation or research project
  • 6. Investigate, analyse, and synthesise research information and evidence from a range of sources relevant to occupational therapy and, more broadly, across complex health environments, in order to inform and improve ongoing professional practice
  • 7. Advance health promotion and education activities pertaining to occupational therapy within the broader health care context and across diverse settings
  • 8. Demonstrate application of ethical standards and practice while conducting research and evaluation activities.
  Course Learning Outcomes
Australian Qualifications Framework Descriptors 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
1. KNOWLEDGE Have coherent and advanced knowledge of the underlying principles and concepts in one or more disciplines and knowledge of research principles and methods
2. SKILLS Have cognitive skills to review, analyse, consolidate and synthesise knowledge to identify and provide solutions to complex problems with intellectual independence
3. SKILLS Have cognitive and technical skills to demonstrate a broad understanding of a body of knowledge and theoretical concepts with advanced understanding in some areas
4. SKILLS Have cognitive skills to exercise critical thinking and judgement in developing new understanding
5. SKILLS Have technical skills to design and use research in a project
6. SKILLS Have communication skills to present a clear and coherent exposition of knowledge and ideas to a variety of audiences
7. APPLICATION OF KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS Demonstrate initiative and judgement in professional practice and/or scholarship
8. APPLICATION OF KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS Be able to adapt knowledge and skills in diverse contexts
9. APPLICATION OF KNOWLEDGE & SKILL Be responsible and accountable for own learning and practice and in collaboration with others within broad parameters
10. APPLICATION OF KNOWLEDGE & SKILL Plan and execute project work and/or a piece of research and scholarship with some independence
APPLICATION OF KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS Display leadership by creating inclusive work environments and work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in a culturally respectful manner
Course Structure

In order to complete this course, you must:

  1. Complete the core structure
Number of units: 25 Total credit points: 192



Year 1 - Term 1
Students must complete the following compulsory units:
ALLH11001 Introduction to Allied Health Practice
BMSC11007 Medical Anatomy and Physiology 1
PSYC11010 Fundamentals of Psychology 1: Understanding Human Behaviour
OCCT11002 Introduction to Occupational Therapy Theory and Practice
Year 1 - Term 2
Students must complete the following compulsory units:
ALLH11006 Life Course Development for Health Professionals
OCCT11001 Introduction to Activity and Occupation
ALLH11009 Research Methods for Health Professionals
BMSC11008 Medical Anatomy and Physiology 2
Year 2 - Term 1
Students must complete the following compulsory units:
ALLH12006 Evidence Based Practice for Health Professionals
OCCT12003 Occupational Performance across the Lifespan 1
OCCT12006 Understanding the Environment
BMSC12007 Neurological Physiology & Measurement
Year 2 - Term 2
Students must complete the following compulsory units:
INDG11006 Education and Learning: Colonisation and Decolonisation in the Cultural Interface
HLTH12028 Health Promotion Strategies
OCCT12004 Occupational Performance Across the Lifespan 2
OCCT12002 Occupational Justice: Local and Global
Year 3 - Term 1
Students must complete the following compulsory units:
SOCL19065 Rural Communities and Health
OCCT13007 Enabling Mental Health
OCCT13002 Enabling Strategies in Neurological Rehabilitation
OCCT13001 Enabling Work Participation
Year 3 - Term 2
Students must complete the following compulsory units:
OCCT13008 Professional Occupational Therapy Practice 1
Year 4 - Term 1
Students must complete the following compulsory units:
OCCT14006 Professional Occupational Therapy Practice 2
Year 4 - Term 2
Students must complete the following compulsory units:
OCCT14002 Specialisation in Occupational Therapy
OCCT14003 Transition to Professional Practice
OCCT14004 Developing Occupation-Centred Community Programs
More Details

Work Integrated Learning and Fieldwork Education 

The Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (Honours) involves extensive fieldwork education which is embedded into the course. During the second year of the course students will be required to undertake up to 10 days of fieldwork visits. Students are expected to undertake a total of 7 weeks of full-time placement in 3rd year and 10 weeks of full-time placement in 4th year. In the final term of the course, students are required to undertake around 150 hours of community placement. Overall, students will complete a minimum of 1000 hours of fieldwork education.

Before commencing fieldwork education, students must have maintained the following to provide to the appropriate academic supervisor and their fieldwork supervisor:

  • Signed Student Declaration and Confidentiality Agreement

  • Current Australian Federal Police Certificate (National Police Check) (Not Older than 3 years)

  • Current approved First Aid/CPR certificate

  • Evidence of appropriate immunisations which include but are not limited to: Hepatitis B; Adult Diptheria, Tetanus and Pertussis (Whooping Cough); Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR); Varicella (Chicken Pox); Tuberculosis (TB)/ Mantoux Test

  • Students require a Student (S) Blue Card - application form can be found at http:www.bluecard.qld.gov.au and a NDIS Worker Screening Clearance Card - application can be found at https://workerscreening.dsdsatsip.qld.gov.au

  • Completion of CQU Pre-clinical requirements 


Application for Credit Transfer

Credit transfer will only be granted where a student is able to demonstrate that tertiary studies undertaken equivalent in content and depth to the CQUniversity course have been successfully completed. Students should examine the unit synopses in this handbook to determine the units for which they may be eligible to claim exemption. 

Refer to the Credit Transfer website at http://www.cqu.edu.au/credittransfer for further details on the guidelines and application process. 

You can apply for direct credit against CQUniversity units, if equivalent tertiary level study has been completed. You must supply relevant documentation  (study guides, unit profiles, etc) to do this. If your study was undertaken more than 10 years ago, you may not be eligible to apply for this as credit. 


Computing Requirements 

It is a requirement of enrolment in this course that students have access to the CQUniversity website. Students will be required to undertake various components of study in the course using email and the internet. 

It is strongly recommended that students have access to a broadband connection or higher to access online student resources that would include but not limited to, email, internet, video streaming, electronic assessment submission.