Apply for Bachelor of Science (Occupational Therapy) (Honours)

Occupational Therapy students with child and a alphabet mat
BH-OCCT1

Occupational Therapy

Bachelor honours degree

Help people who have experienced injury, illness or disability to engage in occupations and activities.

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Course outline
  • ATAR

    ATAR

    Minimum ATAR 83
  • Qualification
    Bachelor of Science (Occupational Therapy) (Honours)
  • Duration

    Duration

    4 years full-time
  • Credit

    Credit

    800
  • CRICOS

    CRICOS

    094933K
  • Location

    Location

    Curtin Perth
  • Fieldwork
    See requirements
Course outline

Select your preferred campus:

2023

Semester 1

On campus

Semester 2

On campus

2024

Extended Term 1A

On campus

Semester 1

On campus

Semester 2

On campus

2025

Semester 1

On campus

Semester 2

On campus

2026

Semester 1

On campus

Semester 2

On campus

Course outline
Occupational Therapy

Outline

Outline

As an occupational therapist you will work with people of all ages who may have experienced injury, illness or disability. You can help people to engage in occupations or activities that are meaningful to them and achieve independence, better health, wellbeing and satisfaction in their lives.

In this course you will learn to identify physical, psychosocial, cognitive, behavioural and environmental factors that can help or hinder a person’s participation in everyday activities. You’ll learn to collaborate with other health professionals to provide cross-discipline care that is focused around the client and their needs.

You will study in laboratories, learning spaces and resource rooms that are tailored for learning the skills required to work in occupational therapy.

Approximately 1,000 hours of fieldwork practice is undertaken throughout the course in a variety of clinical and industry settings.

Please refer to the handbook for additional course overview information.

How this course will make you industry ready

As an occupational therapist, you can work across a range of industries in different roles.

Working with children: Help children achieve their developmental milestones such as fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination. Educate and involve parents, carers and others to facilitate the normal development and learning of children.

Rehabilitation and aged care: Help clients regain or enhance their daily lives after an event such as hip replacement or stroke. Assess and modify clients’ home and community environments to improve their safety and independence.

Acute care: Assess clients’ cognition, function and psychosocial needs. Monitor clients’ function and progress, prescribing adaptive equipment to ensure safety upon discharge from hospitals.

Injury management: Use specialised assessments to determine the functional requirements of various jobs, and clients’ capacity to return to work. Design and coordinate graded return to work programs. Educate clients in safe work practices. Modify the work environment to suit the needs of individuals to prevent or minimise injuries.

Mental health: Design individual and group programs and activities to enhance clients’ independence in everyday activities. Develop coping strategies for clients in overcoming their mental health issues.

What jobs can the Occupational Therapy lead to?

Careers

  • Occupational therapist.

Industries

  • Acute care
  • Injury management
  • Mental health
  • Rehabilitation and aged care
  • Working with children.

What you'll learn

  • apply occupational therapy knowledge, principles and practice to achieve client-centred and evidence-based outcomes
  • demonstrate critical and professional reasoning to create innovative and effective solutions for occupational therapy practice
  • use credible sources to locate, evaluate and synthesise information, including theoretical concepts and technical knowledge to support clinical decision-making in contemporary occupational therapy and research
  • communicate effectively and appropriately to ensure active client participation; accurate documentation and reporting; and the sharing of professional and research outcomes to academic, industry and community stakeholders
  • evaluate contemporary occupational therapy practice and research and incorporate appropriate technologies to enable participation in meaningful occupations
  • actively seek and engage in opportunities for ongoing learning that builds the body of occupational therapy knowledge and research, and facilitates personal and professional aspirations
  • demonstrate practice that reflects an understanding and appreciation of the influences and relationships between local and global occupational therapy professional standards and interprofesional practice
  • undertake occupational therapy practice and research in a culturally safe and respectful manner incorporating perspectives of multiple stake-holders
  • work in a professional and collaborative manner to meet ethical and legal responsibilities

Professional recognition

This course is recognised by the World Federation of Occupational Therapists.

Graduates using the title of registered health practitioner or the title of occupational therapist must be registered with the Occupational Therapy Board of Australia.

Registration enables you to practise occupational therapy in all Australian states and territories. After you have graduated you can also choose to be a member of the Australian Association of Occupational Therapists and Occupational Therapy Australia (WA).

Admission criteria

What you need in order to get into this course. There are different pathway options depending on your level of work and education experience.

Select an option that best suits you:

You’re considered a high school leaver if you:

  • Completed year 12 in Australia or overseas in the past two years, or
  • Completed TAFE or VET studies in the past two years.

ATAR pathway

  • Minimum ATAR 83

    This course has a minimum ATAR of 83

  • Essential WACE subjects (prerequisites)

    Essential WACE subjects (prerequisites)

    At least one ATAR science course from the following list: Biology, Chemistry, Earth and Environmental Science, Human Biology, Integrated Science, Physics, Psychology or Physical Education Studies.

  • Desirable WACE subjects

    Desirable WACE subjects

    Human Biology, Physics and Mathematics Applications is desirable.

Please see our correlation comparability for previous TEE subjects, WACE courses and WACE ATAR courses.

StepUp Entry

StepUp Entry

Successful StepUp Entry and StepUp Equity Adjustment Admission Pathway (StepUp Bonus) applicants will be eligible to be considered for admission into this course.

Alternative pathways

  • Indigenous applicant

    If you’re an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander applicant who hasn’t met Curtin’s minimum admissions criteria, the Centre for Aboriginal Studies offers bridging courses that are tailored to help you gain entry into this course.

  • STAT entry

    Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT)

    STAT is not accepted for entry to this course.

English requirements

Curtin requires all applicants to demonstrate proficiency in English. Specific English requirements for this course are outlined in the IELTS table below.

You may demonstrate English proficiency using the following tests and qualifications.

IELTS Academic (International English Language Testing System)

Writing

7.0

Speaking

7.0

Reading

7.0

Listening

7.0

Overall band score

7.0

Find your pathway to Curtin

Think you don’t have the marks or qualifications to study at Curtin? We have several pathways to help you meet admission. Use our pathway finder to find your best way to studying with us.

Pathway finder tool

How others gained admission

View the ATAR breakdown to see the low, median and high ATAR scores of students who started studying this course recently.

To see the other pathways students have taken, see the pathway breakdown.

Other requirements and notes for this course

Part-time students are not accepted.

Applications to the Bachelor of Science (Occupational Therapy) (Honours) outside of the standard intake, Semester 1, are available to Curtin students who have completed units in the preceding semester(s). These non-standard intakes allow students to enter the course after the first semester of the degree. 

To apply for this course in semester two, you need to have: an academic status of Good standing; and have completed the following units: CMHL1000 Foundations for Professional Health Practice; and HUMB1000 Human Structure and Function; and PSYC1000 introduction to Psychology; and OCCT1001 Introduction to Occupational Therapy, and have achieved an average of 70% or higher for the four listed units.

 

To apply to Semester 2 please submit an application for Credit for Recognised Learning (CRL) with your application so it may be determined if you have completed the units required to enter this degree outside of the standard intake.

 

In addition to the course-specific admission criteria listed above, please read our general admission criteria. Our general admission criteria apply to all courses at Curtin University.

Ranking and Selection Process

Entry to this course is competitive, with limited places available. For non-school leaver applicants, offers will be made in the following distinct rounds. Please submit your application and documentation as soon as possible. 

  • Round 1: Friday 20 October 2023
    • Eligible applicants who applied prior to 8 October 2023 will be ranked and assessed for offer.
  • Round 2: Friday 24 November 2023
    • Eligible applicants who applied prior to 12 November 2023 will be ranked and assessed for offer.
  • Round 3: Friday 22 December 2023
    • Eligible applicants who applied prior to 10 December 2023 will be ranked and assessed for offer

School leaver applicants to refer to TISC – important dates

Please note:

  • Applicants will be ranked and selected based on published entry requirements and entire academic record. 
  • Applicants must provide all required documents and be assessed as eligible to be included in the ranking for an offer.
  • Meeting the minimum entry requirements and course specific prerequisites, does not guarantee selection.
  • Applicants with outstanding results will only be considered for an offer upon submission of the results.
  • Eligible applicants will remain in the ranking pool until the conclusion of all offer rounds.
  • In the event the course reaches capacity the University reserves the right to close the application process.

You’re considered someone with work and life experience if:

You have left secondary education more than two years ago (i.e. who are not classified as recent secondary education applicants) and have not undertaken vocational education training (VET) or higher education study since then.

How we define ‘experience’
‘Experience’ includes a combination of factors sufficient to demonstrate readiness for higher education such as mature-age entry, professional experience whether completion of the Special Tertiary Admission Test (STAT) is required or not, community involvement or work experience. Applicants may have undertaken non-formal programs that have helped prepare them for tertiary education or are relevant to the proposed higher education field of study.

Pathways

  • STAT entry

    Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT)

    STAT is not accepted for entry to this course.

ATAR pathway

  • Minimum ATAR 83

    This course has a minimum ATAR of 83

  • Essential WACE subjects (prerequisites)

    Essential WACE subjects (prerequisites)

    At least one ATAR science course from the following list: Biology, Chemistry, Earth and Environmental Science, Human Biology, Integrated Science, Physics, Psychology or Physical Education Studies.

  • Desirable WACE subjects

    Desirable WACE subjects

    Human Biology, Physics and Mathematics Applications is desirable.

Please see our correlation comparability for previous TEE subjects, WACE courses and WACE ATAR courses.

English requirements

Curtin requires all applicants to demonstrate proficiency in English. Specific English requirements for this course are outlined in the IELTS table below.

You may demonstrate English proficiency using the following tests and qualifications.

IELTS Academic (International English Language Testing System)

Writing

7.0

Speaking

7.0

Reading

7.0

Listening

7.0

Overall band score

7.0

Find your pathway to Curtin

Think you don’t have the marks or qualifications to study at Curtin? We have several pathways to help you meet admission. Use our pathway finder to find your best way to studying with us.

Pathway finder tool

Other requirements and notes for this course

Part-time students are not accepted.

Applications to the Bachelor of Science (Occupational Therapy) (Honours) outside of the standard intake, Semester 1, are available to Curtin students who have completed units in the preceding semester(s). These non-standard intakes allow students to enter the course after the first semester of the degree. 

To apply for this course in semester two, you need to have: an academic status of Good standing; and have completed the following units: CMHL1000 Foundations for Professional Health Practice; and HUMB1000 Human Structure and Function; and PSYC1000 introduction to Psychology; and OCCT1001 Introduction to Occupational Therapy, and have achieved an average of 70% or higher for the four listed units.

 

To apply to Semester 2 please submit an application for Credit for Recognised Learning (CRL) with your application so it may be determined if you have completed the units required to enter this degree outside of the standard intake.

 

In addition to the course-specific admission criteria listed above, please read our general admission criteria. Our general admission criteria apply to all courses at Curtin University.

Ranking and Selection Process

Entry to this course is competitive, with limited places available. For non-school leaver applicants, offers will be made in the following distinct rounds. Please submit your application and documentation as soon as possible. 

  • Round 1: Friday 20 October 2023
    • Eligible applicants who applied prior to 8 October 2023 will be ranked and assessed for offer.
  • Round 2: Friday 24 November 2023
    • Eligible applicants who applied prior to 12 November 2023 will be ranked and assessed for offer.
  • Round 3: Friday 22 December 2023
    • Eligible applicants who applied prior to 10 December 2023 will be ranked and assessed for offer

School leaver applicants to refer to TISC – important dates

Please note:

  • Applicants will be ranked and selected based on published entry requirements and entire academic record. 
  • Applicants must provide all required documents and be assessed as eligible to be included in the ranking for an offer.
  • Meeting the minimum entry requirements and course specific prerequisites, does not guarantee selection.
  • Applicants with outstanding results will only be considered for an offer upon submission of the results.
  • Eligible applicants will remain in the ranking pool until the conclusion of all offer rounds.
  • In the event the course reaches capacity the University reserves the right to close the application process.

You’re considered someone who studied at TAFE or have done an apprenticeship if:

Applicants with vocational education and training (VET) study are those whose highest level of study since leaving secondary education is a VET course. This includes study at a public TAFE or other VET provider, whether a qualification was completed or not. Applicants with VET study may have other qualifications such as a Year 10 or Year 12 secondary school certificate.

Pathways

  • STAT entry

    Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT)

    STAT is not accepted for entry to this course.

ATAR pathway

  • Minimum ATAR 83

    This course has a minimum ATAR of 83

  • Essential WACE subjects (prerequisites)

    Essential WACE subjects (prerequisites)

    At least one ATAR science course from the following list: Biology, Chemistry, Earth and Environmental Science, Human Biology, Integrated Science, Physics, Psychology or Physical Education Studies.

  • Desirable WACE subjects

    Desirable WACE subjects

    Human Biology, Physics and Mathematics Applications is desirable.

Please see our correlation comparability for previous TEE subjects, WACE courses and WACE ATAR courses.

English requirements

Curtin requires all applicants to demonstrate proficiency in English. Specific English requirements for this course are outlined in the IELTS table below.

You may demonstrate English proficiency using the following tests and qualifications.

IELTS Academic (International English Language Testing System)

Writing

7.0

Speaking

7.0

Reading

7.0

Listening

7.0

Overall band score

7.0

Find your pathway to Curtin

Think you don’t have the marks or qualifications to study at Curtin? We have several pathways to help you meet admission. Use our pathway finder to find your best way to studying with us.

Pathway finder tool

Other requirements and notes for this course

Part-time students are not accepted.

Applications to the Bachelor of Science (Occupational Therapy) (Honours) outside of the standard intake, Semester 1, are available to Curtin students who have completed units in the preceding semester(s). These non-standard intakes allow students to enter the course after the first semester of the degree. 

To apply for this course in semester two, you need to have: an academic status of Good standing; and have completed the following units: CMHL1000 Foundations for Professional Health Practice; and HUMB1000 Human Structure and Function; and PSYC1000 introduction to Psychology; and OCCT1001 Introduction to Occupational Therapy, and have achieved an average of 70% or higher for the four listed units.

 

To apply to Semester 2 please submit an application for Credit for Recognised Learning (CRL) with your application so it may be determined if you have completed the units required to enter this degree outside of the standard intake.

 

In addition to the course-specific admission criteria listed above, please read our general admission criteria. Our general admission criteria apply to all courses at Curtin University.

Ranking and Selection Process

Entry to this course is competitive, with limited places available. For non-school leaver applicants, offers will be made in the following distinct rounds. Please submit your application and documentation as soon as possible. 

  • Round 1: Friday 20 October 2023
    • Eligible applicants who applied prior to 8 October 2023 will be ranked and assessed for offer.
  • Round 2: Friday 24 November 2023
    • Eligible applicants who applied prior to 12 November 2023 will be ranked and assessed for offer.
  • Round 3: Friday 22 December 2023
    • Eligible applicants who applied prior to 10 December 2023 will be ranked and assessed for offer

School leaver applicants to refer to TISC – important dates

Please note:

  • Applicants will be ranked and selected based on published entry requirements and entire academic record. 
  • Applicants must provide all required documents and be assessed as eligible to be included in the ranking for an offer.
  • Meeting the minimum entry requirements and course specific prerequisites, does not guarantee selection.
  • Applicants with outstanding results will only be considered for an offer upon submission of the results.
  • Eligible applicants will remain in the ranking pool until the conclusion of all offer rounds.
  • In the event the course reaches capacity the University reserves the right to close the application process.

You’re considered someone who has recently left university if:

Applicants with higher education are those whose highest level of study since leaving secondary education is a higher education course, such as a university degree. This may include applicants who are currently studying a higher education course at another education provider and want to transfer to Curtin University, or applicants who are currently studying at Curtin but want to switch to a different course. It may also include applicants who have completed past study with university and non-university higher education providers.

Curtin course switcher criteria

To switch into this course in semester one, you need to have:

  • a course weighted average (CWA) of 65% or higher, and
  • an academic status of Good Standing; and
  • met the Science prerequisite.

The Science prerequisite can be met with:

  • At least one of the essential ATAR science courses, or
  • HUMB1002 Functional Anatomy
  • CHEM1001 Biological Chemistry
  • CHEM1003 Introduction to Chemistry
  • HUMB1006 Human Physiology for Exercise Science
  • HUMB1000 Human Structure and Function
  • MEDI1000 Foundations of Biomedical Science
  • MHYS1006 Foundations of Physics.

 

To switch into this course in semester two, you need to have:

  • an academic status of Good standing; and
  • have completed the following units: 
    • CMHL1000 Foundations for Professional Health Practice; and
    • HUMB1000 Human Structure and Function; and
    • PSYC1000 introduction to Psychology; and
    • OCCT1001 Introduction to Occupational Therapy, and
  • have achieved an average of 70% or higher for the four listed units.

Higher education course switcher criteria

This course has a semester one intake only. Please refer to the TISC website for more information.

A current Essential First Aid Certificate is required within four weeks of entry into the first semester.

ATAR pathway

  • Minimum ATAR 83

    This course has a minimum ATAR of 83

  • Essential WACE subjects (prerequisites)

    Essential WACE subjects (prerequisites)

    At least one ATAR science course from the following list: Biology, Chemistry, Earth and Environmental Science, Human Biology, Integrated Science, Physics, Psychology or Physical Education Studies.

  • Desirable WACE subjects

    Desirable WACE subjects

    Human Biology, Physics and Mathematics Applications is desirable.

Please see our correlation comparability for previous TEE subjects, WACE courses and WACE ATAR courses.

English requirements

Curtin requires all applicants to demonstrate proficiency in English. Specific English requirements for this course are outlined in the IELTS table below.

You may demonstrate English proficiency using the following tests and qualifications.

IELTS Academic (International English Language Testing System)

Writing

7.0

Speaking

7.0

Reading

7.0

Listening

7.0

Overall band score

7.0

Find your pathway to Curtin

Think you don’t have the marks or qualifications to study at Curtin? We have several pathways to help you meet admission. Use our pathway finder to find your best way to studying with us.

Pathway finder tool

Other requirements and notes for this course

Part-time students are not accepted.

Applications to the Bachelor of Science (Occupational Therapy) (Honours) outside of the standard intake, Semester 1, are available to Curtin students who have completed units in the preceding semester(s). These non-standard intakes allow students to enter the course after the first semester of the degree. 

To apply for this course in semester two, you need to have: an academic status of Good standing; and have completed the following units: CMHL1000 Foundations for Professional Health Practice; and HUMB1000 Human Structure and Function; and PSYC1000 introduction to Psychology; and OCCT1001 Introduction to Occupational Therapy, and have achieved an average of 70% or higher for the four listed units.

 

To apply to Semester 2 please submit an application for Credit for Recognised Learning (CRL) with your application so it may be determined if you have completed the units required to enter this degree outside of the standard intake.

 

In addition to the course-specific admission criteria listed above, please read our general admission criteria. Our general admission criteria apply to all courses at Curtin University.

Ranking and Selection Process

Entry to this course is competitive, with limited places available. For non-school leaver applicants, offers will be made in the following distinct rounds. Please submit your application and documentation as soon as possible. 

  • Round 1: Friday 20 October 2023
    • Eligible applicants who applied prior to 8 October 2023 will be ranked and assessed for offer.
  • Round 2: Friday 24 November 2023
    • Eligible applicants who applied prior to 12 November 2023 will be ranked and assessed for offer.
  • Round 3: Friday 22 December 2023
    • Eligible applicants who applied prior to 10 December 2023 will be ranked and assessed for offer

School leaver applicants to refer to TISC – important dates

Please note:

  • Applicants will be ranked and selected based on published entry requirements and entire academic record. 
  • Applicants must provide all required documents and be assessed as eligible to be included in the ranking for an offer.
  • Meeting the minimum entry requirements and course specific prerequisites, does not guarantee selection.
  • Applicants with outstanding results will only be considered for an offer upon submission of the results.
  • Eligible applicants will remain in the ranking pool until the conclusion of all offer rounds.
  • In the event the course reaches capacity the University reserves the right to close the application process.

Unsure what option suits you?

We’re here to help you navigate the complexities of university admission. Choose the support you need from the options below.

Find your pathway to Curtin

Think you don’t have the marks or qualifications to study at Curtin? We have several pathways to help you meet admission. Use our pathway finder to find your best way to studying with us.

Pathway finder tool
Credit for recognised learning (CRL)

Use your experience to get credit towards your degree

Finish your course sooner with credit for your previous study or work experience.

Essential requirements for admission (including fieldwork requirements)

Many of our courses require students to comply with additional essential requirements. Failure to comply with any of the essential requirements may potentially prevent the successful completion of the course and/or achieving professional registration.

Fieldwork requirements during the course

Please refer to the following statements on the fieldwork component of this course:

Fees and charges

Australian and New Zealand student indicative fees

2024 Fee year:

$9,900*

Commonwealth supported

Commonwealth supported

Fees are indicative first year only and are subject to passage of legislation.

*The indicative first-year fee is calculated on 200 credit points, which is the typical full-time study load per year, however some courses require additional study to be completed, in which case the fee will be higher than that shown.

This fee is a guide only. It may vary depending on the units you choose and does not include incidental fees (such as lab coats or art supplies) or the cost of your textbooks – visit other fees and charges for more information. For more information on fees and to determine your eligibility for HECS-HELP or FEE-HELP, please visit fee basics or the Study Assist website

If you’re not an Australian citizen, permanent resident or New Zealand citizen, please see information for international students.

Looking for more detail on the course structure?

View course structure

Location

For start dates, please view the academic calendar.

Curtin Perth flag

2023

Semester 1
  • On campus
Semester 2
  • On campus

2024

Extended Term 1A
  • On campus
Semester 1
  • On campus
Semester 2
  • On campus

2025

Semester 1
  • On campus
Semester 2
  • On campus

2026

Semester 1
  • On campus
Semester 2
  • On campus

All endeavours are made to ensure location information for courses is up to date but please note they are subject to change.

The University reserves the right to withdraw any unit of study or program which it offers, to impose limitations on enrolment in any unit or program, and/or to vary arrangements for any program.

How to apply

Please review information on how to apply for the campus of your choice

Please note that each campus has different application deadlines. Please view our application deadlines page for further information.

  • The offering information on this website applies only to future students. Current students should refer to faculty handbooks for current or past course information.

    The information on this page may be subject to change. In particular, Curtin University may change the content, method or location of delivery or tuition fees of courses.

    While Curtin uses reasonable efforts to ensure that the information provided on this page is accurate and up to date, errors and omissions sometimes occur. Curtin makes no warranty, representation or undertaking (expressed or implied) nor does it assume any legal liability (direct or indirect) for the accuracy, completeness or usefulness of any information.

    View courses information disclaimer.

  • Curtin course code: BH-OCCT1
  • CRICOS code: 094933K
  • Last updated on: 10 December 2023

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Apply for Bachelor of Science (Occupational Therapy) (Honours)