Program Overview

Master of Occupational Therapy

Overview

This graduate entry master course offers a fast-track option to becoming an occupational therapist. In this course, you will develop knowledge of four broad areas:

• Medical, psychiatric, orthopaedic, and neurological conditions that affect the health and wellbeing of individuals.
• The theory and practice of occupational therapy, including the study of occupation and analysis of the physical, psychological, and social requirements of a variety of skills and activities.
• Human development, covering normal growth and development within the life cycle, along with problems such as learning disabilities and the effects of ageing.
• Occupational health and management, including prevention, education, and rehabilitation programs for a variety of workplaces.

Professional Recognition and Accreditation

Graduates using the title of registered health practitioner or the title of occupational therapist must be registered with the Occupational Therapy Board of Australia (the National Board). Registration for practice enables graduates, once registered, to practise occupational therapy in all Australian states and territories. Graduates can also choose to be a member of the Australian Association of Occupational Therapists and/or Occupational Therapy Australia (WA). The course is recognised by the World Federation of Occupational Therapists. Graduates may also apply for registration in most countries, although some countries may require sitting a licensing examination.

Admission Criteria

• A bachelor degree or equivalent, preferably in a health-related discipline with at least a credit (65%) average.
• Evidence of studies in the human biosciences (e.g., human biology) at tertiary level is required. If you do not have this background, you will be required to undertake additional bridging units.
• You will also be required to provide supplementary information with your application.

Fees and Scholarships

• Domestic fee-paying postgraduate: $38,430 (2025 Fee year), $38,430 (2026 Fee year)
• Fees are indicative only. Based on a first-year full-time study load of 225 credits. The total cost will depend on your course options (i.e., units selected and time taken to complete).

Location

• Curtin Perth

How to Apply

• Please review information on how to apply for the campus of your choice.
• Each campus has different application deadlines. View our application deadlines page for further information.

Course Structure

• This course comprises six study periods across two and one half years of full-time study, but can be undertaken part-time. Part-time study is not available for international onshore students on temporary entrant visas.
• A full-time study load usually consists of 200 credits (approximately eight units) per year, with 100 credits (approximately four units) in each semester.
• The course is not available to study by distance education.
• This program commences with an intensively taught summer study period one unit starting in early January. Students must successfully complete this unit before proceeding to Semester 1 units.

Inherent Requirements

• This can be a physically and mentally challenging course. Please familiarise yourself with the inherent requirements before applying. Reasonable adjustments can be made for students with disability.
• You will need to hold a current Essential First Aid Certificate within four weeks of the start of this course.
• You must pass all units in the first year before proceeding to the second year.
• Some lectures in this course may be attended by both undergraduate and postgraduate students.
• Attend a pre-approved Manual Handling course before the end of Semester One in your first year of study. Information on manual handling requirements and suggested course providers will be provided by your school before commencing fieldwork.
• You will be responsible for all costs associated with completing and maintaining manual handling competency. If you do not complete these requirements, you may not be able to commence fieldwork.

Credit for Recognised Learning (CRL)

• Finish your course sooner with credit for your previous study or work experience.
• Submit an enquiry CRL search.

What You'll Learn

• Apply occupational therapy knowledge, principles, and practice to achieve client-centred and evidence-based outcomes.
• Create effective occupational therapy solutions through critical analysis, reflective practice, and professional reasoning.
• Critically appraise information and apply it to contemporary occupational therapy.
• Communicate effectively and appropriately to ensure active client participation, relevant documentation and reporting, and responsible sharing of professional information.
• Evaluate and apply appropriate technologies to contemporary occupational therapy practice.
• Develop and apply life-long learning skills to achieve professional competency.
• Inform occupational therapy standards and practices through integration of local and global perspectives.
• Practice occupational therapy in a culturally appropriate and respectful manner incorporating perspectives of multiple stakeholders.
• Work in a professional and collaborative manner to meet ethical and legal responsibilities.

English Requirements

• IELTS Academic (International English Language Testing System)
  • Writing: 7
  • Speaking: 7
  • Reading: 7
  • Listening: 7
  • Overall band score: 7

Application Requirements

• Please refer to our application requirements before applying for this Curtin course.
• Things to know before applying:
  • This course comprises of six study periods or two and a half years of intensive full-time study. Domestic students can study this course part-time.
  • This course isn’t available to study by distance education.
  • This program commences with an intensively taught summer study period one unit starting in early January. Students must successfully complete this unit before proceeding to Semester 1 units.
  • Entry to this program is competitive and offers will be made based on academic merit.
  • You’re required to undertake a minimum of 1000 hours supervised clinical practice in a variety of institutions and community settings, including rural and remote areas of Western Australia before you graduate. These placements occur throughout the length of the course and extensively in the final year. One fieldwork block may continue beyond the end of your final semester.
  • Students must participate fully in all teaching and learning sessions, be willing to act as subjects for their peer group, and be prepared to work with people with a range of disabilities.
  • Applications for Credit for Recognised Learning (CRL) will be considered, however, because each unit within the Master of Occupational Therapy incorporates occupational therapy applications, CRL will only be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Documents to Submit with Your Application

• Academic transcript and award certificate
• Resume
• Evidence of study in particular subject field(s) at university level is essential. These essential subject field(s) of study can be found in the course admission criteria for this course.
• You are required to self-identify the unit(s) you have or are in the process of completing which you consider to meet these specific unit prerequisite requirements on the template document which is downloadable here.
• You must provide this completed template as part of your application.
• Please ensure you also provide unit outlines for all units you have self-identified on the template if you have completed these units at an institution other than Curtin.
• These unit outlines must contain the syllabus, learning outcomes, and assessment for each of the prerequisite unit(s) listed.