Program Overview

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Bachelor of Occupational Therapy

The Bachelor of Occupational Therapy is a four-year full-time program that combines studies in occupational therapy with a broad understanding of biomedicine and various health science fields. The program promotes the value of human diversity, fundamental human rights, and the dignity and worth of every client.

Admission Requirements

• Assumed knowledge: any 2 units of English
• Recommended studies: Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and/or Personal Development Health and Physical Education
• Applications from Australian and New Zealand citizens and holders of permanent resident visas must be made via the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC)
• International applicants must apply directly to Western Sydney University via the International Office
• Minimum English proficiency requirements and acceptable proof can be found on the UAC website for local applicants and the International Office website for international applicants

Program Structure

The program requires the successful completion of 320 credit points, including the subjects listed in the recommended sequence below.

Recommended Sequence

Year 1

• Autumn session:
  • PUBH 1006: Population Health and Society (10 credit points)
  • NATS 1009: Human Anatomy and Physiology 1 (10 credit points)
  • REHA 1001: Introduction to Occupational Therapy (10 credit points)
  • HLTH 1013: Professional Competencies in Health (10 credit points)
• Spring session:
  • REHA 2006: People, Environment and Occupations (10 credit points)
  • NATS 1010: Human Anatomy and Physiology 2 (10 credit points)
  • COMM 1007: Communication in Health (10 credit points)
  • HLTH 1012: Evidence in Health (10 credit points)

Year 2

• Autumn session:
  • REHA 1004: Occupational Therapy Practice 1 (10 credit points)
  • PUBH 2005: Culture, Diversity and Health (10 credit points)
  • NATS 2038: Pathophysiology 1 (10 credit points)
  • HLTH 2024: Research Methods in Health (10 credit points)
• Spring session:
  • REHA 2004: Occupational Therapy Practice 2 (10 credit points)
  • NATS 3037: Neuroanatomy (10 credit points)
  • BEHV 1014: Psychology and Health (10 credit points)
  • NATS 1022: Functional Anatomy (10 credit points)

Year 3

• 1H session:
  • REHA 3021: Occupation and Neurology (10 credit points)
  • REHA 3020: Occupation and Mental Health (10 credit points)
  • REHA 3024: Occupational Therapy Practice 3 (10 credit points)
  • REHA 3002: Child and Adolescent Occupations (10 credit points)
• Spring session:
  • REHA 3022: Occupation and the Environment (10 credit points)
  • REHA 3019: Occupation and Ageing (10 credit points)
  • REHA 4009: Occupational Justice (10 credit points)
  • HLTH 3005: Evidence-Based Practice (10 credit points) (replaced by PUBH 3023: Evidence in Professional Reasoning from 2023)

Year 4

• Autumn session:
  • REHA 4012: Occupational Therapy Project (10 credit points)
  • REHA 4013: Occupational Therapy Specialties (10 credit points)
  • REHA 3006: Ergonomics and Work Occupations (10 credit points)
  • HLTH 4001: Professional Reasoning (10 credit points)
• Spring session:
  • REHA 4010: Occupational Therapy Practice 4A (20 credit points)
  • REHA 4011: Occupational Therapy Practice 4B (20 credit points)

Accreditation

The Bachelor of Occupational Therapy is accredited by the Occupational Therapy Council of Australia (Ltd) and approved by the Occupational Therapy Board of Australia. Graduates will be eligible to apply for registration as an occupational therapist with the Occupational Therapy Board of Australia (OTBA). The program is also approved by the World Federation of Occupational Therapists.

Work Integrated Learning

The program includes supervised clinical practice across the course, totaling 1000 hours, in line with accreditation requirements. Practice placements are arranged through NSW Health and the disability sector, as well as community-based private practice and non-government health, WHS, and disability providers.

Early Exit

Students may exit this program on completion of 240 credit points with a Bachelor of Health Science (Clinical Sciences) degree but are unable to practice as an occupational therapist.