Skip to content
Undergraduate

Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (Honours)

Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (Honours) (BOTH)

Entry requirements
ATAR 75.00
Study mode
  • On-campus
Campus
  • Ipswich
  • Toowoomba
Duration
  • 4 year(s) (or part-time equivalent)
Start
  • Feb
Please note that the Toowoomba offering is awaiting accreditation by the Occupational Therapy Council of Australia (OTC). 

Overview

  • What are those seemingly small day to day things that give your life meaning? The way we occupy our days is important. It could be something as simple as preparing your favourite breakfast in the morning, or accessing that sunny spot in your garden. Occupational Therapy assists people to achieve the quality of life they hope for – to achieve the tasks that are important in an individual’s life. Occupational therapists help people to identify the goals that are important in their lives, and to then achieve these goals by building skills, modifying the occupations or adapting the environment.
  • With UniSQ’s Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (Honours) you will learn to design and deliver high-quality occupational therapy (OT) assessment and interventions to people, their families and communities. 
  • As one of the fastest growing registered allied health professions, occupational therapists work with individuals, families, and communities across the lifespan to help people with injuries, developmental difficulties, illness, chronic health conditions or psychosocial needs to function in their environment.
  • You can become a leader in the delivery of digital health care to the many people who have difficulty accessing face to face health services.
  • Gain comprehensive training in OT knowledge and skills and put theory into practice when completing 1000 hours of supervised clinical placement required for your occupational therapy registration.
  • Select from two honours pathways within your degree:
    • the project option focuses on partnerships with industry to address everyday practice topics or
    • the research option allows you to create an individual research project (this pathway is dependent on your GPA).
      Regardless of which honours pathway you choose, you will be eligible to apply for entry into a higher degree by research.

Professional accreditation

The Ipswich offering of this degree is accredited (with conditions) by the Occupational Therapy Council of Australia (Ltd) (OTC) and approved by the Occupational Therapy Board of Australia (OTBA). Graduates will be eligible to apply for registration as an Occupational Therapist with the OTBA once they satisfy the OTBA registration criteria.

Please note that the Toowoomba campus offering for this degree is currently awaiting accreditation by the Occupational Therapy Council of Australia (OTC) and once accredited will be listed as an approved program with the OTC.

This degree will be compliant with World Federation of Occupational Therapists Minimum Standards for the Education of Occupational Therapists and will meet the Australian Occupational Therapy Competency Standards for safe and effective occupational therapy practice. 

 

Career outcomes

  • Graduates can register with the Occupational Therapy Board of Australia and practise as an occupational therapist in Australia. 
  • You can find work as an occupational therapist in hospitals, aged care services, disability services, child and adolescent services, community health services and mental health, private practice, or vocational rehabilitation services, and many more areas.
  • This qualification equips graduates to be leaders in the delivery of digital health care, which is critical for people living in regional and rural communities, to be well-skilled in rural and remote health care.
  • Graduates will be eligible for registration with overseas professional bodies to enable them to work internationally.
 

Entry requirements

Find the entry requirements most relevant to you.

Recent secondary education

Adjusted Entry score including adjustment factors (additional points given in certain circumstances). Unadjusted Entry score not including adjustment factors.
ATAR The Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) is a percentile rank used to assess the results of high-school applicants for undergraduate entry into university. 75.00 -

Subject pre-requisites

  • English (Units 3 & 4, C)
  • at least one QCAA Science subject (Units 3 & 4, C) or equivalent.

Please note: Meeting entry requirements does not guarantee admission. Places within the Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (Honours) are limited by quota. Quota size is determined by the availability of placements. Where the quota is filled, no further places will be offered.

Special entry schemes for admissions may increase your Rank, through the allocation of additional points in certain circumstances, such as educational disadvantage where you live, and subjects you passed. 

UniSQ is committed to greater admissions transparency. Learn more about the education and work experience, as well as average Ranks for this degrees' student cohort from the previous year.

Tafe (VET) qualification

If you have completed a qualification from a TAFE or qualified private provider, you may be able to use these qualifications to meet UniSQ's entry requirements.

Work and life experience

You may be able to use your work experience and other adjustment factors to increase your selection rank and meet UniSQ's entry requirements.

English language requirements

To meet the English language requirements for this degree, we accept the minimum English language proficiency scores from one of the following tests. Your test must be completed within two years of applying to UniSQ.

IELTS (Academic)

Minimum overall score of 7.0 and a minimum score of 7.0 in each of the four components - listening, reading, writing, and speaking.

Pearson Test of English

Minimum overall score of 65 and a minimum score of 65 in each of the four communicative skills - listening, reading, writing, and speaking.

 TOEFL iBT Minimum total score of 94 and the following minimum score in each section of the test: 24 for listening and reading; 27 for writing; 23 for speaking.

Inherent requirements

There are inherent requirements that must be met in order to successfully complete this degree. Inherent requirements are fundamental skills, capabilities and knowledge that students must be able to demonstrate in order to achieve the essential learning outcomes of the degree, while maintaining the academic integrity of the degree. Please read and understand the inherent requirements specific to the Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (Honours) before applying.

If you think you may experience any problems meeting inherent requirements, you can talk to a Student Equity Officer about reasonable adjustments that may be put in place to assist you. Any reasonable adjustments made must not fundamentally change the nature of the inherent requirement.

Additional requirements for placements

You will need to provide the following documents prior to commencing any clinical placement:

  • Blue Card or Working with Children Check
  • Yellow Card if working with people with disabilities
  • Australian Federal Police Check certificate

Plus evidence of the following immunisations:

  • Hepatitis B immunisation evidence
  • Measles, Mumps and Rubella immunisation evidence
  • Varicella immunisation evidence
  • Pertussis immunisation evidence
  • Influenza immunisation evidence
  • Tuberculosis Risk Assessment
  • COVID-19 vaccinations as directed by health services
  • Mask FIT testing
  • Evidence of other relevant vaccinations for infectious diseases that may emerge

Recognition of prior learning or work experience

You may be eligible for recognition of prior learning if you have previously studied or have relevant work experience. This will help to reduce the number of courses that you need to study to finish your program.

Pathways

If you don't meet the entry requirements, we have pathway options available to you.

If you identify as being of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent you may be eligible to enter the Indigenous Higher Education (IHEPP) program.

Degree structure

To complete this degree students must complete 32 units. To study full-time you would usually complete 4 units per semester.

Courses to be studied Units
Core courses 28
Interprofessional courses 4
Total 32

Refer to the UniSQ Handbook for courses to be studied and recommended enrolment patterns.

Practical / clinical experience

You will also need to complete 1000 hours of supervised clinical experiences, in placements that will be organised by the University.

All students must be able to meet the physical and other professional requirements of clinical/professional practice within this degree.

Students are expected to fund a clinical uniform as well as travel and living expenses associated with placements, some of which may be outside the Ipswich/Toowoomba metropolitan area.

Fees and scholarships

Your actual fees may vary depending on the courses you select. We review our fees annually so these may be subject to change.

Approximate annual costs1 for your first year of study (8 units) in this degree are:

Study Mode Cost
Commonwealth supported

The Federal Government contributes to the cost of your course and you need to pay a student contribution.

AUD 9312
Domestic full fee paying

You are responsible for the full cost of your course and are charged a tuition fee.

AUD 28000

1 These are indicative annual fees for 2024. 

Student services and amenities fees

You may need to pay student services and amenities (SA) fees as part of your course costs.

Professional experience costs

This degree includes a professional experience component that may involve travel, accommodation and meal expenses.

Loan to help you pay your fees

You may not have to pay your course (subject) fees upfront. HECS-HELP and FEE-HELP allows you to defer your fees until your income reaches a certain level. Find out if you are eligible for HECS-HELP or FEE-HELP.

You may also be eligible to receive financial support from Centrelink.

Scholarships

At UniSQ, we offer a range of scholarships to support your success at university. Find a scholarship that works for you.

How to apply

Apply via QTAC

Complete your online application via QTAC (Queensland Tertiary Admissions Centre).

Mode QTAC Codes
Ipswich 936181
Toowoomba 906181

Copy your QTAC code and continue through to the QTAC website to complete your application.

Apply through QTAC

Intakes

  • Applications for 2025 are now open.

Please note: Meeting entry requirements does not guarantee admission. Places within this degree are limited by quota. Quota size is determined by the availability of placements. Where the quota is filled, no further places will be offered.

As places are limited in this degree, applications may close early if all places are filled for a specific intake.

You will start your study in Trimester 1.

Study period  Orientation  Study period start date
Trimester 1, 2025 Monday 3 February Monday 10 February 

Further information

Discover further information on applying to study at UniSQ that is relevant to you.

Two men collaborating at a computer workstation in an office environment.

Got questions?

 

Begin your study journey today with the university rated 5/5 stars for graduates starting salaries* and start the degree that’s right for you.

*Good Universities Guide 2024

Talk to us
Why study a Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (Honours)?

According to the National Skills Commission (2021), most Australian states have a shortage of occupational therapists. If you are looking for a career with vast employment opportunities now and into the future, occupational therapy is an excellent choice.

Occupational therapy is an industry suited to people who are empathetic, patient, excellent communicators and have a passion to help others improve the quality of their lives. 

With a large demand in Australia for Nursing and Allied Health professionals, there is no better time to study a Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (Honours) at UniSQ. 

How long does an occupational therapy (honours) degree take at UniSQ?
At UniSQ a Bachelor of Occupational Therapy will take you four years to complete on a full-time basis. Some students choose to study part-time which increases the time it takes to complete the required courses.
What are the pathways to entry?
We understand everyone’s journey to university is different, that’s why we offer a pathway to your dream degree at UniSQ. Whether you’ve just completed Year 12 studies, been away from studies for a while, have a VET, TAFE or other appropriate qualification, you can enter into our Bachelor of Occupation Therapy with UniReady
What can you do with a Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (Honours)?

An occupational therapy qualification can lead to many exciting career paths in a variety of allied health settings including:

  • aged care
  • assistive technology
  • child and adolescent services
  • community health
  • disability services
  • hospitals
  • mental health services
  • private practice
  • rehabilitation. 
How do I become an occupational therapist in Australia?
To become a qualified occupational therapist in Australia you will need to complete either a bachelor's or master's degree in occupational therapy. Successful completion of UniSQ’s Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (Honours) will qualify you as an occupational therapist in Australia. Graduates will also be eligible for registration with overseas professional bodies, enabling you to work internationally. 
What are the requirements for studying a Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (Honours) in Australia?

The entry requirements to study a Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (Honours) will vary depending on the education provider you choose.

At UniSQ you need to meet a minimum ATAR and assumed knowledge. ‘Assumed knowledge’ is the term we use to explain the minimum level of knowledge we presume you have in some subject areas before you start your degree.

For further information on ATAR and assumed knowledge, please view the entry requirements section of this page.

Why study Occupational Therapy with UniSQ?

Get a strong start to your career in occupational therapy.

  • Benefit from practical/clinical experience and make the most of our work integrated learning with 1000 hours of industry-based placements. This allows you to gain real life experience in diverse occupational therapy settings.
  • According to the latest ERA results, our research in medical and health sciences and public health and health services is well above world standard.