CRICOS Code: 086212K

This program applies to students whose commencement session for this program was 2022 or later.

Students should follow the program structure for the session start date relevant to the year they commenced. 

Commencement Year 2020 to 2021 - 4711.2 Bachelor of Occupational Therapy

Commencement Year 2015 to 2020 - 4711.1 Bachelor of Occupational Therapy

Occupational therapy is a highly regarded field in which you can apply your knowledge and skills to provide therapy for people who, because of illness, injury or circumstances, are limited in their ability to perform everyday tasks. The program promotes the value of human diversity, fundamental human rights and the dignity and worth of every client. Occupational therapists find employment in public and private hospitals, rehabilitation centres, insurance companies, schools and large corporations.

The program in occupational therapy is offered as a Bachelor of Occupational Therapy. The first two years of the program combine studies in occupational therapy with a broad understanding of biomedicine and various health science fields to develop the professional competencies important for ethical and safe practice and high quality care and the skills to work in multidisciplinary teams. The final two years focus predominately on occupational therapy practice skills, practical experience and specialised areas. Evidence-based practice is one of the most important trends in healthcare today and a strong feature of the program.

An honours stream is available for high performing students. Students may also exit after year 3 with a Bachelor of Health Science degree but are unable to practice as an occupational therapist.

Early Exit

Students may exit this program on completion of 240 credit points with a 4789 Bachelor of Health Science (Clinical Sciences)

Study Mode

Four years full-time

Program Advice

HealthSciences@westernsydney.edu.au

Prospective students should visit the following websites for general enquiries about this program.

Enquire about this program| Local Admission | International Admission |

Location

Location

Campus	Attendance	Mode	Advice
Campbelltown Campus	Full Time	Internal	See above

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

Western Sydney University seeks to enhance student learning experiences by enabling students to engage in the culture, expectations and practices of their profession or discipline. This program includes a placement or other community-based unpaid practical experience.

There is a mandatory work component required for completion of this program. 

International students should also refer to the 'Work Integrated Learning (WIL) for international students' website for more information and a link to the Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS).

Work Integrated Learning (WIL) for international students

1000 hours of supervised clinical practice

The program includes supervised clinical practice across the course in line with accreditation requirements, totaling 1000 hours across the following subjects:

• REHA 1004 Occupational Therapy Practice 1
• REHA 2004 Occupational Therapy Practice 2
• REHA 3021 Occupational Therapy Practice 3
• REHA 4010 and REHA 4011 Occupational Therapy Practice (4a and 4b respectively)

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.

Admission

• Assumed knowledge: any 2 units of English.
• Recommended studies: Physics, Chemistry, Biology and/or Personal Development Health and Physical Education.

To be eligible to undertake fieldwork or practice placements, students must also comply with the NSW Health Records and Information Privacy Act (2004) and complete a relevant declaration.

Applications from Australian and New Zealand citizens and holders of permanent resident visas must be made via the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC). Use the links below to apply via UAC or Western Sydney University.  Applications made directly to Western Sydney do not have an application fee.

Applicants who have undertaken studies overseas may have to provide proof of proficiency in English. Local and International applicants who are applying through the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC) will find details of minimum English proficiency requirements and acceptable proof on the UAC website. Local applicants applying directly to the University should also use the information provided on the UAC website.

http://www.uac.edu.au/

https://westernsydney.uac.edu.au/ws/

International applicants must apply directly to Western Sydney University via the International Office. International students applying to The University through the International Office can find details of minimum English proficiency requirements and acceptable proof on their website.

International Office

https://www.westernsydney.edu.au/international/home/apply/admissions/entry_requirements

For courses that will lead to AHPRA registered careers and students studying Sport and Exercise Science and Speech Pathology, students are required to have a minimum IELTS score of 7.0 overall with a minimum score of 7.0 in Speaking and Listening, and 6.5 in Writing and Reading or equivalents, in an acceptable language test.

International Office Overseas qualifications must be deemed by the Australian Department of Education, Skills and Employment to be equivalent to Australian qualifications in order to be considered by UAC and Western Sydney University.

Overseas qualifications must be deemed by the Australian Education International - National Office of Overseas Skills Recognition (AEI-NOOSR) to be equivalent to Australian qualifications in order to be considered by UAC and Western Sydney University.

Student Compliance Information for all Health-Related Placements

Students must meet Western Sydney University course requirements as well as any special, legislated, or policy-mandated requirements.

Western Course Requirements

Visit the Special Requirements webpage for details about your program.

Special Requirements

Mandatory NSW Health student placement policy requirements

To be able to undertake placement in any NSW Health facility you must be assessed as compliant with NSW Health student placement policy in the first year of your course, regardless of when you expect to go on your first placement. Access and read the NSW Student Compliance Information Booklet

NSW Student Compliance Information Booklet

Please ensure that you

1. Find your existing National Police Check or apply for one

2. Gather documentary evidence of your vaccination history

3. Print and compete all relevant NSW Health forms relevant to the campus you are enrolled at or online enrolment requirements

4. Follow booklet instructions on how to have your compliance documents assessed by NSW health staff.

International students have additional requirements: the link to the booklet will inform you of these requirements.

School Requirements

Contact your School for further details regarding your School’s requirements, if any, such as

• If you live outside of NSW or Australia and need to meet your state, territory or country’s compliance requirements
• If you need to meet different state, territory or country compliance requirements.
• NSW Working with Children Check (WWCC) or other state equivalent, valid for your entire course.
• Current approved first aid certificate valid for your entire course - approved course providers can be found at the Government Training website
• http://training.gov.au
• Other non-health related requirements.

Student Compliance Resources are also available on the Placements Hub web page

https://www.westernsydney.edu.au/learning_futures/home/placements_hub/placements_hub/student_compliance

Program Structure

Qualification for this award requires the successful completion of 320 credit points which include the subjects listed in the recommended sequence below.

Recommended Sequence

Full-time

Plan of Study Grid

Year 1
Autumn session		Credit Points
PUBH 1006	Population Health and Society	10
NATS 1009	Human Anatomy and Physiology 1	10
REHA 1001	Introduction to Occupational Therapy	10
HLTH 1013	Professional Competencies in Health	10
	Credit Points	40
Spring session
REHA 2006	People, Environment and Occupations	10
NATS 1010	Human Anatomy and Physiology 2	10
COMM 1007	Communication in Health	10
HLTH 1012	Evidence in Health	10
	Credit Points	40
Year 2
Autumn session
REHA 1004	Occupational Therapy Practice 1	10
PUBH 2005	Culture, Diversity and Health	10
NATS 2038	Pathophysiology 1	10
HLTH 2024	Research Methods in Health	10
	Credit Points	40
Spring session
REHA 2004	Occupational Therapy Practice 2	10
NATS 3037	Neuroanatomy	10
BEHV 1014	Psychology and Health	10
NATS 1022	Functional Anatomy	10
	Credit Points	40
Year 3
1H session
REHA 3021	Occupation and Neurology	10
REHA 3020	Occupation and Mental Health	10
REHA 3024	Occupational Therapy Practice 3	10
REHA 3002	Child and Adolescent Occupations	10
	Credit Points	40
Spring session
REHA 3022	Occupation and the Environment	10
REHA 3019	Occupation and Ageing	10
REHA 4009	Occupational Justice	10
HLTH 3005	Evidence-Based Practice
From 2023 HLTH 3005 is replaced by PUBH 3023 Evidence in Professional Reasoning		10
PUBH 3023	Evidence in Professional Reasoning
At this point, students may exit with the Bachelor of Health Science (Clinical Science)
	Credit Points	40
Year 4
Autumn session
REHA 4012	Occupational Therapy Project	10
REHA 4013	Occupational Therapy Specialties	10
REHA 3006	Ergonomics and Work Occupations	10
HLTH 4001	Professional Reasoning	10
	Credit Points	40
Spring session
REHA 4010	Occupational Therapy Practice 4A	20
REHA 4011	Occupational Therapy Practice 4B	20
	Credit Points	40
	Total Credit Points	320