Occupational therapy
Why study Occupational therapy?
Occupational therapy is about people's occupational needs and the loss of daily living skills that follow physical, emotional, psychological and social disorders. Occupational therapists help individuals to become more independent and maximise personal productivity, well-being and quality of life through occupational performance. Students will develop knowledge and skills in assessment and treatment, the therapeutic use of occupations, intervention techniques, the design of equipment and adaptation of environments. The course is a combined Masters-level training with undergraduate studies in health sciences in four years or psychological science in five years. Our course is accredited by Occupational Therapy Australia and the World Federation of Occupational Therapists.
Occupational Therapy at La Trobe
Career opportunities
Graduates work in health and welfare systems including general hospitals, rehabilitation centres, community health services, mental health agencies, health services for older people and children with special needs, and support services for intellectually disadvantaged people. You may also work in private practice or as a coordinator or consultant in areas such as occupational health and safety. You may apply for membership of the Australian Association of Occupational Therapists and register for practice in the United Kingdom, North America, Sweden and other countries (subject to national registration requirements).
Courses
Local students
2013
Bachelor of Health Sciences and Master of Occupational Therapy Practice
- Duration :
- 4 years full-time
- Semester starts :
- Semester 1 (March)
- Campus/ATAR:
- Albury-Wodonga n/a
- Bendigo 85.3
- Melbourne 81.95
- Mildura n/a
- Shepparton n/a
- Year
- 2013
- Course description
- Occupational therapists help people with various health conditions and/or disabilities improve their ability to perform tasks in their daily living and working environments. Aiming to qualify graduates to work in various occupational therapy (OT) roles, this course covers the knowledge and skills needed to assess and treat patients, including the use of occupations, intervention techniques, the design of equipment, and adaptation of environments. It also offers supervised clinical placements to help students develop a sound basis for professional practice.
For more information please visit the webpage of Frequently Asked Questions - Prerequisite
- VCE Units 3 & 4: Study score of at least 30 in English (ESL) or 25 in any other English, and at least 25 in one of Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics (any), Physical Education or Physics.
- Year 12 and non-year 12 extra requirements
- Current Year 12 applicants with relevant work experience (eg. health professional aide) must complete and submit a VTAC Personal History online - please include details of how work experience is relevant to occupational therapy. Non-Year 12 applicants must complete and submit a VTAC Pi form if they wish other information to be considered during the selection process - this may include information such as reasons for applying, work or community experience (please include details of how work experience is relevant to occupational therapy). Applicants must also include a statement on the VTAC Pi form (in their own words) demonstrating their knowledge of the occupational therapy profession. Applicants may wish to provide other documentation in support of their application.
For more information about VTAC Personal History online please visit our Extra Requirements page. - Middle band
- Consideration is given to Special Entry Access Scheme (SEAS) criteria. In addition, a regional bonus may apply.
- Costs
- Prior to commencing clinical or community placements, students must provide proof of immunisations. Costs may vary depending on previous immunisations, approximately A$250-$470.
A uniform costs approximately A$45. Students can buy items from any supplier; they remain students' personal property. Accommodation costs for clinical placement vary according to venue. All students must obtain a National Police Check at a cost of approximately A$15.50 and a Working With Children (WWC) check at no cost, before undertaking clinical professional placements. - Additional information
- This course has a clinical component. For further information, please visit the Health Sciences website.
- How to apply
- VTAC
- Professional recognition
- Graduates are eligible to apply for membership to the Australian Association of Occupational Therapists. The degree is also recognised by the World Federation of Occupational Therapists, allowing graduates to register in the United Kingdom, the USA, Sweden and other countries/regions (subject to national registration requirements).
- Full course details
- Health Sciences/Occupational Therapy Melbourne
Health Sciences/Occupational Therapy Bendigo
Want to know more?
Feel free to ask us a question about any course for local students.
Fees and scholarships
Undergraduate courses are Commonwealth Supported Places (CSP) for eligible Australian and New Zealand citizens. The domestic fee calculator can be used to calculate the cost of subjects this year.
There is also a wide range of scholarships available for local students.
International students
2013
Bachelor of Health Sciences and Master of Occupational Therapy Practice (062598G/ 044367E)
- Duration :
- 4 years
- Semester starts :
- Semester 1 (March)
- Annual Tution Fee (AUD) :
- 25 040
- Campus
- Bendigo, Melbourne
- Year
- 2013
- Course description
- Occupational therapists help people with various health conditions and/or disabilities improve their ability to perform tasks in their daily living and working environments. Aiming to qualify graduates to work in various occupational therapy (OT) roles, this course covers the knowledge and skills needed to assess and treat patients, including the use of occupations, intervention techniques, the design of equipment, and adaptation of environments. It also offers supervised clinical placements to help students develop a sound basis for professional practice.
For more information please visit the webpage of Frequently Asked Questions Bendigo, Melbourne - English Language Requirements
- Successful completion of English for Further Studies Advanced Stage 6B certificate at postgraduate (EFS PG2a (75%)) level conducted by a La Trobe Melbourne; for more information please visit the La Trobe Melbourne website.
IELTS (Academic) score of 7.0 with no individual band score less than 7.0;
TOEFL Paper-based Test - A minimum score of 600 with a score of 6 or more in the Test of Written English;
TOEFL Internet-based Test - A minimum score of 94 with a minimum for SLR 24; W27;
La Trobe Melbourne Foundation Studies: 85 per cent final result in a course;
English as the language of instruction in tertiary studies may be accepted. Please note: English as the language of instruction in previous study will not be accepted as a basis of admission (English) for courses where the approved test score requirement is above an IELTS 6.5 with no band score lower than 6.0.
Pearson Test of English (Academic) (PTE): minimum score of 72 with no communicative skill score less than 68.
Cambridge Certificate of Advanced English (CAE): a grade of A or higher.
Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE): A grade of B or higher.
or approved international equivalent. Bendigo, Melbourne - Academic entry requirements
- LTM Foundation Studies - 80 and minimum A in English
Aust. Yr 12 (ATAR) 2012 (indicative only) - 78.40
International Baccalaureate - 29
GCE A Levels - 13
Hong Kong A Levels - 8
HKDSE - 2x Level 5
Sri Lankan A Levels - AAB
STPM - 10.33
MICSS (UEC) - 3
Norway Upper Secondary Certificate - 5
Sweden Slutbetyg - VG
Canadian Secondary School/CPU - 80
All Indian Sen SC (Best 5 Subjects) - 80
Vietnam (Year 12) - 8.5
Indonesia (SMA) - 8.5
GAC Cert. IV - GPA 3.0
GAOKAO - see: the website
If you do not meet these entry requirements you might be interested in La Trobe's Foundation Studies and Diploma Programs, which provide an alternative pathway to La Trobe's undergraduate program. For more information please visit the La Trobe Melbourne website. Bendigo, Melbourne - Subject prerequisite
- One of Biology, Chemistry, Physics or Year 12 Mathematics. Bendigo, Melbourne
- Additional costs
- Prior to commencing clinical or community placements, students must provide proof of immunisations. Costs may vary depending on previous immunisations, approximately A$250-$470.
A uniform costs approximately A$45. Students can buy items from any supplier; they remain students' personal property. Accommodation costs for clinical placement vary according to venue. All students must obtain a National Police Check at a cost of approximately A$15.50 and a Working With Children (WWC) check at no cost, before undertaking clinical professional placements. Bendigo, Melbourne - Professional recognition
- Graduates are eligible to apply for membership to the Australian Association of Occupational Therapists. The degree is also recognised by the World Federation of Occupational Therapists, allowing graduates to register in the United Kingdom, the USA, Sweden and other countries/regions (subject to national registration requirements). Bendigo, Melbourne
- Full course details
- Health Sciences/Occupational Therapy Melbourne
Health Sciences/Occupational Therapy Bendigo
How to apply?
Enquire now about any course for international students or find out how to apply.
Fees and scholarships
Estimated fees for international students are indicated for each course above. Fees are indicative only and set at 120 credit points per course, unless otherwise stated, and may vary depending on the number of credit points in which students enrol. Some courses may vary in credit point load and fees will be adjusted accordingly.
There is also a range of scholarships available for international students to assist students.
Your study experience
Occupational therapy placements
You will do 1000 hours of professional practice placements in the final two years of your program. This consists of four weeks in third year and two eight-week blocks and a project placement in fourth year. The professional practice placement program provides experience in a variety of government and non-government agencies including hospitals, community agencies, schools and rehabilitation centres. You will experience working with people of different ages, recently acquired and long-standing health needs, and interventions that focus on the person, their occupation and the environment.
Inherent Requirements
Regional campus transfers
Students at the Albury-Wodonga, Mildura and Shepparton campuses must transfer to the Bendigo campus for the last three years of the course.
Overseas study opportunities
You may be eligible for our student exchange program.
Find out about the experiences of one of our students.
I always knew I wanted to work in a health field because I love the thought of helping people.
About the academic staff
You'll get to meet a large number of academics during your course, from tutors through to lecturers. You can view all the staff from the Faculty of Health Sciences or focus on staff in Occupational therapy.
Occupational therapy events
There are no upcoming Occupational therapy events. Browse other events.
