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Bachelor of Occupational Therapy

This degree covers how to help people take part in everyday activities after injury, illness or disability, or when they face barriers to daily life.

Compare 22 providers
Illustration of a person working as occupational Therapist
How long it takes
3.5 to 4 years
full time
Entry ATAR
From 52.75
Lowest offered at Deakin University, 2026
How you can study
On campus
Includes a work placement
Leads on to
Occupational Therapist
$99,500 median pay, In demand
Taught by
22 providers
6 states and territories

Is this course right for you?

What the Bachelor of Occupational Therapy asks of you, and what you might want to check first.

It helps to have

  • an interest in helping people with everyday activities
  • good communication skills
  • a patient and practical approach to problem solving
  • the ability to work well in a team

Before you start

Each provider sets its own entry requirements, so check the ones you are considering.

Where this course can take you

Jobs this qualification is a recognised route into, and the study that can follow it.

Jobs you can do with it

  • Occupational Therapist

    Occupational therapists help people build or regain the skills they need for everyday activities, from getting dressed to returning to work.

    What else you need

    Complete an approved occupational-therapy programme, including practice education, and obtain professional registration. This catalogue groups awards: verify the chosen provider, programme and intake; the family-level link is not confirmation that every offering is approved.

    Median pay$99,500

    In demand

Pay is the median for everyone in the job, and “In demand” means the job is on the national shortage list.

Where you can study this course

There are 22 places you can study this course. When you compare them, check they teach it the way you want to study, how far you'd be from a campus, what it will cost you and what past students say about the teaching and support. They're listed by how often people search for them, and none of them pays to be here or to move up.

  • Monash University

    Peninsula, VIC

    4.3from 1,955 Google reviews

    ATAR
    81.1 lowest
    (90.5 median, 2026)
    How you study
    On campus
    Next intake
    Feb 2027
    Website for Monash University (opens in a new tab)

    What students like

    • Staff are supportive and resolve issues quickly

    What to weigh up

    • Admin replies can be slow
    • Feedback from teaching staff can be limited

  • Western Sydney University

    Campbelltown, NSW

    4.2from 1,872 Google reviews

    ATAR
    78.15 lowest
    (88 median, 2024)
    How you study
    On campus
    Website for Western Sydney University (opens in a new tab)

    What students like

    • Staff are friendly and supportive
    • Good academic experience and learning

    What to weigh up

    • Admin can be slow to respond

  • Charles Sturt University

    Albury - Wodonga, Port Macquarie, NSW

    4.0from 631 Google reviews

    ATAR
    58.25 lowest
    (70 median, 2024)
    How you study
    On campus
    (full or part time)
    Course page for Charles Sturt University (opens in a new tab)

  • Griffith University

    Brisbane South (Nathan), Gold Coast, QLD

    4.3from 1,317 Google reviews

    ATAR
    88.15 lowest
    (96.1 median, 2026)
    How you study
    On campus
    (full or part time)
    Next intake
    Mar 2027
    Fee
    $11,400 a year
    (Government-supported place)
    Website for Griffith University (opens in a new tab)

    What students like

    • Lecturers and tutors are supportive and approachable

    What to weigh up

    • Tutors can be slow to reply to emails
    • Enrolment and admin can be slow

  • Deakin University

    Geelong Waterfront, Warrnambool, VIC

    More about Deakin University

    4.4from 2,192 Google reviews

    ATAR
    52.75 lowest
    (63.2 median, 2026)
    How you study
    On campus
    (full or part time)
    Next intake
    Feb 2027
    Website for Deakin University (opens in a new tab)

    What students like

    • Lecturers are approachable, supportive and knowledgeable
    • Support services are helpful for students

    What to weigh up

    • Enrolment and admin can be slow

  • University of Canberra

    Canberra, ACT

    4.0from 487 Google reviews

    ATAR
    69.15 lowest
    (82.2 median, 2024)
    How you study
    On campus
    (full or part time)
    Website for University of Canberra (opens in a new tab)

    What students like

    • Staff are helpful and friendly

    What to weigh up

    • Teaching quality varies between staff

  • Southern Cross University

    Coffs Harbour, Gold Coast, NSW, QLD

    3.4from 183 Google reviews

    ATAR
    70 lowest
    (69 median, 2026)
    How you study
    On campus
    (full or part time)
    Fee
    $9,536 a year
    (Government-supported place)
    Website for Southern Cross University (opens in a new tab)

  • Flinders University

    5 campuses, SA

    4.3from 1,059 Google reviews

    How you study
    On campus
    (full or part time)
    Next intake
    Mar 2027
    Course page for Flinders University (opens in a new tab)

What you’ll learn

The main topics covered in the Bachelor of Occupational Therapy.

  • Human anatomy and physiology
  • Physical and mental health conditions
  • Assessment and intervention planning
  • Working with people across the lifespan
  • Cultural responsiveness
  • Supervised practice placements

Questions to ask before you enrol

Providers run this course differently, so the answers change from one to the next.

  1. When is the next intake, and how many are there each year?
  2. What is the total cost, including materials, checks and any placement costs?
  3. Can I study part time or online, and how does that change the length?
  4. Who arranges the work placement, and how many hours does it involve?
  5. Do the units count towards a higher qualification if I go on to study further?

Course Seeker, run by the Tertiary Admissions Centres and the Australian Government Department of Education. Google reviews. Pay and shortage status from Jobs and Skills Australia.