Handbook : Course informationEdith Cowan University

Course Information

Bachelor of Science (Occupational Therapy)

Effective from 01-JAN-2026 : Code H96

Occupational therapy promotes health and well-being through enabling engagement in meaningful occupations, which are the tasks and roles that people need to and want to do. This course prepares occupational therapy graduates to have a sound understanding of theoretical concepts and knowledge as well as practical hands-on’ skills. Professional placements occur throughout the course and these experiences assist students to graduate work ready.

Disclaimer

This course information may be updated and amended immediately prior to semester. To ensure you have the correct outline, please check it again at the beginning of semester. In particular please check the course requirements and the unit and unit set offerings, as these differ according to course delivery location.

Practicum Requirement

In each year of the program, students undertake compulsory Professional Practice placements. Year 1 OCT1204 40 hours OCT1108 60 hours Year 2 OCT2100 80 hours OCT2105 136 hours Year 3 OCT3303 240 hours (Usually completed in a 6 week block) Year 4 OCT4201 minimum of 280 hours (Usually completed in a 7 week block and may include the Summer School period) OCT4202 minimum of 280 hours (Usually completed in a 7 week block and may include the Summer School period)

Duty of care

To be eligible to undertake professional practice and fulfil their duty of care, students are required to complete range of mandatory screens, checks and training. This includes but is not limited to the following: National Police Clearance Current WA Department of Health Criminal Record Screening Clearance Card Current First Aid Certificate Current National Disability Worker Screening Check Current Working with Children Check Department of Education and Training National Criminal History Record Check Evidence of immunisation status as per the Department of Health schedule, including flu/COVID vaccination MRSA clearance if worked in, or been admitted to, a health facility outside of Western Australia in the 12 months prior to enrolment. Due to the practical nature of the Occupational Therapy professions and protection of the public, there are inherent requirements applicable to this course that may impact upon the success of some potential students. Applicants and students with a disability or other issue likely to impact on their ability to perform in practice are encouraged to contact the Access and Inclusion Service to discuss their situation. More information can be found at <a href="https://www.ecu.edu.au/schools/medical-and-health-sciences/placements/inherent-requirements">https://www.ecu.edu.au/schools/medical-and-health-sciences/placements/inherent-requirements</a>

Attendance requirements

Students will be required to attend for hours and days as specified by the host organisation. These hours and days may occur outside of semester and outside of normal business hours. Additionally, due to circumstances beyond the control of the School, allocations may change with minimal notice to students. Students are provided with the opportunity to undertake part of this study in a rural or regional setting.

Application process

Student enrol into the appropriate unit after completing any pre-requisite units.

Professional practice rules

The professional practice component of the course needs to comply with the Professional Accreditation Standards for Occupational Therapy Entry Level Education Programs as devised by the Occupational Therapy Council (Australia and New Zealand) Ltd (OTC). Additionally, to comply with the World Federation of Occupational Therapists (WFOT) requirements students must complete a minimum of 1000 hours of professional practice education. Professional practice opportunities will require students to integrate knowledge, skills and attitudes to provide a service to a range of people with differing circumstances and needs. Students are required to be supervised and assessed by a registered occupational therapist.

Implications of failing

The professional practice component of the course is attached to core units and successful completion of these core units is a requirement to complete the occupational therapy course. A pass grade for the professional practice component is required to achieve a pass for the relevant core unit. Students who fail the professional practice component are required to repeat the unit. This could increase the time required to complete the occupational therapy course.

Course Learning Outcomes

1. Apply contemporary occupational therapy knowledge and skills to a broad range of theoretical and practical situations.
2. Think creatively and critically to anticipate challenges, and generate client-centred responses with individuals, groups, communities and populations.
3. Evaluate and synthesise information from digital technologies and other sources to support problem-solving and decision-making.
4. Communicate occupational therapy knowledge and ideas, clearly, coherently, and with independence.
5. Demonstrate cultural capability with respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples, and other cultures within society.
6. Work collaboratively to support effective client-centred practice in diverse teams and environments.
7. Demonstrate responsibility and accountability for own learning to ensure occupational therapy practice that is safe, ethical and lawful.
8. Demonstrate the competency standards required for occupational therapy registration in Australia.

Professional Recognition

Course

This course has been Approved by: World Federation of Occupational Therapists (WFOT).

This course has been Accredited by: Occupational Therapy Council of Australia Limited.
The Bachelor of Science (Occupational Therapy) (Pass and Honours) is accredited 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. The course is also approved by the World Federation of Occupational Therapists.

Registration

Students will need to graduate to be eligible to register with the Occupational Therapy Board of Australia . Registration with the Occupational Therapy Board of Australia is required to practice in the profession.

Admission requirements

Admission requirement (Band 4)

All applicants must meet the academic admission requirements for this course. The indicative or guaranteed ATAR is as published (where applicable) or academic admission requirements may be satisfied through completion of one of the following:

• AQF Diploma or equivalent;
• Undergraduate Certificate;
• Successfully completed 0.5 EFTSL of study at bachelor level or higher at an Australian higher education provider (or equivalent);
• Skills for Tertiary Admissions Test;
• University Preparation Course;
• Indigenous University Orientation Course; or

English Language requirement (Band 5)

In addition to satisfying ECU minimum English standard requirements for this course, all applicants must also demonstrate English language proficiency which aligns with the standards specified in the Ahpra and National Boards English language skills registration standard. 

https://www.ahpra.gov.au/Registration/Registration-Standards/English-language-skills/Accepted-English-language-tests.aspx

These requirements are as follows:

• IELTS Academic with a minimum overall score of 7.0 and a minimum score of 7.0 in each of the three components of listening, reading, and speaking, and a minimum score of 6.5 in the writing component.  This includes IELTS One Skill Retake (OSR).
  Note: Test results must be from one test sitting or two test sittings in a 12-month period.  Score requirements apply to all test dates (including tests taken from 23 April 2026).  When using two test sittings, no score in any component of the test(s) for either test sitting can be below 6.5, or 
   
• Pearson English Test (PTE) Academic^
• Occupational English Test (OET)^
• TOEFL iBT for Australia^ 
• Cambridge C1 Advanced or Cambridge C2 Proficiency^ 

^Please refer to the School of Medical and Health Sciences Band 5 English Proficiency Band requirements for details of the required individual test scores and test validity periods at https://www.ecu.edu.au/future-students/course-entry/english-proficiency-bands

Course Specific Admission Requirements

Portfolio pathway applications are not accepted for this course.

Reporting Obligations

ECU has an obligation to report details of all students enrolled in this course to Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (Ahpra). The University is required under the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law (WA) Act (2010) to provide the names of students undertaking this course to the Australian Health Professional Regulatory Authority (AHPRA), for the purposes of student registration. For further information please see the AHPRA web site www.ahpra.gov.au

Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) level

This course has been accredited by ECU as an AQF Level 7 Bachelor Degree Award.

Course Duration

• Full Time: 4 Years
• Part Time: 8 Years

Course Delivery

• Joondalup: Part Time, Full Time

Course Coordinator

Ms Katrina LIDDIARD

Course Structure

Please refer to the Course Coordinator for the timetable for the above 4th year units.

Note: Students with a Weighted Average Mark (WAM) of 70 per cent or higher after the first semester of third year of study may be invited to complete an Honours program. Those students will transfer to the Bachelor of Science (Occupational Therapy) Honours for the final year 3 semesters of study.