Handbook : Course informationEdith Cowan University

Course Information

Bachelor of Osteopathy Honours

Effective from 01-JAN-2027 : Code C00

An osteopath is an allied health professional who provides direct manual therapy interventions including exercise prescription and lifestyle advice to improve movement, reduce pain, and manage and/or treat a range of physical impairments. Graduates will have core knowledge and skills in applied anatomy, physiology and pathophysiology, patient assessment, care and communication, critical thinking skills, occupational health and safety, infection control and quality assurance, osteopathy, health, education, digital health, leadership, and cultural responsiveness.

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.

Clinical or professional work placement Requirement

Students are required to undertake at least 546 hours of clinical practice as part of this course with partner healthcare providers in Western Australia. Practicum hours are usually unpaid, may require substantive time commitment, may be undertaken a substantive distance from the student’s main campus or residence, may be required in multiple sites / services.

Duty of care

To be eligible to undertake clinical practice and fulfil their duty of care, students are required to complete risk management protocols on commencement of the course and carry out amendments in subsequent semesters, as appropriate. Risk management protocols include, but are not restricted to: Certificate of National Police Clearance Current WA Department of Health Criminal Record Screening Clearance Card Current First Aid Certificate Department of Education and Training National Criminal History Record Check Evidence of immunisation status as per the Department of Health schedule, more information at <a href="http://www.health.wa.gov.au/circularsnew/circular.cfm?Circ_ID=12891">http://www.health.wa.gov.au/circularsnew/circular.cfm?Circ_ID=12891</a> MRSA clearance if worked in, or been admitted to, a health facility outside of Western Australia in the 12 months prior to enrolment Working with Children Check, more information at www.workingwithchildren.wa.gov.au Due to the practical nature of the Osteopathy 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 practicum hours during the hours established by the host health agency providing the clinical placement, held across a full year. These hours may occur at times outside the identified semester weeks, and clinical practice periods may change with minimal notice to students due to circumstances outside the control of the School.

Professional practice rules

The practice education/fieldwork component of the course needs supervisors to be registered and in good standing with the Osteopathy Board of Australia.

Implications of failing

The practicum/fieldwork component of the course is attached to core units and successful completion of these core units are requirements for graduation. A pass grade for the practicum/fieldwork component is required to achieve a pass for the relevant core unit. Students who fail the practicum/fieldwork component are required to repeat the unit. This could increase the duration of the course.

Course Learning Outcomes

1. Apply research skills, advanced knowledge and evidence-based theory of osteopathy and the health professions across different contexts.
2. Use clinical reasoning, best available evidence, and patient preferences to inform complex patient-centred care.
3. Anticipate challenges and initiate solutions for improved patient care in the practice of osteopathy.
4. Critically assess the quality, relevance and reliability of information and evidence to inform effective osteopathy practice and research.
5. Clearly communicate knowledge, evidence and theory of osteopathy to a variety of audiences with independence.
6. Co-create management plans to deliver culturally responsive services for individuals, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
7. Work collaboratively as a member of a diverse, inter-professional healthcare community to deliver safe and ethical practice.
8. Critically reflect on personal osteopathic practice and scholarship to ensure ongoing safe and effective healthcare.

Professional Recognition

Course

This course has been Conditionally Accredited by: Australian Osteopathic Accreditation Council (AOAC).

Registration

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

The student is required to register with the Osteopathy Board of Australia (Ahpra) before starting their first professional placement.

Membership

Students can apply for membership with Osteopathy Australia. Students studying osteopathy at an Australian university are eligible for free student membership with Osteopathy Australia.

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's 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 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

ECU’s minimum English standard requirements for this course may be satisfied with one of the following:

• Year 12 English ATAR/English Literature ATAR grade C or better or equivalent;
• Special Tertiary Admissions Test;*
• Successfully completed 1.0 EFTSL of study at bachelor level or higher in the UK, Ireland, USA, NZ or Canada;
• University Preparation Course;
• Indigenous University Orientation Course;*
• AQF Diploma, Advanced Diploma or Associate Degree; or
• Successfully completed 0.375 EFTSL of study at bachelor level or higher at an Australian higher education provider (or equivalent).

* Further information can be found on the Study course entry page.

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). Osteopaths are Ahpra registered professionals and ECU will achieve Ahpra recognition of our course prior to course commencement. ECU will be required to report current and graduating students annually following normal processes used for other Ahpra accredited courses.

Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) level

This course has been accredited by ECU as an AQF Level 8 Bachelor Honours Degree Award.

Course Duration

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

Course Delivery

• Joondalup: Full Time, Part Time

Non standard timetable requirements

For practicum placements there could be requirements for non-standard timetable.

Course Coordinator

A/Prof Carolyn MCINTYRE

Course Structure

Note: Students undertaking the graded Honours pathway should enrol in OST5201 Osteopathy Honours: Thesis 2 in place of OST4203 Osteopathy Project.

^ Core Option