南澳大學

Designed for students who have completed a health-related bachelor’s degree, this program will provide you with the requirements to practise as a registered occupational therapist in just two extra years of study.

Registered occupational therapists assist people in managing constraints caused by injury or illness, as well as emotional, developmental, environmental, societal, age-related and psychological limitations. They help people of all ages achieve their goals, optimise their lifestyles and actively participate in society irrespective of limitations.

This Master’s degree ensures you graduate with the knowledge, skills and attributes needed to become an innovative and competent occupational therapist. With a strong focus on practical skills, you will complete more than 1,000 hours of field placements in settings such as health, rehabilitation, community agencies, children’s centres, kindergartens, schools, and aged care facilities, providing valuable hands-on experience that will enable a seamless transition from study to the workforce.

What you'll need

Students who undertake activities where interaction with patients/the public is required for their degree, such as field or clinical placements/visits and in University clinics and gyms, must demonstrate they meet mandatory pre-placement conditional requirements. These include criminal history clearance, a Working with Children Check and immunisation requirements. Please visit the Clinical Placement Unit for information on key requirements, and to access the full student checklists.

All students enrolled in a program leading to professional registration must be registered with the relevant National Board. The student registration process is undertaken by the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) with the University providing notification to AHPRA following enrolment in the program.

What you'll learn

You will study the major theoretical approaches and skills occupational therapists use to work with a broad range of clients.

In the first year you will focus on foundational occupational therapy knowledge and skills such as occupational science, environmental modification and occupational adaptation, evidence-based practice for occupational therapy outcomes, human neuroscience and professional competencies through simulated and part-time field work.

In the second year you will extend and apply knowledge to areas of practice such as mental health, chronic conditions and community, rehabilitation and return to work. As part of this, you will enjoy a collaborative project with a community agency.

Practical learning is a strong focus of this master’s degree and you will practice your skills in real scenarios when you complete 1,000 hours of field placements. Placements will take place in a variety of settings, such as health, disability and community agencies, kindergartens and aged care facilities.

The importance of critical thinking, superior communication skills, ethical action and problem solving are also explored in depth.