Course Overview

Bachelor of Occupational Therapy at Australian Catholic University in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia is a bachelor programme designed to give you both rigorous academic grounding and exposure to current practice in the field.

Study with academics who are active researchers and industry practitioners, with regular contact through seminars, tutorials, and project work.
Develop core knowledge in your first year before specialising through optional modules in later years tailored to your interests and career goals.
Build practical, transferable skills — analysis, communication, teamwork, and project delivery — that employers across sectors actively look for.
Access dedicated employability support including internships, placements, alumni mentoring, and a careers service that connects students to graduate roles.
Join a global student community with extracurricular societies, sports, volunteering, and study-abroad opportunities to round out your university experience.

The University at a Glance

Student Population

35,037

Staff Ratio

18.0:1

International

17.0%

Career Prospects

Employment Rate

81.0%

of graduates employed

Avg Starting Salary

£33,970

First-year earnings

Costs & Living

Intl. Tuition

Fee not confirmed

Check the university's official fee page Official fee page

Home Tuition

A$9,880

per year, maximum student contribution 2027 (indicative) Official fee page

City & Location

Major metropolitan (>1m inhabitants)

Course Curriculum

Year 1

Foundations of Bachelor of Occupational Therapy
Academic and Research Skills
Quantitative Methods
Introduction to Theory and Practice
Optional language or breadth module.

Year 2

Intermediate Bachelor of Occupational Therapy topics
Applied Methods and Tools
Group Project
Two optional pathway modules
Career and Industry Insights.

Year 3

Advanced Bachelor of Occupational Therapy
Independent Dissertation or Capstone Project
Two specialist optional modules aligned with your interests
Employability and Professional Development.

Entry Requirements

Subjects

Current Year 12 graduates Inherent requirements Inherent requirements: Check the essential components (knowledge, skills, capabilities) to achieve the course learning outcomes. Immunisations All Faculty of Health Sciences students must provide evidence of immunity against infectious diseases to be eligible to go on placement. Some vaccinations can take up to 6 months to complete, so start working towards them now. Comprehensive information about these requirements and the submission process of relevant documentation can be found at Work Integrated Learning at ACU . First aid certificate You must have a current 'Provide First Aid' certificate to go on placement. The certificate must be issued in your enrolling year (or no earlier than 1st July in the year prior) by a recognised national registered training organisation. The CPR component of your First Aid is valid for 12 months. Comprehensive information about these requirements and the submission process of relevant documentation can be found at Work Integrated Learning at ACU Uniforms Students are required to wear a professional uniform on placement, unless otherwise advised by the placement agency, and are required to purchase a student name badge. If you have classes in laboratories, you will also need to purchase a lab coat and safety eyewear. Details regarding uniform purchase are available via ACU's Work Integrated Learning site . Working with children check Applicants will be required to hold a valid Working with Children (WWC) Check for the relevant state prior to undertaking professional placements as part of this course. For more information see: Working with Children in Victoria Police record check Applicants will be required to hold a valid National Police Record Check for professional placements as part of this course. For more information see: Victoria Police national police record checks Recent Year 12 graduates Inherent requirements Inherent requirements: Check the essential components (knowledge, skills, capabilities) to achieve the course learning outcomes. Immunisations All Faculty of Health Sciences students must provide evidence of immunity against infectious diseases to be eligible to go on placement. Some vaccinations can take up to 6 months to complete, so start working towards them now. Comprehensive information about these requirements and the submission process of relevant documentation can be found at Work Integrated Learning at ACU . First aid certificate You must have a current 'Provide First Aid' certificate to go on placement. The certificate must be issued in your enrolling year (or no earlier than 1st July in the year prior) by a recognised national registered training organisation. The CPR component of your First Aid is valid for 12 months. Comprehensive information about these requirements and the submission process of relevant documentation can be found at Work Integrated Learning at ACU Uniforms Students are required to wear a professional uniform on placement, unless otherwise advised by the placement agency, and are required to purchase a student name badge. If you have classes in laboratories, you will also need to purchase a lab coat and safety eyewear. Details regarding uniform purchase are available via ACU's Work Integrated Learning site . Working with children check Applicants will be required to hold a valid Working with Children (WWC) Check for the relevant state prior to undertaking professional placements as part of this course. For more information see: Working with Children in Victoria Police record check Applicants will be required to hold a valid National Police Record Check for professional placements as part of this course. For more information see: Victoria Police national police record checks Applicants with Higher Education study Inherent requirements Inherent requirements: Check the essential components (knowledge, skills, capabilities) to achieve the course learning outcomes. Immunisations All Faculty of Health Sciences students must provide evidence of immunity against infectious diseases to be eligible to go on placement. Some vaccinations can take up to 6 months to complete, so start working towards them now. Comprehensive information about these requirements and the submission process of relevant documentation can be found at Work Integrated Learning at ACU . First aid certificate You must have a current 'Provide First Aid' certificate to go on placement. The certificate must be issued in your enrolling year (or no earlier than 1st July in the year prior) by a recognised national registered training organisation. The CPR component of your First Aid is valid for 12 months. Comprehensive information about these requirements and the submission process of relevant documentation can be found at Work Integrated Learning at ACU Uniforms Students are required to wear a professional uniform on placement, unless otherwise advised by the placement agency, and are required to purchase a student name badge. If you have classes in laboratories, you will also need to purchase a lab coat and safety eyewear. Details regarding uniform purchase are available via ACU's Work Integrated Learning site . Working with children check Applicants will be required to hold a valid Working with Children (WWC) Check for the relevant state prior to undertaking professional placements as part of this course. For more information see: Working with Children in Victoria Police record check Applicants will be required to hold a valid National Police Record Check for professional placements as part of this course. For more information see: Victoria Police national police record checks Applicants with VET study Inherent requirements Inherent requirements: Check the essential components (knowledge, skills, capabilities) to achieve the course learning outcomes. Immunisations All Faculty of Health Sciences students must provide evidence of immunity against infectious diseases to be eligible to go on placement. Some vaccinations can take up to 6 months to complete, so start working towards them now. Comprehensive information about these requirements and the submission process of relevant documentation can be found at Work Integrated Learning at ACU . First aid certificate You must have a current 'Provide First Aid' certificate to go on placement. The certificate must be issued in your enrolling year (or no earlier than 1st July in the year prior) by a recognised national registered training organisation. The CPR component of your First Aid is valid for 12 months. Comprehensive information about these requirements and the submission process of relevant documentation can be found at Work Integrated Learning at ACU Uniforms Students are required to wear a professional uniform on placement, unless otherwise advised by the placement agency, and are required to purchase a student name badge. If you have classes in laboratories, you will also need to purchase a lab coat and safety eyewear. Details regarding uniform purchase are available via ACU's Work Integrated Learning site . Working with children check Applicants will be required to hold a valid Working with Children (WWC) Check for the relevant state prior to undertaking professional placements as part of this course. For more information see: Working with Children in Victoria Police record check Applicants will be required to hold a valid National Police Record Check for professional placements as part of this course. For more information see: Victoria Police national police record checks Applicants with work and life experience Inherent requirements Inherent requirements: Check the essential components (knowledge, skills, capabilities) to achieve the course learning outcomes. Immunisations All Faculty of Health Sciences students must provide evidence of immunity against infectious diseases to be eligible to go on placement. Some vaccinations can take up to 6 months to complete, so start working towards them now. Comprehensive information about these requirements and the submission process of relevant documentation can be found at Work Integrated Learning at ACU . First aid certificate You must have a current 'Provide First Aid' certificate to go on placement. The certificate must be issued in your enrolling year (or no earlier than 1st July in the year prior) by a recognised national registered training organisation. The CPR component of your First Aid is valid for 12 months. Comprehensive information about these requirements and the submission process of relevant documentation can be found at Work Integrated Learning at ACU Uniforms Students are required to wear a professional uniform on placement, unless otherwise advised by the placement agency, and are required to purchase a student name badge. If you have classes in laboratories, you will also need to purchase a lab coat and safety eyewear. Details regarding uniform purchase are available via ACU's Work Integrated Learning site . Working with children check Applicants will be required to hold a valid Working with Children (WWC) Check for the relevant state prior to undertaking professional placements as part of this course. For more information see: Working with Children in Victoria Police record check Applicants will be required to hold a valid National Police Record Check for professional placements as part of this course. For more information see: Victoria Police national police record checks | Current Year 12 graduates ATAR This course uses the ATAR as part of its selection considerations. Regional adjustments Our Access ACU scheme encourages applicants to access opportunities at ACU. There are a few ways to receive adjustment points depending on where you live or where you attended school. These are automatically applied through the relevant Tertiary Admissions Centre - there is no need to apply separately. For further information, please see Adjustment factors Subject adjustment A study score of 40 in Biology, Chemistry, any English, Health and Human Development, Maths: Mathematical Methods, Maths: Specialist Mathematics or Psychology equals 3 aggregate points per study. A study score of 45 in Biology, Chemistry, any English, Health and Human Development, Maths: Mathematical Methods, Maths: Specialist Mathematics or Psychology equals 5 aggregate points per study. Overall maximum of 5 points. SEAS (Special Entry Access Scheme) Applicants who have experienced educational disadvantage are encouraged to apply for equity schemes. Depending on eligibility and your circumstances, an equity schemes application may provide support for your course application. For further information go to Australian Catholic University Equity schemes information and the Australian Catholic University website Recent Year 12 graduates ATAR This course uses the ATAR as part of its selection considerations. Subject adjustment A study score of 40 in Biology, Chemistry, any English, Health and Human Development, Maths: Mathematical Methods, Maths: Specialist Mathematics or Psychology equals 3 aggregate points per study. A study score of 45 in Biology, Chemistry, any English, Health and Human Development, Maths: Mathematical Methods, Maths: Specialist Mathematics or Psychology equals 5 aggregate points per study. Overall maximum of 5 points. SEAS (Special Entry Access Scheme) Applicants who have experienced educational disadvantage are encouraged to apply for equity schemes. Depending on eligibility and your circumstances, an equity schemes application may provide support for your course application. For further information go to Australian Catholic University Equity schemes information and the Australian Catholic University website Applicants with Higher Education study Entire academic record This course uses the entire academic record as part of its selection considerations. Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT) The STAT will be considered for most ACU courses for the following applicants who are 21 years of age or older: Applicants with no prior secondary school (Year 12) and/or Applications with no VET qualifications higher than a Certificate III and/or Applicants with secondary school (Year 12) results that do not meet the minimum entry requirement for the course For more information, please visit Entry to ACU Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT) Entire academic history Less than 12 months of a higher education study will be selected on their entire academic history. Applicants with 12 months or more of a higher education study will be considered on their GPA alone. SEAS (Special Entry Access Scheme) Applicants who have experienced educational disadvantage are encouraged to apply for equity schemes. Depending on eligibility and your circumstances, an equity schemes application may provide support for your course application. For further information go to Australian Catholic University Equity schemes information and the Australian Catholic University website Applicants with VET study Entire academic record This course uses the entire academic record as part of its selection considerations. Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT) The STAT will be considered for most ACU courses for the following applicants who are 21 years of age or older: Applicants with no prior secondary school (Year 12) and/or Applications with no VET qualifications higher than a Certificate III and/or Applicants with secondary school (Year 12) results that do not meet the minimum entry requirement for the course For more information, please visit Entry to ACU Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT) SEAS (Special Entry Access Scheme) Applicants who have experienced educational disadvantage are encouraged to apply for equity schemes. Depending on eligibility and your circumstances, an equity schemes application may provide support for your course application. For further information go to Australian Catholic University Equity schemes information and the Australian Catholic University website Applicants with work and life experience Entire academic record This course uses the entire academic record as part of its selection considerations. Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT) The STAT will be considered for most ACU courses for the following applicants who are 21 years of age or older: Applicants with no prior secondary school (Year 12) and/or Applications with no VET qualifications higher than a Certificate III and/or Applicants with secondary school (Year 12) results that do not meet the minimum entry requirement for the course For more information, please visit Entry to ACU Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT) SEAS (Special Entry Access Scheme) Applicants who have experienced educational disadvantage are encouraged to apply for equity schemes. Depending on eligibility and your circumstances, an equity schemes application may provide support for your course application. For further information go to Australian Catholic University Equity schemes information and the Australian Catholic University website | Year 12 prerequisites Units 3 and 4: a study score of at least 30 in English as an Additional Language or at least 25 in English other than EAL
Units 3 and 4: a study score of at least 25 in one of Biology, Chemistry or Physics. Non-Year 12 prerequisites Subject proficiency: As for year 12 or equivalent.

Source: CourseSeeker (Australian Government), retrieved September 2026. Always confirm the current requirements with the university.

Assessment Methods

Assessment is varied across the programme and may include: Written examinations across foundational modules; Coursework essays and analytical reports; Group and individual projects with presentations; Practical lab, studio, or fieldwork assessments where relevant; A final-year dissertation or capstone project that lets you specialise in a topic of your choice.

Campus & City Life

Student Population

35,037

Total students

Staff Ratio

18:1

Students per staff

International Students

17%

Of student body

Campus at a Glance

City Size

Major metropolitan (>1m inhabitants)

Climate (indicative)

Mild coastal

Safety Index (indicative)

8.0/10

Transport

Good (close to station or regional airport)

Social Scene

Friendly community | Coastal lifestyle

University Stats

Total Students35,037

Student-to-Staff Ratio18:1

International Students17%

Safety Index (indicative)8.0/10

Career & Outcomes

Graduate Employment

81%

Employed after graduation