Occupational
Therapy

Promoting health and wellbeing through occupation

Are you seeking a profession providing broad specialisations of practice? Could you help others participate fully in their daily lives after experiencing injury or body impairment?

The Bachelor of Occupational Therapy course offered at Australian Catholic University's Melbourne Campus (and North Sydney Campus from 2013) will equip with you skills and knowledge to become a competent occupational therapist. You will be equipped to practice in a wide range of settings including:

• hospitals
• health centres
• homes
• workplaces
• schools
• rehabilitation centres
• and aged care.

Occupational Therapists primary role is to enable individuals, groups and communities, who have been injured or experience impairment to a bodily structure or function, to:

• participate in activities which are meaningful to them
• reflect their beliefs and values
• and produce a sense of accomplishment or satisfaction.

Occupational Therapists can work with an array of patients from children to adults and help them to adapt, cope and overcome the demands and activities of their daily lives.

Industry Experience

You must participate in clinical experience to become a registered Occupational Therapist. This will help you develop the essential skills and knowledge necessary to be competent and successful in practice.

Students will complete a number of clinical placements to help them develop skills in:

• problem-solving, developing an integrated approach to assessing and understanding individuals’ problems
• identifying when assistance is needed
• applying assessment
• treatment
• specific techniques in the clinical setting.

Career pathways

Occupational therapy can offer excellent employment opportunities in a variety of settings and often work as part of an integrated healthcare team. Graduates can work in areas that include:

• working with children to develop and improve motor skills and hand/eye coordination
• working in hospitals, rehabilitation and aged care
• specialist interventions in various health conditions including surgery, burns, HIV and acute mental health
• injury management including assessments to:
• • determine functional requirements
  • modify work environments
  • design return to work programs and more.
• Mental health
• • working with clients to enhance independence in everyday activities
  • encouraging self confidence and self esteem
  • developing strategies for coping with their health and wellbeing
  • working as an occupational health and safety office/advisor
  • working as a policy advisor for the Government.

Would you like to know more?

Telephone: 1300 ASK ACU (1300 275 228)
Email: futurestudents@acu.edu.au

Admission to the Bachelor of Occupational Therapy course will be via VTAC.

• Download course flyer - Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (PDF, 355kb)