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Discipline info for Australian students
Interested in Occupational Therapy?
Join South Australia’s No.1 university for graduate careers in occupational therapy.1
Start your unstoppable career in occupational therapy, and be at the forefront of helping people of all ages to actively participate in society, irrespective of limitations. UniSA has more than 50 years’ experience in occupational therapy education, strong industry partnerships and a curriculum informed by above world-class research in occupational therapy.2
Our Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (Honours) is the only fully accredited undergraduate four-year occupational therapy degree in South Australia. You'll build strong industry connections through our partnerships and alliances, and get extensive hands-on experience in real-word settings.
Students who have already completed a bachelor’s degree and meet entry requirements may be eligible for the Master of Occupational Therapy (Graduate Entry). This intensive master’s degree will qualify you to practise as a registered occupational therapist in just two extra years of study.
1ComparED (QILT) Graduate Outcomes Survey 2019-21, Rehabilitation – Full-time Employment Indicator (Undergraduate). SA public universities. 2Results in Clinical Sciences - 2018 Excellence in Research for Australia (ERA).
Key features
- Study South Australia’s only fully accredited bachelor's degree in occupational therapy.
- Take part in more than 1,000 hours of real-world practice placements while you study.
- Benefit from our strong partnerships and alliances with not-for-profit organisations, aged care facilities and community restorative programs, health and disability, and children’s service providers.
- Study a degree informed by above world-class research in occupational therapy.1
- Learn from award-winning teaching staff, academics, practicing health professionals and researchers in the field.
- Develop your ability to independently undertake research.
1Results in Clinical Sciences - 2018 Excellence in Research for Australia (ERA).
UniSA is an unstoppable university for unstoppable people.1 As one of the World’s Top Young Universities2, we’ll ensure you get the experience your future profession demands so it’ll feel like you’re studying one minute and in a career the next.
Our enterprising spirit has made UniSA a renowned centre of innovation in the sectors driving Australia's future forward, including health. This is your chance to position yourself with advanced knowledge and skills in an area of rapid change.
Occupational therapists empower people to live full and rewarding lives, every day. With UniSA, you'll learn how to help people overcome constraints caused by injury or illness, as well as emotional, developmental, environmental, societal, age-related and psychological limitations.
You’ll graduate with the skills needed to succeed as an innovative and caring occupational therapist. With a strong focus on practical skills, you’ll get over 1,000 hours of real-world experience from field placements in health and rehabilitation centres, community agencies, kindergartens, schools, and aged care facilities.
We have 50 years’ experience of teaching and research in this field. In fact, UniSA is Australia’s youngest university to receive five-stars in research3, and this excellence shines through in our teaching. We're inspired by challenges and opportunities, and partner with local icons and international organisations to deliver impact and change.
1UNSTOPPABLE® is a Kellogg Company trade mark used under licence. 2Ranked #46, 2022 THE Young University Rankings, Ranked #29, 2021 QS Top 50 Universities Aged Under 50. 32022 QS Stars Rankings.
UniSA offers the following Occupational Therapy degrees
Choose your level of study
Short programs
Are you after a career change or looking to upgrade your existing skills? Or perhaps you just have an interest in a particular subject area and want to further your experience, skills and knowledge. We offer a suite of short programs that will allow you to build your knowledge and skill set.
Designed in collaboration with expert academics, program content is industry-relevant and up-to-date. Short programs include:
World-class partners for a world-class university
We are a globally connected university with over 2,500 industry and professional relationships that support student internships, research and community engagement.
Occupational therapists can gain employment in a range of health settings, including:
- public and private hospitals
- private practice
- community mental health services
- ambulatory and rehabilitation services
- aged care facilities and community restorative care services
- local council services
- government departments
- schools
- not-for-profit and non-government sector
This degree prepares you for working overseas, as the qualification is recognised in most countries. You may also choose to pursue a career in research – graduates with honour's degrees are highly sought after by prospective employers, particularly within academia and research settings.
Global networks
As a globally connected university, our staff and students come from over 90 countries. We have more than 2,500 industry and professional relationships that support student internships, research and community engagement. Our students have completed placements and internships with organisations like:
- Helping Hand Aged Care
- Royal Adelaide Hospital
- Brain Injury Rehabilitation Service
- Disability SA
- Department for Education and Child Development
- Domiciliary Care
- The Muscular Dystrophy Association SA
- Repatriation General Hospital
Industry facts
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How do I apply?
The way you apply for UniSA will depend on the undergraduate or postgraduate coursework degree you're interested in studying.
The majority of applications are made via the South Australian Tertiary Admissions Centre (SATAC). Check out more information on the SATAC website and follow the appropriate process for your degree of interest.
There are a small number of degrees that you need to apply for through the other processes, either direct to the Academic Unit or through the Apply Online portal. The process you need to follow will be listed on the 'How to Apply' section of the degree homepage, but you'll also be taken to where you need to go if you hit the 'apply' button.
If you are interested in studying one of our 100% online degrees you'll need to apply directly to UniSA Online.
You can find more information about the application processes for UniSA on our How to Apply webpage.
If you're more interested in applying for a postgraduate degree by research, check out and follow the information in our step by step guide to applying. -
Is there a closing date for applications?
Applications for all degrees will close ahead of study commencing, but the timelines may vary for undergraduate and postgraduate degrees.
Undergraduate
The deadline to apply to study a degree at UniSA for semester one (commencing late February) and be guaranteed equal consideration is generally in very late November or early December. While you may be able to apply after this date, you are not guaranteed to be considered equally with other applicants and your application may not be assessed in time for the main round of offers. More competitive degrees may not make any offers after the main offer round. Find more information on the Key Dates section of the SATAC website, but you can also call the Future Student Enquiries team for more information on 08 8302 376.
Postgraduate
Many postgraduate by coursework degrees do not have set closing dates. The exceptions are highly competitive degrees, so it is best to check – either on the degree homepage on the SATAC website or by checking with our Future Student Enquiries team.
As most postgraduate applications are assessed as they are submitted and offers are continuous, there are no set closing dates for applications. Degrees can be filled and closed with little notice so it is best to apply as soon as possible to avoid missing out on a place. For more information, please contact our Future Student Enquires team on (08) 8302 2376 or submit an enquiry. -
What credit can I receive for previous studies?
You may be eligible for credit or advanced standing for your chosen UniSA degree based on your previous studies, if they are in a related area and completed within a certain timeframe. Receiving credit or RPL will reduce the number of courses you undertake within the degree, and may also reduce the overall duration of your degree. You can read more about our pre-existing credit agreements through our online Credit Assessor. If you have related industry experience, you may also be eligible to receive recognised prior learning (RPL) for this experience. Credit and RPL is assessed by the Program Director once you've received an offer, and you apply through UniSA's current student experts, Campus Central.
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Can I speak to someone regarding my study options?
Future Student Enquiries welcomes the opportunity to meet with you to discuss your study options at UniSA. We can discuss degree information, entry requirements and pathways, applications, general career outcomes and student life, so you have the information to make the best study decision for your future. Head to our Book an Appointment webpage to find a date and time to speak with us, and take your next steps on journey to university study.
What others are saying
Placements provided me with the opportunity to explore different occupational therapy fields such as paediatrics, mental health, and aged care. I also had the opportunity to work with a peer to manage a collaborative, community-oriented project in a local hospital stroke ward.
Lealei Tan
Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (Honours)
As the first Aboriginal occupational therapist in South Australia I have a passion to lead and support other Indigenous allied health professionals to follow in my footsteps. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the enormity of closing the gap in Aboriginal health inequality but I’m committed to playing my part.
Trevor Ritchie
Bachelor of Occupational Therapy
I was interested in helping people maintain or regain their independence at an occupational level. I liked that I would have the ability to work with people at different developmental stages, whether it be children or the elderly community.
Brian Lai
Master of Occupational Therapy (Graduate Entry)
By assisting children to play, learn and become independent we are setting them on the path to adulthood. Creating a clinic shaped to the needs of our clients and their families has been an uplifting and exciting adventure. We speak of foundational building blocks in occupational therapy and studying with UniSA was the first building block for my career.
Rochelle Mutton
Bachelor of Occupational Therapy
Founder and Director, Motivate Kids
Why study at UniSA?
As one of the most innovative universities in Australia and Asia, there are many reasons to study with us. Here are just three:
Accessible, helpful and flexible
We have six campuses, a 24/7 online learning environment, and we offer flexible study options like online and evening courses.
Graduate success
UniSA is South Australia's number one university for graduate careers.*
*ComparED (QILT) Graduate Outcomes Survey 2019-21 – Full-time Employment Indicator (Undergraduate). SA public universities.
A five star university
Five stars for research, employability, teaching, facilities, internationalisation, inclusiveness and innovation*
*2022 QS Stars Ratings
