Overview

The Master of Occupational Therapy prepares you with the skills to further your professional healthcare knowledge and help transform the lives of those with neurological, musculoskeletal or mental health issues. This course is designed for self-directed practitioners capable of working in community, acute and rehabilitation settings. Upon graduation, you’ll be eligible to practice as a qualified occupational therapist.

View Master of Occupational Therapy course handbook
Deferring

Due to limited capacity, students will be unable to defer their place in this course.

Is your course available for Midyear entry?

Starting midyear means getting your study goals under way before the year is over. Semester 2 begins Monday 29 July, 2024.

Upgrade your skills

  • Combine an occupational lens with design
  • Combine an occupational lens with technology
  • Become an evidence-based practitioner
  • Supporting groups to participate in everyday life
  • Supporting individuals to participate in everyday life

Stretch your career further

  • Careers in rehabilitation
  • Careers in private practice
  • Mental health settings
  • Community health settings
  • Forensic settings

Key codes

CRICOS course code
089748J
International student visa

International students in Australia who hold student visas are required to study full-time and on campus. Courses that are taught entirely online are only available to international students studying outside Australia or those in Australia who are not on a student visa. Online courses are not available to international students in Australia who hold a student visa.

Strong industry connections and co-creation

Our post graduate program connects students to organisations where they can undertake industry placements to gain practical, hands-on experience. Here are some of the organisations and networks our students have connected with:

  • World Federation of Occupational Therapists and the Occupational Therapy Council (Australia and New Zealand)
  • Major health networks
  • Community organisations
  • Aged care facilities
  • Schools

Professional accreditations

The Master of Occupational Therapy is accredited by the Occupational Therapy Council of Australia Ltd (OTC) and approved by the Occupational Therapy Board of Australia (OTBA).  Graduates will be eligible to apply for registration as an occupational therapist with the OTBA.  The program is also approved by the World Federation of Occupational Therapists.

Why Swinburne?

Rated top 20% of Australian universities for PG Overall Experience

92.9% of PG graduates found full-time employment after graduating

Rated top 20% of Australian universities for PG Teaching Quality

Awarded 5-stars for PG teaching quality (overall)

Qualifications

Applicants are required to have completed one of the following in the last 10 years with a GPA of 65%:

  • a bachelor degree (or higher award); or
  • a Postgraduate degree

AND

  • completed at least one anatomy and physiology undergraduate unit (such as BIO10004 Anatomy and Physiology); or
  • an equivalent anatomy and physiology bridging course.

Applicants who are already registered Occupational Therapists in Australia or overseas are not eligible to be considered for this course, unless their qualification is not recognised by the World Federation of Occupational Therapists.

Applicants are required to have completed one of the following in the last 10 years with a GPA of 65%:

  • a bachelor degree (or higher award); or
  • a Postgraduate degree

AND

  • completed at least one anatomy and physiology undergraduate unit (such as BIO10004 Anatomy and Physiology); or
  • an equivalent anatomy and physiology bridging course.

Applicants who are already registered Occupational Therapists in Australia or overseas are not eligible to be considered for this course, unless their qualification is not recognised by the World Federation of Occupational Therapists.

Successful completion of Australian Year 12, or equivalent overseas qualification.

Other requirements

Students enrolled in this course may be required to complete an annual N95 Mask Fit Test prior to commencing placement. The relevant fee is the responsibility of the student.

Successful applicants must maintain a current Working with Children Check (from the Appropriate State Authority), NDIS worker screen and a current Police Check throughout the duration of the course. Students of this course are required to provide up-to-date evidence of immunisations prior to attending the placements necessary in this course. Additional immunisations in compliance with government policy or the specific requirements of the organisation you attend for your placement. Applicants are required to provide an academic transcript with their application.

Admission requirements

Meeting the minimum entry requirements for the course does not guarantee an offer of a place. See admission requirements for general information about the admission process.

English language requirements

Demonstrate English proficiency in one of the following:

  • IELTS overall band of 7.0 (Academic Module) with no individual band below 7.0
  • or equivalent measures available at English language requirements.
Need to undertake an English assessment for entry?

A prerequisite for many courses, the Pearson Test of English (PTE Academic) can now be done at our Hawthorn campus.

Credit transfer

Credit is granted in recognition of previous study and/or experience and allows students to gain advanced standing towards their course. Applicants are assessed on a case-by-case basis.

Recognition of prior learning

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) allows students to gain credit (advanced standing) towards their course in recognition of skills and knowledge gained through work experience, life experience and/or formal training. Applicants are assessed on a case-by-case basis.

How credit points work

To qualify for the award of Master of Occupational Therapy students must complete 200 credit points comprising of eleven (11) core units of study (137.5 credit points) and three (3) professional practice units of study (62.5 credit points) – 1,000 hours in total.

11
Core units
+
3
Professional practice units
=
Masters degree

Professional placements

It is a mandated requirement of the World Federation of Occupational Therapists and the Occupational Therapy Council (Australia and New Zealand) Ltd that all students will undertake 1000 hours of professional practice training including 800 hours of work placements and at least 240 hours of other professional practice activities in other units. Work placements are organised into three full-time blocks (20 weeks total). Swinburne will organise the student placement program.

Placements will be undertaken in agencies which: provide short-term or long-term therapy, are community or hospital focused, with clients across the lifespan. Clients will experience occupational performance problems as a result of mental health, neurological or musculoskeletal impairments. Every client will be experiencing some limitation in what they need, want or expect to be able to do. It is intended that students be offered a variety of placement experiences during their enrolment.

Your units

Units of study Unit code
Core units
An Occupational Perspective of Health
Core unit, 12.5 credit points
OCC60005
Enabling Participation: Mental health 1
Core unit, 12.5 credit points
OCC60010
Enabling Participation: Musculoskeletal and Neurological 1
Core unit, 12.5 credit points
OCC60020
Enabling Participation: Mental Health 2
Core unit, 12.5 credit points
OCC70010
Enabling Participation: Musculoskeletal and Neurological 2
Core unit, 12.5 credit points
OCC70020
Enabling Participation: Children
Core unit, 12.5 credit points
OCC80030
Enabling Participation: Complex Conditions and Populations
Core unit, 12.5 credit points
OCC80045
Evidence Review
Core unit, 12.5 credit points
OCC80055
Enabling Participation: Advanced Practice
Core unit, 12.5 credit points
OCC80050
Professional Practice 1
Core unit, 12.5 credit points, 4 weeks of placement
OCC60015
Professional Practice 2
Core unit, 25.0 credit points, 8 weeks of placement
OCC70015
Professional Practice 3
Core unit, 25.0 credit points, 8 weeks of placement
OCC80015
DFM Toolbox: Innovation and Interdisciplinary Collaboration 1
Core unit, 12.5 credit points
DDD80012
DFM Practice: Innovation & Interdisciplinary Collaboration 2
core unit, 12.5 credit points
DDD80013

2024 fees

Yearly fee* ($AUD)

$33,900

Total fee* ($AUD)

$67,800

Commonwealth Supported Yearly Fee* ($AUD)

$8,948

Commonwealth Supported Total Fee* ($AUD)

$17,896

2024 fees

Yearly fee* ($AUD)

$43,940.00

Fees are estimates only

The student tuition fees as published are subject to change given individual circumstances at enrolment. These fees apply for units studied in 2024 only and may change for units studied in future years. If part-time study is permitted, annual fees will be proportionally lower based on the number of units taken per semester.

Fees are estimates only

The indicative course fees shown apply to international students for the relevant year only. They are based on a standard study load per year. However, please note that fees are assessed according to a student's study load in each semester, and variation to study load will result in an adjustment to tuition fees. International tuition fees are generally inclusive of Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF). All fees are subject to annual review and may be adjusted.

How do I pay my fees?

Two types of loans are available to assist with student study fees. Depending on eligibility, you’re able to apply for one of the loans outlined below.

  • FEE-HELP is a loan that’s available for full-fee paying higher education students. Depending on your eligibility, the Commonwealth Government can help pay all or part of your loan directly to Swinburne.
  • HECS-HELP is a loan and discount scheme that’s available if you’re enrolled in a Commonwealth-supported place. Depending on eligibility, a HECS-HELP loan can cover all or part of your contribution amount.

International students need to pay tuition fees up-front by the relevant due date. You can find the due dates on your Statement of Account.

To pay your fees:

  • log in to My Finances
  • check your Australian bank account details are correct 
  • check your Statement of Account to see how much you owe 
  • pay using your preferred payment method.

Eligibility for FEE-HELP

You’re eligible for a FEE-HELP loan if you are studying an undergraduate or postgraduate degree, or UniLink or OUA course at Swinburne, and you:

  • are an Australian citizen doing at least one unit of your course in Australia; or
  • hold a permanent humanitarian visa and will be living in Australia for the duration of your course; or
  • hold a New Zealand Special Category visa and meet the special eligibility requirements for New Zealand citizens
  • are undertaking bridging study for overseas trained professionals and will be living in Australia for the duration of this study
  • have not exceeded the new combined Help Loan limit.
     

The HELP limit is the maximum amount you can borrow from the government in your lifetime towards your education costs. It is fixed and cannot be topped up.

Eligibility for HECS-HELP

You are eligible for a HECS-HELP loan if you have been offered a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) for an undergraduate degree at Swinburne or a UniLink course, and you:

  • are an Australian citizen and doing at least one unit of your course in Australia; or
  • hold a permanent humanitarian visa and will be living in Australia for the duration of your course; or
  • hold a New Zealand Special Category visa and meet the special eligibility requirements for New Zealand citizens.

Student services and amenities fee

This funding serves to improve the student experience at Swinburne. You may use many or just some of the services and amenities that the fee provides.

The fee shown in the capped amount for 2024.

This funding serves to improve the student experience at Swinburne. You may use many or just some of the services and amenities that the fee provides.

This amenities fee is included within your annual tuition fee listed above. The fee shown in the capped amount for 2024.

Please refer to the Student Services Amenities Fee page for more information.

SSAF fee* ($AUD)

$351.00

SSAF fee* ($AUD)

$351.00

Scholarships

Scholarship applications for 2024 are open. Scholarships at Swinburne are about providing opportunity, promoting equity and recognising excellence and achievement. We want you to reach your potential and achieve your life and career goals. 

Our handy guide will assist you to gather documents for your application.

When you apply for a Swinburne course, we automatically consider you for an international scholarship of up to 20 per cent off your course fees – no separate application required! Just apply for your Swinburne course of choice and when we review your course application, we will also assess you for an international scholarship.

Apply through an agent

Most international students use an education agent to help them through the application process. Swinburne has agents all over the world that can help you with your application to study. Search for a Swinburne representative in your country. If your country is not listed, please contact us.

Representatives and agents
MA-OCC
Search for agents

Apply directly

Ready to take on a new challenge and reach your academic goals? If you already know which course you want to study and understand the entry requirements, what are you waiting for? Apply online! 

Intake closing dates:

  • Winter term -  5pm, Thursday 1 February 2024.
     

Please note that there are specific entry requirements for this course - before applying, please refer to the ‘How to enter this course’ in the ‘Entry Requirements’ section.

Course code
MA-OCC
Apply directly
Course code
MA-OCC
CRICOS code
089748J
Apply directly
Start dates
Location
Start dates
Winter term
Location
Hawthorn
Start dates
17-June-2024
Start dates
Location
Start dates
Winter term
Location
Hawthorn
Start dates
17-June-2024
Upcoming events
5th Australasian Youth Justice Conference 2024. Strengthening Connections: The Power of Relationships and Strong Service Partnerships
16-April-2024