Master of Occupational Therapy
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.
Deferring
Due to limited capacity, students will be unable to defer their place in this course.
You're invited to our 2025 Study Expo
Join us this January to meet academics, browse courses, get application help, explore our Hawthorn campus and find out all you need to know about starting in Semester 1.
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
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.
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 | |
|
Enabling Participation: Complex Conditions and Populations
Core unit, 12.5 credit points |
OCC80045 |
|
Enabling Participation: Mental Health 1
Core unit, 12.5 credit points |
OCC70060 |
|
Enabling Participation: Mental Health 2
Core unit, 12.5 credit points |
OCC80060 |
|
Enabling Participation: Children
Core unit, 12.5 credit points |
OCC60025 |
|
Enabling Participation: Children
Core unit, 12.5 credit points |
OCC60025 |
|
Enabling Participation: Musculoskeletal and Neurological 2
Core unit, 12.5 credit points |
OCC70020 |
|
Evidence Review
Core unit, 12.5 credit points |
OCC80055 |
|
DFM Toolbox: Innovation and Interdisciplinary Collaboration 1
Core unit, 12.5 credit points |
DDD80012 |
|
An Occupational Perspective of Health
Core unit, 12.5 credit points |
OCC60005 |
|
Enabling Participation: Musculoskeletal and Neurological 1
Core unit, 12.5 credit points |
OCC60020 |
|
DFM Practice: Innovation & Interdisciplinary Collaboration 2
Core unit, 12.5 credit points |
DDD80013 |
|
Enabling Participation: Advanced Practice
Core unit, 12.5 credit points |
OCC80050 |
2025 fees
Yearly fee* ($AUD)
$35,280
Total fee* ($AUD)
$70,560
Commonwealth Supported Yearly Fee* ($AUD)
$9,314
Commonwealth Supported Total Fee* ($AUD)
$18,628
2025 fees
Yearly fee* ($AUD)
$46,160.00
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 2025 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, based on a standard study load per year. Fees are assessed according to actual study load each semester, with variations to study load resulting in tuition fee adjustments. These fees generally include the Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF) and are subject to annual review. Enrolled students will receive reasonable notice of any fee changes before payment is due.
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 2025.
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 is the capped amount for 2025.
Please refer to the Student Services Amenities Fee page for more information.
SSAF fee* ($AUD)
$365
SSAF fee* ($AUD)
$365
Accreditation placement fees
Placement opportunities at Swinburne are designed to provide valuable experience, promote career readiness, and recognise the importance of practical skills in achieving your goals. Students attending placements will be required to cover fees with costs ranging from approximately $350 to $600, depending on the specific course.
Scholarships
Scholarship applications for 2025 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.
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!
Last date to apply
- Semester 2, 2025 – Domestic: Friday 31 January 2025
- Semester 2, 2025 – International: Friday 17 January 2025
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.