Bachelor of Occupational Therapy
at Australian Catholic University, New South Wales.
A four-year occupational therapy degree at North Sydney (fully accredited by the Occupational Therapy Council) and Canberra. Ranks shown are for North Sydney; Canberra's 2026 figure was 75.85. Includes up to 1,000 hours of fieldwork and an integrated honours option.
Lowest selection rank
The lowest selection rank (LSR) is the lowest ATAR plus adjustment factors (equity, subject and regional bonuses) that received an offer to the ACU Bachelor of Occupational Therapy for that intake. Universities publish it in their admissions student profiles. Only intakes with a published figure are listed.
| Intake | Lowest selection rank | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 91.55 | uac.edu.au |
| 2025 | 90.00 | uac.edu.au |
| 2024 | 92.05 | uac.edu.au |
| 2023 | 91.75 | uac.edu.au |
A lowest selection rank describes a past intake, not a guaranteed entry score. Check the current entry requirements on the official course page before you apply through UAC.
Prerequisite Year 12 subjects
No formal Year 12 subject prerequisites; assumed knowledge may still apply.
What you will study
Study areas include occupational therapy theory and practice, community health, accident rehabilitation and health sciences, applied across children, adults and older people. Fieldwork and clinical placements add up to about 1,000 hours across the degree. Honours is offered on merit and integrated into third and fourth years.
Placement and industry experience
Students complete up to 1,000 hours of fieldwork and clinical placements across the course. State legal and health-policy requirements must be met before placements begin.
Career outcomes
- Graduates work as registered occupational therapists in hospitals, schools, NDIS providers, mental-health services and community rehabilitation after AHPRA registration.
- First-year jobs typically include hospital rotational positions, paediatric OT roles in NDIS practices and aged-care providers across Sydney and Melbourne.
- Many alumni progress to specialty practice in hand therapy, mental health, paediatrics or sensory integration and pursue postgraduate clinical study.
Professional accreditation
- Occupational Therapy Council of Australia (North Sydney fully accredited)
- Ahpra registration eligible
Typical first jobs
- OT at NSW Health hospitals (acute, rehab, paediatrics)
- Community OT in NDIS-funded private practice
- Paediatric OT in clinic and school-based practice
- Mental health OT in inpatient and community settings
- Aged-care OT in residential and community programs
- Rural and remote OT under NSW Health rural pathways
Graduate starting salary
$70,000 - $80,000 per year
Source: health.nsw.gov.au. Last reviewed 2026-05-21.
After graduation
The program is fully accredited by the Occupational Therapy Council of Australia at North Sydney, so graduates can apply for registration with the Occupational Therapy Board of Australia (Ahpra). Graduates work in hospitals, community health, mental health, disability and aged care.
Is this the right degree for you?
You probably thrive here if
- Students who like creative problem solving across physical, cognitive and mental health
- Those willing to work across hospital, community and NDIS settings
- People comfortable with paediatrics and elderly patient interaction
- Students happy to do unpaid placement blocks
- Those committed to a values-driven, regulated profession
It is probably not for you if
- Students uncomfortable with disability, mental health and aged-care content
- Those unwilling to do extensive unpaid placements
- Anyone seeking high starting salary out of undergraduate study
Careers this leads to
Australian career pathways that name this Bachelor of Occupational Therapy as an entry route. Each page shows uni, TAFE and apprenticeship alternatives.
Related courses at ACU
Sources
Course details are summarised by ExamExplained, not copied from the university. Confirm course content and selection ranks on the Australian Catholic University website and on UAC before applying.