Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (Honours)
at The University of Newcastle, New South Wales.
A four-year full-time occupational therapy honours degree at Callaghan with 1,000 hours of professional practice starting in first year. There are no prerequisites; Biology and Mathematics Standard 2 are recommended. Graduates can register with the Occupational Therapy Board of Australia.
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 UoN Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (Honours) 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 | 90.05 | uac.edu.au |
| 2024 | 76.10 | uac.edu.au |
| 2023 | 87.75 | 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 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health, biomedical sciences (anatomy and physiology), communication and group processes, occupational science, occupational therapy theory and practical skills, psychology, and research methods and statistics. All students graduate with honours; entry to the graded honours stream is offered on merit at the end of third year.
Placement and industry experience
Starting in first year, students complete 1,000 hours of professional practice, mentored and supervised by qualified occupational therapists, in local, national or rural placements.
Career outcomes
- Graduates work as registered occupational therapists in Hunter New England Health hospitals, NDIS providers, schools and community mental-health services after AHPRA registration.
- First-year jobs typically include rotational hospital positions at John Hunter, paediatric OT in NDIS practices and aged-care providers across the Hunter and Central Coast.
- Many alumni move into specialty practice (hand therapy, paediatrics, mental health) and pursue postgraduate study in NDIS, rehabilitation or research.
Professional accreditation
- Occupational Therapy Board of Australia 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
Graduates are eligible to apply for registration as occupational therapists with the Occupational Therapy Board of Australia (Ahpra). They work in hospitals, community health, mental health, disability and private practice.
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
Related courses at UoN
Sources
Course details are summarised by ExamExplained, not copied from the university. Confirm course content and selection ranks on the University of Newcastle website and on UAC before applying.