Bachelor of Occupational Therapy
at Western Sydney University, New South Wales.
A four-year full-time occupational therapy degree at Campbelltown with at least 1,000 hours of professional practice placements. There are no prerequisites (assumed knowledge: any 2 units of English). High achievers can graduate with honours.
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 WSU 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 | 90.00 | uac.edu.au |
| 2024 | 88.00 | uac.edu.au |
| 2023 | 82.00 | 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 are human behavioural sciences, human medical sciences, occupational therapy theory and practice, professional health competencies, and research methods and evidence-based practice. Years three and four focus predominantly on occupational therapy professional knowledge, skills and practice. Western recommends Chemistry, Physics plus Biology and/or Health and Movement Science at school. High-achieving students can graduate with a Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (Honours) at the end of the four years.
Placement and industry experience
Students complete a minimum of 1,000 hours of professional practice across a variety of placements and on-campus practicums. Placements can be in metropolitan or rural areas and require full-time attendance. Students must meet NSW Health compliance requirements in first year to attend placements.
Career outcomes
- Graduates work as occupational therapists in hospitals, community health, mental health, disability and aged-care services after AHPRA registration.
- First roles include rotational hospital positions and paediatric or adult community practice, including NDIS-funded services.
- Many progress into specialty practice such as hand therapy, mental health or paediatrics, or into private practice.
Professional accreditation
- Occupational Therapy Board of Australia registration eligible (AHPRA)
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 can apply for registration with the Occupational Therapy Board of Australia (AHPRA). Common first roles are in hospitals, community health, NDIS-funded practice, mental health and aged care. Honours graduates can move into research degrees.
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 WSU
Sources
Course details are summarised by ExamExplained, not copied from the university. Confirm course content and selection ranks on the Western Sydney University website and on UAC before applying.