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Bachelor of
Allied Health (Occupational Therapy)
Entry requirements
Key information
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Start dates
March
*Rural background applicants prioritised.
**This course is available to study at Mt. Gambier, Port Pirie or Renmark. Please choose the relevant SATAC code when applying. Alternatively, learn more about studying occupational therapy in Adelaide.
Looking for a hands-on health career that’s different every day?
Develop the skills to become a registered occupational therapist, ready to work across public and private healthcare. With a strong rural and remote focus, you can study close to home while gaining industry-led, practical experience and learning culturally responsive care, particularly with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Step into the growing field of occupational therapy.
A Bachelor of Allied Health (Occupational Therapy) opens the door to a wide variety of meaningful careers. You'll gain the knowledge and skills to support people of all ages to live independently and participate in everyday activities. With your degree, you could work in hospitals, schools, community organisations, or private practice, helping individuals achieve their goals and improve their quality of life.
Salary
$98K
typical salary in Australia
Job opportunities
4,500
in Australia, 2025
Occupational Therapy
Supports people of all ages to build independence and participate fully in daily life. Occupational therapists work to improve skills in self-care, work, study, and leisure, and provide strategies or equipment to help individuals reach their goals and enhance overall wellbeing.
Researcher
Conducts studies and analyses data to advance knowledge in occupational therapy. This role often leads to academic, clinical, or community-based research positions.
Policy advisor
Contributes to the development of policies and programs that shape healthcare, disability, and community services, advocating for improved access and participation.
Manager
Leads teams and services within healthcare, community, or disability settings, ensuring effective and person-centred support. This role can progress to senior leadership or management positions.
Project officer
Designs, coordinates, and delivers projects within healthcare, disability, or community organisations. This role focuses on improving services, implementing new programs, and supporting positive outcomes for clients and communities.
With further postgraduate study and work experience, careers could include:
- Clinical specialist
- Academic lecturer
- Health services manager
- Advanced practice occupational therapist
- Research director
- Policy development leader
- Consultant
- Rehabilitation director
What will you study to start your career in occupational therapy?
Learn from experienced academics and industry practitioners in small, supportive classes. Gain hands-on experience through professional placements, including regional opportunities, in a degree developed in partnership with local communities, health networks, service providers, and accrediting bodies.
- Year 1
- Year 2
- Year 3
- Year 4
In your first year, all Bachelor of Allied Health students complete core topics and an observational placement covering health science, communication, research, Indigenous health, and interprofessional practice.
Year 1 - Core topics
Your first year might include the following topics. For exact topic information, visit the course Handbook.
- Human bioscience
- Therapeutic Communication
- Research and study skills
- Introduction to allied health and interprofessional practice
- Working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples
- Care and rehabilitation across the lifespan
- Australian health and social care
In your second year, you’ll study rural health, anatomy, biomechanics, occupational therapy, neuroscience, and social and psychological aspects of health.
Year 2 - Core topics
Your second year might include the following topics. For exact topic information, visit the course Handbook.
- Rural health and evidence based practice
- Anatomy and physiology for therapists
- Social and psychological aspects of health and wellbeing
- Clinical musculoskeletal anatomy and biomechanics
- Introduction to occupational therapy practice
- Occupational science
- Neuroscience for therapists
In your third year, you’ll study core topics and complete placements in rehabilitation, community, ageing, mental health, paediatrics, and health promotion.
Year 3 - Core topics
Your third year might include the following topics. For exact topic information, visit the course Handbook.
- Applied evidence based practice
- Rehabilitation
- Community engagement and communication
- Ageing
- Health promotion and interprofessional leadership
- Placement
- Mental health
- Paediatric practice
In your fourth year, you’ll complete placements and study neurorehabilitation, advanced skills, transition to practice, and an industry project.
Year 4 - Core topics
Your fourth year might include the following topics. For exact topic information, visit the course Handbook.
- Neurorehabilitation
- Occupational therapy placement
- Advanced occupational therapy skills
- Transition to practice
- Industry project
A Bachelor of Allied Health (Occupational Therapy) offers flexible step-in step-out options, allowing you to study for 1, 2, 3 or 4 years with different career opportunities at each stage.
Completing the full 4-year program provides eligibility to work as an occupational therapist. Exiting after 1 year leads to a higher education diploma, after 2 years an associate degree, and after 3 years a non-accredited degree.
Accreditation or Professional Recognition
This degree 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.
No.3 in SA
in Health Services & Support for full-time employment, learner engagement
(The Good Universities Guide 2024 (undergraduate))
Ranked in the top 2%
of the universities in the world
(The World University Rankings 2023 as a percentage of the total number of universities in the world according to the International Association of Universities)
Five stars
in Health Services & Support for full-time employment, learner engagement and student support
(The Good Universities Guide 2024 (undergraduate)).
Get inspired.
Discover more about Flinders University’s Bachelor of Allied Health (Occupational Therapy)
Study allied health in Renmark
Learn about the course with Dr Amy Mendham and students Emma and Chris.
A career in occupational therapy
OT alumnus and team leader at MPOT, Jack Poole shares what he loves about his career.
“I chose occupational therapy because it's such a diverse career and you get to make a lasting impact on people's lives”
Mia Kleinig
Bachelor of Allied Health (Occupational Therapy)
“Studying regionally means I can stay connected to my community while gaining the skills to make a real difference in rural health care”
Maddison Briggs
Bachelor of Allied Health (Occupational Therapy)
“Occupational therapy is so broad - that's what I love about it. No two days are the same, and you're always helping someone improve their quality of life'
Montana Briggs
Bachelor of Allied Health (Occupational Therapy)
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Concerned about your ATAR? If it doesn't meet the course requirement, or if you don't receive one, we offer alternative pathways to admission. Contact us to discuss your options—we're here to help.
Frequently asked questions.
Over the years, many questions have been asked by students before. For the quickest answers view our frequently asked questions or browse the full list @ Ask Flinders.
Applications for the next intake open in August and are submitted via the South Australian Tertiary Admissions Centre (SATAC)
Each of these courses are available to study at Port Pirie, in the Riverland at Renmark or in Mount Gambier.
Knowledge of SACE Stage 2 Biology or equivalent is assumed.
Yes. The degree is accredited by the Occupational Therapy Council of Australia Ltd (OTC) and approved by the Occupational Therapy Board of Australia (OTBA). Graduates can apply for registration as an occupational therapist with the OTBA. It is also recognised by the World Federation of Occupational Therapists.
Occupational therapy is a growing field, particularly in the areas of children and families, disability and aged care.
According to the National Skills Commission (2024 employment projections for the five years until 2029), employment growth for occupational therapist is 17.2%.
Our graduates are employed locally, interstate and internationally in a range of settings including public and private sectors.
According to SEEK, in Australia, the typical salary in Australia is $98k for an occupational therapist.
Yes, students will attend a observational placement in their first year and then clinical placements in their third and fourth year.
- Applications are completed via SATAC
- Visit: satac.edu.au
The table below shows ATAR and Selection Rank data for students offered a place wholly or partly on the basis of ATAR commencing in Semester 1, 2024. It is limited to applicants that have recently completed secondary education (within the last two years). Data may reflect multiple courses available within a suite of courses.
Notes:
<5 – less than 5 ATAR based offers made
N/A – This course uses additional selection criteria and therefore Selection Rank is not published
| ATAR-based offers only across all offer rounds | ATAR - Excluding adjustment factors | Selection Rank - ATAR plus any adjustment factors |
|---|---|---|
| Highest rank to receive an offer | 99.40 | 99.95 |
| Median rank to receive an offer | 73.35 | 77.78 |
| Lowest rank to receive an offer | 57.75 | 65.50 |
The table below gives an indication of the likely peer cohort for new students in this course. It provides data on students who commenced study in this course in Semester 1, 2024 including those admitted through all offer rounds and international students studying in Australia. Applicant background groupings are based on educational background, not basis of admission. Data may reflect multiple courses available within a suite of courses.
Notes:
<5 – the number of students is less than 5
N/P – Not published: the number is hidden to prevent calculation of numbers in cells with less than 5 students
| Applicant background (Semester 1, 2024) | Number of students | Percentage of all students |
|---|---|---|
| Higher education study (includes a bridging or enabling course) | 46 | 34% |
| Vocational education and training (VET) study | <5 | <5 |
| Work and life experience | 11 | 8% |
| Recent secondary education - Admitted solely on the basis of ATAR (regardless of whether this includes the consideration of adjustment factors such as equity or subject bonus points) | 37 | 28% |
| Recent secondary education - Admitted where both ATAR and additional criteria were considered (e.g. portfolio, audition, extra test) | <5 | 2 |
| Recent secondary education - Admitted on the basis of other criteria only and ATAR was not a factor (e.g. special consideration pathways) | 17 | 13% |
| International Students | 18 | 13% |
| All students | 134 | 100% |
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