Master of Occupational Therapy

What you will study

A candidate must complete units totalling 160 credit points, as detailed below. Unless otherwise indicated, all units are valued at 10 credit points.

• Anatomy and Physiology 1
• Anatomy and Physiology 2
• Perspectives of Indigenous Health
• Research Design
• Occupational Therapy Profession and Practice
• Enabling Occupational Abilities and Participation
• Humans as Occupational Beings
• Mental Health Approaches in Occupational Therapy Practice (20 credit points)
• Occupational Therapy for Children and Youth (20 credit points)
• Occupational Therapy Practice for Adults and Older Adults (20 credit points)
• Occupational Therapy Professional Practice 1
• Occupational Therapy Professional Practice 2 (20 credit points)

Entry requirements

The Master of Occupational Therapy is a highly competitive course with limited places. This means that although you may meet the minimum entry requirements for the course, you may not be ranked high enough to receive an offer. Subquotas are in place for First Nation and NT Resident applicants.

• Successful completion of a recognised bachelor's degree or equivalent international qualification with at least a credit average (GPA of 5.00).

English Language Requirements

To enter Charles Darwin University, all higher education applicants must satisfy the University's English Language Proficiency Requirements for their chosen course of study. From 2025, all applicants will be required to supply evidence of this at the time of application.

The minimum English language requirement for this course can be met by evidencing one of the following:

• Year 12: Completing Year 12 within Australia or an equivalent qualification from an approved country where English is the official language (refer to our approved standard and extended lists below).
• 0.5 FTE Higher Education Study: Successful completion of at least 0.5 FTE of higher education study from Australia or an approved country where English is the official language (refer to our approved standard and extended lists included below). If studies were completed from a country on the extended list, they must have been completed within the past five (5) years.
• CDU Enabling Course: Successful completion of a Charles Darwin University enabling program of at least 0.5 FTE (40 credit points).
• TAFE qualifications: Completing a recognised TAFE qualification from Australia at a Certificate III level or higher.
• AHPRA Registration: Current AHPRA registration as a Division 1 or Division 2 nurse. Registration must be current at the time of course commencement.
• English Test: Completion of an approved English test within two years of commencement, meeting the minimum scores outlined in the table below.

Minimum requirements for the English Test:

• CDU ELICOS - English for Academic Purposes: Successful completion of EAP004
• International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic test: Overall minimum: 6.5, No band below: 6.0
• Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE): Overall minimum: 176, No skill below: 169.
• Pearson Tests of English (PTE) Academic: Overall minimum: 58, No score below 50
• Test of English as a Foreign Language: Overall minimum: 79, Minimum writing score: 21

Recognition of Prior Learning

You may be able to get credit towards your course based on prior formal, non-formal or informal learning. To apply you will need to provide supporting documentation outlined in the university policy. Contact the university for more information.

Outcomes

Career outcomes

Graduating from this course may lead to career opportunities in areas such as community health centres, public and private hospitals, aged care facilities, paediatric facilities, education facilities, mental health settings, alcohol and drug services, private clinics, non-government organisations, correctional institutions, universities and research facilities, corporate and industrial settings, supported employment and government departments

Fees and CSP

Average first-year fee in 2025: TBA (Commonwealth Supported Place)

Average first-year fee in 2025: $28,888 (domestic full-fee paying place)

All costs are calculated using current rates based on a full-time study load of 80 credit points (typically eight units) per year.

A student’s annual fee may vary in accordance with:

• The number of units studied per term.
• The choice of major or specialisation.
• Choice of units.
• Student fees shown are subject to change. Contact the university directly to confirm.

Commonwealth Supported Places

The Australian Government allocates a certain number of CSPs to the universities each year, which are then distributed to students based on merit.

If you're a Commonwealth Supported Student (CSS), you only need to pay some of your tuition fees. The student contribution amount is the balance once the government subsidy is applied. This means your costs are much lower.

Limited CSP spaces are offered to students enrolled in selected postgraduate courses.

Your student contribution amount is:

• Calculated per unit you're enrolled in.
• Depending on the study areas they relate to.
• Reviewed and adjusted each year.

HECS-HELP loans are available to CSP students to pay the student contribution amount.

FEE-HELP loans are available to assist eligible full-fee-paying domestic students with the cost of a university course.