Swinburne University of Technology
Master of Occupational Therapy
- Delivery: Face to Face
- Study Level: Postgraduate
- Duration: 12 months
Equips you with the skills to enhance your professional healthcare knowledge and positively impact the lives of individuals with neurological, musculoskeletal or mental health conditions.
Course overview
The Master of Occupational Therapy program prepares self-directed practitioners for community, acute and rehabilitation settings. Graduates will be eligible to practice as qualified occupational therapists.
CSP Subsidised Fees Available
This program has a limited quota of Commonwealth Supported Places (CSP). The indicative CSP price is calculated based on first year fees for EFT. The actual fee may vary if there are choices in electives or majors.
Key facts
From $1,192 (CSP)
What you will study
To qualify for the award of Master of Occupational Therapy, students must complete 200 credit points comprising eleven core units of study (137.5 credit points) and three professional practice units of study (62.5 credit points) – 1,000 hours in total.
Core units
- Enabling Participation: Complex Conditions and Populations
- Enabling Participation: Mental Health 1
- Enabling Participation: Mental Health 2
- Enabling Participation: Children
- Enabling Participation: Musculoskeletal and Neurological 2
- Evidence Review
- DFM Toolbox: Innovation and Interdisciplinary Collaboration 1
- An Occupational Perspective of Health
- Enabling Participation: Musculoskeletal and Neurological 1
- DFM Practice: Innovation & Interdisciplinary Collaboration 2
- Enabling Participation: Advanced Practice
Placement units
- Professional Practice 1
- Professional Practice 2 (25 credit points)
- Professional Practice 3 (25 credit points)
Entry requirements
Qualifications
Applicants are required to have completed one of the following in the last 10 years with a GPA of 65%:
- a bachelor's degree (or higher award); or
- a Postgraduate degree.
- Completed at least one anatomy and physiology undergraduate unit (such as BIO10004 Anatomy and Physiology); or
- An equivalent anatomy and physiology bridging course.
Applicants who are already registered Occupational Therapists in Australia or overseas are not eligible to be considered for this course, unless the World Federation of Occupational Therapists does not recognise their qualification.
Other requirements
- Students enrolled in this course may be required to complete an annual N95 Mask Fit Test prior to commencing placement. The student is responsible for the relevant fee.
- Successful applicants must maintain a current Working with Children Check (from the Appropriate State Authority), NDIS worker screen and a current Police Check throughout the duration of the course. Students of this course are required to provide up-to-date evidence of immunisations prior to attending the placements necessary in this course. Additional immunisations in compliance with government policy or the specific requirements of the organisation you attend for your placement. Applicants are required to provide an academic transcript with their application.
Recognition of Prior Learning
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) allows students to gain credit (advanced standing) towards their course in recognition of skills and knowledge gained through work experience, life experience and/or formal training. Applicants are assessed on a case-by-case basis.
Outcomes
Career outcomes
- Careers in rehabilitation
- Careers in private practice
- Mental health settings
- Community health settings
- Forensic settings
Fees and CSP
Estimated yearly fees in 2026:
- $9,537 (Commonwealth Supported Place)
- $36,690 (domestic full-fee paying place)
Estimated total fees in 2026:
- $19,074 (Commonwealth Supported Place)
- $73,380 (domestic full-fee paying place)
The student tuition fees as published are subject to change based on individual circumstances at the time of enrolment. These fees apply to units studied in 2026 only and may change for units studied in future years. If part-time study is permitted, annual fees will be proportionally lower based on the number of units taken per semester.
Student fees may vary depending on:
- The number of units studied per term.
- The choice of major or specialisation.
- Choice of units.
- Credit from previous study or work experience.
- Eligibility for government-funded loans.
You may also need to pay the student services and amenities fee.
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'll only need to pay a portion of your tuition fees. This is known as the student contribution amount – 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 the unit you're enrolled in.
- Dependent 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.
