with STEM™ CAREERS JOB KIT
OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST
Make a difference in the lives of individuals and communities by helping them participate in self-care, productivity and leisure
Study occupational therapy
Are you passionate about making a tangible difference in people’s lives? Do you want a career that combines creativity, compassion and science? Studying occupational therapy (OT) might be the perfect path for you.
OTs play a crucial role in helping people of all ages overcome physical, mental and emotional challenges to lead fulfilling lives.
At ACU you’ll learn how to understand and assess client needs, to work with people to set meaningful goals, develop personalised intervention plans and use therapeutic activities to to enable participation in life. Whether it’s helping a child with a disability learn to dress themselves, aiding an elderly person regain
independence after a stroke, or supporting someone with a mental health condition to participate in daily routines, the impact you have can be profound and life changing.
When you choose occupational therapy, you’re not just embarking on a career; you’re joining a community of dedicated professionals committed to enhancing the quality of life for others. Occcupational therapy is diverse and continually evolving, with advancements in technology and research opening new avenues for innovative practice.
Take the first step towards a fulfilling and impactful career – study occupational therapy and become a catalyst for positive change.
Transform lives with occupational therapy
If you love empowering others and want to make a meaningful impact in a range of sectors, choose occupational therapy (OT)
Ialways wanted to work in a profession that helped people live good and fulfilling lives.
I had a family member involved in a motorcycle accident when I was younger, and I would visit him regularly at the rehabilitation hospital. I was exposed to many different health professionals during that time, and I was inspired by the OTs who were making a real, tangible difference in every aspect of his life.
Where other professionals came and went, the OTs built an incredible relationship with their clients and worked with them every day for months to achieve meaningful goals that really changed their lives.
It made me think what an incredible contribution and profound impact I could have as an OT.
OT has enabled me to connect and engage with people from all different backgrounds, with different conditions or challenges, in diverse settings. I have worked in health, disability, education, not for profit, private and government sectors in clinical, managerial, leadership and academic roles. I’ve also travelled and worked overseas.
This career is incredibly in demand. As our population ages, there will be an increasing need for occupational therapists globally. Additionally, with the NDIS there has been a higher demand for OTs nationally, with a real shortage in regional and remote areas. The opportunities are endless!
To set you up for success, study the Bachelor of Occupational Therapy at ACU. It’s designed to equip students with the practical skills, theoretical knowledge and critical thinking needed to succeed as an OT. Our focus on real-world experience, community engagement and holistic education makes this an excellent program if you want to make a meaningful impact on the health and wellbeing of individuals and communities.
Learn more about this fulfilling career in the following pages of this Job Kit
Professor Laura Miller
Professor in Occupational Therapy
School of Allied Health
Australian Catholic University
Laura is also the Chief Investigator on the ENVISAGE (Enabling Visions and Growing Expectations) program. This evidence-based program, delivered online or in person, empowers, supports and connects caregivers raising children with developmental concerns or disabilities.
ENVISAGE was recently given an extra $5 million in funding, which will allow for more children to get the support they need.
Laura says, “We are excited to continue delivering ENVISAGE and achieving impactful outcomes for caregivers, families, and communities across Australia.”
Learn more about ENVISAGE: bit.ly/ ENVISAGE_ACU
MAKING THE IMPOSSIBLE POSSIBLE
Occupational therapists equip people facing challenges with the skills they need to participate in everyday life
What is an OT?
An occupational therapist (OT) works with people to improve their physical and mental health, often after injury or illness. An OT assists in regaining skills and independence.
Occupational therapists also work with people with developmental and other disabilities to enable participation in daily living tasks like dressing, bathing, eating, and activities like play and recreation.
Areas
you would work in
• Hospitals and healthcare
• Community-based work
• Schools and education
• Aged care
• Private practice
• Workplace health and ergonomics
• Research and academia
• Public health and policy
• International opportunities
dream degree
Show me the money
According to SEEK, the average annual salary for an occupational therapist ranges from $85,000 to $100,000.
The Bachelor of Occupational Therapy at ACU will equip you with the skills you need to perform competently and safely. At ACU, their unique difference is that they prepare the next generation of OTs to understand the context and the complexity of humanity.
Throughout the degree you’ll learn how humans function, as well as how to collaboratively set client goals, analyse and assess occupational performance, apply and evaluate interventions and work and communicate effectively with clients, their families and colleagues.
To learn more about the Bachelor of Occupational Therapy scan here:
Job growth
There is a 16.9% projected increase in occupational therapist employment in Australia in the five years from 2023 to 2028. That’s good news because currently there’s a shortage of OTs in every state and territory of Australia. Jump on this study path now and all the career opportunities are bound to come your way once you graduate!
Source: Jobs and Skills Australia
How to become an OT
STEP 1
Enrol in an OT degree – ACU’s Bachelor of Occupational Therapy is a great option!
STEP 2
Get experience while you study. At ACU, you take on 1,000 hours of work placement as part of your degree, starting from first year.
STEP 3
Once you’ve graduated, you’ll need to register as a practising occupational therapist with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (Ahpra) and can join Occupational Therapy Australia (OTA).
All about you
You’ll love this career if you…
✔ Want to be in high demand
✔ Are passionate about making a positive impact
✔ Would like to work with people of all ages
✔ Like the idea of working in a variety of settings
The inside word
We asked OT student Mariah Bourakis what life is like at ACU!
Hey Mariah, what’s the best thing about studying OT at ACU?
As the OT and allied health cohorts are quite small, it’s easier to build strong connections with peers and staff, who genuinely know you and who are always open to supporting us with any questions or feedback we may have.
We also share some units with speech pathology students, which provides valuable insights for future working relationships and delivering the best care for prospective clients.
What’s a typical day on campus like?
Uni life brings so much variety – no two days are the same! But typically, my day looks a little something like this:
9:00am: Arrive at uni and begin independent study, including reviewing lecture material, completing preparation activities and readings for my tutorials or working on assignments.
11:00am: Catch up with OT friends to go over study content and clarify anything we’re unsure about, followed by a lunch break together to fuel up for the rest of the day.
1:00pm: Go to my first tutorial class where we engage in collaborative group work providing a practical and in-depth understanding of content and real-life case scenarios.
3:00pm: Head to my second tutorial class.
5:00pm: Home time!
Making an impact
ACU student Damian
Rapisardi
loves that there are so many ways to make a difference with occupational therapy
Damian was halfway through his first year of Sport and Exercise Science at ACU when a friend mentioned occupational therapy.
“I’d never heard of occupational therapy when I was in high school,” he says. But OT soon piqued his interest. Damian transferred to the Bachelor of Occupational Therapy and hasn’t looked back.
“You’re constantly working with other people and making a real impact on their life, while not being stuck behind a desk or in an office all day,” says Damian, who is also a volunteer field hockey coach and goalkeeper for Queensland.
Sport-life balance
Now in fourth year, Damian is part of ACU’s elite athlete and performer program. “They helped support me with preference timetabling and special considerations, which have helped with assessments being due when I’m away,” he says.
Damian loves the variety that OT offers. “OT requires constant problem solving, which keeps things interesting. No day will ever be the same.”
He says there’s also a strong practical component to the degree. “Professional placements are the most rewarding experiences. They allow you to apply your knowledge in the real world with real individuals.”
OT requires constant problem solving, which keeps things interesting”
People-centric
Personalised learning is another big plus, according to Damian. “These small classes give you a chance to really engage and get to know your fellow classmates. It also provides an opportunity to develop meaningful relationships with your lecturers or tutors and not feel like just a number.”
Damian doesn’t know what he wants to do once he graduates, but that’s part of what he loves about OT.
“The possibilities are endless. I’m looking into maybe going into the vocational side of occupational therapy, which looks at assisting individuals return to work after workplace injuries.
“I’m also interested in home modifications and assistive technology.”
Bachelor of Occupational Therapy, ACU
WHEN STYLE MEETS INDEPENDENCE
Molly Rogers and Emma Clegg are taking occupational therapy to the catwalk
molly rogers ot and fashion entrepreneur
A day in Molly’s work life
8:30am
Attend to emails at JAM warehouse 10am
Check-in meeting with our team 11am
Molly had never considered OT until she heard a story that changed her life. “I knew I wanted to work in healthcare,” Molly remembers. “But I didn’t like blood.”
Then she heard about a beach-loving man who had become a wheelchair user after an accident. The man’s OT organised a beach wheelchair and ramp and helped him get back to the ocean. “I thought that was incredible,” Molly says.
A perfect match
Molly jumped at the chance to study OT at ACU. “It really felt like everyone was passionate about making a difference in the world.”
After graduating, Molly took her OT skills all the way to the catwalk, co-founding fashion label JAM with fellow ACU OT graduate Emma Clegg. “We thought if we can’t adapt the way someone gets dressed, we need to adapt the clothing,” Molly explains.
“the best part of JAM is hearing the difference our products make”
Content ideation and digital marketing 1pm
Lunch break with Em 1:30pm Pack JAM orders 2:30pm
Meet with an influencer about a collaboration 4:30pm Head home
Ease, comfort, style
JAM’s clothing is designed to help people with disability dress stylishly and independently.
In 2022 it made history by hosting the first-ever Adaptive Fashion runway at Australian Fashion Week. “It was the most surreal experience, standing at the end of the runway to a standing ovation!” Molly says. Molly now works part-time as an OT and part-time with Emma on the business.
“OT is problem solving, so it lends itself really well to being a business owner.”
emma clegg ot and fashion entrepreneur
Get the job!
Does occupational therapy sound like the perfect career for you? Start prepping now with these resources
Prerequisites
For the Bachelor of Occupational Therapy at ACU, choosing these subjects in Year 11 and 12 is required: ✔ English
Watch
Downsizing (Stan)
In this sci-fi/comedy flick, follow occupational therapist Paul Safranek as he undergoes a procedure to shrink himself to five inches tall to reduce his carbon footprint. He goes to live in a small, experimental community where he finds himself using his OT skills to help his neighbours.
Occupational Therapy for the Homeless (YouTube)
A TED Talk by Quinn Tyminski, a mental health occupational therapist, who describes the power of OT and how it changes lives through meaningful and purposeful activity.
What’s it like being an OT in rural South Australia? (YouTube)
Grace grew up in regional South Australia and now works there as an OT. Grace shares her journey from work experience and choosing subjects through to the buzz moments that make her OT day.
Follow
@otaust
Occupational Therapy
Australia represents over 30,000 OTs. They’re all about protecting and progressing OT in Australia.
World Federation of Occupational Therapists
The key international representative for OTs and OT around the world.
And at least one of the following: ✔ Biology ✔ Chemistry ✔ Physics
Listen up
AT in OT: Assistive Technology in Occupational Therapy
Hear from OTs working with people with assistive technology needs. Episodes cover everything from working in multidisciplinary teams to equipment prescription.
The Research Works Podcast
Listen to inspiring interviews with occupational therapy researchers.
Occupied
A creative project exploring all things Occupation, Occupational Science and OT.
Build your skills
As well as having an occupational therapy degree, OTs need to be good at: Communication Active listening
Showing empathy and compassion
Problem solving
Critical thinking
Time management Advocacy
Working as a team
Keeping an open mind
The Research Works Podcast