Curtin University
Graduate Certificate in Occupational Therapy
- Delivery: Face to Face
- Study Level: Postgraduate
- Duration: 6 months
- Course Type: Graduate Certificate
Deepen your occupational therapy expertise through contemporary theory, clinical reasoning, reflective practice, evaluation and applied research for changing health and community contexts.
Course overview
Curtin University’s Graduate Certificate in Occupational Therapy is designed for qualified occupational therapists seeking to extend their theoretical knowledge and advanced practice capabilities across changing health and community contexts.
You will explore emerging understandings of occupation while strengthening your clinical reasoning, reflective practice, management and evaluation skills. Applied research supports your ability to assess contemporary evidence and incorporate recent developments into occupational therapy practice.
The course allows you to select study aligned with your professional interests from areas such as rehabilitation science, paediatrics, neuroscience, research, counselling, community leadership and clinical education. Fieldwork forms part of the qualification, with the precise practical experience depending on the courses selected.
Delivered on campus at Curtin Perth, the course can be completed in six months of full-time study, with part-time study also available. Graduates can strengthen their ability to deliver evidence-informed, client-centred occupational therapy across diverse health and community settings.
Key facts
July, 2027
What you will study
To earn the Graduate Certificate in Occupational Therapy, you must successfully complete units totalling 100 credit points, as detailed below. Unless otherwise noted, each course is worth 25 credit points.
Electives
Select 100 credit points from the following:
- Orthoses and Rehabilitation Science
- Musculoskeletal Structure and Function
- Neuroscience Neurodevelopment
- Gerontology
- Paediatrics
- Neuroscience for Occupational Therapy
- Physical Rehabilitation
- Clinical Counselling and Group Work
- Occupational Therapy Leadership in Community Development
- Ergonomics and Safety Science
- Go Practice 1
Entry requirements
Academic requirements
To be eligible for this course, you must meet the following requirements:
- Hold a bachelor's degree or equivalent qualification in occupational therapy.
Mandatory fieldwork requirements
Students must:
- Hold a current Essential First Aid Certificate within four weeks of commencing the course.
- Meet applicable communicable-disease requirements.
- Meet criminal record screening and clearance requirements.
- Satisfy any additional requirements associated with their selected fieldwork experience.
The course can be physically and mentally challenging. Applicants should review Curtin’s inherent requirements before applying.
English language requirements
Curtin requires applicants to demonstrate English language proficiency. You can meet this requirement by providing evidence of one of the following:
- An IELTS Academic overall band score of 7.0, with a minimum score of 7.0 in reading, writing, listening and speaking.
- An alternative English language test accepted by Curtin, provided you achieve the required equivalent scores.
- An eligible previous qualification or another form of English language evidence accepted by Curtin.
Contact the university or visit its website for more information.
Recognition of Prior Learning
Applications for Credit for Recognised Learning are not considered within this course.
Outcomes
Learning outcomes
- Apply occupational therapy knowledge, principles and practice to achieve client-centred and evidence-based outcomes.
- Create effective occupational therapy solutions through critical analysis, reflective practice and professional reasoning.
- Critically appraise information and apply it to contemporary occupational therapy.
- Communicate effectively and appropriately to ensure active client participation, relevant documentation, reporting and responsible professional information sharing.
- Evaluate and apply appropriate technologies to contemporary occupational therapy practice.
- Develop and apply lifelong learning skills to achieve professional competency.
- Inform occupational therapy standards and practices by integrating local and global perspectives.
- Practice occupational therapy in a culturally appropriate and respectful manner, incorporating perspectives of multiple stakeholders.
- Work professionally and collaboratively to meet ethical and legal responsibilities.
Fees and FEE-HELP
Indicative annual fee in 2026: $17,598 (Full-fee paying place)
Indicative annual fees are based on your first year of study.
A student’s annual fee may vary by:
- The number of units studied.
- Choice of units.
- Credit from previous study or work experience.
- Eligibility for government-funded loans.
Student fees shown are subject to change. Contact the university directly to confirm.
FEE-HELP loans are available to assist eligible full-fee paying domestic students with the cost of a university course.