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Occupational Therapy Courses in Australia for International Students
Reviewed by Mohammad Saghir Khan, Registered Migration Agent (MARN 1170510)Last reviewed:
International students can qualify as an occupational therapist in Australia with an accredited Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (usually 4 years) or a graduate-entry Master of Occupational Therapy (usually 2 years). Graduates apply for general registration with the Occupational Therapy Board of Australia through Ahpra and must meet its English language standard. Occupational Therapist (252411) is on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List, and the Occupational Therapy Council (OTC) is the skills assessing authority. The OTC migration assessment is a desktop review of your qualification and English, with a fee of A$800.
Occupational Therapy Courses at a Glance
| Qualifications | Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (some with Honours); Master of Occupational Therapy (graduate entry) |
|---|---|
| Accreditation | Programs are accredited by the Occupational Therapy Council and approved by the Occupational Therapy Board of Australia |
| Registration | General registration with the Occupational Therapy Board of Australia through Ahpra |
| Skills assessment | Occupational Therapy Council (OTC). Fee A$800; generally 2 to 3 weeks once all documents are in |
| Example occupation | Occupational Therapist 252411 (MLTSSL, CSOL) |
Course Options by Study Level
| Qualification | Level | Typical length | What it leads to |
|---|---|---|---|
| Certificate IV in Allied Health Assistance (HLT43021) | AQF 4 (VET) | Check the CRICOS duration | Allied health assistant roles supporting therapists. It does not lead to registration as an occupational therapist |
| Bachelor of Occupational Therapy | AQF 7 or 8 (Honours) | 4 years | Registration as an occupational therapist and OTC skills assessment |
| Master of Occupational Therapy (graduate entry) | AQF 9 | 2 years | Registration as an occupational therapist for graduates of another bachelor degree |
Choose an Accredited Program
To register as an occupational therapist, you must complete a program accredited by the Occupational Therapy Council (OTC) and approved by the Occupational Therapy Board of Australia. Programs include supervised practice education placements; the World Federation of Occupational Therapists sets a minimum of 1,000 hours. Graduate-entry master's programs usually expect a bachelor degree with study in human biology, anatomy or health science, so check the prerequisites.
Registration with the OT Board
Graduates apply to the Occupational Therapy Board of Australia through Ahpra for general registration. You must meet the Board's English language skills standard, which may mean an English test depending on your earlier schooling. New minimum test scores apply to tests taken on or after 23 April 2026. You cannot practise as an occupational therapist without registration.
OTC Skills Assessment
For a skilled visa, you need a separate skills assessment from the OTC, even if you studied in Australia or already hold registration. It is a desktop review of your qualification and English, not of your work experience. The fee is A$800, and a positive outcome is generally valid for 3 years. Registration and the skills assessment are separate processes, so plan for both.
Careers and Skilled Occupation Lists
This occupation is linked to occupational therapy degrees. List status is from our Occupation Finder data, checked 15 October 2026.
| Occupation | ANZSCO | Skilled lists (15 Oct 2026) | Skills assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Occupational Therapist | 252411 | MLTSSL, CSOL | OTC |
Lists: MLTSSL (Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List), STSOL (Short-term Skilled Occupation List), ROL (Regional Occupation List), CSOL (Core Skills Occupation List for the 482 and 186 visas). Check any occupation in our Occupation Finder.
How to Start
- Choose your course and levelTell us your previous study, English results, budget and career goal. We shortlist courses and providers that fit.
- Check accreditation and prerequisitesConfirm the program is OTC-accredited and approved by the OT Board, and check science prerequisites and placement requirements for graduate-entry master's programs.
- Check the provider on CRICOSInternational students must study a course registered on CRICOS. The CRICOS duration also matters for the 485 visa, which needs at least 2 academic years (92 weeks) of study in Australia over at least 16 months.
- Apply and accept your offerApply with your documents, accept the offer, pay the deposit and arrange Overseas Student Health Cover. The provider then issues your Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE).
- Apply for your Student visaLodge your Student visa (subclass 500) with evidence of funds, English and the Genuine Student requirement. Since 2 October 2026 most applicants must apply from outside Australia. See our Student visa guide.
How Aussie ASEAN Can Help
We compare accredited occupational therapy programs on placements, prerequisites and total length, help with your application and Student visa, and our Registered Migration Agent can plan your 485 visa, OTC assessment and skilled visa.
Free tools for students
Related courses and visas
Not sure which occupational therapy course or provider suits your goals? Get free course advice, plus Student visa help from a Registered Migration Agent.
Get course adviceSources: OTC assessment for skilled migration · OTC migration FAQs · OTC migration fees · Occupational Therapy Board: accreditation · Ahpra English language skills · HLT43021 on training.gov.au
Frequently Asked Questions
Plain-English answers to the questions we are asked most often.
How long is an occupational therapy degree in Australia?
A Bachelor of Occupational Therapy usually takes 4 years. A graduate-entry Master of Occupational Therapy usually takes 2 years. Check the CRICOS duration of each course.
Is occupational therapist on the skilled occupation list?
Yes. Occupational Therapist (252411) is on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List and the Core Skills Occupation List as at 15 October 2026.
Who assesses occupational therapists for migration?
The Occupational Therapy Council (OTC). Its assessment is a desktop review of your qualification and English proficiency.
Do I need an OTC assessment if I studied in Australia?
Yes, if your visa needs a skills assessment. The OTC says you need one even if you hold an Australian occupational therapy qualification.
How much does the OTC skills assessment cost?
The OTC lists a fee of A$800 for the assessment for migration. A positive outcome is generally valid for 3 years.
Does a skills assessment let me work as an OT?
No. To practise you must hold registration with the Occupational Therapy Board of Australia through Ahpra. Registration and the skills assessment are separate.
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