A Master’s degree in Occupational Therapy is an advanced level qualification that equips students with comprehensive knowledge of treating patients and clients who face physical, mental, and psychological obstacles in their daily lives.
Universities typically provide work placements in community bodies, hospitals, primary healthcare centers, schools, and local councils to both international and domestic students. These placements enable students to work in teams and gain industry exposure to devise innovative approaches and troubleshoot challenges creatively. Moreover, such placements act as pathways for international students to stay in the country and secure employment in the occupational therapy sector after completing the degree program.
A Master’s in Occupational Therapy produces competitive graduates with strong analytical and soft skills, as well as robust research experience. This expertise prepares students to pursue a career in varying sectors available in the region, including private practice.
After completing a Master’s degree in Occupational Therapy, students have numerous employment opportunities across various sectors in Australia.
Graduates of this program can work in public, private, or not-for-profit sectors, and some of the potential workplaces include hospitals, both public and private, schools, vocational centers, government agencies, rehabilitation centers, aged care facilities, nursing homes and clinics, research institutions, independent living centers, and private practices.
The estimated annual salary for graduates of Masters in Occupational Therapy usually falls between $35,000 to $50,000. However, there are numerous scholarships available for exceptional students who meet the eligibility criteria, and the competition for them is quite high. These scholarships are offered by universities, private institutions, and the Australian government.
Occupational Therapy is considered a pathway to permanent residency status in Australia as it is listed under the Skilled Occupations List (SOL) due to the shortage of professionals in this field. Numerous students have successfully pursued this profession in the past and have secured their future PR status in Australia as a result. The ANZCO code 252411 is assigned to Occupational Therapists, and the 189 visa, 190 visa, as well as several Employer Sponsorship visas, are available as Australian visa options for this occupation.