OzTREKK - Australian Occupational Therapy Schools

The process of applying to study occupational therapy in Australia can feel both simple and confusing at the same time. That’s why we’re here. We’ve made it our mission to put your interests first, which is why we offer unparalleled, free services. We’ll help you at every stage—from your first question to making sure you understand how you use your degree in North America after you graduate.

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What is the difference between occupational therapy and physiotherapy?

Students often ask us, “What’s the difference between physiotherapy and occupational therapy?” While there are significant differences between the two professions, there are many areas where they overlap.

Physiotherapy (or physical therapy) is a health care profession with a focus on assessing, improving and restoring physical function.

Occupational therapy also looks at physical function, but extends this to consider how this affects your ability to engage in occupation such as daily activities, leisure and work.

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Bond University occupational therapy graduate talks about rewards of her career

Occupational therapy is a dynamic, diverse, and rewarding profession. You’ll work with individuals, community groups, and organizations to help them overcome barriers imposed by illness, injury, disability, psychological impairment, developmental delay or through the ageing and dying processes.

In this Bond University video, former OzTREKK student Paige explains why her career in occupational therapy is so rewarding, and why she’s grateful she chose to study OT at Bond University!

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What is the Bond Institute of Health & Sport?

What is the Bond Institute of Health & Sport, and what makes it so special for physiotherapy and occupational therapy students?

The brand-new Bond Institute of Health & Sport just 4 km (8 minutes!) from Bond’s main campus is a world-class teaching and training facility, focusing on promoting healthy behaviours and lifestyles and attracting professional athletes and sporting organizations from all over the world. The five-level building has created an additional 11,500m2 of education spaces, offices, and associated car parking.

The $45-million project at Robina meets the booming demand for new physiotherapists, exercise and sports scientists, dietitians, and occupational therapists.

It’s also home to health and sports science laboratories, used for research and athlete testing, and by health, sports science, OT, and physiotherapy students. It also features the High Performance Training Centre (HPTC), swimming pool, and temperature contrast pools, as well as an altitude room. The specialized teaching spaces and smaller clinical skills rooms are all equipped with modern technology and features that simulate real-life clinical environments, providing students with relevant, hands-on experience. Research units based at the institute include the Tactical Research Unit and the Water Based Research Unit.

Program: Master of Occupational Therapy Location: Gold Coast, Queensland Intakes: May and September Duration: 2 years

The Master of Occupational Therapy at Bond combines lectures, tutorials, workshops, case studies, fieldwork, and simulation to embed the skills and knowledge needed to succeed as an occupational therapist. You’ll learn from highly qualified occupational therapy academics with clinical and research experience.

The occupational therapy rooms are specially designed teaching spaces to enable you to acquire the hands-on skills needed for a successful career in OT, such as physical rehabilitation, assistive technology, psychology, and communication.

Simulated living space

Ergonomics workspace

Observation room

Splinting laboratory

Read more about studying OT at Bond University!

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Studying Occupational Therapy at Bond University

Occupational therapy is a dynamic, diverse, and rewarding profession.

As an occupational therapist, you will work with individuals, community groups and organizations to help them overcome barriers imposed by illness, injury, disability, psychological impairment, developmental delay or through the ageing and dying process.

Bond University’s Master of Occupational Therapy is renowned for its unique blend of case-based learning, practical application, and more than 1000 hours of fieldwork embedded in the program. It's also the first occupational therapy master’s in Australia that gives you the choice between a clinically focused research pathway, which will prepare you for careers in research and academia; or a business-focused research pathway, where you undertake business electives relevant to careers in management and/or the private sector.

Study in Bond's world-class facilities The Bond University Institute of Health & Sport precinct on the Gold Coast is set to get a major upgrade! Set to open in August 2023, the new north extension will feature cutting-edge facilities to complement Bond University’s existing Institute of Health & Sport precinct in Robina. It will connect to the university’s existing High Performance Training Centre and double the current space for allied health programs.

The $45-million project represents Bond’s confidence in their in-demand allied health degrees, including the Master of Occupational Therapy and the Doctor of Physiotherapy, both popular programs among Canadians.

Find out more.

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What is occupational therapy?

Most everyone has heard of physiotherapy and what it entails, but what exactly is occupational therapy (OT) and how does it differ from physio?Find out more about studying occupational therapy

While physiotherapy evaluates, helps to maintain and restore physical function, occupational therapy helps to solve the problems that interfere with a person’s ability to do everyday things, such as getting dressed, bathing, washing dishes, eating, and other tasks most of us take for granted. Occupational therapy can also prevent a problem or minimize its effects.

Usually, occupational therapists are sought when a disability, injury, illness or other problem limits someone’s abilities to care for himself, participate in work, or just enjoy regular leisure time or hobbies. These skills and regular activities are so important to us as people that they often describe how we view ourselves—we identify with our jobs and activities. When disability or injury prevents someone from being able to accomplish a simple, everyday task such as buttoning a shirt, it can affect how he or she feels about himself. That’s where an occupational therapist comes in.

Occupational therapists are highly trained health-care professionals, and they define an occupation as much more than a chosen career. Occupation refers to everything that people do during the course of everyday life, including feeding and dressing themselves. Everyone has many occupations that are essential to our health and well-being.

What do occupational therapists do?

According to the Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists, “occupational therapists use a systematic approach based on evidence and professional reasoning to enable individuals, groups and communities to develop the means and opportunities to identify, engage in and improve their function in the occupations of life. The process involves assessment, intervention and evaluation of the client related to occupational performance in self-care, work, study, volunteerism and leisure. Occupational therapists may assume different roles such as advising  on health risks in the workplace, safe driving for older adults, and programs to promote mental health for youth. Occupational therapists also perform functions as manager, researcher, program developer or educator in addition to the direct delivery of professional services.”

Depending on the particular situation, an occupational therapist will check

what one can and cannot do physically (including strength, coordination, balance, or other physical abilities);

what materials are used in the occupation (e.g., cooking utensils, clothing, tools, furniture, etc.);

what one can and cannot do mentally (coping strategies, memory, organization skills, or other mental abilities);

the social and emotional support available in the home, school, work and community; and

the physical setup of the house, school, workplace, classroom, or other environment.

An occupational therapist can help by showing someone how to do something with the abilities he/she has, including improving memory, dressing, cooking, cleaning, getting around the house, going out of the house, travelling, and grocery shopping—just to name a few! But that’s not all. Occupational therapists are also trained how to help others cope with their disabilities. OT can help with coping strategies, strength, coordination, and confidence, and recommend changes to environments that will be helpful. Community support may also be available, and the occupational therapist will also assist with finding specialized transportation, support groups, and funding agencies.

Where do occupational therapists work?

Occupational therapists are generally employed in community agencies, hospitals, chronic care facilities, rehabilitation centres and clinics, schools, social agencies industry or are self-employed. While some occupational therapists specialize in working with a specific age group, like the elderly, others may specialize in a particular disability such as arthritis, developmental coordination disorder, mental illness, or spinal cord injury.

Studying occupational therapy in Australia—practicing in Canada

Canadian students who wish to practice as an occupational therapist upon their return to Canada should visit the Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists website for accreditation and certification information.

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Big boost for the Bond University Institute of Health & Sport

The Bond University Institute of Health & Sport precinct on the Gold Coast is set to get a major upgrade!

Set to open in August 2023, the new north extension will feature cutting-edge facilities to complement Bond University’s existing Institute of Health & Sport precinct in Robina. It will connect to the university’s existing High Performance Training Centre and double the current space for allied health programs.

The $45-million project represents Bond’s confidence in their in-demand allied health degrees, including the Doctor of Physiotherapy and Master of Occupational Therapy, both popular programs among Canadians.

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Bond University’s Master of Occupational Therapy accredited in USA

Great news for our American students! Bond University’s Master of Occupational Therapy program has become the only Australian master’s program of its kind to be accredited in the United States.Learn more about Bond University’s Master of Occupational Therapy program

The program, which has been granted candidacy status by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), is one of just two programs outside America to gain US accreditation.

From September 2022, current and future Master of Occupational Therapy students will have their degrees recognized in the US and will be automatically eligible to sit the US national certification examination for occupational therapists administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT).

After successful completion of this exam, they will be an occupational therapist, registered (OTR) in the US.

The Master of Occupational Therapy graduate-entry program is also approved by the Occupational Therapy Board of Australia and is recognized by the World Federation of Occupational Therapists (WFOT).

Bond’s head of occupational therapy, Professor Susan Brandis, said this AOTA accreditation was great news for Bond’s current and future students with aspirations to practice internationally.

“Demand for occupational therapists has continued to skyrocket globally, most recently as a result of the longer-term effects of COVID,” Professor Brandis said. “As one of the fastest-growing careers in Australia and the US, OTs are in high demand in hospitals, schools, and aged-care facilities; pediatric, disability and rehabilitation environments.

“This accreditation is great news for our small but diverse international cohort of Bond MOT students, who want to study, adventure, and experience a great lifestyle here on the beautiful Gold Coast.

“Our experienced international academic staff provide personalized mentoring and support, to ensure our students’ experience is second to none. Their master’s degree from Bond University then becomes their passport to pursue an exciting and rewarding career in occupational therapy, anywhere in the world.”

Earlier in 2022, Bond added a Graduate Diploma in Occupation and Health to its suite of occupational therapy offerings. Last year, Bond University’s Master of Nutrition and Dietetic Practice also gained US Accreditation.

About the Bond University Master of Occupational Therapy

Bond’s Master of Occupational Therapy students graduate confident and skilled, thanks to more than 1,000 hours of clinical placement. Their advanced electives in either business or research, ensure they are well-rounded and career-ready.

The Master of Occupational Therapy at Bond University combines lectures, tutorials, workshops, case studies, fieldwork and simulation to embed the skills and knowledge needed to succeed as an occupational therapist. You will learn from highly qualified occupational therapy academics with clinical and research experience.

You will engage in research training before specializing in one of two elective pathways:

Clinically Focused Research Pathway

Business-focused Research Pathway

This program is accredited by the Association of Canadian Occupational Therapy Regulator Organizations (ACOTRO).

Program: Master of Occupational Therapy Location: Gold Coast, Queensland Intakes: May and September Duration: 2 years

Get more info about the Bond MOT!

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Bond physiotherapy and occupational therapy students will soon be learning in brand-new, cutting-edge facilities

Set to open in August 2023, the $45-million project at Robina will meet the booming demand for new physiotherapists, exercise and sports scientists, dietitians, and occupational therapists.

The five-level building at the university’s Institute of Health & Sport precinct will create an additional 11,500m2 of education spaces, offices, and associated car parking beside Cbus Super Stadium.Bond Univeristy Institute of Health & Sport building

It will connect to the university’s existing High Performance Training Centre and double the current space for allied health programs. A traditional Smoke and Welcome to Country Ceremony by Kombumerri Elder Uncle John Graham will mark the start of work by ADCO Constructions.

The project is self-funded by Bond University and will create around 200 jobs during construction and more than 50 new highly-skilled, ongoing positions.

Bond University has held the site at 18 Stadium Drive for several years with an eye to future expansion.

It was provided to the 2018 Commonwealth Games as a warm-up field for athletes and since then has been used by Bond Bull Sharks sports teams as an additional training area.

Key features of the new facility include

an exterior design that complements the adjacent stadium and will add to the overall presentation of the Robina precinct

a range of new clinical spaces, including simulated hospital wards and clinician consulting rooms to accommodate treatments in physiotherapy, nutrition, rehabilitation and occupational therapy

a world-class 60m gait laboratory that incorporates pressure sensors and high-speed cameras to analyze human movement, used to assist everything from recovery and rehabilitation for age-related conditions to elite sports training

simulated residential settings to support research and education in occupational therapy

commercial simulated kitchen facilities for nutrition and dietetic studies

a rehabilitation gym

a unique indoor amphitheatre in an 230-seat atrium designed to encourage innovation

The design by XL Architecture prioritizes natural light, airflow, and a range of environmentally sustainable initiatives including solar power.

Bond University Vice Chancellor and President Tim Brailsford said strong growth was forecast in allied health disciplines, driven by demand in the aged care and disability sectors.

“This new facility will provide a significant expansion for our programs in allied health,” Professor Brailsford said, further explaining that the new building will meet the growing need of the Gold Coast for patients seeking assistance in a range of allied health services, and will add to the Gold Coast’s increasing reputation as a centre for high performance sports facilities planned for Brisbane 2032.

Master of Occupational Therapy

The Master of Occupational Therapy at Bond University combines lectures, tutorials, workshops, case studies, fieldwork and simulation to embed the skills and knowledge needed to succeed as an occupational therapist. You will learn from highly qualified occupational therapy academics with clinical and research experience.

The program places a strong emphasis on practical experience with 1,000 hours of practice education across various clinical contexts.

You will engage in research training before specializing in one of two elective pathways:

Clinically Focused Research Pathway

Business-focused Research Pathway

Program: Master of Occupational Therapy Location: Gold Coast, Queensland Intakes: May and September Duration: 2 years

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What is the difference between occupational therapy and physiotherapy?

Students often ask us, “What’s the difference between physiotherapy and occupational therapy?” While there are significant differences between the two professions, but also many areas where they overlap.OT can help kids with various needs improve their cognitive, physical, sensory, and motor skills

Physiotherapy (or physical therapy) is a health care profession with a focus on assessing, improving and restoring physical function.

Occupational therapy also looks at physical function, but extends this to consider how this affects your ability to engage in occupation such as daily activities, leisure and work.

What is Occupational Therapy?

Occupational therapy also addresses the range of requirements for the patient including their mental and emotional well-being. Occupational therapists also have the knowledge and training to work with people with a mental illness or emotional problems such as depression and/or stress.

Occupational therapists are also trained in adapting the environment or prescribing special equipment to help people reach their full potential. OTs often work alongside physiotherapists, as part of a team of health professionals. While some areas may seem to overlap, (for example hand therapy), occupational therapists use and adapt occupations to treat or prevent occupational dysfunction due to physical, mental or environmental factors.

You will find occupational therapists working with patients across the human lifespan from infants to aged care and end of life. OTs work across the spectrum of services from mental health to acute medical and surgical services in various areas:

Aged care

Child health services

Community health services

Disability services

Schools and tertiary education

Workplace health

Public and private hospitals

Rehabilitation facilities

Independent living centres

Mental health services

Non-government organizations

Private practice

Research and development

Practicing as an OT To become an occupational therapist, you must undertake an occupational therapy degree recognized by the World Federation of Occupational Therapists (WFOT) and by the Association of Canadian Occupational Therapy Regulator Organizations (ACOTRO).

Graduates who have met all requirements, including completion of a minimum number of qualified fieldwork hours (1,000), are eligible to become licensed to practice in Canada. If you study OT in Australia, you’ll begin the registration process with the Association of Canadian Occupational Therapy Regulator Organizations (ACOTRO) before applying to your provincial regulator.

What is physiotherapy?

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What’s it like to study occupational therapy in Australia?

We love it when our Australian university partners feature OzTREKK students!

Hi, my name is Rebecca Rollings. I’m from Canada, and I’m studying the Master of Occupational Therapy Studies at The University of Queensland.

Why did you choose to study in Australia and specifically at UQ? UQ has a positive reputation and from online research, the campus and student testimonials provided a strong insight into the program and its esteemed reputation. Brisbane is also a beautiful city, with plenty of opportunities for adventures.

Why did you choose your program and what have been the best things about your program at UQ? I chose to study the Master of Occupational Therapy Studies to gain practical experience and an internationally recognized accreditation in occupational therapy, with which I’ll be able to help provide insight and support for clients.

Although COVID-19 has had a significant impact on our program and cohort, I have thoroughly enjoyed the placement opportunities and practical experiences available to me through this course.

The program structure and class sizes have been fantastic for my personal learning. I enjoy the tightness of the student group, and the professors have amazing insight and abilities for educating within the program as well.

What advice would you give people from other countries about studying at UQ? Be open to all experiences that come from practicing OT. The program and field in general is very broad and can lead to various avenues of practice. An area that you may not have considered before could be an area that you plan to practice in.

What are your plans after graduation? I have big plans to continue my education into physiotherapy, to eventually own and run a dual practice for both occupational therapy and physiotherapy. Within OT specifically however, I am most keen (at this point) to work with youth in the mental health and well-being space.

This story originally posted by the University of Queensland.

Studying Occupational Therapy at UQ

The University of Queensland has a dedicated Occupational Therapy Clinic where you’ll practice your clinical skills during your training. In the simulated hospital ward and simulated mini-house you’ll prepare for hospital and community practice.

As an OT student, you will undertake more than 1,000 hours of supervised clinical practice in a range of clinical setting, including hospitals, educational facilities, other health care organizations, private practices and UQ’s internal clinics.

Program: Master of Occupational Therapy Studies Location: Brisbane, Queensland Semester intake: July Duration: 2.5 years Application deadline: UQ has a general application deadline of April 30 each year. Applications are assessed on a rolling-admissions basis (as they are received)—the sooner you apply the better.

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Bond University Open Day

You’re here and Australia is… well… there. Kinda makes it challenging to check out a university campus, doesn’t it?

Welcome to Bond University‘s on-demand “Open Day!”

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Studying occupational therapy at Bond University

You’ve probably heard a lot about rehabilitation science programs like physiotherapy or chiropractic, but what is occupational therapy?

What is occupational therapy? Occupational therapy, or OT, is a client-centered profession that helps people participate in their daily activities. Those activities could be anything from getting dressed in the morning or brushing your teeth to accessing the community or returning to your place of work after an injury.

What can you do with an occupational therapy degree? Occupational therapists work with people at all stages of life—from birth to death, which means they can be found in a wide variety of places. Familiar workspaces include hospitals, community centres, aged care facilities, schools, or private practice clinics. However occupational therapy graduates can also work in less expected places like policy making in the government or research and academia.

What’s an example of something an occupational therapist might help with? One example of something an occupational therapist can help with is something that everyone needs—setting up their work or study space. So, how exactly would an occupational therapist help with this?

To start with, there’s no singular solution for everyone when it comes to setting up a study space. Everyone is a different size and height. So, the first thing an occupational therapist will assess is the individual.

From there, an occupational therapist will consider what the person needs to do, or their “occupation.” We often think of an occupation as a job, but for an occupational therapist, it’s the activity that the person is trying to accomplish. If you’re preparing your study space, the occupation you’re preparing for is studying.

The final component of setting up your space is the environment. This takes into consideration where you’re working and what you’re using to work. An occupational therapist will look at your chair and desk to see how they align for you and your posture. They may suggest using an adjustable ergonomic chair or switching between sitting on a standard kitchen chair to working standing up at your kitchen counter. They may also suggest that you get a separate keyboard and mouse and raise your laptop up so your screen is at eye-level.

About the Bond Master of Occupational Therapy program

Program: Master of Occupational Therapy Location: Gold Coast, Queensland Trimester intakes: May and September Next available intake: September 2021 Duration: 2 calendar years (6 semesters) Application deadline: No set deadline. You’re encouraged to apply as early as possible.

Entry requirements: The minimum academic entry requirement is an undergraduate degree in health sciences or other related degree with

one semester of anatomy,

one semester of physiology, and

two semesters of psychology or sociology or behavioural science.

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What is occupational therapy?

Most everyone has heard of physiotherapy and what it entails, but what exactly is occupational therapy (OT) and how does it differ from physio?

While physiotherapy evaluates, helps to maintain and restore physical function, occupational therapy helps to solve the problems that interfere with a person’s ability to do everyday things, such as getting dressed, bathing, washing dishes, eating, and other tasks most of us take for granted. Occupational therapy can also prevent a problem or minimize its effects.

Usually, occupational therapists are sought when a disability, injury, illness or other problem limits someone’s abilities to care for himself, participate in work, or just enjoy regular leisure time or hobbies. These skills and regular activities are so important to us as people that they often describe how we view ourselves—we identify with our jobs and activities. When disability or injury prevents someone from being able to accomplish a simple, everyday task such as buttoning a shirt, it can affect how he or she feels about himself. That’s where an occupational therapist comes in.

Occupational therapists are highly trained health-care professionals, and they define an occupation as much more than a chosen career. Occupation refers to everything that people do during the course of everyday life, including feeding and dressing themselves. Everyone has many occupations that are essential to our health and well-being.

What do occupational therapists do?

According to the Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists, “occupational therapists use a systematic approach based on evidence and professional reasoning to enable individuals, groups and communities to develop the means and opportunities to identify, engage in and improve their function in the occupations of life. The process involves assessment, intervention and evaluation of the client related to occupational performance in self-care, work, study, volunteerism and leisure. Occupational therapists may assume different roles such as advising  on health risks in the workplace, safe driving for older adults, and programs to promote mental health for youth. Occupational therapists also perform functions as manager, researcher, program developer or educator in addition to the direct delivery of professional services.”

Depending on the particular situation, an occupational therapist will check

what one can and cannot do physically (including strength, coordination, balance, or other physical abilities);

what materials are used in the occupation (e.g., cooking utensils, clothing, tools, furniture, etc.);

what one can and cannot do mentally (coping strategies, memory, organization skills, or other mental abilities);

the social and emotional support available in the home, school, work and community; and

the physical setup of the house, school, workplace, classroom, or other environment.

An occupational therapist can help by showing someone how to do something with the abilities he/she has, including improving memory, dressing, cooking, cleaning, getting around the house, going out of the house, travelling, and grocery shopping—just to name a few! But that’s not all. Occupational therapists are also trained how to help others cope with their disabilities. OT can help with coping strategies, strength, coordination, and confidence, and recommend changes to environments that will be helpful. Community support may also be available, and the occupational therapist will also assist with finding specialized transportation, support groups, and funding agencies.

Where do occupational therapists work?

Occupational therapists are generally employed in community agencies, hospitals, chronic care facilities, rehabilitation centres and clinics, schools, social agencies industry or are self-employed. While some occupational therapists specialize in working with a specific age group, like the elderly, others may specialize in a particular disability such as arthritis, developmental coordination disorder, mental illness, or spinal cord injury.

Studying occupational therapy in Australia—practicing in Canada

Canadian students who wish to practice as an occupational therapist upon their return to Canada should visit the Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists website for accreditation and certification information. Several Australian universities offer graduate-entry OT degrees that will allow you to practice in Canada.

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The one-of-a-kind Health2Go Clinic at Flinders University

Get ready for the one-of-a-kind Health2Go Clinic at Flinders University!

Are you interested in a health-related program at Flinders University?

If so, you can look forward to being a part of, and learning in, Health2Go. This modern health clinic offers a variety of health services, all while combining excellence in care with the latest technology and research. Here, there is a focus on providing individualized care to all patients and training the next generation of health clinicians.

Students in the following programs are quickly integrated into this incredible learning and work environment under careful guidance of skilled practitioners

physiotherapy

speech pathology

audiology

exercise science

nutrition

occupational therapy

Students in Health2Go have access to a variety of state-of-the-art equipment, and many of their consulting rooms have video capture so students can learn remotely as well as in-person.

Face-to-face clinical placements with real patients and clinical simulations with mock scenarios allow students to engage in patient-focused evidence-based learning. These environments provide opportunities to practice their communication skills, learn the values of their profession, and get real hands-on experience that will help them succeed once they graduate.

Want to see a glimpse of this impressive facility? Watch this video from Flinders!

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Explore University of Queensland’s impressive rehabilitation sciences facilities

Starting with the establishment of its physiotherapy program in 1938, the University of Queensland’s School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences is a leading Australian institution for teaching and research in audiology, occupational therapy, physiotherapy, and speech pathology. It has a strong focus on scientific endeavors and a long history of high-quality outcomes.

Strength and Conditioning Laboratory As part of the School of Human Movement and Nutrition Sciences, the Strength and Conditioning lab is used by students across all exercise-based programs. Here, students have access to a variety of training and rehabilitation equipment, like squat racks, pull-up bars, plyometric boxes, powerlifting platforms, cable and pin-lifted weight machines, to work with various clients.

Clinical exercise physiology students participate in specialized exercise clinics for clients with medical conditions such as cancer, diabetes, obesity, depression, cardiovascular diseases, while exercise and sport sciences students work healthy populations and athletes to help them meet their specific fitness goals.

Simulation House The Simulation House is used by occupational therapy and physiotherapy students as a space to practice working with patients with ongoing health conditions or those adapting to life at-home or during rehabilitation.

It is designed to replicate the home environment and provide the opportunity to simulate a range of activities and difficulties that clients would face at home. These include such tasks as making the bed or a cup of tea, loading or unloading a dishwasher, or getting in and out of the shower.

No detail is too small, right down to the inclusion of various drawer and cupboard handles, as students need to understand the importance of a patient’s physical environment on their success in navigating daily activities.

Telerehabilitation Clinic Just above the Simulation House is UQ’s Telerehabilitation Clinic. The first of its kind in Australia, this facility was established in 2015 with a donation from the Bowness Family Foundation. It seeks to provide superior care by removing barriers for clients with challenges affecting communication, movement, and participation.

This facility allows students in the various rehabilitative science programs to deliver services to patients in their own homes and communities using technology. Under the supervision of educators who are experts in the field, students interact with and treat real-life patients.

In the clinic, students are exposed to a range of emerging digital health technologies, and gain the knowledge, skills, and experience needed to practice in their field upon graduation. Research demonstrates that the outcomes clients achieve through these telerehabilitation sessions are just as good, if not better, than seeing a therapist in a more traditional clinic.

Want to explore these facilities further? Take a virtual tour!

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OzTREKK Ambassadors: How to buy a car in Australia

Hey everyone! My name’s Kim and I’m in the Master of Occupational Therapy (OT) program at the University of Sydney, and today I want to chat about my experience with buying a car in Australia!

Buying a car is a big decision and there is a lot to consider before investing so much money into something. However, I have been extremely happy with my decision to get a car, as it has provided me with opportunities and flexibility to find work, save time, and do more.

Here are some tips and things to know about purchasing a car in New South Wales (process is similar in most states with some minor differences).

Finding a car

You can buy new at a dealership, but I’m going to cover the steps to buying pre-owned. To get started, here are the sites I looked at:

carsales.com.au

gumtree.com.au (like Kijiji in Canada)

Facebook Marketplace

Rego (aka registration)

“Rego” is the registration of vehicles in Australia. All vehicles in Australia are registered in a state or territory and in the name of the owner of the vehicle.

CTP (Green Slip)

When renewing rego, compulsory insurance (CTP) needs to also be bought from a separate insurance company in NSW. This is known as the green slip and the is insurance that “covers all bodily injury inflicted on a third person in the event of an accident”.

Safety Check (Pink Slip)

For cars that are over 5 years old, a technical check is required to renew rego (sometimes referred to as pink slip or eSafety check). This check is to ensure that the vehicle is safe and passes the required roadworthy standards for registration.

This all sounds really complicated, but what this means for you as the buyer is that vehicles with existing valid rego (the longer the better) would give you more bang for your buck! This also means that if the car has rego on it, you are able to drive off with the car once the rego is transferred to your name. This will make more sense when you read the price breakdown. You also don’t really have to worry about it until you need to renew rego and it will become clearer when the time comes.

Purchasing a pre-owned car

To transfer rego…

1. The seller and the buyer together fill out the Application of Transfer and Notice of Disposal forms.

2. The seller delivers the Notice of Disposal to the NSW Service.

3. The seller provides a receipt showing name, address, buyer’s and seller’s signatures, date of sale, price, plate number, vehicle identification number (VIN) and the registration certificate or other proof that he is the owner.

4. The buyer delivers in-person to the NSW Service Office: The transfer form, the receipt, two documents proving identity, an official proof of address in NSW. You can go to your bank to request a Letter of Introduction.

5. The buyer pays the tax and transfer fee.

Additional insurance

Because the CTP (Green Slip) only insures the bodily injury inflicted on a third person, you may want to consider purchasing additional insurance to cover property damage. From my understanding, there are generally 3 options for coverage (cheapest to most expensive):

Third party property damage

Third-party fire and theft

Comprehensive

I decided to go with the cheapest option (third-party property damage) just to cover my liability for damage caused by my car onto another person’s property. This insurance is not compulsory so it is ultimately your decision to get it or not. I use an Australian insurance comparison website to compare rates from various companies. It has worked well for me in the past, but do your own research to find the best options.

Pre-purchase car inspection

There are various pre-purchased car inspection services available if you feel like you would be more comfortable having professional advice prior to buying the car. Personally, I just gave it a drive and hoped for the best (it turned out alright, but I wouldn’t recommend it). I have had friends who did not get an inspection and shortly after purchasing the car, they were having issues that were over $1000 to fix.

It is important to keep in mind to not just go for the cheapest option, but to go for something that will last you for the duration of your stay.

If paying for an inspection is a bit out of your budget, it would be really helpful to look up some videos to educate yourself on what to look out for, or better yet, if you have a friend that knows a lot about cars, bring them along with you and buy them dinner afterwards!

My car costs

I got a 2008 Nissan Micra, automatic. I bought it when the mileage was about 47k for $5000.

Add on 1 year rego:

Certificate of Registration —Registration fee ($67) + Motor vehicle Tax ($219) = $286

Compulsory Third Party Personal Injury Insurance (CTP/ Green Slip Certificate): bought through Allianz = $695

Pink Slip eSafety Check = $42

Plus 1 year third-party property damage insurance:

Purchased through Budget Direct = $378.21

Grand total = $6401.21 AUD

So there you have it! Hopefully this quick guide is helpful if you decide to purchase a car in Australia/ NSW. If you have any other questions, contact me through my IG!

[australianotschools]

OzTREKK Ambassadors: Why I chose to study at the University of Sydney

Since being an OzTREKK ambassador, I’ve been asked why I chose to move to Sydney for my post-grad endless times. My answers have been pretty generic:

I fell in love with Sydney when I was here during my exchange in my undergrad.

I want to move to a different country to get an international experience.

It is hard to get into a Canadian university so it is just easier to apply to Australia.

Although these are all true, I haven’t been completely honest with myself or with others. The truth is that I’m pretty embarrassed with what has happened and I’ve avoided talking about it. But recently it has hit me that I am actually quite proud of myself for taking such a big risk and pushing myself outside my comfort zone, so I thought I’d share my story of why I picked Sydney.

Embrace yourself for the most cliché reason ever: I chose to do my post-grad in Sydney to be with a guy (barf).

I met him two years ago when I was on exchange. I knew at the time that it would never work because he’s from Sydney and I’m from Vancouver, but ever since I left Sydney, we had a hard time ending our relationship. We did long distance for another year and a half. I decided I wanted to move somewhere outside Vancouver for my post-grad anyways, and universities in Canada are generally tough to get into—so Sydney would be a good option, especially since I got so sick of doing long distance not knowing if it will ever end.

To my surprise, I got into chiropractic at CMCC in Canada and was stuck between choosing chiro in Canada or occupational therapy at the University of Sydney. Every person in my family tried to push me toward doing chiro since it was closer to home, it would be domestic fees, and you would get the “doctor” title. Something about chiro didn’t appeal to me the same way as it used to and I wasn’t sure if it was because I really wanted to move to Sydney to be with this person or because chiro just isn’t something I want to do anymore. This caused a lot of anxiety and pressure for me because I was very afraid of making the wrong decision and nothing scares me more than disappointing my mother—Asian stereotype, but very true.

Keep reading Kim’s story...