This course introduces you to the foundations of occupational therapy and occupational science. You will explore the core ideas that shape the profession and the central importance of occupation in people’s everyday lives. You will learn how activities, environments and personal factors influence health, wellbeing and participation, and how occupational therapists support people to engage in meaningful occupations.  

  You will be introduced to occupational science, which examines the relationship between occupation, health and identity. In doing so, you will consider how occupational therapy knowledge has developed over time and how social, cultural and historical contexts influence the way occupation is understood and practised. Alongside commonly used occupational therapy models, you will explore diverse knowledge systems, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives and other non-Western understandings of health, wellbeing and participation, to deepen your appreciation of how occupation is experienced and valued across cultures.  

 Through practical activities, discussions and real-world examples, you will develop early communication, observation and reflective practice. You will also develop foundational academic skills, including academic writing, academic integrity and the responsible use of digital and AI-supported tools. You will examine your own values, assumptions and experiences, and consider how these shape your developing professional identity. 

 By the end of the course, you will have a strong conceptual grounding in occupational therapy and an emerging understanding of yourself as a reflective, culturally responsive student occupational therapist, prepared to engage thoughtfully in practice contexts throughout the program.