Inherent requirements for occupational therapy programs

Our occupational therapy programs have inherent requirements you must meet to be able to graduate.

Inherent requirements are core activities, tasks or skills that are essential to a program or course. They apply to the following programs:

Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (Honours)
Master of Occupational Therapy Studies.

What you need to do

If you plan to apply for one of these programs, carefully read through the inherent requirements.

If you think you may experience any problems meeting them, contact a Student Adviser to discuss your needs and whether any reasonable adjustments can be made.

Learn more about inherent requirements at UQ

Inherent requirements should be read in conjunction with other information, such as program requirements, UQ Fitness to Practise Policy, and Occupational Therapy Board of Australia publications, such as:

Ethical behaviour

Context	Occupational therapy is a profession that is governed by professional standards to enable the safe and effective delivery of care.
What you need to demonstrate	The student will demonstrate knowledge of, and engage in, ethical behaviour in practice.
Why this is required	Complying with standards, codes, guidelines, and policies facilitates safe, competent interactions and relationships for students and the people they engage with. Ethical behaviour protects the rights and dignity of all and supports physical, psychological, emotional, and spiritual wellbeing.
Scope for reasonable adjustments	Reasonable adjustments must ensure that standards, codes, guidelines, and policies are maintained and do not result in unethical behaviour. Adjustments specific to the individual can be discussed with a Student Adviser.
Example ways to meet the requirement	Comply with medico-legal requirements regarding informed consent, privacy and confidentiality with client information in academic and workplace learning settings. Reflect on ethical issues and take responsibility for demonstrating ethical awareness and conduct in the delivery of care.

Behavioural stability

Context	Behavioural stability is necessary to effectively and sensitively function and adapt in occupational therapy roles.
What you need to demonstrate	Behavioural stability in diverse, unpredictable, and challenging academic and clinical environments. Self-management and emotional stability when interacting with clients, clinical educators and peers.
Why this is required	Behavioural stability is necessary to work in diverse, unpredictable, and challenging environments, whether individually or in a team. Occupational therapy students will be exposed to disability and human adversity and are required to have the behavioural stability to manage themselves and their activities in these environments.
Scope for reasonable adjustments	Reasonable adjustments must support stable, effective, and professional behaviour in both academic and clinical settings. Adjustments specific to the individual can be discussed with a Student Adviser.
Example ways to meet the requirement	Be receptive to constructive feedback and respond appropriately when feedback is provided. Effectively manage your emotions and behaviour in classroom and clinical settings. Demonstrate effective self-management of stress arising from the demands of the academic program and the clinical practice of occupational therapy. Demonstrate appropriate interpersonal and social interaction skills when interacting with patients or clients, and other multidisciplinary team members.

Legal

Context	Occupational therapy practice is regulated by Australian laws and professional standards to enable the safe and effective delivery of care. Registration upon completion of the program is contingent upon applicants meeting five registration standards, including criminal history and English proficiency.
What you need to demonstrate	The student will demonstrate knowledge of and compliance with Australian laws, professional standards, and scope of practice.
Why this is required	Showing an understanding of and compliance with legislative and regulatory requirements reduces the risk of harm to self and others and are a necessary prerequisite to clinical placements. Compliance with Australian laws and regulations ensures students are responsible and accountable for their practice.
Scope for reasonable adjustments	Reasonable adjustments must be consistent with legislative and regulatory requirements. Adjustments specific to the individual can be discussed with a Student Adviser.
Example ways to meet the requirement	Ensure that you meet the current registration standards with respect to criminal history and English proficiency and demonstrate fitness to practice: registration requires students and practitioners to disclose any physical or mental impairment which may limit their ability to safely and effectively practice so that appropriate limitations to practice can be implemented to protect self and others. Comply with relevant child protection, privacy, and safety legislation. Provide evidence where required of your personal history and activities (e.g., police check and/or Blue Card) before any clinical placements.

Communication

Verbal

Context	Effective verbal communication skills in English is an essential requirement to provide safe and effective care.
What you need to demonstrate	Sensitivity to and respect for individual and cultural differences. The ability to understand – and accurately and appropriately respond to – verbal communication in a timely manner. The ability to communicate clearly, audibly, and intelligibly in English in classroom or clinical situations.
Why this is required	Communicating in a way that displays respect and empathy with others develops trusting relationships. Efficient verbal communication can be critical to achieve safe, timely and effective care. Timely, accurate, and effective delivery of instructions and feedback is critical to individual safety, treatment, and management.
Scope for reasonable adjustments	Reasonable adjustments must address issues concerning the effectiveness, timeliness, clarity, and accuracy of verbal communication to achieve safe and appropriate care. Adjustments specific to the individual can be discussed with Student Adviser.
Example ways to meet the requirement	Actively participate in tutorials, simulation-based learning activities, verbal presentations, and clinical interactions during placement experiences. Demonstrate verbal communication skills to convey complex clinical information, concepts, assessment, and management with individuals, families, and communities. Communicate effectively with peers, educators, team members and clients in classroom and clinical settings.

Non-verbal

Context	Appropriate non-verbal communication is fundamental to occupational therapy and needs to be respectful, clear, attentive, empathic, and non-judgemental.
What you need to demonstrate	The capacity to recognise, interpret, and respond appropriately to behavioural cues. The capacity to use non-verbal behaviours to facilitate positive interpersonal interactions. Consistent and appropriate awareness of your own behaviours and how these may be perceived by others. Sensitivity to and respect for individual and cultural differences.
Why this is required	The ability to observe and understand non-verbal cues in others, and an awareness of our own non-verbal cues, helps to build rapport and develop trustful and respectful relationships in academic and professional contexts. Displaying consistent and appropriate facial expressions and eye contact, and being aware of spatial boundaries, body movements and gestures, facilitates effective communication. Being sensitive to individual and cultural differences shows respect for others and develops trustful and empathetic relationships. The ability to observe and understand non-verbal cues is essential for safe and effective observation of client symptoms and reactions to facilitate assessment and treatment.
Scope for reasonable adjustments	Reasonable adjustments must enable a student to effectively recognise, initiate or respond to non-verbal communication in a timely and appropriate manner. Adjustments specific to the individual can be discussed with a Student Adviser.
Example ways to meet the requirement	Recognise and respond appropriately to cues in academic and clinical settings. Use appropriate non-verbal communication to facilitate interactions with individuals and families.

Written

Context	Effective written communication in English is essential to occupational therapy practice and has professional and legal ramifications.
What you need to demonstrate	The ability to construct written communication that is cohesive, accurate, and demonstrates appropriate grammar and spelling. The capacity to construct written communication in a timely manner. The ability to read and comprehend a range of literature and other information. The capacity to administer and analyse client assessments that include written textual components. The capacity to adapt written communication to meet the communication needs of clients, families, and the community.
Why this is required	Accurate processing of client notes, reports, and feedback is vital to provide consistent and safe client care. Construction of written text-based assessment tasks to reflect the required academic standards are necessary to convey knowledge and understanding of relevant subject matter for professional practice. Accurate written communication, including record-keeping and client notes which meet legal and ethical requirements, is vital to provide consistent and safe client care. Written communication needs to be adapted so that information is accessible for clients, families, and communities.
Scope for reasonable adjustments	Reasonable adjustments must enable a student to meet necessary standards of clarity, accuracy, and accessibility to ensure effective recording and transmission of information in both academic and clinical settings. Adjustments specific to the individual can be discussed with a Student Adviser.
Example ways to meet the requirement	Construct a written academic assessment that meets minimum academic standards. Construct client notes, reports, and educational information in a timely manner that meets minimum professional standards. Provide written material using style and content that is accessible for individuals, families, and communities.

Cognition

Knowledge acquisition and cognitive ability

Context	Cognitive ability and the capacity to learn, integrate and recall complex information are essential in providing safe and effective occupational therapy care.
What you need to demonstrate	The capacity to gather, comprehend and organise appropriate and relevant information. The ability to process, remember and recall information relevant to practice. The ability to integrate and implement knowledge in practice in a responsive manner. The ability to reflect on performance and develop action plans. The capacity to develop clinical reasoning skills.
Why this is required	Safe and effective occupational therapy care relies on comprehensive knowledge that is sourced, understood, and applied appropriately. Reflection, reasoning, and professional development are essential for occupational therapy practice.
Scope for reasonable adjustments	Reasonable adjustments must ensure knowledge can be clearly demonstrated and cognitive skills are not compromised or impeded. Adjustments specific to the individual can be discussed with a Student Adviser.
Example ways to meet the requirement	Conceptualise and use appropriate knowledge in response to academic assessment items. Appropriately apply knowledge of theory, research evidence, policies and procedures in clinical settings. Learn or change behaviours in response to feedback.

Literacy (language)

Context	Competent English literacy skills are essential to provide safe and effective occupational therapy care.
What you need to demonstrate	The ability to acquire information and accurately convey appropriate and effective messages in English. The ability to read and comprehend a range of information in English. The capacity to understand and apply academic conventions to write coherent English in a scholarly and professional manner.
Why this is required	The ability to acquire information and write and speak clearly and accurately in English is fundamental to the safe and effective assessment, treatment, and delivery of care. The ability to read, interpret and understand multiple sources of information is fundamental to the safe and effective assessment, treatment, and delivery of care. Literacy skills are necessary to provide effective occupational therapy services to children and adults.
Scope for reasonable adjustments	Reasonable adjustments must ensure a student can demonstrate an appropriate capacity to acquire, comprehend, apply, and communicate accurately in English. Adjustments specific to the individual can be discussed with a Student Adviser.
Example ways to meet the requirement	Successfully paraphrase, summarise, and reference in English, in accordance with appropriate academic conventions. Speak clearly and accurately in English. Create accurate, concise, and clear documentation in English.

Numeracy

Context	Competent and accurate numeracy skills are essential to provide safe and effective occupational therapy care.
What you need to demonstrate	The student will demonstrate the ability to interpret and apply numerical information, whether data, measurements, or other numbers correctly and accurately.
Why this is required	Competent numeracy skills are essential to facilitating the safe and effective delivery of occupational therapy care.
Scope for reasonable adjustments	Reasonable adjustments must ensure a student can demonstrate a capacity to interpret and apply numerical concepts and processes in a timely, accurate and effective manner. Adjustments specific to the individual can be discussed with a Student Adviser.
Example ways to meet the requirement	Record accurate data in client notes. Prescribe adaptive equipment that correctly meets client measurement requirements e.g., wheelchair prescription.

Sensory abilities

Visual

Context	Sufficient sensorimotor skills, including visual acuity may be required to function within the occupational therapy scope of practice.
What you need to demonstrate	Occupational therapists work in a wide range of settings and with a wide range of people. Each practice setting will be different in terms of what sensory skills are required.
Why this is required	Sufficient visual acuity may be needed to complete the required range of skills, learning activities and assessment tasks in this program, and to provide consistent, accurate, and safe care. Visual observations, examinations and assessment can be integral to safe and effective occupational therapy practice.
Scope for reasonable adjustments	Reasonable adjustments must address the need to perform the full range of tasks involved in clinical practice. Any strategies to address the effects of the vision impairment must be effective, consistent, and not compromise treatment or safety. Adjustments specific to the individual can be discussed with a Student Adviser.
Example ways to meet the requirement	Each practice setting will be different and visual requirements will vary accordingly. Some areas of occupational therapy practice will require a high level of visual acuity and other areas may be done safely with sensory impairments.

Auditory

Context	Sufficient sensorimotor skills, including auditory ability may be required to function within the occupational therapy scope of practice.
What you need to demonstrate	Occupational therapists work in a wide range of settings and with a wide range of people. Each practice setting will be different in terms of what sensory skills are required.
Why this is required	Sufficient auditory ability may be necessary to monitor, assess and manage a patient’s health needs consistently and accurately. Auditory assessments, examinations and observations can be integral to safe and effective occupational therapy practice.
Scope for reasonable adjustments	Reasonable adjustments must address the need to perform the full range of tasks involved in clinical practice. Any strategies to address the effects of the hearing impairment must be effective, consistent, and not compromise treatment or safety. Adjustments specific to the individual can be discussed with a Student Adviser.
Example ways to meet the requirement	Each practice setting will be different and auditory requirements will vary accordingly. Some areas of occupational therapy practice will require a high level of aural acuity and other areas may be done safely with sensory impairments.

Tactile

Context	Sufficient sensory motor skills, including tactile ability may be required to function within the occupational therapy scope of practice.
What you need to demonstrate	Occupational therapists work in a wide range of settings and with a wide range of people. Each practice setting will be different in terms of what sensory skills are required.
Why this is required	Sufficient tactile ability may be required to monitor, assess, and detect a patient’s physical characteristics and act on any abnormalities detected to provide appropriate occupational therapy care. Tactile assessments and observations can be integral to safe and effective occupational therapy practice.
Scope for reasonable adjustments	Reasonable adjustments must ensure a student can demonstrate the capacity to make effective assessments of physical characteristics and abnormalities within safe time frames. Adjustments specific to the individual can be discussed with a Student Adviser.
Example ways to meet the requirement	Each practice setting will be different and tactile acuity requirements will vary accordingly. Some areas of occupational therapy practice will require a high level of tactile acuity and other areas may be done safely with sensory impairments.

Strength and mobility

Gross motor skills

Context	Occupational therapy can be physically demanding and may require gross motor function.
What you need to demonstrate	Occupational therapists work in a wide range of settings and with a wide range of people. Each practice setting will be different in terms of what gross motor skills are required.
Why this is required	Gross motor skills may be required to perform, coordinate, and prioritise care. If required, students must be able to demonstrate and perform gross motor tasks consistently and safely to reduce the risk of harm to themselves and others.
Scope for reasonable adjustments	Reasonable adjustments must facilitate functional effectiveness, safety of self and others, and a capacity to provide appropriate care. Adjustments specific to the individual can be discussed with a Student Adviser.
Example ways to meet the requirement	Each practice setting will be different and gross motor requirements will vary accordingly. Some areas of occupational therapy practice will require a high level of gross motor skill and other areas may be done safely with gross motor impairments.

Fine motor skills

Context	Occupational therapy may require manual dexterity and fine motor skills.
What you need to demonstrate	Occupational therapists work in a wide range of settings and with a wide range of people. Each practice setting will be different in terms of what fine motor skills are required.
Why this is required	Fine motor skills may be necessary to perform, coordinate and prioritise care. If required, students must be able to demonstrate and perform fine motor tasks consistently and safely to reduce the risk of harm to themselves and others.
Scope for reasonable adjustments	Reasonable adjustments must facilitate functional effectiveness, safety to self and others, and a capacity to provide appropriate care. Adjustments specific to the individual can be discussed with a Student Adviser.
Example ways to meet the requirement	Each practice setting will be different and fine motor requirements will vary accordingly. Some areas of occupational therapy practice will require a high level of fine motor skill and other areas may be done safely with fine motor impairments.

Sustainable performance

Context	Occupational therapy practice requires both physical and mental endurance at a consistent and sustained level to meet individual needs over time.
What you need to demonstrate	Consistent and sustained physical energy to complete specific tasks in a timely manner and over time. The ability to perform repetitive activities with a level of concentration that ensures a capacity to focus on the activity until it is completed appropriately. The capacity to maintain consistency and quality of performance over a sustained period of time.
Why this is required	Sufficient physical and mental endurance are essential to performing multiple tasks in an assigned period and to provide safe and effective care.
Scope for reasonable adjustments	Reasonable adjustments must ensure that performance is consistent and sustained over a given period. Adjustments specific to the individual can be discussed with a Student Adviser.
Example ways to meet the requirement	Actively participate in tutorials, lectures, and practicals. Manage attention and fatigue to provide consistent occupational therapy care over a negotiated time frame while on clinical placement.

Need more information?

If you're not sure what an inherent requirement means, contact the School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences.

Adapted from Inherent Requirements © Western Sydney University, licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Non Commercial Share Alike 4.0 International licence.