Study Allied Health
Turn your passion for helping others into a career
Practical, hands-on experience
Right from your first year
Purpose-built clinics
For on-campus learning and development
Make a real difference
Discover the diversity of allied health practise
- Gain hands-on experience through clinical placements and on-campus health clinics. Benefit from over 1,000 hours of practice in the Bachelor of Occupational Therapy.
- Develop job-ready skills through practical training in purpose-built learning environments, such as the on-campus JCU Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy Clinic.
- Study in North Queensland and be uniquely prepared to work in rural, remote and tropical health settings.
- Learn from qualified clinicians, researchers and health professionals with extensive industry experience.
Fast facts
Location: Townsville
Starts: January
Entry requirements:* ATAR: 65
English (Units 3 and 4,C); General Maths (Units 3 and 4,C).
Recommended knowledge: one of Biology, Health or Physical Education (Units 3/4,C).
*This web page is intended as a general guide for domestic students commencing 2026 or later. Prospective domestic students and all international applicants should contact the University to confirm admission requirements and the availability of courses. Information is correct at the time of publishing. James Cook University reserves the right to alter any course or admission requirement without prior notice.
What career possibilities are there?
You could work in community and corporate health/wellness, chronic disease management, injury rehabilitation, workplace/occupational health, private practice, or hospital-based science roles.
Fast facts
Location: Townsville
Starts: January, September
Entry requirements:* ATAR: 70
English (Units 3/4,C); One of Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Health, Psychology or Physical Education (Units 3/4,C)
*This web page is intended as a general guide for domestic students commencing 2026 or later. Prospective domestic students and all international applicants should contact the University to confirm admission requirements and the availability of courses. Information is correct at the time of publishing. James Cook University reserves the right to alter any course or admission requirement without prior notice.
What career possibilities are there?
You could work as an occupational therapist in public and private hospitals, rehabilitation units, community health centres, aged care, mental health services, schools or private practice. Opportunities also exist in research, education and training.
Fast facts
Location: Townsville
Starts: January
Entry requirements:* ATAR: 89
Recommended knowledge: English (Units 3/4,C), Mathematical Methods (Units 3/4,C), plus one of Chemistry, Biology, Physics, Physical Education, Psychology or Health (Units 3/4,C); or equivalent.
*This web page is intended as a general guide for domestic students commencing 2026 or later. Prospective domestic students and all international applicants should contact the University to confirm admission requirements and the availability of courses. Information is correct at the time of publishing. James Cook University reserves the right to alter any course or admission requirement without prior notice.
What career possibilities are there?
You could work in aged care services, hospitals, private practices, sports and rehab clinics, schools, or community health. JCU graduates are especially prepared to work in rural, remote and Indigenous communities.
Fast facts
Location: Townsville
Starts: January
Entry requirements:* ATAR: 70
English (Units 3/4,C), plus one of Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Psychology or Health (Units 3/4,C).
*This web page is intended as a general guide for domestic students commencing 2026 or later. Prospective domestic students and all international applicants should contact the University to confirm admission requirements and the availability of courses. Information is correct at the time of publishing. James Cook University reserves the right to alter any course or admission requirement without prior notice.
What career possibilities are there?
You could work in hospitals, schools, community centres, aged care, disability services, mental health, childcare, or private practice.
"Speech Pathologists go through the human lifespan. You can get jobs in paediatrics – right from when babies are born, all the way through to palliative care. There’s so many different places we can work, and we’re in really high demand, especially in rural areas."
Nicole Dunn
Bachelor of Speech Pathology (Honours) – Alumni
"JCU’s hands-on labs and smaller class sizes gave me a solid foundation and the freedom to shape my learning. The flexible study options and real-world placements helped me discover my passion, working with elite athletes to refine their performance."
Alexander Anthony
Graduating into the Exercise Science field – Student
"I had a lot of support during my studies at JCU. I was able to balance full-time study with my training and make sure one thing was not falling behind the other."
Wyatt Raymond
Bachelor of Physiotherapy – Alumni
Photo credit: NRL Media
Choose your JCU course, confirm that you meet the entry requirements, and note the QTAC code.
If applying for entry into a bachelor's degree please submit your application via QTAC.
Ready today for tomorrow
- We acknowledge Aboriginal People and Torres Strait Islander People as the first inhabitants of the nation, and acknowledge Traditional Custodians of the Australian lands where our staff and students live, learn and work. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are advised that this site may contain names, images or voices of people who have passed away.
- © James Cook University 1995 to 2026
- TEQSA Provider ID: PRV12077
- CRICOS Provider Code 00117
- ABN 46253211955