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Discover a career in Allied Health at JCU

Graduate with confidence and become a healthcare hero.

Turn your passion for helping others into a career. You will experience practical learning through professional placements so that you’re ready to finish your degree job-ready. By learning from experts and studying in cutting-edge facilities, you will gain the knowledge and skills to help restore your future clients’ quality of life.


1. 2024 Good Universities Guide | 2. 2024 Good Universities Guide, UG Rehabilitation | 3. 2024 Good Universities Guide, UG Pharmacy

  • Exceptional hands-on practical experiences

    Benefit from extensive supervised professional practice and clinical experience in real-world settings from year one.

  • Small class sizes

    Our small class sizes provide students with access to lecturers who genuinely care about their progress and their studies.

  • Dedicated, state-of-the-art facilities

    Australian clinical placement is provided in a range of contemporary health settings.

Undergraduate options

Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (Honours)

Occupational Therapists help patients living with illness, injury or disability adapt and develop skills needed for daily living and working. Learn how to identify your future clients’ potential and use therapeutic approaches to help them maximise their quality of life.

Fast facts

Location: Townsville
Starts: February, July
Entry requirements:**
ATAR: 70

English (Units 3/4,C), plus 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 2024 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.


About Occupational Therapy

Gain the knowledge, skills and confidence you’ll need to help individuals achieve their goals in relation to the activities that they need, want or are expected to do in their daily lives.

Learn within a supportive, hands-on environment and benefit from over 1,000 hours of professional work experience. Build your skills working with real clients and experienced practitioners through the JCU Health Occupational Therapy Clinic on the Townsville campus.

Be prepared to engage in effective healthcare practice from your first year as you learn fundamental communication and practical skills for occupational therapists and allied health service delivery.


What career possibilities are there?

The need for allied health professionals is growing rapidly as demand increases across a range of areas, both within and outside of the health sector.

Your career could lead you to work as an occupational therapist in public and private hospitals, rehabilitation units, community health centres, aged care facilities, mental health services, schools, independent living centres and in private practice. You can also work in research, education and training.


How do I find out more?

Chat to us, we’re here to answer your questions if you need help.

Contact us by:
Email - study@jcu.edu.au
Phone - 1800 246 446
Or, visit the Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (Honours) course page.

Bachelor of Pharmacy (Honours)

Pharmacists are experts in medication and both preventative and curative treatments. They can advise on the safest and most effective way to treat common illnesses.

Fast facts

Location: Townsville, Cairns, Mackay
Starts: January
Entry requirements:**
ATAR: 76

English (Units 3/4,C), General Mathematics (Units 3/4,C)

Recommended knowledge: Chemistry (Units 3/4,C)

**This web page is intended as a general guide for domestic students commencing 2024 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.


About Pharmacy

Pharmacy professionals are experts in the applied use of medicines, preventative healthcare strategies, management of self-limiting and chronic diseases.

With more than 640 hours of placement, JCU’s Bachelor of Pharmacy (Honours) degree has the highest number of clinical placement hours for any undergraduate pharmacy degree within Australia. As JCU Pharmacy student, you’ll gain relevant hands-on experience in primary and community settings, acute care settings and low-resource environments. You’ll be equipped with the skills and experiences to work in any pharmacy setting, from the outback to the city.

JCU Pharmacy graduates learn contemporary best practices from practising clinicians and academics and are job-ready. They emerge ready to improve the health of patients through their knowledge and skills in medicines optimisation, disease management and primary care practice.

Note: This program has been granted ‘accreditation with conditions’ by the Australian Pharmacy Council and is approved by the Pharmacy Board of Australia as a qualification leading to registration as a pharmacist in Australia. Students enrolled in this degree will be registered with the Pharmacy Board of Australia through the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) for the duration of their program of study or until they are no longer enrolled. Graduates will be eligible to apply for professional registration with the Pharmacy Board of Australia through the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA).


What career possibilities are there?

JCU Pharmacy (Honours) graduates have extensive health and pharmaceutical knowledge and are employed in a wide range of settings. You could find employment as a community pharmacist, hospital pharmacist, in primary care settings within multidisciplinary teams, or as a consultant pharmacist, industrial pharmacist, researcher or educator.

You could also work in the Australian Defence Force, in drug development, in aged care facilities, health service management, government and much more.


How do I find out more?

Chat to us, we’re here to answer your questions if you need help. Contact us by:

Email - study@jcu.edu.au
Phone - 1800 246 446

Or, visit the Bachelor of Pharmacy (Honours) course page.

Bachelor of Physiotherapy

Physiotherapists diagnose and treat people with physical injury through exercises, massage and other physiological treatments. Learn to diagnose and manage conditions affecting the bones, muscles, cardiovascular system and nerves.

Fast facts

Location: Townsville
Starts: February
Entry requirements:**
ATAR: 89

Recommended knowledge: English (Units 3/4,C), Mathematical Methods (Units 3/4,C), plus one of Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Physical Education, Psychology or Health (Units 3/4,C)

**This web page is intended as a general guide for domestic students commencing 2024 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.


About Physiotherapy

Become a health professional with the skills and expertise to assess, diagnose and create solutions to problems with human function and movement with this degree accredited by the Australian Physiotherapy Council.

Develop professional skills and experience through extensive clinical training in advanced on-campus facilities as well as placement opportunities.

Discover how to take a holistic approach to health as you examine key elements of human anatomy, movement and lifestyle to determine the needs of your future clients. Learn how to plan and administer treatment programs to maintain health for people of all ages, while helping patients to manage pain and prevent disease.


What career possibilities are there?

JCU Physiotherapy graduates have a positive impact on their communities, serving clients of all ages and levels of ability.

Graduates pursue careers across Australia and are especially equipped to work in rural, remote and tropical settings, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

You could work in aged care services, community health centres, hospitals, private practices, schools, or sports and rehab clinics.


How do I find out more?

Chat to us, we’re here to answer your questions if you need help. Contact us by:

Email - study@jcu.edu.au
Phone - 1800 246 446

Or, visit the Bachelor of Physiotherapy course page.

Bachelor of Psychological Science

Apply knowledge of the human mind to assist people in the workplace through careers such as human resources or counselling. With further study, you could also become a psychologist.

Fast facts

Location: Townsville
Starts: January
Entry requirements:**
ATAR: 64

English (Units 3/4,C).

**This web page is intended as a general guide for domestic students commencing 2024 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.


About Psychological Science

Gain expertise in analytical thinking and scientific research methods relevant to a broad range of careers and further study. Study a core program in psychology with the flexibility to choose subjects that align with your interests. Areas of study include forensic psychology, memory and cognition, cognitive neuroscience and social psychology.


What career possibilities are there?

JCU Psychological Science graduates are innovative, critical thinkers who are widely-skilled and contribute valuably in their chosen fields.

Your knowledge of psychological theory is highly applicable to professional practice in numerous areas including behaviour insights, marketing, experimental science, data interpretation and more.

Continue your studies with Honours and Master-level degrees available to those wishing to pursue clinical or professional psychology practice.


How do I find out more?

Chat to us, we’re here to answer your questions if you need help. Contact us by:

Email - study@jcu.edu.au
Phone - 1800 246 446

Or, visit the Bachelor of Psychological Science course page.

Bachelor of Speech Pathology (Honours)

Speech Pathologists diagnose and manage communication and swallowing difficulties to improve quality of life.

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 2024 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.


About Speech Pathology

As an aspiring speech pathologist, you will learn to diagnose and treat communication disorders including difficulties with speaking, understanding language, reading, writing, social skills, stuttering and swallowing impediments.

Benefit from JCU’s on-campus speech and language clinic, where you will acquire a thorough understanding of techniques and treatments for a diverse range of clients, such as children with speech impairments or adults experiencing complications after strokes or seizures.

Discover the wide variety of work a speech pathologist can undertake. Areas that underpin speech pathology practice include communication sciences, health care and allied health, education, social justice, biomedical science, physical sciences, and performance techniques involved in sports and singing.


What career possibilities are there?

JCU Speech Pathology graduates are equipped with specialised, job-ready skills to meet the unique needs of tropical, rural and Indigenous communities.

Graduates pursue careers in various areas including education settings, hospitals, community health centres, nursing homes, childcare, mental health services, disability services and private practice.


How do I find out more?

Chat to us, we’re here to answer your questions if you need help. Contact us by:

Email - study@jcu.edu.au
Phone - 1800 246 446

Or, visit the Bachelor of Speech Pathology (Honours) course page.

Bachelor of Sport and Exercise Science

Sport and Exercise Scientists help patients improve their fitness and treat medical conditions through exercise, working alongside other health professionals.

Fast facts

Location: Townsville
Starts: January, July
Entry requirements:**
ATAR: 64

English (Units 3/4,C), General Maths, Mathematical Methods or Specialist Maths (Units 3/4).

Recommended knowledge: 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 2024 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.


About Sport and Exercise Science

Sport and exercise science professionals have the expertise and skills to help people boost their sporting performance, recover from injuries or improve their overall health through training and exercise.

Students learn the scientific principles underlying the benefits of physical activity as they study in world-class facilities. You’ll learn how to design exercise programs that consider your future clients’ fitness levels, existing health conditions, physical goals and their needs for improving their fitness.


What career possibilities are there?

JCU Sport and Exercise Science graduates are highly-skilled and are employed in a range of health-related industries.

Graduates pursue careers in various areas including health and wellness management, health promotion agencies, sports training and rehabilitation, hospital-based science, and occupational health and safety.


How do I find out more?

Chat to us, we’re here to answer your questions if you need help. Contact us by:

Email - study@jcu.edu.au
Phone - 1800 246 446

Or, visit the Bachelor of Sport and Exercise Science course page.

Postgraduate options

Master of Rehabilitation

Expand your career by developing specialist knowledge in the research or practise of rehabilitation. Your expertise will make a real difference to the health and wellbeing of people and communities in the Tropics.

Fast facts

Location: Online
Starts: February, July
Entry requirements:**

AQF level 7 bachelor degree in a relevant health discipline; or B Physiotherapy, B Occupational Therapy, or B Speech Pathology

**This web page is intended as a general guide for domestic students commencing 2024 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.


About Rehabilitation

Develop advanced knowledge and skills for health professionals working in the field of rehabilitation. Gain an understanding of your community's needs for rehabilitation services and develop your skills to enhance patient centred care.

Advance your ability to design, manage and evaluate rehabilitation plans for individuals and communities in culturally diverse populations. You will learn to develop solutions for complex issues in rehabilitation.

This degree is designed to maximise your professional expertise and extend your capacity in key areas of rehabilitative care. You will choose between a coursework stream or a combination stream of coursework and research.

Rehabilitation is also available as a Graduate Diploma and Graduate Certificate.


What career possibilities are there?

JCU’s Master of Rehabilitation gives you the contemporary knowledge, skills and experience to update your clinical practice and expand your career prospects. You will gain advanced skills in your specialisation and valuable expertise in tropical, Indigenous, rural and remote practice.

Graduates pursue careers in various areas including acute care wards and rehabilitation settings with public and private health providers, aged care, private practice, policy development or research. You could pursue your specialisation in roles such as a clinician, case manager or researcher. Additionally, you can progress further to study a PhD.


How do I find out more?

Chat to us, we’re here to answer your questions if you need help. Contact us by:

Email - study@jcu.edu.au
Phone - 1800 246 446

Or, visit the Master of Rehabilitation course page.

Take your next step with confidence

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How to apply

Apply today via the link below using the QTAC or course code on the relevant course page.


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