Occupational Therapy

4th Year Rural Immersion Program

All University of Newcastle OT students are required to complete one ten-week placement block during their final year. Our rural immersion program lets you undertake your placement while based in Tamworth, Coffs Harbour or Port Macquarie. When you’re not on placement, you’ll continue to complete your normal coursework from your rural location. Our students have access to on-site academic support, subsidised accommodation, and interprofessional learning and community engagement activities.

Learn from the best

Our teaching and research staff have supported occupational therapy students since 2002 across the New England, North West and Lower Mid North Coast regions of NSW. You’ll be learning from the experienced and passionate occupational therapy practitioners, many who have a deep understanding of rural healthcare and are proficient with supporting student learning.

Some of our occupational therapy placement sites are listed below. In addition to these, we offer service learning placements in schools and in a community mental health organisation.

• Manning Base Hospital (acute inpatients)
• Taree Aged Care and Rehabilitation Services (community adult service)
• Port Macquarie Base Hospital (outpatient, acute patients, community OT for paediatrics, adult and mental health)
• Bellingen Hospital
• Coffs Harbour Base Hospital
• Armidale Mental Health Services
• Armidale Hospital and community services
• Tamworth Hospital
• Tamworth Community Health (adult and paediatric)
• Tamworth Mental Health Services
• New England Brain Injury Rehabilitation Service
• Non- health sites in Port Macquarie, Coffs Harbour and Tamworth

Funding support

You may be entitled to a scholarship or grant to assist your studies, such as Health Education and Training scholarships or the University of Newcastle’s Betty Josephine Fyffe Rural Health Scholarships. To find out more, talk with your university on application.

How to apply

Rural placement block: University of Newcastle students must nominate their desired placement locations through the placement portal, “SONIA”. (Note: each university has its own placement portal. If you are studying at another university, please consult your university for more information)

4th Year Rural Immersion Program: Email UONDRH-OT@newcastle.edu.au to complete an online expression of interest form, then follow the instructions from the academic.

Once you have your placement (year-long or block), you will need to register with us via our placement portal to access community and accommodation support.