With the recent decision of the Council of Occupational Therapists Registration Boards (Aust & NZ) Inc. to revise their assessment criteria such that only applicants from WFOT-accredited schools will be accepted, OTs who still want to migrate to Australia and to try their luck working as an OT there have another option in order to be successful in this endeavor.
The COTRB suggests the following:
Degree Conversion Courses
For those Stage I Desk Top applicants who are found not suitable for the purposes of migration/registration in Australia on the basis that they hold a qualification recognised by the World Federation of Occupational Therapists (WFOT) but the qualification is not deemed equivalent to an Australian Bachelors degree (in accordance with AEI-NOOSR Country Education Profiles) there is an option available to upgrade in order to qualify for the Desk Top Assessment.Persons in this category will normally be required to undertake a degree conversion course recognised by COTRB through a recognised higher education course.
Universities throughout Australia offer degree conversion courses in varying forms and it is recommended that applicants contact these Universities directly to gain further information.
Curtin University
GPO Box U 1987
PERTH WA 6845
Tel: (08) 9266 9266
Email: customer-service@curtin.edu.au
Web Site: http://ot.curtin.edu.au/Programs/degree_conv.cfmLa Trobe University
VICTORIA 3086
Tel: (03) 9479 1111
Email: study@latrobe.edu.au
Web Site: http://www.latrobe.edu.au/occtherapy/James Cook University
TOWNSVILLE QLD 4811
Tel: (07) 4781 4111
Fax: (07) 4779 6371
Email: EnquiriesTownsville@jcu.edu.au
Web Site: http://www.jcu.edu.au/phtmr/ot/
There is hope after all.
However, of the three universities, I have found out online that Curtin is the only one that currently offers this type of course on-campus and through distance education. You may want to inquire personally with the other universities if you are more interested in getting your degree there.
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Getting a new degree from a first-world country is certainly life changing, much like having a plastic surgeon in Los Angeles, California giving you a total make-over. It is a big deal because your credentials will automatically be considered at par with the rest and you will definitely have an easier time finding work. It is also going to cost you a lot of money but it is all worth it.





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