Outline

Overview

Productivity is identified by most people as a major life role. Occupational therapists provide assessments and interventions to enable individuals to participate in work roles safely and competently. By integrating an understanding of legislation, and organisational systems, students will learn how to deliver occupational therapy services within various compensation schemes and employment contexts. This includes workplace and functional assessment, injury prevention and management of work-related injuries, as well as strategies to enhance, restore, or maintain performance to participate in remunerative employment. There is a strong client and customer communication focus, with an emphasis on working with other health professionals, negotiation and collaboration skills as well as report writing. This unit includes learning activities that will contribute to practice education hours.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	Participation Sciences
Credit points	6
Prerequisites ?	OCCP1105 and OCCP1106 and OCCP2105 and OCCP3105
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	OCCP3077
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	No

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Josephine Gwynn, josephine.gwynn@sydney.edu.au

Assessment

The census date for this unit availability is 31 March 2026

Details
Criteria

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length	Use of AI
Oral exam	Oral assessment Workplace assessment case based discussion and evaluation.	30%	Formal exam period	15 minutes (oral)	AI prohibited
Outcomes assessed:
Written test	In class test In-class test based on weeks 1-5 content	20%	Week 06 Due date: 31 Mar 2026 at 12:30	1 hour	AI prohibited
Outcomes assessed:
Written work	Workplace/Job demands assessment and Report Complete a Workplace / job demands assessment in pairs and write up findings into a Report.	50%	Week 10	10 A4 pages	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
= group assignment ?

Assessment summary

In class test: MCQ and short answer questions covering information covered in Weeks 1-5.

Workplace assessment report: students will conduct a workplace assessment and write up a summary of the findings in pairs.

Oral assessment: Students will individually participate in a case based discussion and evaluation based upon the workplace assessment completed.

Detailed information for each assessment will be provided on CANVAS.

Assessment criteria

Grade name	Mark Range	Description
High Distinction	85-100	Outstanding standard indicating comprehensive knowledge and understanding of the relevant materials; demonstration of an outstanding level of academic achievement; mastery of skills and achievement of all assessment objectives.
Distinction	75-84	Excellent standard indicating a very high level of knowledge and understanding of the relevant materials; demonstration of a very high level of academic ability; sound development of skills and achievement of all assessment objectives
Credit	65-74	Good standard indicating a high level of knowledge and understanding of the relevant materials; demonstration of a high level of academic achievement; reasonable development of skills and achievement of all learning outcomes.
Pass	50-64	Satisfactory standard indicating an adequate knowledge and understanding of the relevant materials; demonstration of an adequate level of academic achievement; satisfactory development of skills and achievement of all learning outcomes.
Fail	0-49	Failure to satisfactorily achieve the learning outcomes of the unit.

For more information see guide to grades.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

You can use generative AI tools for open assessments. Restrictions on AI use apply to secure, supervised assessments used to confirm if students have met specific learning outcomes.

Refer to the assessment table above to see if AI is allowed, for assessments in this unit and check Canvas for full instructions on assessment tasks and AI use.

If you use AI, you must always acknowledge it. Misusing AI may lead to a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

The Assessment Procedures 2011 provide that any written work submitted after 11:59pm on the due date will be penalised by 5% of the maximum awardable mark for each calendar day after the due date. If the assessment is submitted more than ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded. However, a unit of study may prohibit late submission or exclude late penalties only if expressly stated below. Group assessments must be submitted on or before the due date.

Academic integrity

The University expects students to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

Our website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. This includes advice on how to avoid common breaches of academic integrity. Ensure that you have completed the Academic Honesty Education Module (AHEM) which is mandatory for all commencing coursework students

Penalties for serious breaches can significantly impact your studies and your career after graduation. It is important that you speak with your unit coordinator if you need help with completing assessments.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

Learning support

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Week 01	Work and Work in Society. Legislation and Models of Practice	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 01	Work and Work in Society. Legislation and Models of Practice	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 02	Assessment of Person: Functional Capacity Evaluation	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 02	Assessment of Person: Functional Capacity Evaluation	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 03	Assessment of Person: Initial Assessments	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 03	Assessment of Person: Initial Assessments	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 04	Assessment of Occupation: Task Analysis	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 04	Assessment of Occupation: Task Analysis	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 05	Assessment of Environment Workplace Assessment / Job demands analysis	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 05	Assessment of Environment Workplace Assessment / Job demands analysis	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 06	InClass test + Workplace assessment	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 06	InClass test + Workplace assessment	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 07	Ergonomics: Workplace design and work organisation	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 07	Ergonomics: Workplace design and work organisation	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 08	Ergonomics: Workplace design and work organisation	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 08	Ergonomics: Workplace design and work organisation	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 09	Occupational Rehabilitation and Work Health and Safety.	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 09	Occupational Rehabilitation and Work Health and Safety.	Seminar (1 hr)
Week 10	Occupational Rehabilitation	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 10	Occupational Rehabilitation	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 11	Occupational / Vocational Rehabilitation:	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 11	Occupational / Vocational Rehabilitation:	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 12	Occupational / Vocational Rehabilitation: Specific health/ disability conditions.	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 12	Occupational / Vocational Rehabilitation: Specific health/ disability conditions.	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 13	Occupational / Vocational Rehabilitation: Specific health/ disability conditions	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 13	Occupational / Vocational Rehabilitation: Specific health/ disability conditions	Tutorial (1 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

Attendance: Students are expected to attend all lectures and tutorials. Students must attend at least 80% of tutorials to pass this unit of study.

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

There is no prescribed text for this unit, however a list of readings and resources will be provided on CANVAS.

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

LO1. Examine the range and variation in personal value that affect a person's engagement in productivity.
LO2. Assess the biomechanical, sensory-motor, cognitive, interpersonal and intrapersonal capacities of the person and occupation as well as barriers and enablers in the environment which may impact participation in productive occupations.
LO3. Choose intervention strategies to prevent work injuries or assist people with exploring, choosing, finding, returning or maintaining employment.
LO4. Compare and contrast policies and procedures on the role of occupational therapy in different schemes in regards to vocational and occupational rehabilitation contexts.
LO5. Develop professional communication, negotiation and report writing skills to foster relationships with clients, health professionals and other stakeholders.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1	Depth of disciplinary expertise Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.
GQ2	Critical thinking and problem solving Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.
GQ3	Oral and written communication Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.
GQ4	Information and digital literacy Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.
GQ5	Inventiveness Generating novel ideas and solutions.
GQ6	Cultural competence Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.
GQ7	Interdisciplinary effectiveness Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.
GQ8	Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.
GQ9	Influence Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes	Graduate qualities
Learning outcomes

Alignment with Competency standards

Outcomes	Competency standards
	Australian occupational therapy competency standards 2018 - 3.1. Addresses occupational performance and participation of clients, identifying the enablers and barriers to engagement 3.2. Performs appropriate information gathering and assessment when identifying a client’s status and functioning, strengths, occupational performance and goals 3.3. Collaborates with the client and relevant others to determine the priorities and occupational therapy goals 3.4. Develops a plan with the client and relevant others to meet identified occupational therapy goals 3.5. Selects and implements culturally responsive and safe practice strategies to suit the occupational therapy goals and environment of the client 3.6. Seeks to understand and incorporate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples’ experiences of health, wellbeing and occupations encompassing cultural connections 3.7. Reflects on practice to inform and communicate professional reasoning and decision-making
	Australian occupational therapy competency standards 2018 - 3.2. Performs appropriate information gathering and assessment when identifying a client’s status and functioning, strengths, occupational performance and goals 3.8. Identifies and uses practice guidelines and protocols suitable to the practice setting or work environment
	Australian occupational therapy competency standards 2018 - 3.10. Reviews, evaluates and modifies plans, goals and interventions with the client and relevant others to enhance or achieve client outcomes 3.12. Uses effective collaborative, multidisciplinary and interprofessional approaches for decision-making and planning 3.13. Uses appropriate assistive technology, devices and/or environmental modifications to achieve client occupational performance outcomes, and 3.4. Develops a plan with the client and relevant others to meet identified occupational therapy goals 3.5. Selects and implements culturally responsive and safe practice strategies to suit the occupational therapy goals and environment of the client 3.6. Seeks to understand and incorporate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples’ experiences of health, wellbeing and occupations encompassing cultural connections 3.8. Identifies and uses practice guidelines and protocols suitable to the practice setting or work environment 4.1. Communicates openly, respectfully and effectively 4.2. Adapts written, verbal and non-verbal communication appropriate to the client and practice context 4.3. Works ethically with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and organisations to understand and incorporate relevant cultural protocols and communication strategies, with the aim of working to support self-governance in communities 4.4. Uses culturally responsive, safe and relevant communication tools and strategies 4.5. Complies with legal and procedural requirements for the responsible and accurate documentation, sharing and storage of professional information and records of practice
	Australian occupational therapy competency standards 2018 - 1.1. Complies with the Occupational Therapy Board of Australia’s standards, guidelines and Code of conduct 1.8. Adheres to all work health and safety, and quality requirements for practice 2.1. Applies current and evidence-informed knowledge of occupational therapy and other appropriate and relevant theory in practice 2.10. Maintains digital literacy for practice. 2.3. Identifies and applies best available evidence in professional practice and decision-making 2.6. Maintains and improves currency of knowledge, skills and new evidence for practice by adhering to the requirements for continuing professional development 3.8. Identifies and uses practice guidelines and protocols suitable to the practice setting or work environment 4.5. Complies with legal and procedural requirements for the responsible and accurate documentation, sharing and storage of professional information and records of practice 4.6. Maintains contemporaneous, accurate and complete records of practice 4.7. Obtains informed consent for practice and information-sharing from the client or legal guardian 4.8. Maintains collaborative professional relationships with clients, health professionals and relevant others
	Australian occupational therapy competency standards 2018 - 1.1. Complies with the Occupational Therapy Board of Australia’s standards, guidelines and Code of conduct 1.2. Adheres to legislation relevant to practice 1.3. Maintains professional boundaries in all client and professional relationships 1.4. Recognises and manages conflicts of interest in all client and professional relationships 1.5. Practises in a culturally responsive and culturally safe manner, with particular respect to culturally diverse client groups 3.7. Reflects on practice to inform and communicate professional reasoning and decision-making 4.2. Adapts written, verbal and non-verbal communication appropriate to the client and practice context 4.3. Works ethically with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and organisations to understand and incorporate relevant cultural protocols and communication strategies, with the aim of working to support self-governance in communities 4.5. Complies with legal and procedural requirements for the responsible and accurate documentation, sharing and storage of professional information and records of practice 4.6. Maintains contemporaneous, accurate and complete records of practice 4.7. Obtains informed consent for practice and information-sharing from the client or legal guardian

Australian occupational therapy competency standards 2018 -

Competency code	Taught, Practiced or Assessed	Competency standard
1.1		Complies with the Occupational Therapy Board of Australia’s standards, guidelines and Code of conduct
1.10		Practises within limits of her/his own level of competence and expertise
1.11		Maintains professional competence and adapts to change in practice contexts
1.2		Adheres to legislation relevant to practice
1.5		Practises in a culturally responsive and culturally safe manner, with particular respect to culturally diverse client groups
1.7		Collaborates and consults ethically and responsibly for effective client-centred and interprofessional practice
1.8		Adheres to all work health and safety, and quality requirements for practice
1.9		Identifies and manages the influence of her/his values and culture on practice
2.1		Applies current and evidence-informed knowledge of occupational therapy and other appropriate and relevant theory in practice
2.10		Maintains digital literacy for practice.
2.2		Applies theory and frameworks of occupation to professional practice and decision-making
2.3		Identifies and applies best available evidence in professional practice and decision-making
2.5		Maintains current knowledge for cultural responsiveness to all groups in the practice setting
2.8		Reflects on practice to inform current and future reasoning and decision-making and the integration of theory and evidence into practice
2.9		Maintains knowledge of relevant resources and technologies, and
3		Occupational therapy process and practice
3.1		Addresses occupational performance and participation of clients, identifying the enablers and barriers to engagement
3.10		Reviews, evaluates and modifies plans, goals and interventions with the client and relevant others to enhance or achieve client outcomes
3.13		Uses appropriate assistive technology, devices and/or environmental modifications to achieve client occupational performance outcomes, and
3.14		Contributes to quality improvement and service development.
3.2		Performs appropriate information gathering and assessment when identifying a client’s status and functioning, strengths, occupational performance and goals
3.3		Collaborates with the client and relevant others to determine the priorities and occupational therapy goals
3.4		Develops a plan with the client and relevant others to meet identified occupational therapy goals
3.5		Selects and implements culturally responsive and safe practice strategies to suit the occupational therapy goals and environment of the client
3.7		Reflects on practice to inform and communicate professional reasoning and decision-making
3.8		Identifies and uses practice guidelines and protocols suitable to the practice setting or work environment
4.1		Communicates openly, respectfully and effectively
4.2		Adapts written, verbal and non-verbal communication appropriate to the client and practice context
4.4		Uses culturally responsive, safe and relevant communication tools and strategies
4.5		Complies with legal and procedural requirements for the responsible and accurate documentation, sharing and storage of professional information and records of practice
4.6		Maintains contemporaneous, accurate and complete records of practice
4.7		Obtains informed consent for practice and information-sharing from the client or legal guardian
4.9		Uses effective communication skills to initiate and end relationships with clients and relevant others

Responding to student feedback

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

Based on student feedback there has been some changes to the structure of the weekly sessions, with more time allocated to discuss assessments in class and more details of the assessments on the CANVAS site.

Additional information

This unit includes 20 Practice Education hours.

Practice education hours are those spent on person facing activities (individual or community level ) supervised by a registered OT and including: preparation for the activity, assessment of the person/community, intervention planning and submission of written assignment and completion of an oral assessment.

The practice education hours include: preparation for the workplace / job analysis, the field/site visit to a workplace of your choice, completion of the work applying this information for the oral assessment.

You will be provided with more specific information about these requirements during tutorials before you do the workplace assessment and a details breakdown of the practice education hours that students will need to upload to SONIA.

Site visit guidelines

Site visits will be organised and conducted in a time agreeable to you and the workplace. Guidelines about the visit will be provided as part of the assessment and in tutorials

Work, health and safety

This unit includes a field/site visit to a workplace of your choice as part of the assessment.

You will be provided with more specific information about WHS requirements during tutorials before you do the workplace assessment.

Disclaimer

Important: the University of Sydney regularly reviews units of study and reserves the right to change the units of study available annually. To stay up to date on available study options, including unit of study details and availability, refer to the relevant handbook.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.

Current students

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Alignment with Competency standards

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Site visit guidelines

Work, health and safety

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

OCCP4101: Work Occupations

Semester 1, 2026 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Alignment with Competency standards

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Site visit guidelines

Work, health and safety

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links