University of the Sunshine Coast Gympie campus home to five occupational therapy graduates

The occupational therapy sector in Gympie is about to be injected with a much-needed boost, as graduates prepare to enter the workforce. Watch the video.

The Gympie region is preparing to welcome five new occupational therapy graduates in the coming months, as they prepare to graduate from the University of the Sunshine Coast.

Shontal Seng, Hayley Stephens, Liz Smit, Emily Treeby and Georgia Glenn are all set to enter the industry after they complete their degrees this month.

They are enrolled at the Sippy Downs, Sunshine Coast, campus but complete most of their self-directed study hours at the Gympie campus.

Now, after four years of stress, study and long commutes, they are each set to graduate with a Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (Honours).

The students said they looked forward to helping meet the growing demand for occupational therapists in the Gympie region.

Hayley said the increased funding and access to the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) has meant more occupational therapists are required.

“There’s growing demand for OTs,” she said.

“The popularity of the NDIS is what’s spurring a lot of it on.”

Shontal added that there is a greater public awareness of the occupational therapy option, as opposed to traditional physio.

“The accessibility to have occupational therapy is much higher now,” she said.

“The NDIS supports occupational therapists to support people.”

According to the students, occupational therapy offers a holistic approach to recovering from injury.

This, they said, was an important distinction and has also added to the increasing demand.

A UniSC spokesman said the occupational therapy course has seen a steady increase in popularity.

“This year, 173 students are enrolled, including 6 from Gympie and numbers have risen since 88 in 2020,” they said.

“Close to 100 per cent of UniSC’s occupational therapy graduates gain employment within four months of their degree.”

Emily Treeby, Liz Smit, Shontal Seng, Hayley Stephens and Georgia Glenn (not pictured) say the University of the Sunshine Coast campus in Gympie has been the key to their study success.

The university spokesman said there was a growing need for graduates, especially in the disability sector.

“There is a strong job market for occupational therapy graduates, related to the increase in private practice following the introduction of the National Disability Insurance Scheme,” they said.

“There are also plenty of opportunities in the more traditional hospital and education settings.”

The students say that despite completing their contact hours on the Sunshine Coast, having a campus in Gympie has been invaluable to their study.

“The staff couldn’t be more accommodating,” Shontal said.

Shontal and Hayley in particular are both mothers to four children. Shontal also lives in Langshaw, with poor access to internet.

“When I’m at home, I’m not studying,” she joked.

Originally published as University of the Sunshine Coast Gympie campus home to five occupational therapy graduates