National Accreditation
There are Nationally-recognised training qualifications in Massage, Aromatherapy and Reflexology. To obtain these Nationally-recognised qualifications one must go through a Registered Training Organisation (RTO). Nationally recognised qualifications mean that a qualification acquired in your State is automatically accepted Australia-wide. National Accreditation means that there is acceptance by most associations and health funds for Diploma levels of qualifications. Work Cover (in most states) requires the Nationally-Accredited Diploma in Remedial Massage HLT50307.
Massage Laws and Regulations
There are no laws governing massage therapy in Australia. Therefore one may undertake some short course certifications to begin a business. This may be quite suitable for those who contemplate providing relaxation, corporate or therapeutic massage, or working part time or in health Spas. Clients requesting these services may not want to claim on their health fund. Those who seek energy medicine work generally do not claim on their health fund.
However about 70% of remedial massage clients (those seeking relief from musculoskeletal complaints) will want to claim on their health fund for the treatment.
Importance of Joining a Professional Association
There are many natural therapy and massage associations in Australia. Most provide a good service to their members by arranging low cost insurance and subsidised workshops for continuing education. Health funds will not accept a practitioner for provider numbers unless they are member of an association and have a Government-Accredited Diploma. The Association will then organise most provider numbers with the health funds on behalf of the practitioner.
This saves the practitioner the tedious job of applying to each health fund individually.
Health Funds
Health funds in Australia dictate their own standards for issuing provider numbers to practitioners. All health funds have different criteria for providers (you, the practitioner). As mentioned, associations will organise for its members most of the provider numbers required. There are some funds that require direct applications to them for provider numbers which associations cannot arrange. This means the massage practitioner will have a variety of different provider numbers for different health funds. Please note in seeking your type of training some health funds (including MBF, Mutual Community and Manchester Unity) do not accept courses completed by distance education.
Please also refer to health funds under FAQ's
