Acupuncture is taking its place among treatments for a range of conditions throughout the world.
- In Australia, ten percent of the population has had acupuncture treatment by physicians or acupuncturists in private clinics.
- Over 10 million visits are made to acupuncturists every year.
- Third-party payment is available in six of the eight Australian states and territories.
- Most of the acupuncture users born in Australia, had completed post-secondary education, are covered by private health insurance and tend to look after their health and lives mainly in New South Wales, Victoria, and Queensland according to the Chinese Medicine Board of Australia – Registration Data December 2017.
- The Chinese Medicine Association and the Chinese Medicine Registration Board of Victoria have approved and accredited six acupuncture degree courses.
Expansion of the Acupuncture Profession.
Recent development of acupuncture in Australia demonstrates that when acupuncture is adequately and appropriately evaluated, acupuncture begins to integrate into mainstream health care in Australia.
In the past 20 years, acupuncture practice has expanded enormously. There are currently around four thousand registered acupuncture practitioners registered with the Chinese Medical Board of Australia. The following titles have been protected:
- Acupuncturist.
- Oriental medicine practitioner.
- Chinese medicine practitioner.
- Chinese herbal medicine practitioner.
Minimum educational requirements have been specified for registration. The system of formal education and training has been established.
- A Four-Year Bachelor’s Degree in a related field is the minimal requirement.
- Nine undergraduate programs and three graduate programs are training acupuncture practitioners.
- Three public universities three private colleges form the foundation of the professional training system.
- The public universities offer Masters-degree and Doctor of Philosophy programs.
- This training is approved by the Chinese Medicine Board of Australia.
Qualifications for Practice in TCM and Acupuncture in Australia.
In order to be recognized as an acupuncture practitioner in Australia, you must meet these requirements.
- Continuously hold registration with the Chinese Medicine Board of Australia.
- Continuously hold a current First Aid Certificate (HLTAID003).
- Meet the training education – A Bachelor’s Degree in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)
The Special Relationship between Australia and Chinese Medicine.
Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and acupuncture have a history of 150 years in Australia, because of the high level of Chinese influence. The initial transfer of TCM to Australia came from Chinese migrants who came to Australia searching for gold in the middle of the 1800s.
- In 1867, there were 50 TCM practitioners in Australia.
- In 1970, the Australian Government was sponsoring full health insurance provided by registered Western practitioners.
The Sydney Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine has the mission to unlock the power of TCM through the delivery of high quality accredited education. Please contact us to learn more.
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