The Complementary Medicine Association represents professional Naturopaths, Nutritionists, Homeopaths, Western Herbal, Chinese Herbal and Ayurveda practitioners to Governments & Government departments, State and Federal bodies, media, Private Health funds, Insurance Companies, relevant industry groups and the Public at large.
The association is a Full Member of the WNF (world naturopathic federation). The WNF represents naturopathic organisations from around the world. Their role is to promote and advance the naturopathic profession. They were established at the Internal Congress on Naturopathic Medicine in Paris, France in 2015. The voting members of the Federation are national associations representing naturopaths and naturopathic doctors around the world. As a WNF member, the association also holds ANF (Australian Naturopathic Federation) membership. The strength and reach of these organisations is world wide.
The CMA is a registered Not-for-profit association. NO profit is made or paid to Directors from it’s members or outside sources. ALL income is utilised for the betterment of its membership benefits and on representation of its’ members at large.
Some of CMA’s main benefits of membership are:
- Our well known reputation for professionalism
- Board Members who are practitioners themselves
- Our exceptionally knowledgeable and friendly Administration staff
- Our quality of membership
- Continued annual accreditation with all major Australian health funds
- Our democratic constitution where every member has a vote
- The encouraged opportunity to provide input/suggest idea’s to benefit all association members
- The opportunity to sit on State Auxiliaries and/or the Federal Executive
- Our professional standards in education, conduct and experience
- Ability of members to source their own insurance cover without limitation of provider
- Our market competitive membership fees
- Our exemplary working relationship with health funds throughout the country
- Recognition by the Australian Taxation Office for GST exemption on patient consultations (where applicable)
- Access to multiple avenues to easily accumulate (20) annual C.P.E. points
- Our responsible, structured approach in handling patient complaints
Click here for more information on how to apply for membership.
Important Membership Information
Industry standards may change at any time, as such: The Complementary Medicine Association accepts students from all Australian RTO’s and Universities offering training packages that can lead to full qualifications as accepted by the Australian Government. The CMA does not endorse any specific course, educational institution or guarantee that a specific educational qualification will allow student members to become full members.
Any fit and suitable person or (graduated) student will be accepted as a full Member upon their completion of (minimum) industry standard qualifications (as below). Eligibility for private health fund rebates may apply upon satisfactory completion of qualifications and compliance to association regulations, by-laws and other relevant legislation at the time of application.
Our Statement of Position on ‘Recognised Training and Qualification for Membership’
The Complementary Medicine Association (CMA) currently accepts all suitably qualified individuals as full Members, that hold a qualification from an Australian R.T.O (recognised training organisation) or Australian University, that meet minimum education standards at that time.
The current Complementary Medicine Association (CMA) recognised minimum educational standards required are;
Advanced Diploma of Naturopathy HLT60502, 60507 & 60512
Advanced Diploma of Nutrition HLT61012
Advanced Diploma of Western Herbal Medicine HLT60112
Advanced Diploma of Homeopathy HLT60612
Advanced Diploma of Ayurveda HLT60712
Those duly qualified & AHPRA registered in Chinese Herbal Medicine.
NB: Practical hours and clinic practicum must be undertaken as part of the course of study to meet membership entry criteria. Online theory learning may be no more than 50% of overall course requirements.
The Complementary Medicine Association (CMA) Board currently accepts student Members studying (the aforementioned), at any Australian R.T.O (recognised training organisation) or Australian University. Upon graduation students may (where eligibility criteria is met) request for upgrade to full membership.
Consideration and upgrade will only occur when these required minimum educational standards as stated above, are achieved.
Please Note: In July 2014, the Community Services and Health Industry Skills Council announced that the Advanced Diplomas in Naturopathy, Homeopathy, Nutritional Medicine and Western Herbal Medicine would be dropped from the Health Training Package. As a result of this decision, students in Australia now only have the option of studying a minimum level of Bachelor Degree in order to graduate with the potential to become a Natural Medicine practitioner.
Enrollments into the Advanced Diploma courses ceased by the end of 2015. The teach out period announced by the Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA) ran out on 31st December 2018.
Still need more information? Feel free to e-mail us your questions.