Membership Requirements and Conditions
CMA offers membership categories to suit qualified practitioners, students and others involved in complementary medicine.
The information below outlines the requirements and responsibilities associated with CMA membership. Select a category to learn more.
Full Practising For qualified practitioners actively practising.
Full Practising membership is intended for qualified complementary medicine practitioners who wish to practise under CMA professional recognition.
Applicants must meet CMA's recognised educational and clinical training standards. Requirements may vary according to professional modality and private health fund eligibility.
Members must maintain applicable Continuing Professional Development (CPD), professional insurance, First Aid certification and other professional requirements.
Eligible practitioners may also obtain private health fund provider recognition, subject to individual fund requirements.
Full Non-Practising For qualified practitioners not currently practising clinically under CMA recognition.
This category is suitable for qualified practitioners who have retired, are taking a break from clinical practice or wish to remain connected with their profession while working in non-clinical roles, such as teaching, research or administration.
Full Non-Practising membership does not provide clinical practising recognition, and members in this category are generally ineligible for private health fund provider registration.
Members wishing to return to clinical practice under CMA recognition must apply to upgrade to Full Practising membership and meet the applicable requirements.
Associate For individuals who support CMA's aims and objectives.
Associate membership is intended for people who have an interest in complementary medicine and wish to maintain a connection with CMA without seeking clinical recognition.
This may include people working in related industries, education, administration or other supporting roles. Applicants must be at least 18 years old.
Associate membership does not confer CMA clinical practising status or private health fund provider recognition.
Student For individuals enrolled in relevant complementary medicine courses.
Student membership is intended for people undertaking studies in a relevant complementary medicine discipline who wish to connect with their future profession.
Student members can access applicable CMA educational resources and activities while studying.
Student membership is free and does not provide independent practising-member status or private health fund recognition.
Members should advise CMA when their enrolment changes or their course is completed.
Education Requirements
Full Practising membership requires a recognised qualification at Advanced Diploma level or higher, including a minimum of 200 hours of clinical training undertaken as part of the course.
Additional educational requirements may apply depending on the professional modality and eligibility for private health fund recognition.
For further information, please see our Education Standards for Membership page.
Professional Standards and Member Responsibilities
All CMA members are expected to comply with CMA's Constitution, applicable policies and professional standards.
Full Practising members are required to maintain Continuing Professional Development (CPD), insurance, First Aid certification and other applicable professional requirements. Members must notify CMA of relevant changes to their professional circumstances.
Naturopathy and Western Herbal Medicine practitioners are covered by the joint Code of Conduct, while Ayurveda and Nutrition practitioners remain subject to CMA's Code of Ethics.
Membership Fees and Renewals
CMA's membership year runs from 1 June to 31 May, with annual membership fees due by 31 May.
Members are responsible for renewing their membership and paying applicable fees to maintain their membership status and benefits.
Where an instalment payment arrangement is approved, all scheduled payments must be completed.
Membership fees are generally non-refundable, except where required by Australian law or otherwise approved by CMA.
Health Fund Recognition
Private health fund provider recognition is available to eligible Full Practising members, subject to the requirements of individual health funds.
Members must maintain the professional qualifications, credentials and compliance requirements necessary for continued recognition. Failure to do so may affect their health fund provider status.
Changes to Membership
Members may apply to change their membership category as their professional circumstances change.
Members returning to clinical practice must meet CMA's current Full Practising membership requirements before practising under CMA recognition.
Changes to membership category may affect membership benefits and private health fund provider recognition.
Membership Decisions and Reviews
CMA may approve, refuse, suspend or terminate membership in accordance with its Constitution and applicable policies.
Members may request a review of a decision affecting their membership by contacting CMA in writing.