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  • Q&A with Australian Health Practitioners

    How is herbal medicine regulated in Australia?

    Related Topic
    Alternative & Complementary Medicine
    I know that there is government regulation for health practitioners in Australia, and I have heard that Chinese Herbalists are government regulated. But I know that not all Herbalists are Chinese Herbalists and so I am confused.

    How do I know if I go to see a Herbalist if they are a regulated health professional or not?
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    Janice Bartley

    Massage Therapist, Western Herbal Medicine Practitioner

    Janice Bartley is a university qualified Medical Herbalist who fosters an evidence-based integrative approach to healthcare. Integrative healthcare focuses on the complexities of each individual’s … View Profile

    The Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) is a government organisation responsible for regulating health professionals in Australia. Doctors, nurses, pharmacists, dentists and Chinese herbal medicine practitioners are some of the many health practitioners regulated by AHPRA. Regulation is put in place to protect you from making misinformed decisions about your healthcare.

    Western Herbal Medicine practitioners are currently not regulated by AHPRA. This means that if you go to see a Western Herbal Medicine practitioner for health advice there is no government regulation in place to ensure that practitioner has relevant education, qualifications or insurances. The reality is, that currently in Australia anyone can legally call themselves a ‘Herbalist’ without any relevant qualifications and not be prosecuted for it.

    Fortunately, there are systems of self-regulation within the Western Herbal Medicine industry where independent professional associations work closely with government and health insurance companies ensure their members meet minimum standards to perform their work; these minimum standards do include standards for education, insurance and continuing professional education. If you are seeking health advice from a Western Herbal Medicine practitioner it is imperative that you ask them if they hold current industry registration with one of these professional associations which include ATMS, NHAA, ANPA, CMA and ANTA – you can even contact these bodies directly and ask them to recommend a registered practitioner within your local area.

    In July 2013 the Australian Register of Naturopaths and Herbalists (ARONAH) became fully operational. ARONAH was established with an aim to mirror AHPRA requirements for the regulation of health practitioners. Currently ARONAH membership is optional to Western Herbal Medicine practitioners, but it is the first step in a move toward AHPRA government regulation for Western Herbal Medicine practitioners.

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